gamer8
Smash Lord
What do you think is the best franchise?
Mario all the way for me! Mario brought Nintendo back from the dead.
Mario all the way for me! Mario brought Nintendo back from the dead.
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Best video game franchise of all time?
- Thread starter gamer8
- Start date
digitalmaster287
Smash Journeyman
- Joined
- Aug 28, 2004
- Messages
- 240
I'd say Zelda. I love the character Mario, but I never liked any of the 3D Mario games. The only one i really liked was the first one. Zelda, however had the opposite effect. I absolutely HATED the first one (it almost ruined 2D games for me). But Ocarina of Time and Twilight Princess were just plain awesome.
Bailey
Smash Hero
Shaq-Fu
thread won
thread won
titus
Smash Journeyman
Final Fantasy ftw! 
I've never even owned a mario game.
I've never even owned a mario game.
homsar
Smash Ace
Do yourself a favour and get one.Final Fantasy ftw!
I've never even owned a mario game.
Quickly.
Cless
Smash Champion
Mario is the best by numbers. This is indisputable. The franchise and Nintendo also revived video gaming, so you owe it for the games you're playing now (unless those games are old arcade games).
AAbatterie
Smash Apprentice
Yeah Mario is probably the best. You just stick his name on something and BAM!
He's got Mario Kart, every sports game, Mario Party, and more. I don't know if it's the best video game franchise, but it's definitely the biggest and most popular.
He's got Mario Kart, every sports game, Mario Party, and more. I don't know if it's the best video game franchise, but it's definitely the biggest and most popular.
W...T...FFinal Fantasy ftw!
I've never even owned a mario game.
I don't believe this.....
theONEjanitor
Smash Champion
either Zelda or Metal Gear.
Imo mario 3 and super mario world are the only mario platformer games that were actually really fun.
the mario party and mario kart series are dope tho
in terms of pure influence, mario wins though
Imo mario 3 and super mario world are the only mario platformer games that were actually really fun.
the mario party and mario kart series are dope tho
in terms of pure influence, mario wins though
Tomi-X
Smash Lord
I don't know...My personal favorite is the Final Fantasy series, however a couple franchises stand out to me, such as Halo and Warcraft. Both have extremely large number of fans, and so does Mario, but who has the most? WoW has what, 9 million subscribers now? And you can't play Halo online without about 50,000 some odd people on at any one time. That's just my two cents.
XD
Anyway, the answer is obviously Mario. No video game will ever accomplish what our favorite plumber did.
Cless
Smash Champion
The best is Mario. Your favorite may be something else, but the best is Mario because of what it did for gaming and because it's sold the most out of any franchise.
Bassoonist
Smash Master
- Joined
- Jun 18, 2003
- Messages
- 4,684
- NNID
- WoodwindsRock
- 3DS FC
- 1032-1351-5240
Subjectively: Discounting the SSB series and Paper Mario series (I haven't played Super Paper Mario) I'd have to go with the Zelda series. Each and every Zelda game is fun. They spend less time making spin offs that will last you a few days and go for the real games that will keep you for years. Yup, I still play the older Zelda games.
Objectively: Of ocurse, the Mario series.
Objectively: Of ocurse, the Mario series.
Mad555
Smash Ace
The Best of all time - The Mario & Zelda Franchise it seems
My favorites- Zelda, Ratchet & Clank, Pokemon, and several others.
My favorites- Zelda, Ratchet & Clank, Pokemon, and several others.
Mr. Game and Pichu
Smash Journeyman
Does he have fishing? curling? swimming? rock climbing (semi sport, i think)? and his basketball game was very unpopular.
gamer8
Smash Lord
I couldn't have said it better myself.
FrogButler
Smash Journeyman
I don't know if this is fair but...
Super Smash Bros.
Super Smash Bros.
