What criteria are used to determine the most successful video game franchises?

Success is typically measured by total revenue, lifetime sales, number of installments, cultural impact, and longevity across multiple generations of gaming.

Which video game franchise is considered the most successful of all time?

The Mario franchise is widely regarded as the most successful, with over $30 billion in total revenue and more than 800 million units sold across all platforms.

What are some other top video game franchises besides Mario?

Other top franchises include Pokémon (over $100 billion including merchandise), Call of Duty (over $30 billion in revenue), and Grand Theft Auto (over $380 million units sold).

How do mobile game franchises compare to console/PC franchises in success?

Mobile franchises like Candy Crush Saga and Clash of Clans generate billions in annual revenue, but traditional console/PC franchises like Mario and Call of Duty have higher total lifetime earnings and brand recognition.

Does the list include franchises from all eras of gaming?

Yes, the top 10 list typically spans from the 1980s (e.g., Pac-Man, Mario) to modern hits (e.g., Fortnite, Minecraft), covering arcade, console, PC, and mobile platforms.

Pokemon / Nintendo / Game Freak

Video Game

Top 10 Most Successful Video Game Franchises Ever

The highest-grossing, best-selling, and most culturally impactful video game franchises in the history of the medium.

2026178 viewsMar 12, 2026 Updated Sep 7, 2026

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#1
Pokemon
Pokemon dominates as the highest-grossing media franchise ever, with total revenue exceeding $150 billion across games, merchandise, and more—a figure 75% higher than Mario's total earnings across all categories. Its core video games alone have sold over 480 million units worldwide, outperforming Grand Theft Auto by more than 70 million copies. The franchise's annual revenue from card games and toys averages $7.5 billion, 90% higher than the typical rival's entire merchandise portfolio, proving unparalleled cross-platform success.
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#2
Mario
Mario remains the best-selling video game franchise in history, with over 800 million game copies sold across four decades—a volume 35% larger than Pokemon's pure game sales. This iconic series has generated more than $30 billion in revenue from games alone, with mainline entries averaging 15 million sales each, outpacing Call of Duty's per-title average by 5 million units. Its consistent quality ensures it reaches new milestones 20% faster than the average franchise, maintaining a cultural footprint that rivals any competitor.
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#3
Call of Duty
Call of Duty leads the first-person shooter genre with over 400 million copies sold and annual revenue consistently exceeding $1 billion from Warzone and mobile integrations. Its yearly release model delivers profits 30% higher than the average AAA franchise, and its mobile title alone has been downloaded over 650 million times. With 50% faster iteration than Mario's typical output, Call of Duty sets the pace for live-service gaming—boasting a per-title revenue average of $800 million, 40% higher than Grand Theft Auto's single-game earnings.
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#4
Grand Theft Auto
Grand Theft Auto has sold over 410 million copies since its debut, with GTA V alone surpassing 200 million units—more than double the sales of the runner-up title in its series, outperforming Call of Duty's best-selling entry by 50 million. This open-world saga generates $1 billion annually from online services, a figure 20% higher than Warzone's yearly earnings. Its per-entry revenue average of 68 million units makes it 30% heavier than the typical franchise's blockbuster, cementing its legacy as a cultural phenomenon.
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#5
FIFA / EA Sports FC
EA's football franchise is the highest-grossing sports video game series ever, with lifetime revenue exceeding $20 billion. The series has sold over 325 million copies since its 1993 debut, with FIFA 23 achieving 10 million units in its first week alone—a record for sports titles. This consistent performance underscores its unrivaled global appeal.
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#6
The Legend of Zelda
Nintendo's adventure saga has sold over 140 million copies worldwide, with Breath of the Wild alone surpassing 30 million units. Boasting multiple all-time greats, Ocarina of Time holds a 99 Metascore. This data highlights its critical and commercial excellence.
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#7
Minecraft
It generated $350 million in revenue in 2023 alone, supported by spin-offs like Minecraft Dungeons and an upcoming film.
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#8
Final Fantasy
Square Enix's JRPG series has sold over 180 million copies across 16 mainline entries since 1987, generating $14 billion in revenue. Its flagship titles consistently score above 90 on Metacritic. This longevity proves its lasting impact.
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#9
Resident Evil
The 2023 Resident Evil 4 remake exemplifies this momentum, selling 7 million units in its first year alone—a pace 3x faster than Halo Infinite's opening 12 months. Across 12 mainline entries each averaging $60 per unit, the franchise's per-game efficiency outpaces the category average of 120 million for horror series.
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#10
Halo
Halo defined console shooters and catalyzed Xbox’s rise, yet its 90 million total copies sold place it 40% below Resident Evil's 150 million. However, its per-game average of 3.5 million units trails Master Chief's own legacy: Halo Infinite sold just 3 million in its first month, a 50% drop from Halo 3’s launch tally. Despite being the 10th-highest-selling franchise, its influence on online multiplayer matchmaking and controller aim assist remains unmatched, though it now lags behind Resident Evil in total revenue generation by $4.2 billion.
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Pokemon

Mario

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Grand Theft Auto

FIFA / EA Sports FC

The Legend of Zelda

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Final Fantasy

Resident Evil

Halo

Current Rankings

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Mario

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Minecraft

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Resident Evil

Halo

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