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List of video game franchises
List of video game franchises
List of video game franchises
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This is a list of video game franchises, organized alphabetically. All entries include multiple video games, not counting ports or altered re-releases.

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List of video game franchises

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A list of video game franchises catalogs the prominent series within the , where each franchise consists of multiple interconnected titles sharing common such as characters, narratives, settings, or gameplay mechanics, often developed or published under the same brand. These franchises underpin the industry's , with the global video games market generating $184 billion in revenue in 2023 and reaching $187.7 billion in 2024, largely driven by recurring blockbuster series that dominate sales and player engagement. Key Characteristics and Impact
Video game franchises typically evolve across generations of hardware and platforms, fostering long-term fan communities and enabling expansions into , films, television, , and toys, thereby amplifying their cultural reach beyond gaming. For instance, leading franchises like boast the highest in the United States at over 90%, while holds the record as the best-selling series worldwide with more than 500 million units sold. Notable Examples and Longevity
Many franchises span decades, with pioneers like Pokémon—which has sold over 489 million copies as of March 2025—demonstrating sustained success through iterative releases and multimedia adaptations. Others, such as , exemplify annual releases that generate billions in revenue with lifetime earnings exceeding $30 billion, underscoring how franchises fuel ongoing innovation and market dominance. This list focuses on series with at least two entries, highlighting their role in shaping gaming history from the arcade era to modern and live-service models.

Introduction

Definition of a Video Game Franchise

A video game franchise refers to an (IP) that encompasses a series of interconnected video games, typically sharing recurring elements such as characters, settings, storylines, or gameplay mechanics, and usually developed or published under the same brand by a single studio or publisher. These franchises often include sequels, prequels, spin-offs, and remakes that build upon the core IP to extend its narrative or mechanics, while ownership is generally held by major publishers like , which controls the and The Legend of Zelda series, or , which manages titles like and . Key characteristics also involve licensing the IP for expansion beyond games, such as films, television series, and merchandise, which helps maximize commercial value and cultural reach. The historical evolution of video game franchises began in the late 1970s and early 1980s during the golden age of arcades, when pioneering titles like (1978) by and (1980) by not only achieved massive popularity but also spawned direct sequels, home console ports, and ancillary products, laying the groundwork for branded series. By the , as the industry shifted toward console and PC gaming, franchises expanded into multimedia ecosystems; for instance, Nintendo's Super Mario Bros. inspired the first major live-action video game adaptation with the 1993 film Super Mario Bros., marking a pivotal step in cross-media licensing. This period saw franchises evolve from isolated game releases to comprehensive IPs designed for long-term monetization across platforms. Video game franchises manifest in various types, including core series with numbered sequels that advance a continuous storyline, such as the Final Fantasy entries developed by ; expanded universes that connect multiple titles through shared worlds, like Marvel Comics-based games such as Marvel's Avengers and Marvel's Spider-Man, which draw from the shared ; and reboot cycles that reimagine origins for modern audiences, exemplified by ' 2013 Tomb Raider, which revitalized Lara Croft's adventures with updated mechanics and backstory. These formats allow publishers to sustain audience engagement while adapting to technological and market changes.

Inclusion Criteria

To qualify for inclusion in this list, a video game franchise must meet several primary criteria that establish it as a cohesive, multi-entry (IP) beyond a single title or loosely related projects. First, it requires at least two distinct releases, excluding mere ports, remasters, or re-releases that do not introduce substantial new content or gameplay. This threshold ensures the series demonstrates sustained development and iteration, as seen in franchises like The Legend of Zelda, which spans numerous core entries across decades. Second, the entries must share core IP elements, such as recurring characters, lore, setting, or thematic branding, creating a unified universe that connects the games narratively or mechanically. Finally, the franchise should exhibit commercial success—typically measured by aggregate sales exceeding millions of units—or significant cultural impact, such as influencing conventions or community engagement, to distinguish it from niche experiments. Exclusions are applied rigorously to maintain focus on established, official series. Standalone games, even critically acclaimed ones like in its initial form, do not qualify without subsequent entries building on the IP. Short-lived series with fewer than two titles are omitted, as are mobile-only apps or titles that remain confined to platforms without meaningful expansion to console or PC ecosystems. Fan-made mods or unlicensed projects, regardless of popularity, are excluded due to their lack of official endorsement and commercial viability from developers or publishers. Edge cases are evaluated to preserve continuity while respecting the franchise's integrity. Reboots are counted as continuations if they retain key IP elements, such as iconic characters or lore, even if they reset timelines or mechanics—exemplified by the Tomb Raider series, where modern entries revitalize the brand without severing its historical ties. Multimedia tie-ins, like films or comics, are considered only if video games remain the primary medium driving the IP's identity and revenue. Both active and dormant franchises are included if they satisfy the core criteria, acknowledging that pauses in development do not negate prior impact, as with the Half-Life series awaiting potential revival.