Gamingboy
Smash Lord
There are, of course, several ways to go at this:
THE NUMBERS LOOK:
According to Wikipedia (and yes, all these numbers are sourced) these are the top 10 franchises in sold copies (I don't know how updated it is):
1. Mario (200 million)
2. Pokémon (164 million)
3. The Sims (90 million)
4. Final Fantasy (80 million)
5. Tetris (70 million)
6. FIFA (65 million)
7. Grand Theft Auto (65 million)
8. Madden NFL (60 million)[
9. The Legend of Zelda (52 million)
10. Donkey Kong (48 million)
Now, I don't know if that's JUST the main Mario series (you know: SMB series, SMW, SM64, SMSS and SMG) or if that's JSUT the main Pokemon series (you know, the handhelds, not Stadium series, Snap, ranger, etc) or any of the others. But still, those DO sound like numbers that would fit (the reason FIFA is so high is because these are worldwide sales, I presume).
The NUMBERS DIVIDED BY YEARS APPROACH:
But wait a second, Mario has been around for freaking ever (I'm gonna use SMB as his start date, since I don't think you could 'buy" Donkey Kong). What franchise of those top 10 has made the most money by year it's been around?
MARIO (first released with SMB in 1985): 9.09 Million per year
POKEMON (first released in 1996): 14.9 Million per year
THE SIMS (first became "The Sims" in 2000): 12.9 million per year
FINAL FANTASY (first released in 1987): 4 Million per year
TETRIS (first came out of the Russian cold in 1989): 3.8 million per year
FIFA (first released in 1993): 4.6 million per year
GTA (first released in 1997): 6.5 million per year
Madden (first released in 1989): 3.3 Million per year
ZELDA (first released in 1987): 2.6 million per year
DONKEY KONG (I'm presuming it started with DKC in 1994): 3.6 Million per year
So, by that measure, it's Pokemon. Halo actually may beat out everyone on this list as far as million per year, but hey, those are the breaks.
CRITICAL REGARD:
I'm too lazy to look everything up, but I think it's safe to say that Zelda would probably win here.
CULTURAL IMPACT:
This is a 5 franchise race. Mario, Pokemon, Tetris, GTA and Madden are some of the few game franchises known to the general non-game playing population. GTA is disqualified because of the negative attention that it has brought to the Game industry.
So our contestants:
Mario: More recognized amongst children then Mickey Mouse.
Pokemon: It's cultural impact was probably too expansive. Non-gamers often don't know it's a video game, some gamers have never picked up the excellent games simply because they think it's kiddie from the anime.
Tetris: Second only to Pong in general knowledge. Addictive to anyone, even no-enjoynik Russians.
Madden: Has actually become part of (American) Football's culture: there's the Madden Curse, players complaining about their Madden stats, TV shows on ESPN about Madden, Madden is used in pregame shows to highlight players and formations.......
The winner is Tetris.
PERSONAL OPINION:
Zelda.
THE NUMBERS LOOK:
According to Wikipedia (and yes, all these numbers are sourced) these are the top 10 franchises in sold copies (I don't know how updated it is):
1. Mario (200 million)
2. Pokémon (164 million)
3. The Sims (90 million)
4. Final Fantasy (80 million)
5. Tetris (70 million)
6. FIFA (65 million)
7. Grand Theft Auto (65 million)
8. Madden NFL (60 million)[
9. The Legend of Zelda (52 million)
10. Donkey Kong (48 million)
Now, I don't know if that's JUST the main Mario series (you know: SMB series, SMW, SM64, SMSS and SMG) or if that's JSUT the main Pokemon series (you know, the handhelds, not Stadium series, Snap, ranger, etc) or any of the others. But still, those DO sound like numbers that would fit (the reason FIFA is so high is because these are worldwide sales, I presume).
The NUMBERS DIVIDED BY YEARS APPROACH:
But wait a second, Mario has been around for freaking ever (I'm gonna use SMB as his start date, since I don't think you could 'buy" Donkey Kong). What franchise of those top 10 has made the most money by year it's been around?
