10 Video Game Franchises That Have Released the Most Games

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In the past, video game series usually only had a sequel or two. But since the original Pac-Man came out, things have changed dramatically. Now, many popular game franchises include dozens – even hundreds – of titles. We’ve taken a look at some of the biggest franchises and ranked them from those with the fewest games to those with the most. This list includes every game featuring a main character, spin-offs, and other related titles.

10) Castlevania

I first got into Castlevania way back in 1986 on the NES, and it totally blew my mind – it was one of the best platformers of its time! The game was a huge hit, and it kicked off a whole franchise that’s still going strong today. There are so many different Castlevania series – the main games, plus things like Legend of Dracula, Dracula X, Castlevania Apocalypse, Soma Cruz, and Lords of Shadow – they’ve released games on just about every system you can imagine. I’m really excited for the next one, Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse, which is supposed to come out around 2026. It’ll be the 37th game, and honestly, I hope they keep making them for years to come!

9) FIFA

The FIFA video game series is one of the most successful in sports gaming history. It began in 1993 with FIFA International Soccer, and a new version was released almost every year. Over the years, the game’s title changed slightly, with releases like FIFA: Road to World Cup 98 and FIFA 99. The series continued until FIFA 23, which came out in 2022 and was the 42nd installment. Electronic Arts and FIFA couldn’t agree on a new licensing deal, ending the partnership, though a future revival isn’t out of the question.

8) Madden NFL

When it comes to sports video games, the Madden franchise is a true giant, having been a popular choice for gamers for decades. It all started with John Madden Football in 1988, and after a few name changes, it became Madden NFL with the 1994 release of Madden NFL ‘95. Over the years, the series has grown into the most detailed and realistic football simulation game ever made, with new versions released every year, along with a few arcade titles. The latest installment, Madden NFL 26, came out in 2025 – that’s the 47th game in the series! And with its continued popularity, it’s safe to say we can expect many more Madden games in the future.

7) Mega Man

The Mega Man series has a surprising history – the original game almost led to the franchise being canceled. Luckily, Capcom decided to make Mega Man 2, which is now considered the best game in the main series. Since the first Mega Man appeared on the NES in 1987, numerous sequels have been released on many different consoles. Beyond the core Mega Man games, there are several spin-offs like Mega Man X, Mega Man Zero, Mega Man ZX, Mega Man Legends, Mega Man Battle Network, Mega Man Star Force, and Rockman Xover. Altogether, there are 75 unique Mega Man games across all these different series.

6) Might and Magic

The Might and Magic series has evolved significantly since its beginnings with Might and Magic Book One: The Secret of the Inner Sanctum in 1986. Over the years, it’s grown to include the Heroes of Might and Magic games and many different spin-offs. The latest installment, Might & Magic: Fates, released in 2025, is a unique card battle game that builds on the rich history of the series in an engaging way. This game is the 75th in the franchise, and it’s expected to continue for many years to come.

5) Final Fantasy

The Final Fantasy series is the most popular and influential in the Japanese role-playing game world, inspiring countless other games. The original Final Fantasy came out on the NES in 1987 and quickly became a hit. Since then, the series has continued with new games released on many different consoles. Some, like Final Fantasy VII, have been particularly successful – it was even recently remade with 2024’s Final Fantasy VII Rebirth. Including spin-offs and main installments, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth marks the 77th game in the franchise.

4) Pokémon

Pokémon is the highest-grossing media franchise globally, worth over $115 billion. It began in 1996 with the release of Pokémon Red on the Nintendo Game Boy in Japan (and in North America in 1998). The franchise quickly became incredibly popular, and the slogan “Gotta Catch ‘Em All” became a worldwide phenomenon. From the original game to the latest installment, Pokémon Legends: Z-A (released in 2025), the Pokémon series has launched 94 games on various platforms.

3) Dungeons & Dragons

It wasn’t surprising when the popular tabletop role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons was adapted into video games. The first commercial release was Pool of Radiance in 1988, appearing on home computers and the NES, though fan-made or officially licensed games existed before that. Pool of Radiance paved the way for many more D&D adaptations, and the 1990s saw a wealth of excellent titles. The most recent original D&D game – not a remake – is Baldur’s Gate 3, a hugely successful and impressive title. As the 97th game in the D&D series, it’s likely many more great games will be released in the future.

2) Sonic the Hedgehog

Sonic the Hedgehog first appeared in 1991 on the Sega Genesis and quickly became the face of the company—a role he still holds today. While Sega now allows other companies, like Nintendo, to use Sonic in their games, he remains Sega’s most popular character. Over the years, Sonic has starred in many different types of games, including platformers, racing games, and role-playing adventures. With the recent addition of 2024’s Sonic X Shadow Generations, there are now a total of 114 Sonic the Hedgehog games, making it a huge and diverse franchise.

1) Mario

Mario is undoubtedly the most successful video game franchise of all time. Originally known as “Jumpman” in the game Donkey Kong, few predicted this little plumber would become such a massive cultural icon. He’s starred in countless games across many different genres, solidifying his place as the biggest video game franchise ever. It’s hard to give an exact number, but estimates suggest around 280 games feature Mario – a record that’s unlikely to be broken.

What’s your favorite major franchise? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!

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2026-02-22 21:16