The 10 Most Popular Video Game Series Of All Time & 10 That Seriously Flopped
Hall Of Gaming History
Even if you're not a big gamer, there are several video game series we know you've probably heard of before. These staples are all-time favorites, classics that will continue to be passed down for generations. You enjoyed them as kids, and you're enjoying them now, which says a lot. But on the flip side, if there's the best of the best, there's going to be a rock bottom, too. Here are 10 of the most popular game series ever made, and 10 that failed to hit the mark.
1. Super Mario Bros.
With Mario's face plastered all over the world, it's hard not to recognize Super Mario Bros. and all the other games that came after it, as one of the most iconic gaming franchises in history. Its success in 1983 as a side-scroll platforming game quickly boosted it into becoming the backbone of Nintendo's success all these years. With dozens of different genres released and even a hit Hollywood movie made in its honor, it doesn't get better than the Mario brothers.
2. Pokémon
Since Pokemon's release in 1996, its popularity has never died down. It's become one of the most recognizable and beloved brands in all of gaming, with its simple idea of catching, training, and battling, being a solid recipe for success. Not only does this series have tons of games under its belt, but it continues to grow a dedicated fan base with movies, shows, and more unique cards.
3. Grand Theft Auto
Grand Theft Auto has been around for a lot longer than you may have realized! Released way back in 1997, this hit series by Rockstar Games has continued to be a dominant force in the gaming industry. Their open-world gameplay appeals to many players and provides endless hours of creative fun. Each new amazing release just grows its fan base too.
4. Call Of Duty
For fans of first-person shooters, it doesn't get much better than the Call of Duty series, which was launched by Activision in 2003. Whether you're playing solo or with friends, each game is intense, challenging, and incredibly fun. What people love is the online teamwork and voice chat aspect, creating a unique sense of community within the gaming world.
5. The Legend of Zelda
Even if you've never played one of Nintendo's ionic Legend of Zelda games, we'd bet you still recognize this green-clothed elf-like protagonist. Captivating gamers since 1986, this series is prized for its difficult puzzles, exciting bosses, and engaging storyline. It's been incredible watching the transformation of this franchise since its release and seeing it solidify itself as a mainstay in the gaming world.
6. FIFA
Given that soccer is one of the most beloved sports worldwide, it only makes sense that FIFA by EA is loved just the same. Whether you're a soccer lover or simply a gamer, it's not hard to fall in love with its competitive gameplay and easy replayability. With updated rosters and your favorite players all on the field, it really sucks you into the screen.
7. Minecraft
Often considered the most popular game ever made, Minecraft was designed with the intention of lasting forever. With its open-world, endless building concept, each time you play feels refreshing and different. Gamers absolutely love the creative freedom that allows them to do whatever they want, build whatever they want, and be whoever they want. Not hard to see how this game exploded in popularity.
8. Halo
Another excellent first-person shooter series that blended futuristic elements into the game, Halo stepped onto the video game scene and changed everything. Best known for its intense multiplayer gameplay, fun campaigns, and of course, Master Chief, Halo is a unique game in its own right. It excelled in every area, which explains why it still holds up to this day despite so many other shooting games being released.
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9. Final Fantasy
You can't say RPG gaming without Final Fantasy being mentioned! Because since its 1987 release, this iconic game by Square Enix is still going strong with over 15 games released to date. With consistent improvements to its battle structures and engaging storylines that feel special every time, it's no wonder fans are still obsessed.
10. Assassin's Creed
Assassin's Creed shook the gaming industry the moment it was released. Created by Ubisoft, this game series is built around stealthy action gameplay that fully immerses players and has them hooked. Full of historical fiction that engages and complex characters that intrigue, it's a "keeps you on your toes" kind of experience every time.
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1. Star Wars
Even after massive success from various movies, TV shows, and earlier video games, Star Wars Battlefront II failed to live up to expectations. Considered a big flop coming from this beloved franchise, this game was met with tons of harsh criticism for its pay-to-win micro-transactions. That's one way to ruin a gamer's experience.
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2. Sonic
While Sonic is still widely considered a beloved and recognizable video game character, the release of Sonic the Hedgehog (2006) was met with widespread disappointment. The game was riddled with technical issues, awkward controls, and had a bland story at best. The game did not perform well on the market and slowed down the brand for years.
3. No Man’s Sky
The backlash over No Man's Sky released in 2016 is proof that hype isn't always good. Advertised as an ambitious open-world exploring game, the series faced major criticism when it over-promised on features and had an underwhelming gameplay experience. Gamers complained it was repetitive, had tons of technical issues, and was a letdown - three things you never want to hear upon a game's launch.
4. Tony Hawk Pro Skater
Although the Tony Hawk game series received a lot of success with earlier releases, in 2015, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 5 set them back years. Heavily criticized for having poor graphics, almost no new features, and terrible bugs, it was definitely a game that was not ready to be released.
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5. Fallout
Fallout 76 was a highly anticipated game for many fans around the world, but unfortunately, expectations were swiftly met with...well, they just weren't met at all. Not only was it filled with numerous bugs and glitches, the changes to the structure of the game weren't favored by players. With news spreading quickly, this disappointing addition resulted in lackluster sales.
6. Mass Effect
After major success from its earlier installment, Mass Effect: Andromeda was a letdown. It couldn't live up to expectations and fans were sad to see the series take a downward turn. From technical issues to bad character arcs and an underwhelming story, the game just didn't hit the same.
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7. Sims
After establishing itself as a fantastic, creative world-building series of games, SimCity was released to a disaster. With too many server issues to count, some players were even unable to access the game they had paid for. It was definitely a terrible addition to such a great video game series.
8. Batman
Batman might be one of everyone's favorite superheroes, but Batman: Arkham Origins released in 2013 couldn't use that to its advantage. Seen as one of the weakest entries to this video game series, players were unimpressed by all the bugs, uninspiring story, and lack of innovation. Definitely needed more work before release.
9. Resident Evil
From bad mechanics to difficult controls, the sixth installment of the Resident Evil series did not live up to the hype. The developers stepped too far away from what fans loved about the series, turning it more into an action-packed game rather than a survival horror. It's safe to say, with such bad sales, gamers did not appreciate the changes.
10. E.T.
We can't talk about game flops without mentioning one of the biggest ones ever: E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. Rushed to markets to build off the movie's success, it was the worst decision that could've been made. Plagued with tech issues, confusing gameplay, and an overall lackluster experience, it led to terrible sales that failed to ever come around.