MARIO (first released with SMB in 1985): 9.09 Million per year
POKEMON (first released in 1996): 14.9 Million per year
THE SIMS (first became "The Sims" in 2000): 12.9 million per year
FINAL FANTASY (first released in 1987): 4 Million per year
TETRIS (first came out of the Russian cold in 1989): 3.8 million per year
FIFA (first released in 1993): 4.6 million per year
GTA (first released in 1997): 6.5 million per year
Madden (first released in 1989): 3.3 Million per year
ZELDA (first released in 1987): 2.6 million per year
DONKEY KONG (I'm presuming it started with DKC in 1994): 3.6 Million per year
So, by that measure, it's Pokemon. Halo actually may beat out everyone on this list as far as million per year, but hey, those are the breaks.
CRITICAL REGARD:
I'm too lazy to look everything up, but I think it's safe to say that Zelda would probably win here.
CULTURAL IMPACT:
This is a 5 franchise race. Mario, Pokemon, Tetris, GTA and Madden are some of the few game franchises known to the general non-game playing population. GTA is disqualified because of the negative attention that it has brought to the Game industry.
So our contestants:
Mario: More recognized amongst children then Mickey Mouse.
Pokemon: It's cultural impact was probably too expansive. Non-gamers often don't know it's a video game, some gamers have never picked up the excellent games simply because they think it's kiddie from the anime.
Tetris: Second only to Pong in general knowledge. Addictive to anyone, even no-enjoynik Russians.
Madden: Has actually become part of (American) Football's culture: there's the Madden Curse, players complaining about their Madden stats, TV shows on ESPN about Madden, Madden is used in pregame shows to highlight players and formations.......
The winner is Tetris.
PERSONAL OPINION:
Zelda.
vesperview
Smash Hero
Final Fantasy
supersonicdjs
Smash Journeyman
- Joined
- Jul 10, 2007
- Messages
- 460
Sawnik Teh Hedghog OMG.
Sonic The Hedgehog in my opinion, is the best!
Sonic The Hedgehog in my opinion, is the best!
onegoal...heaven
Smash Journeyman
Metal Gear Solid will always be my fav...even better than ssb because that was a game that was always with me since I was 6 XD.
DJ Silent
Smash Rookie
Pokemon ~
shadenexus18
Smash Master
Super Smash Bros is techincally a game with Mario in it so wouldn't that be your first?Final Fantasy ftw!
I've never even owned a mario game.
The Megaman franchise is the best. Period.
The Legend of Zelda series is my favorite. ^_^
Mario comes in second for me.
Metroid third.
Mario comes in second for me.
Metroid third.
Gerudo Warrior
Smash Master
1) FF
2) Baldur's Gate ^^
3) Mario
4) LoZ
those are my favorites
2) Baldur's Gate ^^
3) Mario
4) LoZ
those are my favorites
I suggest getting Galaxy. My personal fav on Wii ATMFinal Fantasy ftw!
I've never even owned a mario game.
1. Mario series (something I grew up with...I tear sometimes)
2. Metal Gear Solid (Grew up with it too...I don't tear though)
I'd say those two series pretty much own the industry.....of course I'd say Smash Bros. series, but this is barely their third game. I'm not going to sit here and say Smash Bros. owns other games in numbers. Even though it's one of my fav series.
2. Metal Gear Solid (Grew up with it too...I don't tear though)
I'd say those two series pretty much own the industry.....of course I'd say Smash Bros. series, but this is barely their third game. I'm not going to sit here and say Smash Bros. owns other games in numbers. Even though it's one of my fav series.
Dolla Billz Don't Lie Nygga
Smash Apprentice
1. Star Fox
2. Sonic
3. Madden
2. Sonic
3. Madden
D
Deleted member
Guest
Mario--Mario Galaxy is addicting--Sonic--The speed is thrilling--or, of course, Super Smash Bros.--Nuff said
Meta_Sonic64
Smash Master
Mario and Sonic.
Alphicans
Smash Hero
Definately the Street Fighter series
JUMPING_YOSHI
Smash Cadet
- Joined
- Nov 28, 2007
- Messages
- 61
Mario,Zelda or Halo.