Organization and Scope of the List

This entry organizes franchises alphabetically by their primary title, disregarding leading definite or indefinite articles (e.g., "The" or "A") to facilitate intuitive and grouping of related series. Within each alphabetical section, entries are sub-sorted by primary developer or publisher, with secondary consideration for debut year where developer information overlaps or is ambiguous, drawing from established cataloging practices in comprehensive game databases. The scope of this list emphasizes franchises spanning major platforms including consoles, personal computers, and mobile devices, reflecting the dominant distribution channels in the global industry. Coverage aims for international breadth, prioritizing series with English-language titles or widespread localization, while excluding predominantly adult-oriented content due to regulatory restrictions on platforms like and varying national bans on explicit material. Similarly, region-locked series without verifiable international releases are omitted to maintain focus on accessible, globally recognized properties. As of November 2025, the list incorporates franchises with significant releases through late 2025, compiled from authoritative industry databases such as the Internet Game Database (IGDB) and VGChartz for verification of titles, developers, and metrics. These sources employ community contributions, API integrations, and periodic manual curation to track updates, though the entry acknowledges inherent incompleteness, particularly for emerging indie franchises spurred by the post-2020 development boom enabled by accessible tools and digital distribution. Recent examples include the September 2025 release of Hollow Knight: Silksong, which expanded the indie franchise to two main entries. Each entry in the alphabetical sections presents key details including the primary developer and publisher, debut year, an approximate count of mainline titles (excluding ports, spin-offs, or remakes unless integral), and a concise one-sentence overview of the franchise's core themes or evolution, with hyperlinks to dedicated or database pages for deeper exploration.

Supplementary Lists

Longest-Running Franchises

The longest-running franchises exemplify the industry's capacity for sustained innovation and cultural resonance, spanning decades through consistent releases that adapt core gameplay to new hardware and genres. These series often originate from the arcade or early console eras and have endured by evolving mechanics, such as transitioning from 2D sprites to immersive 3D worlds, while fostering global communities via annual events and merchandise. As of 2025, franchises with continuous activity over 30 years highlight this longevity, measured from debut release to the most recent title or major update. The following table ranks the top 10 based on total span, prioritizing major series with verifiable ongoing production.
RankFranchiseDebut YearSpan (Years)Developer/PublisherKey Milestones
1198045Arcade debut as maze-chase classic; evolution to 3D and mobile titles; 2025 release of Pac-Man Shadow Labyrinth marking 45th anniversary.
2198144Introduction via ; shift from 2D platforming in (1985) to 3D in (1996); over 200 titles, including 2025 Switch celebrations for Super Mario Bros. 40th anniversary.
3197847Pioneering fixed shooter arcade game; remakes like (2008); 2025 Apple Arcade title Infinity Gene Evolve.
4The Legend of Zelda198639Debut on NES as action-adventure; open-world innovations in Breath of the Wild (2017); ongoing with echoes in 2025 2 titles.
5Final Fantasy198738JRPG origins on NES emphasizing story and turn-based combat; genre shifts to action in later entries; 2025 PC release of .
6198639Traditional JRPG with dragon-slaying quests; annual numbering system; remakes and expansions continuing into 2025.
7198738Arcade fighting game pioneer; evolution to 3D models in (2016); competitive scene active with 2025 events.
8198738Side-scrolling action-platformer; robot master battles; revivals like (2018) and ongoing collections.
9198639Metroidvania-style exploration; gothic horror themes; Netflix series tie-ins and remasters extending to 2025 mobile updates.
10Pokémon199629The Pokémon CompanyCreature-collecting RPG debut on ; annual generations with trading and battles; 2025 release of Pokémon Legends: Z-A.
Among these, the Mario franchise stands out for its platform evolution, beginning as a simple arcade hero in 1981 and expanding into multimedia empire with titles across every Nintendo console, demonstrating adaptability from pixel art to open-world explorations. Similarly, Pac-Man's maze-chasing simplicity has persisted through technological shifts, from vector graphics to VR integrations, underscoring arcade roots' lasting impact. Final Fantasy illustrates JRPG evolution, moving from linear narratives to expansive worlds while maintaining epic storytelling that influences modern titles. These franchises' cultural persistence is evident in annual events like Pokémon's global championships and Mario's thematic merchandise drops, which keep communities engaged beyond . In 2025, many remain active post-2020, with long gaps in some cases—like Grand Theft Auto's 18-year wait between GTA V (2013) and GTA VI (2026)—yet proving longevity through strategic revivals that align with current trends such as live-service models and .

