10 Best Video Game Franchises of All Time

Video games have given us worlds to escape into, stories to remember, and series we keep coming back to. Some grew into legends that shaped how we see gaming today. From action-packed adventures to massive open worlds, these franchises built memories for millions. Let’s dive into the 10 best video game franchises of all time and see why they became a part of gaming history.

10. God of War

First up is a series that blends mythology with raw action in the most brutal way possible. God of War follows Kratos, a warrior who takes on gods, monsters, and titans in epic battles. The franchise is on this list of the best video game franchises of all time because it delivers cinematic stories and intense combat at the same time. Across its games, you go through massive worlds packed with puzzles, secrets, and challenges. The latest title gives Kratos a more personal side, showing his bond with his son while still putting you into huge battles. All of it combines to give you a mix of emotional storytelling and action-heavy gameplay that no gamer forgets once they’ve tried it.

9. Dark Souls

Few franchises test your patience and skill like Dark Souls. The series became a worldwide hit because it doesn’t hold your hand. Every fight is about timing, learning patterns, and pushing yourself to do better. It became part of the most popular video game franchises because of the challenge it offers mixed with freedom to play your way. Enemies are just as deadly as the bosses. You fight, die, and try again until you finally overcome the challenge. Exploration is non-linear, so you choose your own routes through dark castles, swamps, and forgotten ruins. For anyone who want a sense of true accomplishment, nothing matches the reward of finally beating a Dark Souls boss.

8. Red Dead

Life as an outlaw has never been shown with more detail than in Red Dead. The franchise belongs on the list of the best video game franchises because it captures the wild west in a way no other series has. You step into the boots of characters living on the edge of the law, moving through open lands filled with towns, camps, and endless activities. The world reacts to your choices, whether you help strangers, rob trains, or just ride into the sunset. The attention to detail is unreal. Towns feel alive with people going about their day, and the land is filled with events you can stumble upon at any moment.

7. The Witcher

The Witcher pulls you into a massive fantasy world full of choices and consequences. You step into the role of Geralt, a skilled monster hunter who takes contracts to fight deadly beasts while navigating kingdoms filled with politics and war. The series is loved for its deep storytelling where every decision can change the path ahead. Dialogue choices, side quests, and even small interactions shape how people treat you and what outcomes you face. The world is packed with villages to explore, forests to travel through, and dangerous creatures waiting for a fight. Overall, The Witcher franchise is a perfect example of how deep an RPG can go.

6. Assassin’s Creed

Assassin’s Creed gives you the chance to step into the life of an assassin moving through history. The franchise is counted among the most popular video game franchises because of how it combines stealth, action, and freedom to move across giant worlds. Parkour is at the heart of the gameplay, letting you climb rooftops, leap across towers, and escape enemies with style. Combat has always been sharp and fluid, whether you are striking from the shadows or facing enemies head-on. This franchise gave us unforgettable games like Assassin’s Creed II, Black Flag, and Odyssey. Assassin’s Creed remains a franchise that defines stealth-action gaming at its very best.

5. Pokémon

The journey of Pokémon began in the late 90s with trading cards, an anime series, and toys that spread across the world. Kids carried cards in schoolyards, watched battles on TV, and dreamed of catching creatures of their own. That wave of excitement quickly moved into video games, creating one of the biggest names in gaming history. From the very first Game Boy titles to the newest Switch releases, the idea stays simple yet addictive. You explore regions filled with different Pokémon, catch them, and battle against rivals to become a champion. So, it remains a series that shaped gaming history and still connects millions of players around the world.

4. The Legend of Zelda

Generations of gamers grew up with The Legend of Zelda, a franchise that defined what adventure gaming could be. Each game drops you into the role of a young hero on a quest to save the land from danger while discovering secrets along the way. The series is famous for its dungeons, where clever design rewards you with tools that open new paths and help in battles. From classic 2D adventures to huge open worlds, Zelda always delivers a sense of wonder and discovery. The legacy it created across decades is the reason it remains one of the best video game franchises of all time.

3. Super Mario

This list of legendary franchises won’t be complete without Mario. The series gave us colorful worlds where you jump across platforms, hit blocks, grab power-ups, and face off against Bowser in simple yet addictive adventures. Even the earliest games had a loop of running, jumping, and chasing goals that kept players hooked for hours. As the years rolled on, the adventures grew bigger with 3D worlds that let you explore in new ways. The franchise never lost its charm, and that is why it remains one of the best video game franchises of all time.

2. Resident Evil

Survival horror owes much of its success to Resident Evil. It carved out a genre by mixing limited resources with constant danger. The series is part of the most popular video game franchises because it never stopped reinventing itself while staying true to horror roots. Every game tests your nerves with tight corridors, limited ammo, and terrifying enemies. Some focus on puzzle-solving and exploration, while others lean more toward action and co-op survival. Remakes have brought back classics with modern polish, giving new players the chance to experience the fear all over again. It is survival horror at its very best.

1. Grand Theft Auto

At the top sits a series that changed open-world gaming forever. Grand Theft Auto gives players huge cities filled with life, missions, and various side activities. You can dive into a story filled with drama, crime, and unforgettable characters while also roaming freely through detailed worlds. Cars, weapons, and hidden secrets make sure the action never slows down. The scale of the franchise keeps growing with every release, and the excitement only builds with the upcoming launch of GTA 6. From its roots to the massive success it is today, Grand Theft Auto remains one of the best video game franchises of all time.