Each of you surely has a favorite franchise that you have been loyal to for years or that holds nostalgic memories. Over the decades, some franchises have become major players and generated substantial revenue. We present to you the most successful ones.
What are these franchises? The franchises consist of game brands that have released at least one video game. However, most of them have multiple games from one or several series.
For a quick overview of the games and their revenues, just check the table of contents:
What criteria were used for selection? The list is based on compiled information from the English Wikipedia and various sources. In our list, we have only considered how much revenue the respective games have made. Media such as films and series are not included.
It doesn’t matter whether the franchises produce other content, their age, or where they come from. The list tracks all revenues since the existence of the respective product until 2019 (in some cases only until 2010).
Often, there are no official figures from the manufacturers, so some data may be outdated or uncertain. These are usually estimates, and we have noted the year of the last estimates. The numbers are stated in dollars.
1. Mario – about $31.5 billion (until 2019)
The brave plumber from Nintendo has been jumping across the screens of millions of households since 1981 and has since conquered arcade machines, consoles, and smartphones. The main series, Super Mario, has generated nearly $16 billion, the most money.
The success is not by chance, as party games like Mario Party and Mario Kart are among the best party games for the Switch.
2. Pokémon – about $18.5 billion (until 2019)
The Pokémon franchise is actually the most successful franchise overall with about $95 billion in revenue. However, the vast majority of this comes from merchandise, over $64 billion.
The video games are, however, the second-largest source of revenue, as handheld games Pokémon Red and Green (in Japan) were released as early as 1996. The latest entries are Pokémon Sword and Shield, and Pokémon GO is particularly popular on MeinMMO.
3. Call of Duty – about $18.1 billion (until 2019)
The CoD franchise is a bit younger than places 1 and 2, as the first part was released only in 2003. The shooter from Activision has since generated a lot of money.
The figures are still from 2019, and since then, the latest installment, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, has surely sold many more copies. However, that probably won’t be enough to catch up with Pokémon, which is why it only ranks third.
4. Wii – about $14.8 billion (until 2018)
This is not about the sale of the Wii console, but about the games of the Wii franchise. At the top is Wii Sports, which alone generated over $6 billion, followed by Wii Fit.
The Wii games caused quite a stir at the time, as they could combine movement, sports, and video gaming at home. This is likely one of the reasons for the success.
5. Pac-Man – about $14.1 billion (until 2016)
Pac-Man is one of the classics of video games. The small yellow circle that diligently gulps down pills and avoids ghosts has delighted millions of players since 1980. The original first part for arcades alone brought in nearly $13 billion.
6. Space Invaders – about $13.9 billion (until 2017)
Space Invaders is the oldest franchise on our list. It was released in 1978 and has produced only this one title. Remarkably enough, it has managed to generate such enormous sums.
As one of the very first video games, it’s not surprising, as Space Invaders, along with Pong, ushered in the golden age of arcade games.
7. Dungeon Fighter Online – about $13.4 billion (until 2019)
Many players in Germany do not even know Dungeon Fighter Online, although it is one of the 5 most successful PC games in the world in 2019. The beat ’em up is particularly popular in Asia, especially in China.
Dungeon Fighter Online primarily makes its money through microtransactions and the sale of cosmetics.
8. CrossFire – about $12 billion (until 2019)
Similar to Dungeon Fighter Online, CrossFire is also one of the most successful PC games in 2019, although hardly anyone here knows it. The shooter, released in 2007, is particularly popular in South Korea and China, but it received a special version for the West.
9. FIFA – about $11.5 billion (until 2019)
The FIFA series, which has been released annually since 1993, is the most successful sports game ever. Initially developed for the Sega Mega Drive, fans now play it on PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and many other (and older) platforms.
Especially the multiplayer part and the fact that real players are represented in the game with cards always fascinates fans anew. The latest installment, FIFA 20, was released on September 27, 2019.
10. Street Fighter – about $11.3 billion (until 2018)
The fighting game from Capcom is probably the most famous beat ’em up ever. Since 1987, players have been beating each other up on arcade machines or consoles and online.