Best-Selling Franchises

The best-selling video game franchises are determined by cumulative global unit , including physical copies, digital downloads, and bundled distributions across all platforms. This emphasizes commercial impact, with figures updated to reflect through late 2025 where available. The shift has significantly boosted ongoing revenue for many series, such as through microtransactions and free content updates that encourage repeat engagement without additional full-game purchases. Licensing and merchandise further amplify earnings beyond core , particularly for franchises like , where ancillary products contribute substantially to overall profitability. Updated as of November 2025, including from recent releases like World and Pokémon Legends: Z-A. The top franchises dominate due to their broad accessibility, annual releases or expansions, and adaptation to mobile and online play. Many also overlap with the longest-running series, as sustained development sustains sales over decades. Below is a ranking of the top 10 based on reported cumulative units sold, with publishers and peak popularity eras noted for context.
RankFranchisePublisher(s)Cumulative Units SoldPeak Era
1893 million1980s–present
2The Tetris Company / Various520 million1980s–2000s
3500 million+2000s–present
4PokémonThe Pokémon Company515 million1990s–present
5455 million2000s–present
6 / 350 million2010s–present
7FIFA / EA Sports FC325 million+1990s–present
890 million+2000s–present
9150 million+1990s–2010s
10200 million+2000s–present
These figures include series-wide totals and are drawn from official announcements and industry trackers; exact numbers vary slightly by source due to differing inclusions of models and downloads. For instance, Minecraft's sales surged post-2011 launch thanks to cross-platform digital availability and free updates like the Nether Update, which extended player retention without gating content behind paywalls. Similarly, Grand Theft Auto's open-world design and GTA Online's live-service model have driven consistent sales, with the franchise generating additional revenue from merchandise licensing exceeding $1 billion annually in peak years. Recent 2025 highlights include strong performance from titles amid the franchise's annual cycle, though delays like to 2026 have shifted focus to ongoing online modes for sustained metrics.

References

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  11. https://www.wipo.int/cooperation/en/docs/ip-video-games.pdf
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  18. https://gamicus.fandom.com/wiki/Video_game_franchise
  19. https://www.videocaddy.com/blog/the-most-successful-video-franchises-in-history/
  20. https://www.popmatters.com/141125-video-game-reboots-2496030462.html
  21. https://www.mobygames.com/
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  24. https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/banned-video-games-by-country
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  26. https://libres.uncg.edu/ir/uncg/f/K_Nunnally_Colossal_2023.pdf
  27. https://www.ign.com/articles/hollow-knight-silksong-global-release-times-confirmed
  28. https://www.bandainamcoent.com/pac-man-45th-anniversary
  29. https://screenrant.com/new-super-mario-games-2025-40th-anniversary-op-ed/
  30. https://www.gematsu.com/2025/03/space-invaders-infinity-gene-evolve-announced-for-apple-arcade
  31. https://gamerant.com/final-fantasy-2025-ff7-rebirth-pc-magic-the-gathering-crossover-ff14-mobile/
  32. https://press.na.square-enix.com/Items/Schedule?period=ComingSoon&sortBy=Date
  33. https://legends.pokemon.com/
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