Top 10 Best Video Game Series of All Time

You've smashed that A button until your thumb cramped, chased polygon princesses across low-res landscapes, and maybe even felt a pang of existential dread when that one beloved NPC met their untimely demise (Aerith, we're still not over it). Video games aren't just a pastime. They're a shared cultural language, a source of joy, frustration, and, let's face it, sometimes even a life-altering experience.

Video game series, like the sprawling adventures of The Legend of Zelda or the mischievous escapades of Super Mario Bros., hold a special place in our hearts, reminding us of simpler times and the pure joy of discovery. Others, like the sprawling urban crime sagas of Grand Theft Auto or the historical stealth action of Assassin's Creed, offer a glimpse into worlds both familiar and fantastical, inviting us to explore complex narratives and grapple with moral dilemmas.

The best video game series are more than just a collection of pixels and code. They're cultural touchstones that have shaped our understanding of storytelling, technology, and even ourselves. They've made us laugh, cry, rage-quit in frustration, and jump for joy in triumph.

The Top Ten

The Legend of Zelda

This was the best video game series 25 years ago and will still be the best video game series 100 years from now. It has set records and changed the video game industry for the better. I love the gameplay, the depth of the story, the characters, and Hyrule.
I mean, what's not to love? It's so good that even Robin Williams named his daughter after it. I don't see anyone calling their child Call of Duty. The best thing about Zelda games is that there's a Zelda game for every person of every age.
From catching fairies before you battle bosses to acquiring the Master Sword, everything you do in the land of Hyrule seems satisfying. If you haven't played this game, I definitely recommend it.
Super Mario Bros.

Why isn't this number one? Mario is the series that defines Nintendo. It brought a revolution to platformers and to three-dimensional adventures. Who wouldn't like going into pipes that warp you to different places?
Who wouldn't like defeating an army of dinosaur-like tortoises and potato-heads to save their "special one"? And who wouldn't like exploring the galaxies to collect Power Stars to travel to the center of the universe? Super Mario Bros., Bros. 3, World, Land, 64, Kart, Sunshine, Galaxy, Mario Party, and New Super Mario Bros. Wii are some of the greatest games of all time.
What's left to say? It's better than Zelda!

As much as I love Zelda, Pokémon, Smash Bros., Kirby, and others, Mario will always be the best. Without Mario, 99% of the series on this list would not exist. Mario got me into video games in the first place and continues to keep me playing. He wears many hats, from plumber to doctor to Olympian to referee to teacher. Although Zelda may hold the top spot for some time, I believe Mario will always be the more fun and diverse of the two.
Pokemon

Pokémon has been my favorite game series, other than Call of Duty, for years. The first game I played was Pokémon Black, and it set me off on the whole Pokémon franchise. My second Pokémon game was Pokémon Platinum, which could have been better, but it was still great. Not to mention, my first shiny was on it, which was a shiny Ponyta.
Then I played Pokémon White 2, which was amazing in how it continued the storyline of Black. I was so surprised and happy it turned out that well. Following that, I got Pokémon X, and so far, it is my favorite because it is so good. I love Xerneas, and Mega Evolution boosted the game's coolness way higher.
Then Omega Ruby came out, and I didn't know what to think about it at first. It was good, but the beginning of the game didn't have much of a storyline. Soon I will be getting Pokémon Sun and Moon.
Super Smash Bros.

All the games in this series are just so entertaining to watch and play. 64 really set a good standard and had a lot of potential. Melee was just a competitive masterpiece, though not as perfect casually.
Brawl's Subspace Emissary is a masterpiece, with good gameplay but struggles competitively, yet has really good casual gameplay. Smash 4 continued with engaging gameplay and good extra modes. Ultimate, in my opinion, is the best overall with extremely good casual and competitive gameplay, along with super good side modes.
Overall, a great series that almost anyone can enjoy.

If you combine the Kirby, Mario, Zelda, and many other video game series, you get Super Smash Bros. It's a fun fighter game for the whole family, and they can choose their favorite Nintendo characters! How fun can it even get?
If a Smash game came out for the Nintendo Switch, that would actually be amazing. They would add new characters and maps or bring back old characters and maps. They haven't announced it yet, but if they did say it's going to be released, there's going to be more fans of this popular fighting game.
Grand Theft Auto

The ability to travel anywhere you want, carry a load of weapons, and take any vehicle from a bike to an exotic sports car to a military jet... and graphics only Rockstar can excel at in its time... with the latest Grand Theft Auto V making sales of over $1 billion dollars in its first week... along with San Andreas, Vice City, etc., making the top five on many 'Greatest Game of All Time' lists (e.g., IGN)... Best series in video game history.

