8 Best-Selling Game Franchises of All Time
While games fluctuate in popularity over the years, some video game franchises consistently outperform others. For instance, the best-selling game franchises prove that they will constantly be popular. And while some games go out of style after some time, they will always hold a place in gamers’ hearts. From Call of Duty to Mario, these are the best-selling game franchises of all time.
8. Final Fantasy
With over 200 million sales, Final Fantasy is one of the best-selling game franchises of all time. The JRPG was first released in 1987 and currently has 16 main installments. Each one centers on a particular group of heroes who are battling a great evil, but also explores each of the characters and their relationships.
Related: Best Roguelike Games to Play on Steam
7. FIFA 22
The football simulator, FIFA, is next on the list of best-selling game franchises. Published by EA Sports, FIFA began in 1993 with its first game, FIFA International Soccer, on the Sega Mega Drive. The football management game sees players completing tournemnts, managing a team through seasons, and building your dream squad.
Check Out: The Best Cozy Games On Steam (That Aren’t ‘Stardew Valley’)
6. Minecraft
It’s easy to see that one of the best-selling game franchises of all time goes to the sandbox simulator Minecraft. Besides the main game, there are so many other games you can play, like Dungeons, Legends, and more. The game is the ultimate adventure for gamers who want to write their own story. Whether it’s building a massive world at your own pace, or fighting all the bosses.
Read Next: Best Switch 2 Games to Play So Far
5. Grand Theft Auto
Grand Theft Auto is an action-adventure game by Rockstar Games that focuses on open worlds where players can complete various missions and progress the overall story. The characters are unique and interesting, and the story is gripping.
4. Pokémon
Of course, Pokémon is next on the list of best-selling video games of all time. The franchise’s first game was released in 1996 in Japan and has since been a staple in households everywhere. The game focuses on players moving through the world, collecting Pokémon, and battling one another. The game is exciting, strategic, with enough of a challenge to keep fans focused.
Related: Best Games to Buy in the Steam Summer Sale 2025
3. Call of Duty
When it comes to first-person shooters and military games, Call of Duty is the winner. The franchise started in 2003 and has over 20 games in the main series. But they also have several spin-offs and handheld games that are also part of the franchise. The series originally focused on a World War II setting, but has expanded to several modern settings.
Check Out: The Best Mobile Games Ever
2. Tetris
Tetris is easily one of the best-selling game franchises of all time, but while there isn’t actual sequels to the game, there has been several variants. The game started in 1988, and as of 2017, it holds the record for having the most variants, with a total of 220 over 65 platforms.
Read More: The Best Games You Can No Longer Play
1. Mario
Another franchise from Japan that is also one of the best-selling game franchises of all time is Mario. Starring the titular plumber character Mario in various video games, but has also appeared in novels, comics, films, and animated series. The platformer is one of the most influential games in the video game industry and has had over 200 games, including 24 mainline Super Mario games.
