The Top 10 Best-Selling Game Franchises

"Halo 3 might shatter sales records, but Master Chief has a long way to go before he topples these gaming giants.

The Halo trilogy barely cracks the worldwide best-selling franchises Top 40, currently resting at a comfy 15 million units sold. Tack on a generous 10 million more courtesy of Halo 3 (Halo 2 rests at 9 million) and it's still light years away from competing with these formidable franchises."

[MK_Red]

Kinda unfair since most of those games (Speciall Nintendo ones and Madden) have had lots of games in series and are kind yearly.
Glad to see GT and FF make it to the last. Wish MGS was there.

Can't believe GT1 was the best selling PSone game (As trivia part of article says).

[Gizmo_Logix]

NES came out in 1985 (Mario Bros). That explains why some of you guys are surprised.

[uxo22]

Also some of the franchises are 15 - 20 years old with sequels of 5 or more. I agree kinda a pointless comparison. Kinda like comparing the arizona diamondback with the n.y. yankees for penants won.

[secret]

GEARS OF WAR IS NOT WHAT IT SEEMS:
The xbots are still staring, eyes glazed over and empty, at the smoke and mirrors Microsoft is blowing at them.

Turn on the the bright lights, and you'll see that the girl isn't as pretty as she looks when the lights were turned off --> Gears of War dark and gritty **cough. (hiccup** too while I'm at it). There's a reason why Gears was intentionally made dark and short? Smoke and mirrors anyone? There's a reason an ugly girl wants to have sex with the lights turned off or dimmed down? So you can't see how ugly she really is. Trickery for the easily fooled.

Turn on the the lights or shine a bright light on Gears of War, and out of the darkness, after your eyes have adjusted, you'll see that you've been sleeping with --> HALO 3 all along. Turn on the lights, and you get Halo3. Same goes for the dark Bioshock. Flash a light bulb on Bioshock, and you'll see Halo 3 again. The ugly girl looks good only in dimmed lighting. Caution.

Notice the amount of leaves and grass in this game called HAZE. This should be enough to convince you of the power of the PS3. There are no deceptions here with magical artistic deceptions to compensate for a low quality hardware to fool the gullible.

These are a gazillion leaves in open daylight where you can see them in all their glory. No light dimming. No painted leaves. They're all made one by one. Count them all. If HAZE had been multiplatform with the xbox360 in mind, well, lookie here. Suddenly most of the game is in night time. Suddenly, there are more boulders and open plains than an ocean of individually bladed grass and leaves and branches. Suddenly, the campain is only 5 levels with only four enemeis on screen at a time. Remember in the 8-bit days when you fight a huge boss? They' make all the backgrounds black. Smoke and mirrors. But everyone would say, "wow, the NES has awesome graphics. That boss filled half the screen."

But if this is not enough to prove once and for all that the xbox360 sucks, take a look at Grand Turismo 5. That game will forever seal the deal and draw a line between the two consoles. To the left of the line, everything that's xbox360 and multiplatform developed with the xbox360 in mind. Everything to the right of that line, the PS3.

Smoke and mirrors? EGM would rate jessica simpson as a perfect 10 female in looks, albeit. I'd stick to Jessica Alba (or Paris Hilton), in terms of looks, that is. You'd wave the EGM magazine all over my face while you seek out Jessica Simpson's looks. In contrast, I'm waking up with Jessica Alba in bed with me (plus she cooks for me), and I'd tell you that I'm pretty happy with Jessica Alba, someone I find way more attractive and productive. You can hold on to your magazine for proof though...But for me, proof is in the pudding.

Throw in Gamepro while you're at it.

MICROSOFT IS A BAD CITIZEN:
Sadly, I've always noticed that the xbox360 is dumming down this generations graphics due to its limited hardware capabilities. Listen, most developers will want to focus on the xbox360 because they can sell more games because of the larger gullible fanbase prone to be mesmerized by smoke and mirrors and hype (they probably own a Wii by now). Almost all developers will make the ports and multiplatforms for hte PS3 very similar to the quality of the xbox360. And therefore, all gamers this generation has suffered and might continue to suffer from the xbox360 graphical limitations. Mediocre graphics. Microsoft is a liability this generation.

