Quick Answer
The biggest video-game franchises of all time are Super Mario, Tetris, Call of Duty, Pokémon, and Grand Theft Auto, each selling hundreds of millions of units worldwide. These franchises stand out not only for sales, but for cultural influence, genre-defining innovation, and multi-generation relevance.
What counts as a “biggest video-game franchise”?
A “biggest” franchise isn’t just the one with the most units sold. Modern rankings typically look at:
- Total lifetime sales across all games, spin-offs, remasters and mobile versions
- Cultural impact — influence on gaming, pop culture, and other media
- Longevity — how long the franchise has remained relevant
- Global reach — number of platforms, regions, and audiences served
This creates a fuller picture of a franchise’s true scale and legacy.
What are the biggest video-game franchises of all time?
1. Super Mario — ~957 million units sold
According to Icy Veins and data compiled from Nintendo reports, Super Mario is the best-selling video-game franchise ever, approaching one billion copies sold.
Why it’s huge:
- Genre-spanning: platformers, racing, sports, RPGs, party games
- Massive cultural footprint (films, TV, merchandise)
- High accessibility across every Nintendo console generation
2. Tetris — ~520 million units sold
Tetris is one of the most universally recognized games in history. Reports cited by Icy Veins show over 500 million combined units sold, boosted massively by mobile releases.
Why it’s huge:
- Simple, timeless gameplay
- Exists on nearly every platform ever
- Global appeal across all ages
3. Call of Duty — ~500 million units sold
As reported by outlets like Icy Veins and widely referenced sales trackers, Call of Duty has surpassed half a billion units sold.
Why it’s huge:
- Annual releases keep the brand continually visible
- Strong esports and multiplayer communities
- Dominates the first-person shooter genre
4. Pokémon — ~480 million units sold
Pokémon remains one of the most important entertainment franchises in the world — not just in gaming.
Why it’s huge:
- Consistent best-selling RPG formula
- Multimedia empire (TV, movies, merch, trading cards)
- “Catch ’em all” mechanic created a generational phenomenon
5. Grand Theft Auto — ~410 million units sold
Grand Theft Auto is one of the most influential open-world series ever. GTA V alone has sold more than 200 million copies globally, according to reports widely cited by press outlets.
Why it’s huge:
- Genre-defining open-world design
- Mature themes + cinematic storytelling
- Massive cultural presence from the early 2000s onward
Other major franchises worth noting
These haven’t reached top-five status, but they’ve each sold tens or hundreds of millions:
- The Sims
- Final Fantasy
- FIFA (EA Sports FC)
- Sonic the Hedgehog
- Minecraft (huge as a single game, but not a multi-title “franchise”)
Why do these franchises stay popular for decades?
1. Multi-genre or evergreen gameplay
Mario and Pokémon stay fresh by branching into new genres, while Tetris and Call of Duty rely on evergreen formulas adapted to modern systems.
2. Regular releases and brand familiarity
Annualized schedules (Call of Duty) or generational releases (Mario, Pokémon) build trust. Players know what to expect — and look forward to it.
3. Global cultural presence
These series extend far beyond gaming:
- Movies
- Merchandise
- TV series
- Competitive events
This keeps them visible even to non-gamers.
4. Ability to evolve with technology
The biggest franchises adapt with:
- online multiplayer
- open-world design
- mobile expansions
- remakes and remasters
This evolution helps them stay relevant for new generations.
Why sales alone don’t tell the full story
Sales figures can be vague due to:
- Bundled copies with consoles
- Digital vs physical reporting differences
- Remasters counted differently across regions
More importantly:
A franchise can be massively influential even without being a top-seller.
For example:
- Dark Souls reshaped game design globally
- Half-Life revolutionized storytelling
But neither approaches Mario-level sales.
What this tells us about the gaming industry
The data shows that:
- Franchises drive the industry. Big brands anchor company revenue.
- Nostalgia is powerful. Many top franchises started in the ’80s and ’90s.
- Multi-platform availability increases longevity.
- Cross-media expansion boosts popularity.
In short, the biggest franchises dominate because they combine consistency, innovation, and cultural relevance better than most others.
FAQ
What is the best-selling video-game franchise ever?
Super Mario, with roughly 957 million copies sold.
Is GTA the fastest-growing video-game franchise?
It’s one of them — GTA V’s massive sales accelerated the franchise’s total dramatically.
Are digital sales included in these numbers?
Yes, most modern data includes digital downloads, though exact counts vary by publisher.
Which franchise makes the most money today?
Pokémon is considered the highest-grossing entertainment franchise overall, though Mario leads in pure game sales.
Could a new franchise ever break into the top five?
It’s possible, but difficult — most top franchises have 25–40 years of history behind them.
Conclusion
The biggest video-game franchises of all time — Mario, Tetris, Call of Duty, Pokémon and Grand Theft Auto — dominate because they blend massive sales with long-term cultural impact. These series have survived generations of changing technology, player expectations, and industry shifts by consistently delivering memorable, accessible, and innovative experiences. Their legacies shape how games are designed, marketed, and enjoyed, making them cornerstones of modern gaming culture.
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