Video game franchises have been driving profits in the gaming industry for decades. These long-running series continue stories across multiple games, captivate audiences with beloved characters, and explore expansive fictional universes. Many franchises originate on consoles or PCs then expand across mobile, merchandising, film, television and more.
The most popular franchises hook players early and retain them for years by delivering engaging gameplay, compelling narratives and addictive multiplayer. Their success is measured in lifetime units sold and revenue generated. The following list showcases the 10 most profitable video game franchises of all time based on historical sales figures.
10. The Sims
First Release: The Sims (February 2000)
Latest Release: The Sims 4 (2014)
Units Sold: 200 million
Platforms: PC, Mac, Consoles, Mobile
The Sims established the popular "simulation game" genre by allowing players to steer life outcomes of virtual people. Its sandbox style gameplay and expansive world-building tools ignite creativity. The Sims 4 base game and continual expansion packs drive profits year after year.
9. Lego Series
First Release: Lego Fun to Build (1995)
Latest Release: Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga (2022)
Units Sold: 220 million
Platforms: Consoles, Handhelds, PC
The family-friendly Lego console games leverage popular entertainment franchises like Star Wars, Marvel and Harry Potter combined with colorful visuals and humorous tone. Kids and adults alike can enjoy exploring open worlds, solving puzzles and customizing characters. New releases continue building profits brick by brick.
8. Wii Series
First Release: Wii Sports (2006)
Latest Release: Nintendo Switch Sports (2022)
Units Sold: 245 million
Platforms: Wii, Wii U, Switch
Nintendo struck gold by packaging Wii Sports with its motion-controlled Wii console, selling over 80 million copies. The series broadened video gaming‘s popularity by getting people off the couch with fun sports mini-games. Approachable multiplayer gameplay delivers long-lasting appeal and keeps profits rolling in.
7. Minecraft
First Release: Minecraft (2011)
Latest Release: Minecraft Legends (2023)
Units Sold: 238 million
Platforms: PC, Consoles, Mobile
The ultimate virtual sandbox, Minecraft empowers players to build, craft and explore freely. Randomly generated worlds combined with customizable avatars and vast multiplayer servers provide endless replay value. New games, toys, books and movie/TV show tie-ins continue fueling massive profits.
6. FIFA
First Release: FIFA International Soccer (1993)
Latest Release: FIFA 23 (2022)
Units Sold: 325 million
Platforms: Consoles, PC
EA‘s wildly popular FIFA games give millions of soccer fans their yearly fix by delivering updated team rosters and incremental gameplay improvements. Official licensing and modes like FIFA Ultimate Team turn casual players into deeply engaged fans who buy new releases annually.
5. Grand Theft Auto
First Release: Grand Theft Auto (1997)
Latest Release: Grand Theft Auto V (2013)
Units Sold: 395 million
Platforms: Console, PC, Mobile
Few franchises generate controversy like Rockstar‘s Grand Theft Auto series, where players conduct criminal activity to progress through stories of the criminal underworld. The freedom and salacious nature of these urban sandbox settings continually explode profits with each new release.
4. Call of Duty
First Release: Call of Duty (2003)
Latest Release: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II (2022)
Units Sold: 400 million
Platforms: Consoles, PC
Activision found first person shooter gold with Call of Duty‘s military themes and ultra-fast multiplayer modes. Events like new release day produce incredible sales totals thanks to dedicated fans who flock to updated graphics and new maps/modes.
3. Pokémon
First Release: Pokémon Red/Blue (1996)
Latest Release: Pokémon Scarlet/Violet (2022)
Units Sold: 440 million
Platforms: Handheld Consoles, Mobile
The evergreen Pokémon franchise keeps evolving with new monsters and game mechanics that delight each emerging generation. Trading and battling Pokémon provides infinite replayability. Driving massive profits across video games, movies, cards and toys for over 25 years.
2. Tetris
First Release: Tetris (1984)
Latest Release: Puyo Puyo Tetris 2 (2020)
Units Sold: 495 million
Platforms: Consoles, Handhelds, Mobile, PC
Tetris remains the quintessential puzzle game for all ages with its instantly recognizable falling blocks. Simple but endlessly replayable mechanics combined with competitive online multiplayer cement its status as one of the most profitable franchises in any genre or format after nearly 40 years.