Think of a slow car that got to the freeway early in the morning ahead of everyone and is now causing a massive graphical traffic jam because it got there first and is only mediocre in speed. Because it still wants to be first, all gamers will suffer. Get that 60mph hunk of junk xbox360 off the freeway. What a disservice to gaming society by insisting on being upfront while it's overheating and slow and clunking along at 60mph when everyone has work to do and wants to go faster, xbox360. Greedy, selfish. Think of society for once and not yourself.

The most recent MGS4 trailers after Beauty & the Beast all look suspicisouly low quality. This is a suggestion that Kojima might be contemplating a possible crossover to the xbox360 by "future proofing it" for the xbox360's limiations. Perhaps some kind of deal with Microsoft is pending and Kojima is just prepping the game to appear on the xbox360 just in case any deals do go through. And so, the graphical crime on this generation has occured again. Capping off this generation's potential to the limitations of that slow car up front,getting in everyone's way and causing a huge slow down traffic jam and smiling smugly as everyone is late to work or school and car horns are blaring.

Look at Final Fantasy XIII, and you know for sure that cannot go multiplatform based on the graphics.

Look at the PS3, the model citizen. Blazing breakneck speed graphics to clear up the freeway from traffic jams. Folding to help the entire world through research of medicine and space and societal issues, according to Stanford University and government & not-for profit groups.

All xboxts and microsoft care about, in contrast, is hurting people in hope to benefit themselves somehow. They seem to care about their own consoles than the well-being of humans by abusing anyone who talks down on their xbox360. And Microsoft is even worse. It's knowingly continuing to realease faulty hardware on its own xbots. Why? Doesn't it even care about it's own supporters? Do they care about you xbots by doing this?

And if you're buying a PS3, you won't miss out on anything. Here's something for you to think about:::::

READ THIS EVERYONE:::::::::::::::::::::: :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
PS3 ports of xbox360 games + your PC computer versions of Halo, Gears, Bioshock, and so on ==> free xbox360 without the internet fees, without the need to buy a hi-definiition player, without the need for wii motion sensors, without the clunky two piece design, without junk games you'd never buy, without worry about hardware issues, without the loud noise. But it also comes with PS3, PS2, PS1, and PSN games. Let alone SACD playback.

To think that you can watch bluray movies in all its glory, too, in addition to playing the game shown above. Spiderman 3 and Harry Potter anyone?

Oh, and another thing. XBOTS will have spend the most money this generation. They're the most gullible. Smoke and mirrors can get them to rebuy the same machine over and over again even when it breaks. Smoke and mirrors can get them to think that Gears of War is actually a grpahical breakthrough. Smoke and mirrors can get them to think that they're saving money with the xbox360.

Here, try this.
Add your xbox360 console cost
Add your HD-DVD and / or Bluray player (most likely a PS3, especially if you like games, too)
Add movie costs
Add $100-$400 internet fees for the life of the console
Add game accessories (wi-fi, gamepads, and so on)
Add games on either consoles
Add Wii to experience motion sensing

Deduct and add whatever applies to you

Now tell me how much money you've saved...

PS3 owners get a free bluray player, a free PS2, a free PS1, a free xbox360 when coupled with the PC computer versions of Halo, Gears, and Bioschock along with ports of xbox360 games with mediocre xbox360 graphics because developers focus on the console with a larger fan base to make more money that way, a free SACD player, a free video chat to save long distance phone bills, a free linux computer, and anything else?

And if I don't like Gears of War, Bioshock, or Halo and all those other psycho death metal crack cocaine games that I'm sure prison inamates and mass murderers would prefer (compared to games Hillary Clinton would prefer), why should I buy an xbox360? For it's price and other issues, why would I want it? What else does it do?

Seriously...

[Fighter]

I'm surprised that the Resident Evil franchise is not in there. I guess it was that Gamecube (timed) exclusive that hurt it a little.