Probably one of the best series out there, Grand Theft Auto is one of the most realistic. But in the end, Grand Theft Auto > Sonic. Come at me.
Assassin's Creed

I love Assassin's Creed. It's one of my favorite video game franchises of all time, mostly because of the story and the marvelous combat system, which is bloody and brutal. I like the freedom it offers, as you can move not only on the ground or in water but also on rooftops, walls, and even through the air (in some missions).
The game features cool characters, stunning outfits, a deadly and accurate parkour and free-running system, and a tremendous arsenal. I love the mercenary hammers and swords, but playing with axes and heavy weapons is also extremely satisfying and barbaric. There's a variety of factions you can assist and subsequently join for your cause, which adds depth to the gameplay.
The environments are also incredibly interesting. Personally, I loved Italy in Assassin's Creed II (Venice, Florence, Milan, and Rome), Jerusalem, Acre, and Damascus in Assassin's Creed (set during the Third Crusade), and France in Assassin's Creed Unity (set during the French Revolution).
Final Fantasy

The music and the characters in the series, not to mention the logos for a little extra, make it my favorite video game series of all time.
I hope Square Enix keeps making games in the series, even though Final Fantasy XVI and Final Fantasy VII Rebirth didn't meet sales expectations for Square Enix. Final Fantasy will always be the greatest RPG video game series of all time to me.
That's all I have to say. Goodbye.

Not only are the stories great, but the heroes, villains, and gameplay are too. Each game is different from the last in terms of environment and storyline, with the exception of X and XI. So, everyone can find something they love about this amazing series.
Metal Gear Solid

The only reason why this isn't ranked number one is that most voters here have only played the newer game series, like Call of Duty, for example. They don't know what the Metal Gear series is capable of. Friends dying in front of you, crushed by a gigantic robot T-Rex.
An old friend battling cancer. A sister who died because of a vampire psychopath. A mentor killed by her own student. A man-made spy near death because of rapid aging but still able to save the world and finally killing his own brother.
Sometimes, it's not about the gameplay that makes a game great, but the drama and the storyline that can be talked about for almost forever.

Just the storyline alone should put this game in the top 3 or 4. It's my all-time personal favorite, so it would be my #1 choice.
Hideo Kojima is an absolute genius, and I salute him not only for making great games but for crafting storylines and characters that one can easily become emotionally attached to. His games are like movies that keep me on the edge of my seat and leave me praying that he'll make just one more.
The replay value of these games is tremendous. They are always chock-full of Easter eggs and side stories. MGS revolutionized stealth gameplay and is in a league of its own. I believe that if anyone plays a game from this series, it will easily be in their top 5 favorites.
Halo

Zelda above this, I get it. Zelda is just the dream of any gamer. But Mario, Grand Theft Auto, Pokémon? I mean, yes, they are great games, but Halo is fantastic, majestic, perfect, and every word with a positive connotation that exists.
There was a time when I just wanted to go to my friends' house in high school to play Halo. I no longer cared about my friends. Don't misunderstand me. It's not that I didn't care about them, but the game captivated me subconsciously in a way that I was totally hypnotized by it. I'm sure many can relate to what I'm saying.
When Halo 2 and 3 came out, those were some really crazy times. There will never be days as good as those, and you know it. I think I even had dreams about Halo back then. In some way, I still do.
The Elder Scrolls

Put it this way: when you've got a game series that gets things so right the first time, all you have to do to make a sequel is improve the graphics and update the game mechanics a little. You've got something special.
Every Elder Scrolls game in the series has consistently trounced its competition. To the point that the Elder Scrolls series has become the definitive RPG series of late. I'm surprised this isn't higher on the list!

This is such a clear choice to me. Excluding the early titles (Daggerfall/Arena), there has not been a poor title. Every single one of the TES games has pushed the envelope of what we expect from an RPG.
I only ever liked one Zelda game, the first one. Mario has forever been a 2D platformer (even when he went 3D, he still felt like yesteryear's platformer), and I don't think I've ever spent more than 30 hours on any AC game. Every AC/Zelda/Mario game is cookie-cutter. They all feel the same.
Play Morrowind, then play Skyrim, and tell me how similar they are to you. My point is that Bethesda is a company whose body of work screams quality over quantity, while this list appears to (inaccurately) be ranking the other way.

