The video game industry has thrived on the strength of its most enduring franchises, dating back to long-running series like “Pac-Man” and “Donkey Kong.” The idea of games getting sequels and spin-offs exploded once gaming on home platforms became more readily available in the ’80s. And while there are still plenty of original and standalone games that get produced every year, it does feel like the gaming industry revolves heavily around established franchises. We’re highlighting our personal favorites that continue to thrive and remain relevant today, all of which have stayed active for decades.
Whether it’s the sheer number of games released for these properties or their wider ubiquity beyond the gaming community, these are the greatest franchises ever. They aren’t necessarily the biggest commercial properties in the industry today, but each of these have stood the test of time and boast millions of fans worldwide. All of the properties that we’re mentioning here have also extended their reach into merchandising and multimedia adaptations, rather than remain relegated to gaming. Here are the five best video game franchises of all time ranked, standing as the most recognizable in the industry.
5. Street Fighter
There are plenty of long-running fighting game franchises, like “Mortal Kombat” and “Tekken,” but the one that towers above the rest is “Street Fighter.” Starting out as a 1987 arcade game that was ahead of its time, the series really started hitting its stride with “Street Fighter II” in 1991. “Street Fighter II” alone released five distinct official arcade versions in the ’90s, coupled with home ports on virtually every major platform at the time. Apart from the ongoing mainline series, the game has generated spin-offs like the “Street Fighter EX Trilogy” along with several crossover titles like “Street Fighter X Tekken.”
There were many video games that tried to copy “Street Fighter” but there’s really no substituting Capcom’s hard-hitting classic. There have been numerous live-action and animated projects based on “Street Fighter,” while the latest mainline title, “Street Fighter 6,” is a popular draw in esports tournaments. The series has steadily evolved with the times, from the fast-paced “Street Fighter III” era to the mainline shift to a 3D art style in “Street Fighter IV.” Boasting a deep bench of fan-favorite characters, “Street Fighter” popularized fighting games and remains a staple in its community.
4. Sonic the Hedgehog
While he’s certainly had his rough patches, it’s safe to say that Sonic the Hedgehog is running relatively smoothly for Sega again. Though Sega had been looking for an official mascot before Sonic, the company was never the same after the blue speedster burst on the scene in 1991. The franchise released nine games for the Sega Genesis generation alone, if one counts “Sonic CD” for its Sega CD peripheral. Since then, Sonic has been a staple on not only subsequent Sega consoles, but every major gaming platform after Sega got out producing its own console hardware.
Even after enduring roughly a decade of mediocre games, Sonic bounced back with titles like “Sonic Colors” and “Sonic Generations.” The franchise has also remained to be a merchandising and multimedia juggernaut, serving as the subject for some of the best video game movies of all time. Nowadays, Sonic maintains a constant presence in the industry, starring in spin-off titles like “Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds” as well as mainline entries including “Sonic Superstars.” Sega may have long gotten out of the console market, but business is booming for Sonic the Hedgehog.
3. Resident Evil
One more Capcom franchise to mention is “Resident Evil,” which began in 1996 on the PlayStation and quickly popularized the survival horror genre. Since then, the franchise has released mainline entries as recently as 2026’s “Resident Evil Requiem” and appeared on virtually every major gaming platform to date. The series has spawned over a dozen live-action and animated movies, merchandising, and even Netflix original shows in both live-action and animation. The games themselves have epitomized how to properly remake a classic, with its first four mainline titles each magnificently reimagined for modern audiences.
Just as “Street Fighter” remains the global leader in fighting games, “Resident Evil” is the leading series in the horror genre. The more celebrated entries are horror video games that everyone needs to play at least once, blending action and terror in effective measure. Horror games had certainly existed before, but the genre reached a whole level of mainstream popularity after “Resident Evil” took off. Still regarded as the scariest horror game franchise by many, “Resident Evil” is Capcom’s macabre masterpiece of a series.
2. The Legend of Zelda
40 years ago, “The Legend of Zelda” was among the video games from the ’80s that defined the NES era, emphasizing exploration over linear platforming and combat. Nintendo’s fantasy franchise is still going strong, with its latest entry, a remake of “Ocarina of Time,” standing as one of the biggest titles for the Switch 2. The original game is one of the greatest examples of an established franchise making the leap to 3D in the ’90s, while also still producing titles from its classic top-down perspective. The game has since earned its place among the most prominent Nintendo franchises, expanding to merchandising while its games have appeared on virtually every Nintendo console.
Every time a new “Legend of Zelda” game drops, it still feels like a community event, something few franchises of its age can boast. Nintendo has been very careful with how its iconic fantasy franchise is handled, with even lesser games in the series still largely offering a good time. The franchise is poised to take a big step with an upcoming video game movie we can’t wait to see in 2027, looking as epic as the source material. Pumping out masterpiece after masterpiece, “The Legend of Zelda” is one of the crown jewels of the industry.
1. Mario
On some level, you knew that Mario was going to top this list. He is arguably the most recognizable face in video games. Mario made his debut as the protagonist of “Donkey Kong,” Nintendo’s breakout arcade hit, before headlining his own line of games. This included the “Super Mario” series, which both launched the Nintendo Entertainment System and played a major role in the industry bouncing back from the video game crash of 1983. Powered by this success, Mario is not only the de facto mascot for Nintendo, but can still be considered the flagship franchise for the industry as a whole.
Beyond just the “Super Mario” series, Mario has starred in a countless line of spin-offs, from “Mario Kart” to “Mario Party” and including a growing number of sports titles. More than platforming, Mario has starred in multiple RPG series, each distinct from each other, continuing to demonstrate how flexible the franchise is. This is to say nothing of the merchandising and multimedia expansions of the franchise, including multiple shows and commercially successful movies. Mario remains an industry-affirming presence, helping Nintendo maintain its strong position amid competition.