[MK_Red]

I think the reason that Resident Evil series as well as MGS and Halo aren't there is because their not so many numbers / games. Only 3 MGS games, 4 REs and 3 Halos while there have been a million versions of Mario and Madden. Of all the games in top 10, only GT has below 5 games (Main and spin-off) and even that is no higher than 10th.

[Rute]

MK Red: Even if you don't count the remakes, there are still at least 14 RE games: Resident Evil, RE 2, RE 3, RE 0, RE 4, RE Deadly Silence, RE Code: Veronica, Resident Evil Gaiden, Resident Evil Outbreak, Outbreak 2, RE Dead Aim, RE Survivor plus two mobile games (RE and RE missions). When all the versions of each game are counted, it totals 37 games.

[MK_Red]

I know but a lot of them were GameCube exclusive for some time.

[risk]

while its unfair...its not unfair :P you dont get multi million copies sold overnight. gran turismo has been at it for 10 years.

[pilotpistolpete]

Is it just me, or is it scary that Pokemon is almost caught up with Mario?

[MK_Red]

It is scary indeed. I never understood why so many people buy Pokemon games.

[djt23]

because it is fun game (i mean one on handheld system)
for some reason nintendo cant make a good one on there console

[happygamer]

the pokemon anime sux as a series but the games are usually awesome. a lot of fun a lot of stuff to do nice rpg games.

[greed]

man i don't think the FF series is ever going to end and to me that is a GREAT thing!!! FF FTW!!!also GT FTW!!! and hopefully MGS potential FTW!!!

[specialguest]

It's kinda ironic how the very first FF game was made because it was suppose to be his final project or something like that. That's why it was called Final Fantasy. Now like 17+ years later, it is still going on and seems to never be final.

[The Dark Knight]

final fantasy is so god dam boring i bought it and sold it a day later, ot my cup of tea

but gta now that is good

[Bonsai1214]

was actually a great concept as an rpg. they just juiced the heck out of it and made everyone hate it

[mesh1]

GUYS lets not forget most of those games were last gen and all former ps2 owners in the past that purchased that game are now xbox owners i has most of those games ecept ff to0 muh cutscenes for me but yeah those games will neve sell again cause we all that got them have a 360 now

[Gizmo_Logix]

"GUYS lets not forget most of those games were last gen and all former ps2 owners"

Oh, really? Did you read the article?

PSOne
Arcade
N64
All
Game Boy
PS2
PSOne
PC
Game Boy
NES

How old are you? 12? Yes, it's true. Gaming didn't start in 2005/2006. Five out of the ten are ("Most") Nintendo games. Only one is PS2 only (shares the ALL). Two are PSone. The rest are PC/shared or arcade.

EDIT: Xbots hate this story because it make their Halo 3 look bad in the grand scheme of things.

[Skizelli]

It makes Halo 3 look bad in the bad scheme of things? Keep dreaming. It's a laughable story at best considering Halo is a trilogy (keyword: 3) and it's being compared to franchises with 5+ titles. Hey, if you Sony drones can use the excuse that 360 is ahead of PS3 because it was released earlier, then the Xbots can use it here as well. Regardless, Halo is a great series. It's a shame a lot of the haters are too blinded by their fanboyism to see it.

[nirwanda]

one game simple concept 60m copies 13m copies more than all the GT's put together

[risk]

and your point is....?

[PS360WII]

I think his point is no matter how uber awesome you game claims to be a simple yet addictive game can be released and stomp any and all competition. You just need to find that certain something that everyone likes. Come on now you have to admit Tetris is a pretty sweet game ^^

[mesh1]

RISK what the mean is HALO 3 is stomped all ps3 games this years do u get it know mate ?

[HateBoy]

Pokemos has sold 164 million!? I'm ashamed to be a human.

[PS360WII]

Not suprised at all. Everything on that list has been out for a good while and has sold wonderfully. Oh and MK the only Res game that was exclusive to GC was 4. All those other spin off (which have been many many many) have gone on the ps2. So no blaiming Nintendo for Res not being in the top ten.

[Skizelli]

Don't forget that the RE1 remake was also exclusive to GC.