The Newcomers

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Danganronpa

Danganronpa: The Animation is a 2013 anime television series based on Spike Chunsoft's video game Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc. The story follows a group of high school students trapped in a deadly game of mutual killing at Hope's Peak Academy. The anime adaptation condenses the plot of the original... read more

Danganronpa is a amazing game! This game deserves to be way higher up in the list!

Danganronpa is number one hell YES I love DANGANRONPA!

Why isn't this higher? This video game series is amazing!
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Wii Sports

I got this for my grandson, and he loved it. 5 stars.

The Contenders

Sonic

None of the series here have made me feel the same way as Sonic. Even though he's had some rough entries, really, it hasn't been many. He's way too overhated because of one game in 2006 and another in 2017. Most of the games are great.

Sonic is a series sold for its protagonist and world. I can honestly say that Sonic has no games that feel perfect. There are those that come close, sure. SA2 and Generations are both fantastic games.
But what really makes those two great? Three things: the characters (which are perfectly voice acted in both games and have their characters perfectly designed), the music (which is some of the best in the series), and the content (both games have a large amount of post-game content in the form of level missions).
If you are reading this, Sega, work on these. The Sonic fanbase is extremely forgiving of poorer graphics, dodgy stories, and terrible cutscenes, but these elements will make or break a game for most Sonic fans.
Metroid

Metroid is one of the greatest game franchises ever. Why isn't it among the top ten? It's a mystery.
Who wouldn't like traveling the cosmos on great adventures, exterminating dangerous species, fighting evil, and putting an end to wars in a way few have rivaled? All the games are thrilling from the start as soon as you land on the surface of a planet/station. "Good luck with the adventures! Explore the way yourself!"

This game series defined my childhood. Super Metroid, Metroid Fusion, Other M, and Metroid Prime were complete masterpieces. The only game that wasn't truly captivating and incredible was Metroid Prime Pinball, but come on - it's a pinball game. I easily rank this as my personal number one.
Uncharted

This game is much better than most games in the top ten. Call of Duty deserves to be in the bottom 50. Yes, I know a lot of people are going to say, Look at the sales and pre-order numbers. They're only really high because a lot of gamers are really stupid in the games they buy.
They love nothing more than a non-original story, gameplay that isn't evolving, and multiplayer that's the same every year. They also like developers and publishers that only care about the money. These facts are undeniably true, and some gamers can't take the time to appreciate the love and care put into games like the story in Mass Effect, the adventure in Skyrim, the combat depth in God of War, and the explosive action in Uncharted.
Basically, what I'm saying is that gamers these days are becoming so one-dimensional. They need to expand their horizon of games they play.
Mass Effect

Truly the best game series I have ever played (with maybe The Elder Scrolls in contention). The story is fantastic, immersing you in a universe filled with aliens, new planets, emerging governments, and a vast cosmos. Despite all this, you still feel like you belong and understand exactly what is happening without any effort, which is a remarkable achievement in gaming.
Additionally, the choices on offer were tremendous and thought-provoking, really making the game feel unique to each player. The true brilliance lies in how every decision carries through the entire series. The tactics and gameplay were excellent and a refreshing departure from the standard fare of Call of Duty.
I, for one, did not mind the ending after they revised it. I found it to be a fitting conclusion to the game and my Commander Shepard's story. All in all, I believe this series should be at the top or close to it, and certainly ranked higher than just number 10.
Kingdom Hearts

Ah, it's all been said already... This series started out as what some would call a fluke. It was a combination that most people would never have guessed could work. On one hand, Final Fantasy, a game that focuses on telling intricate and (sometimes) messed-up stories (FFVII). On the other hand, the Disney series, a series of happy-go-lucky, feel-good movies aimed at kids. It should have been a boring game... but it wasn't.
With each game polishing the fighting style more and more, the gameplay - one of the game's strongest points - appeals to button mashers as well as tacticians. The game features an intricate story that spans over many games, each one giving away only a piece of the puzzle. This makes for one of the longest and most immersive stories ever told in a game.
And let's not forget all the Disney worlds that the game offers, each reliving the old movies in a nostalgic way, coupled with a more mature story. And while the game does not have very realistic graphics, it is very fun to look at. All in all, this is one of my favorite (if not the favorite) video game series I've ever played. It's a must-play for anyone who likes either Disney or Final Fantasy... or any RPG fan... or anyone who likes action-adventure games... or anyone who likes fun. Just play the game.
Kirby

Kirby is cute. All the Kirby games are awesome, except for Kirby's Epic Yarn on the Wii. I wasted fifty dollars on Kirby's Epic Yarn.
The bosses were not challenging enough, and they made King Dedede annoying. This caused my Wii to break. I decided not to play Kirby until Triple Deluxe for the 3DS came out.
I realized my friends loved it, and it had Kirby Fighters too. So I got it, and it was so good. When Star Allies came out, it was so cool. Clash Royale is fun too. It's like Kirby Fighters but with better graphics, and you can play with people online. Anyway, Kirby should be in the top ten.

