Video games don’t just come and go anymore. The best of them don’t fade after a single release; they build legacies. Franchises have become the heartbeat of the industry, pulling players back time and time again with bigger worlds, new mechanics, and unforgettable characters. What started as one-off hits often evolves into cultural juggernauts, and in many cases, they define what gaming even means.
Take Super Mario Bros., for instance. Sitting comfortably at the top of nearly every “best of” list, Mario is more than a mascot; he’s gaming royalty. Since his arcade debut in Donkey Kong and the breakout success of Super Mario Bros. on the NES, the series has expanded in every direction imaginable. From classics like Super Mario 64 that redefined 3D gameplay to the multiplayer chaos of New Super Mario Bros., this franchise never stops adapting. Super Mario went so far as to release a popular slot game online, Mario’s Gold slot game, showing just how wide its influence stretches beyond consoles.
Of course, Mario isn’t alone in building a global empire. The Legend of Zelda is right there beside him, crafting experiences that feel less like games and more like journeys. With Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, the series didn’t just follow trends; it set them, redefining open-world exploration for the modern age. Every Zelda release feels like an event, reminding fans why this franchise is one of the most beloved in history.
Then there’s Grand Theft Auto. Love it or roll your eyes at its chaos, GTA changed the sandbox forever. Starting with the top-down originals and exploding into mainstream culture with GTA III, Rockstar’s flagship became a playground of freedom, satire, and mayhem. Decades later, GTA Online is still going strong, and the hype for GTA VI proves the franchise’s grip hasn’t loosened one bit.
Franchises also thrive when they reinvent themselves. Resident Evil is a masterclass in reinvention. From its early fixed-camera survival horror roots to the groundbreaking action of Resident Evil 4 and the terrifying first-person shift of Resident Evil 7, Capcom has kept the series alive by evolving with the times. This ‘reinvention’ involves not just updating graphics or gameplay, but fundamentally changing the core experience of the game to keep it fresh and engaging. Few horror franchises have managed that kind of longevity, and even fewer with such consistent success.
And we can’t talk franchises without mentioning Pokémon. What started on a Game Boy cartridge grew into a worldwide obsession, spanning anime, films, trading cards, and mobile apps that captured entire generations. One key to its success is its ability to evoke a sense of nostalgia in players, many of whom grew up with the game. It’s rare for a game to be both deeply nostalgic and consistently relevant, but Pokémon pulls it off by mixing exploration, collection, and pure charm.
What makes these series more than just games is their staying power. They’ve gone beyond their original formats to influence culture, shape the industry, and inspire countless imitators. For instance, Final Fantasy popularised the role-playing game genre, Halo revolutionised multiplayer gaming, and God of War set new standards for action-adventure games. These franchises prove that with strong storytelling and smart evolution, a game can grow into something much bigger than a single release.
In the end, the magic of these franchises is simple: they keep us coming back. Whether it’s the thrill of racing in Mario Kart, uncovering secrets in Zelda, or losing hours in Grand Theft Auto, these worlds are part of our lives now. And as long as developers keep balancing innovation with the heart of what made these games special, their stories are far from over.