[tk]

Tetris rocked. I was studying computers when it came out. Man... did we play that thing...

And Sims... I think there is 3 copies with a number of expansion packs in the house. The kids love it on the PC. Even have a PS2 copy... but for some reason they like it with the mouse on a PC.

Age of Empires... this series rocked... Funny though - it did not work under XP - had to run Wine on Linux to get it working...

SimCity ... Wow - that one kept me awake many a night. We used to print out the maps, plan the city... It was really great..

But hey - where is Pacman? And Space Invaders? These games defined gaming back then...

Here is one list:
1. Mario (more than 193 million)
2. Pokémon (155 million)
3. The Sims (85 million)
4. Final Fantasy (75 million)
5. Madden NFL (60 million)
6. The Legend of Zelda (52 million)
7. Grand Theft Auto (50 million)
8. Donkey Kong (48 million)
9. Gran Turismo (47 million)
10. Sonic the Hedgehog (44 million)
11. Lineage (43 million)
12. Dragon Quest (41 million)
13. Crash Bandicoot (34 million)
14. Tomb Raider (32 million)
15. Resident Evil (31 million)
16. James Bond (30 million)
17. Mega Man (27 million)
18. Medal of Honor (27 million)
19. Command & Conquer (25 million)
20. Street Fighter (25 million)
21. Mortal Kombat (20 million)
22. Warcraft (19 million)
23. Rayman (18.5 million)
24. Metal Gear (18.3 million approximately)
25. Spyro the Dragon (17 million)
26. Winning Eleven (17 million)
27. Diablo (17 million)
28. Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell (17 million)
29. SimCity (17 million)
30. Age of Empires (16 million)
31. Half-Life (16 million)
32. Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six (15 million)
33. Need for Speed Underground (15 million)
34. Halo (14.7 million)
35. Nintendogs (13.6 million)
36. Disney series (13.2 million)
37. Metroid (13 million)
38. Driver (12 million)
39. Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon (12 million)
40. Myst (11 million)

[Rooftrellen]

"34. Halo (14.7 million)
35. Nintendogs (13.6 million)"

MS fans say Halo will put the 360 ahead for good.

Perhaps they should watch out for a...Nintendogs Wii annoucement!

[Pug]

to get wrapped up in the now, looking at that history and those figures makes you realise how far the new kids on the block have to go before they go down in gaming history.

It also puts to rest any kind of notion that the PS3 will crash and burn when you look at the trailers and numbers for GT and FF. Those games alone will ship millions of units for sony period.

[UltramanJ]

Gran Turismo has made the list despite only having four editions that only appeared on two consoles! Compare that to Madden that's had sixteen editions that have appeared on SNES, Genesis, Playstation, Saturn, PS2, Xbox, GC, 3DO, GBA, PSP, Gameboy, PC, PS3, 360, Wii, etc.. Same for Final Fantasy that's had twelve main games and countless spin off games on pleny of consoles.

[Zombes]

Grand Turismo actually has 6 games out now excluding hd concept and the two in development. Prologue and concept versions count towards the total.

[UltramanJ]

They were small release games (glorifed demos really) that didn't even release outside of Japan. I guess they factor in, but you could not count them and GT would still be where it is on the list.

[djt23]

Trivial Trivia: In 1997, over 600 Japanese children suffered seizures while watching an episode of Pokemon called "Electric Soldier Porygon." It hasn't aired since.

what the hell happened in that episode

[Rooftrellen]

Rapid flasing colors.

[purin]

while in a virtual world of the pokemon transfer module, the gang[ash & friends] is trying to escape from a virtual antibody that is kinda shaped like a RPG
that antibody attacks porygon et al. using a flashing beam attack and missles with a flashing effect

[shysun]

FF and GT are there...sweet!:)

[S1D3 EFFEC7]

Its really getting on my nerves.

[tharealest]

the metal gear solid series really deserves to be up there.. too bad not a lot of people are into it

[Xi]

kinda odd to not see the grand theft auto franchise in there with 1 2 3 vice city, san andreas, and all stories.

[tharealest]

#5, 65 million units