Honestly, it's insane how consistent in quality this franchise has been over its thirty-year history. Even some of the games that are the weakest of the bunch really aren't that bad. You have to admit that's very impressive for a game series, especially one that's been going on for 30 years at this point.
The games are very fun and are definitely replayable due to the many copy abilities, and they always try to change it up. Most of the time, they succeed in making things interesting. Also, Kirby is cute, so bonus points.
Mega Man

How are Kirby, Call of Duty, and Pokémon above this? Mega Man 2 and 3 are better than every Kirby and Call of Duty game ever.

Mega Man is an absolute classic! This game evokes so much nostalgia.
It has revolutionized gaming across the globe, including the hero Mega Man himself!

These games are the best and should remain so even thousands of years from now.
Mortal Kombat

The Mortal Kombat games are excellent! I can't believe they're not in the top ten, twenty at least. They have a complex storyline for each individual character, amazing graphics (once you get to the newer releases), and are an all-time classic.

Love this. Got three of them already! Can't wait for Mortal Kombat 11!

Tremor is the coolest Mortal Kombat character ever!
Fire Emblem

When I first played Fire Emblem, I was expecting a boring, unoriginal fantasy RPG that wouldn't try anything new. Instead, I found an incredibly heartbreaking story with fun characters, each with their own personalities and aspirations. Nothing hurts more when a trusted fighter falls on the battlefield.
If you're looking to get into JRPGs, I highly suggest Fire Emblem.

It's absolutely awesome to play and just keeps getting better and better. The newer games have tons of replay value with difficulty settings, multiple storylines, and hilarious support conversations.
Not to mention the engaging storylines and diverse cast! Definitely one of the best!
Bioshock

The Bioshock series is absolutely amazing. The stories are captivating and the graphics make it worthwhile. Bioshock Infinite could easily top my list.

Bioshock consistently excels in its storytelling. Every game is a masterpiece.

One of my favorite games of all time, including Bioshock Infinite, which is such an underrated game!
Crash Bandicoot

Currently an official Nintendo character, Mr. Bandicoot and his sister moved from PlayStation to Nintendo GameCube.

I have almost every game in the series. These games are awesome and number one in my opinion.

The first video game series I ever played, and still one of the best.
Silent Hill

I have only ever seen the Playable Teaser for Silent Hill, simply called PT, which was deleted and removed by Kojima. And even just that told me how good the series was.

I've never played a Silent Hill game in my life, and even I know this should be in the top 20 at least.
Resident Evil

Resident Evil keeps getting better and better. Each game is unforgettable, and RE 4 is a perfect game. The creatures, boss battles, and overall awesomeness of this franchise are unsurpassed by any other in the gaming industry.

Resident Evil! Just saying the name makes your ears ring with fear. The series set off the survival horror genre and has been adapting since its debut in 1996. It features great characters, enjoyable stories, and frightful action.

I have only played four and six, but I grew up watching my siblings play these. So, yeah, this should be in the top ten, if not the top five. Just saying.
Fallout

Ok, listen up. I don't play Fallout 4, but I have played 1 through New Vegas, and the series is awesome. I couldn't vote for The Elder Scrolls because, if you know me, I get angry when people like Skyrim best just for the graphics' sake.
But back to Fallout. Fallout 1 was a great starter for the series. Fallout 2 was a major improvement and when I really started playing a lot. Fallout 3 made the series really popular. To be honest, it would be my favorite game if it didn't have so many super mutants. New Vegas is my favorite Fallout game because it has the best role-playing aspect and a nice, vibrant world, unlike Fallout 3, which was bland. That's why this series gets my vote.
Ratchet & Clank

Ah, Ratchet and Clank. Kid-friendly, hilarious, with godlike music, incredibly addicting weapons, and awesome stories. Even though some games, like Into the Nexus, are really short, I will never give up on this fantastic series.

Ratchet and Clank is a work of art, with amazing weapons, gadgets, and humor. The series rarely ceases to amaze me. By rarely, I mean All 4 One. Seriously, I'm glad it just beat out Call of Duty.

I LOVE Ratchet and Clank! Wacky weapons, gorgeous worlds, lovable characters, and fantastic music!
This is a truly wonderful and fun franchise!