Best Video Game Franchises With More Than 10 Games

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Best Video Game Franchises With More Than 10 Games

Highlights

  • Beloved franchises like Mortal Kombat, Pokemon, and Final Fantasy have stood the test of time with multiple releases and adaptations.
  • These gaming series have evolved over the years, balancing the core gameplay elements that fans love while adapting to modern trends.
  • 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 alike.

As a seasoned gamer with decades of controller-clutching under my belt, I can confidently say that these four franchises have left an indelible mark on my gaming journey. From the pulse-pounding tactical action of Tom Clancy’s games to the heart-stopping horror of Resident Evil, each one has provided me with unforgettable experiences that have shaped my love for video games.

One consistent pattern in the world of gaming is that when a game becomes popular, it’s often followed by another installment. This cycle tends to continue until the game series starts to decline and ultimately fades away. However, some gaming series are so cherished that they evolve into enduring franchises capable of maintaining relevance for years, even decades.

Some franchises manage to stay relevant by constantly evolving and adapting with the times, while others choose to maintain a strong connection to their original form, preserving most of their fundamental gameplay mechanics due to the ‘if it’s not broken, don’t fix it’ philosophy. With such a rich history behind them, these franchises provide a wide array of gaming experiences for enthusiasts to savor.

10 Mortal Kombat

Number Of Games: 24

First appearing on arcade systems back in 1992, Mortal Kombat was met with such enthusiasm that it quickly made its way onto most home consoles the following year. The game’s simple basic moves, coupled with a more intricate and gruesome fatality system, created an enjoyable blend, one which has continued to be a hallmark of the series ever since.

The violent nature of the game and subsequent controversies surrounding it likely added to its popularity, and multiple sequels quickly followed the first, with the latest and 24th entry in the series being Mortal Kombat 1.

9 FIFA

Number Of Games: 39

Known worldwide as one of the top sports game series, FIFA began its journey in the 4th console generation with FIFA International Soccer in 1993, and it has been releasing new versions annually ever since.

In the realm of soccer video games, FIFA distinguishes itself as the premier series, offering competition-worthy rivals like Pro Evolution Soccer notwithstanding. Its controls are finely tuned, responsive, and user-friendly, resulting in a highly enjoyable gaming experience that caters to both seasoned enthusiasts and freshcomers. The game boasts an extensive array of teams – ranging from national to international selections – and diverse modes and soccer fields for players to explore.

8 Far Cry

Number Of Games: 13

Over the past two decades, Far Cry has solidified its reputation as one of the top-tier open-world first-person shooter games. Originally created by Crytek, Far Cry immerses players in a sprawling tropical archipelago teeming with dangerous mercenaries and mutants. The developers prioritized player autonomy, designing expansive levels filled with various routes to traverse as you complete objectives.

This freedom is something that was only improved upon once Ubisoft took up the reins, with every entry since Far Cry 2 being entirely open-world and taking place in new and exotic locations. Another noteworthy feature of this franchise is the memorable antagonists; Vaas Montenegro and Joseph Seed in particular make some lasting impressions.

7 Pokemon

Number Of Games: 122

Pokemon is more than just a gaming franchise; it’s a cultural phenomenon that has captured hearts in various ways. From the captivating card game and animated television series to the engaging video games, Pokemon has managed to maintain its popularity across multiple platforms. For those who came of age in the 90s, it was nearly impossible to escape Pokemon’s influence – be it during TV viewing or playtime on the schoolyard.

Since 1996, gamers have enjoyed capturing, gathering, and competing against Pokémon on the original Game Boy, and each new Nintendo console has showcased numerous versions of this highly popular series.

6 Halo

Number Of Games: 12

Back in 2001, when Halo: Combat Evolved initially debuted on the original Xbox, it significantly transformed the gaming world by demonstrating that console players could enjoy a complete first-person shooter (FPS) game without any compromises to the gameplay. The original trilogy provided some of the most impactful moments in gaming, with its gripping narrative, engaging characters, and iconic phrases, particularly from the Master Chief character.

While Halo is primarily recognized for its first-person shooter titles, the series has also ventured into real-time strategy gaming with Halo Wars and Halo Wars 2. These games have garnered positive reviews from both critics and gamers.

5 Call Of Duty

Number Of Games: 24

Since its debut in 2003, the popular Call of Duty series has consistently rolled out annual installments. Initially, the franchise primarily focused on World War II, amassing a significant following. However, it was the arrival of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare that catapulted the series into uncharted territories by shifting its focus to contemporary settings. This groundbreaking game also introduced a multiplayer mode that raised the bar for first-person shooter games.

Over time, the series has hopped from era to locale, yet it’s kept certain aspects unchanged – the precise shooting mechanics and enjoyable multiplayer sessions.

4 Tom Clancy’s

Number Of Games: 45

Typically centered on global political disputes, the Tom Clancy series encompasses a diverse array of games, spanning various game genres. A strategic, cooperative gameplay style is frequently found within this series, as demonstrated by titles like Rainbow Six and Ghost Recon. These games often necessitate a cautious approach when confronting adversaries, and employing one’s team wisely significantly increases chances of survival. This applies whether the NPCs or other players in the game are controlled AI or human (as seen in Rainbow Six Siege).

As a devoted admirer, I can’t help but acknowledge that Tom Clancy’s legacy extends beyond his captivating novels to encompass one of the top-tier stealth game series ever created: the extraordinary Splinter Cell franchise. This groundbreaking series revolutionized the genre with its intricate stealth mechanics.

3 Resident Evil

Number Of Games: 29

Since the ’90s, the Resident Evil series has stood as a cornerstone of the survival horror genre, offering an eerie environment, strategic resource management, and pulse-pounding boss fights that kept gamers on edge and never truly secure. The introduction of Resident Evil 4 in 2005 marked a significant shift for the franchise, transitioning the gameplay to a third-person perspective and leaning more towards an action-packed style.

Despite temporarily losing some of its traditional horror aspects, Resident Evil 7: Biohazard innovatively transformed its format (adopting a first-person viewpoint), making it one of the most terrifying horror gaming adventures in recent years.

2 Final Fantasy

Number Of Games: 16

One of the most impactful and cherished role-playing games ever created, known as “Final Fantasy,” significantly altered the gaming terrain with its captivating narratives, endearing characters, and intricate world development. The bulk of these games are structured in an anthology style, each featuring its own independent, self-sufficient storylines.

1. The series often includes surprising and heartfelt scenes, creating lasting impacts on viewers. Originally focused on turn-based gameplay, newer installments have shifted to real-time combat. This transition sparked controversy among fans, yet it certainly intensified the gaming experience by making it more film-like.

1 Mario

Number Of Games: 200+

The popular video game franchise known as “Mario” holds the title of being the best-selling series ever created. Originally introduced in the 1981 arcade game “Donkey Kong” under the name ‘Jumpman’, Mario soon captivated audiences and was eventually adopted as the symbol of Nintendo, rising swiftly to prominence within a few years.

Known primarily for his starring role in the “Super Mario” game franchise, which revolutionized the side-scrolling platform genre, this beloved Italian plumber is also a frequent character in more than 200 Nintendo games, one of which is the “Mario Kart” series, a thrilling go-kart racing game that has been sparking family debates since its debut in 1992.

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2024-08-17 11:34