- Joined
- Jan 14, 2002
- Messages
- 28,982
Instead of listing just one or two word replies, either add WHY you like them or the topic is done.
Wiseguy
Smash Champion
Aside from Smash Bros. (do two games count as a franchise?) my favorite series would have to be the Metroid Prime trilogy. The brilliant art design, tight controls and intricately designed alien worlds suck me into the experience like few games can.
Zelda is a close second, though I'm not sure if I need to justify that choice.
Zelda is a close second, though I'm not sure if I need to justify that choice.
Thrillhouse-vh.
Smash Hero
Super Mario Bros.
This forum has a heavy Nintendo bias/fan base, there is no reason to even try to deny this. Now, this forum does not affect my thoughts in any way, shape, or form. I was already a huge Nintendo fan before. This goes without saying, I have always been deeply devoted to the Super Mario series. From my first days of playing the arcade hit "Mario Bros." on my cousin's NES, I was addicted. Next time he came, he brought SUPER Mario Bros. Needless to say, the game was groundbreaking then, the game is still recognized for that now. Now, I never got to play SMB2 or SMB3 when I was young (took a while to track down, but I got them ), but what I did get was better. For a Christmas, the SUPER Nintendo, complete with the three launch games. Pilotwings (a great series that NEEDS to be revived by Nintendo), F-Zero (grown in popularity due to Smash, but IMO, the first one on the SNES is the best), and of course, SUPER Mario WORLD. With the increase of capabilities in the SNES, you can bet this game did what the first Mario Bros did, and multiplied it over nine-thousand. Great graphics, great music, nice environments, expansive maps with shortcuts and alternate paths, great power-ups, the introduction of Yoshi, the Koopalings' biggest role in a Mario game to date (I'm so sad they went away ), this game was perfect then, it's perfect now. Personally, my top favorite game on the SNES, as well as all-time (replacing Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, but I'll get to that later ). Of course, consoles become outdated due to the ever-growing demands and expectations of critics and fans, and Nintendo had to officially put an end to the SNES. To compete with Sony's Playstation and Sega's Dreamcast, Nintendo released the Nintendo 64. It received a lot of smack-talk due to it's clunky design, inferior graphics to consoles like the PSX, and use of cartridges from both fans and critics alike. But, Nintendo had an ace up it's sleeve, Mario 64. This was the first truly 3D platformer, and it was executed so perfectly, that nearly ALL 3D platform games, if not a good 90-something percent all copied of its engine. Often hailed the greatest Mario game of the 3D generation and of all-time (not surpassing Super Mario World, IMO). With the Gamecube, Nintendo revealed Super Mario Sunshine. Super Mario Sunshine...well....compared to Sonic's(Sega was the other major gaming figure of my youth) games of that era, Sunshine was golden. Nintendo's Revolution got renamed the "Nintendo Wii", fans rebuilt the doubt they got with the N64. The Wii had a pretty weak start, but sold due to it's family-friendly "casual gaming" crowd that everyone could have fun. However, there were some games on there to please fans of Nintendo's games of epic proportions, such as "Twilight Princess" and "Metroid Prime 3" remaining some of the best on the system. Since nearly the Wii was first announced, Shigeru Miyamoto has always teased the crowd by telling them that a new Mario game was in the works, but never revealed any details. Soon, he revealed the idea: Mario in space. Critics laughed. Haters laughed. Fans laughed. My dog laughed. God laughed. Not just the Christain/Islam/Judaism God, but Buddha, Vishnu, Anubis; everyone mocked the idea. That was until, the demo was released. Miyamoto shut everyone up. Mario Galaxy was eventually released to much acclaim, it even shot up to the number one ranked game of all time at http://www.gamerankings.com. It really isn't as influential as people say (seriously, it just came out), but stands out as one of the freshet games to hit a market that was plenty satisfied with FPS clones and GTA clones. What will Nintendo do with Mario in the future? Undoubtedly, it will go down in history, for better (Every canon-platformer except Sunshine) or for worse (Sunshine).
