Highlights
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Beloved franchises like Mortal Kombat, Pokémon, and Final Fantasy have stood the test of time with multiple releases and adaptations.
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These game series have evolved over the years, balancing the core gameplay elements that fans love and adapting to modern trends.
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The staying power of these franchises lies in their ability to offer a wide variety of games that cater to both long-time fans and new players.
If there is a common trend in video games, it is that if a game is well received, you can usually expect a sequel. This process typically repeats itself until the game series loses traction and interest and eventually falls by the wayside. However, in some cases, these game series are so beloved that they become franchises that have the staying power to withstand the test of time and can remain relevant for years, if not decades.
Related
The best game franchises from the ’90s that still exist today
The 1990s saw the debut of several popular and successful video game franchises that continue to this day.
Some of these franchises have remained popular by constantly changing and adapting to the times, while others have stayed much closer to their roots, keeping most of the core elements of their gameplay intact in an “if it ain’t broke” style. , don’t fix it.” his attitude. Having been around for so long, these franchises also offer a wide variety of different games for players to enjoy.
10
mortal kombat
Number of games: 24
Originally released in 1992 in arcade machines, mortal kombat was received so favorably that it was ported to most home consoles the following year. The simplistic basic moves combined with the more complex and brutal doom system was a fun combination and has remained in the series to this day.
The violent nature of the game and the subsequent controversies surrounding it likely increased its popularity, and multiple sequels quickly followed the first, being the last and 24th in the series. mortal kombat 1.
9
fifa
Number of games: 39
FIFA 23
- Released
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September 27, 2022
Being one of the most recognized sports game franchises on the planet, fifa It started in the fourth generation of consoles with FIFA International Soccer in 1993 and has received annual releases since then.
Despite having tough competition in Pro Evolution Soccer, FIFA stands out as the best football game series on the market, with precise, responsive and accessible controls ensuring satisfying gameplay, appealing to both old fans and new players. Players have a nearly endless choice of teams (both domestic and international) to choose from and multiple game modes and soccer fields to play on.
8
distant scream
Number of games: 13
In its 20 years of history, distant scream has established itself as one of the best open world FPS games out there. Originally developed by critek, distant scream places the player on a tropical archipelago, with countless mercenaries and hostile mutants to contend with. A lot of attention was placed on player freedom, providing large levels with multiple paths to choose from while tackling objectives.
This freedom is something that was only improved once. Ubisoft took the reins, with each entry from far away 2 being a completely open world and taking place in new and exotic locations. Another notable feature of this franchise is the memorable antagonists; Vaas Montenegro and Joseph Seed in particular make lasting impressions.
7
Pokémon
Number of games: 122
Pokémon It is a special franchise, since it transcended beyond video games. The franchise is as beloved for its card game and animated television series as it is for its games. Anyone who grew up in the ’90s will remember that it was impossible to avoid Pokémon in any of its forms, whether watching television or playing in the schoolyard.
As for gaming, players have been catching, collecting, and fighting. Pokémon since 1996 on the original Game Boy, and each subsequent Nintendo console features multiple releases of this beloved franchise.
6
Halo
Number of games: 12
When Halo: Evolved Combat First released on the original Xbox in 2001, it completely changed the gaming landscape and proved that players could experience a full FPS experience on the console, with no in-game hiccups. The original trilogy offered some of the most memorable moments in video game history, with its gripping plot, fantastic characters, and quotable one-liners (usually from Master Chief).
Although Halo is best known for its FPS games, the franchise has also dipped its toe into the RTS genre with halo wars and Halo Wars 2Both games were well received by critics and players alike.
5
Obligations
Number of games: 24
He Obligations The franchise has been producing annual releases since 2003. For the first few years, this series focused solely on World War II and, as a result, gathered a fairly large audience. what took Obligations to a whole new level was the release of Call of Duty: Modern Warfarewhich brought the series into a modern setting. It also offered a multiplayer mode that set a new standard for FPS games.
The franchise has jumped between time periods and settings over the years, but one thing that has remained constant is the tight shooting controls and fun multiplayer experiences.
4
Tom Clancy’s
Number of games: 45
Generally based on geopolitical conflicts, the Tom Clancy’s The franchise includes a wide range of games, spanning multiple genres. Team-based tactical play is a common trend in the franchise, as seen in rainbow six and Phantom recognitionwhich require a slower approach to taking on enemies, and using the squad wisely is essential for survival (whether AI controlled NPCs or other players as seen in rainbow six siege).
Tom Clancy’s The name is also associated with one of the best stealth game series of all time: splinter cellwhich innovated the genre with its stealth mechanics.
3
resident Evil
Number of games: 29
He resident Evil The series has been a mainstay of the survival horror genre since the ’90s. The dark atmosphere, focus on resource management, and intense boss battles constantly kept players on their toes and ensured they never felt safe. With the release of Resident Evil 4 In 2005, the franchise changed the gameplay to a third-person perspective and moved towards a more action-oriented direction.
Although the series lost some of its horror elements for a brief time, Resident Evil 7: Biohazard Once again it changed the formula (this time with a first-person perspective) and resulted in one of the scariest horror gaming experiences in recent memory.
2
final fantasy
Number of games: 16
One of the most influential and beloved role-playing games of all time. final fantasy It changed the landscape of gaming with its deep stories, memorable characters, and rich world-building. Most of the games are in anthology format and have their own independent stories.
The series is no stranger to shocking and emotional moments, which adds to the lasting impressions each entry can leave on fans. More recent games, once primarily “limited” to turn-based action, have moved on to real-time combat. This is a change that polarized fans but certainly made the action more cinematic for players.
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Mario
Number of games: 200+
Mario It is the best-selling game franchise of all time. Mario first appeared as the character ‘Jumpman’ in the arcade game. donkey kong (1981). He quickly became a fan favorite and, within a few years, had become the mascot of nintendo.
Best known for Super Mario game series, which pioneered the side-scrolling platform genre, everyone’s favorite Italian plumber has also appeared in many other Nintendo games (over 200 at the time of writing), including the Mario Kart series, a fun kart racing game that has caused family arguments since its first release in 1992.
Further
All the Mario games on 3DS, ranked
There were numerous Mario games on the 3DS. Here’s how they compare in terms of pure quality.