1. Mario
First Release: Donkey Kong (Arcade – 1981)
Latest Release: Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope (2022)
Units Sold: 826 million
Platforms: Arcade & All Nintendo Consoles
The face of Nintendo has been driving game profits for over three decades starting in arcades then on all Nintendo consoles. Mario has starred in over 200 games and counting, catapulting Nintendo franchises into the stratosphere in terms of sales and revenue while earning icon status in the process. Spinoffs like Mario Kart and Mario Party retain devoted fan followings that shell out cash for each new release.
Why These Franchises Bring in the Big Bucks
Many factors turn video games into sustainably profitable franchises across decades. It starts with compelling game mechanics combined with enough depth to justify sequel installments. Characters that consumers fall in love with or want to role play as also drive franchise profits. On the multiplayer side, continually updated experiences with new maps, modes and progression systems retain players for years.
Advancements in console power and internet connectivity expand the opportunity to retain audiences longer via services like Xbox Live, PlayStation Plus and Nintendo Switch Online. Downloads, microtransactions and in-game spending now generate higher revenue from loyal player bases long after initial purchase from die-hard fans willing to shell out more over time.
Accessibility is another major factor for profit leaders like Tetris, Minecraft and Mario Party – easy to learn but challenging to master makes for sustainably high sales and revenue outside core gaming demographics. This helps drive profits beyond under the "gamer" label. Expansions into movies, comics, books and more widen the profit funnels for juggernauts like Pokémon and Call of Duty.
Entering the Profitable World of Franchises as a Newcomer
The good news is that modern installments in these high-selling franchises are usually quite accessible even for total newcomers. Developers understand many purchasers have not played previous games. They design intro sequences that explain backstories and teach gameplay basics before ramping up complexity.
Starting fresh with the latest Mario Kart or Lego Star Wars entry provides the same enjoyment as longtime fans. In fact most of these franchises deliberately cater to casual gamers via multiplayer modes and mechanics accessible for kids and parties. Tetris continually succeeds because beginners face off on the same turf against experts.
Consider watching franchise recap trailers on YouTube for context before jumping into sequels part way through evolving narratives and character rosters. Utilizing open worlds at your own pace in top sellers like Grand Theft Auto V or The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim offers flexibility for casual or binge playstyles absent pressure.
It‘s better to skip confusions from outdated graphics or user interfaces by beginning your franchise experience with current generation console graphics and UI – which for most franchises means PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S or Nintendo Switch.
Purchase and Play the Latest Franchise Games
The easiest way to start your journey into top-selling video game franchises is by purchasing one of the latest releases below for modern consoles:
From Bloodborne and Horizon: Forbidden West on PlayStation to Halo and Gears of War on Xbox to Mario, Zelda and Splatoon on Nintendo Switch, retailers like Amazon, Best Buy and Walmart offer regular sales on popular franchises.
Pre-ordering upcoming installments nets bonuses like unique character skins or weapons to enhance gameplay enjoyment. Just dive in and enjoy the profitable worlds crafted over years that made these series into historic money-makers.
The Legacy of Highly Profitable Franchises
The staggering lifetime sales figures and revenue totals produced by entertainment juggernauts like Mario, Grand Theft Auto and Call of Duty underscore their lasting legacy stretching back 30+ years. They simply hook players, retain them for the long haul and continually attract new customers thanks to compelling content and brand recognition.
These bastions of the gaming industry establish key genres, iconic characters and breadth of creative freedom other developers aspire to replicate. Their tendrils expand into books, board games, theme park attractions and big budget Hollywood movies.
Yet their core video games remain the cash cows thanks to the everlasting devotion from fans new and old who eagerly await new worlds to explore with beloved characters. Whether it‘s revisiting Hyrule in the latest Legend of Zelda or unlocking new Star Wars secrets in a freshly minted Lego game, profitable franchises endure by continually delivering the exceptional entertainment people crave.