EDIT: ****, hit "add post" instead of "preview post". I'm not done yet.
This forum has a heavy Nintendo bias/fan base, there is no reason to even try to deny this. Now, this forum does not affect my thoughts in any way, shape, or form. I was already a huge Nintendo fan before
. This goes without saying, I have always been deeply devoted to the Super Mario series. From my first days of playing the arcade hit "Mario Bros." on my cousin's NES, I was addicted. Next time he came, he brought SUPER Mario Bros. Needless to say, the game was groundbreaking then, the game is still recognized for that now. Now, I never got to play SMB2 or SMB3 when I was young (took a while to track down, but I got them ), but what I did get was better. For a Christmas, the SUPER Nintendo, complete with the three launch games. Pilotwings (a great series that NEEDS to be revived by Nintendo), F-Zero (grown in popularity due to Smash, but IMO, the first one on the SNES is the best), and of course, SUPER Mario WORLD. With the increase of capabilities in the SNES, you can bet this game did what the first Mario Bros did, and multiplied it over nine-thousand. Great graphics, great music, nice environments, expansive maps with shortcuts and alternate paths, great power-ups, the introduction of Yoshi, the Koopalings' biggest role in a Mario game to date (I'm so sad they went away ), this game was perfect then, it's perfect now. Personally, my top favorite game on the SNES, as well as all-time (replacing Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, but I'll get to that later ). Of course, consoles become outdated due to the ever-growing demands and expectations of critics and fans, and Nintendo had to officially put an end to the SNES. To compete with Sony's Playstation and Sega's Dreamcast, Nintendo released the Nintendo 64. It received a lot of smack-talk due to it's clunky design, inferior graphics to consoles like the PSX, and use of cartridges from both fans and critics alike. But, Nintendo had an ace up it's sleeve, Mario 64. This was the first truly 3D platformer, and it was executed so perfectly, that nearly ALL 3D platform games, if not a good 90-something percent all copied of its engine. Often hailed the greatest Mario game of the 3D generation and of all-time (not surpassing Super Mario World, IMO). With the Gamecube, Nintendo revealed Super Mario Sunshine. Super Mario Sunshine...well....compared to Sonic's(Sega was the other major gaming figure of my youth) games of that era, Sunshine was golden. Nintendo's Revolution got renamed the "Nintendo Wii", fans rebuilt the doubt they got with the N64. The Wii had a pretty weak start, but sold due to it's family-friendly "casual gaming" crowd that everyone could have fun. However, there were some games on there to please fans of Nintendo's games of epic proportions, such as "Twilight Princess" and "Metroid Prime 3" remaining some of the best on the system. Since nearly the Wii was first announced, Shigeru Miyamoto has always teased the crowd by telling them that a new Mario game was in the works, but never revealed any details. Soon, he revealed the idea: Mario in space. Critics laughed. Haters laughed. Fans laughed. My dog laughed. God laughed. Not just the Christain/Islam/Judaism God, but Buddha, Vishnu, Anubis; everyone mocked the idea. That was until, the demo was released. Miyamoto shut everyone up. Mario Galaxy was eventually released to much acclaim, it even shot up to the number one ranked game of all time at http://www.gamerankings.com. It really isn't as influential as people say (seriously, it just came out), but stands out as one of the freshet games to hit a market that was plenty satisfied with FPS clones and GTA clones. What will Nintendo do with Mario in the future? Undoubtedly, it will go down in history, for better (Every canon-platformer except Sunshine) or for worse (Sunshine).EDIT: ****, hit "add post" instead of "preview post". I'm not done yet.
onegoal...heaven
Smash Journeyman
I chose MGS because I just love David Hayter's voice and Solid Snake. I also love the storyline and the cinematic presentation. The game just was.....a movie....a brilliant movie.....that was emotional too. I also love the music of the franchise and gameplay is too good. I didn't choose smash because even though it's got one of the best gameplay ever, it doesn't have a good storyline and cinematic presentation I'm looking for. All I need is MGS4 for my PS3.