Street Fighter is one of our 8 best fighting games for PS4, Xbox One, PC, and Nintendo Switch. The latest installment is Street Fighter V (2016), which received a Champion Edition as a re-release in 2020.
11. Warcraft – about $11.2 billion (until 2018)
Only slightly behind Capcom is the legendary Warcraft series, which started as a real-time strategy game in 1994 and reached its provisional peak with World of Warcraft. In our list, it is thus the most successful MMO and MMORPG.
Alone, WoW had almost $10 billion in revenue as of 2017 (via gamerevolution). However, the huge success of WoW Classic in August 2019 is not yet calculated, which could potentially push the franchise even ahead of Street Fighter, and possibly FIFA in our list. However, current numbers are still missing.
World of Warcraft goes with the next expansion Shadowlands. However, it probably won’t be released before October 2020.
12. Final Fantasy – about $11 billion (until 2019)
The Asian video game series is just slightly behind Warcraft but has been providing entertainment since 1987. The main series alone now includes 17 titles, including the successful MMORPG Final Fantasy XIV Online.
Final Fantasy entertains not only with its games but also with movies and many guest appearances in iconic games like Kingdom Hearts.
13. League of Legends – about $10.1 billion (until 2019)
The free-to-play MOBA League of Legends has only existed since 2009 but has managed to establish itself extremely successfully in its genre. Developer Riot has apparently been able to milk the game so well that six new games are in development.
The gameplay itself isn’t an innovation. It originally came from the Warcraft III mod “Defense of the Ancients.” LoL has only been able to implement this principle the best and most successfully. Added to that are dozens of its own champions and features – such as the recently introduced “Eternals”.
14. Grand Theft Auto – about $10 billion (until 2019)
GTA is likely a name known to every gamer on every platform. The series has been known for its wild humor since its first release in 1997. Players take on the role of a (petty) criminal who causes all sorts of mischief and earns money illegally.
Since the latest installment, GTA V, the online mode has been a huge success and is played extensively by many players.
15. Lineage – about $8.5 billion (until 2019)
Lineage is a Korean MMORPG from NCSoft, first released in 1998, shortly after the “first MMORPGs” Meridian 59 and Ultima Online. Until 2019, it was paid, before it switched to a free-to-play model.
The Lineage series enjoys its greatest success in its home country of Korea. Although some new entries are in development, it seems that there is some trouble with Lineage 2.
16. Monster Strike – about $8.2 billion (until 2019)
Monster Strike is reminiscent of a mix of Pokémon and Bubble Bobble with a touch of JRPG. The mobile game, first released in 2013, has achieved tremendous success and is the highest-grossing mobile app of all time (via sensortower).
The physics-based game can be played simultaneously by up to four players. It also offers a version for the Nintendo 3DS.
17. Puzzle & Dragons – about $7.8 billion (until 2019)
Just a year before Monster Strike, Puzzle & Dragons was released and was still the most successful mobile game until 2018. In terms of gameplay, it is reminiscent of the more well-known Candy Crush in the West.
Like Monster Strike, Puzzle & Dragons is also available for the 3DS. Both games are particularly successful in Japan and other Asian countries, which makes them even bigger than Pokémon GO.
18. Candy Crush – about $7.5 billion (until 2019)
Just slightly behind the Asian competitors, the browser and mobile game Candy Crush from Swedish developer King (now part of Activision Blizzard) is for many the epitome of casual games.
It is also one of the 10 largest and most successful free-to-play games in the world. However, it has received criticism for allowing players to purchase lives, which they may need to do forcibly at later levels to continue (paywall).
19. Honor of Kings/Arena of Valor – about $6.8 billion (2019)
Arena of Valor (in China: Honor of Kings) is a mobile MOBA released in 2015 by gaming giant Tencent that has been incredibly successful, especially in China. Even in 2019, it was the most successful mobile game in the world.
The interesting thing is: Arena of Valor can even be played as an esports and can earn quite a bit. Rumor has it that it may be shut down in Europe and North America. However, this has not been confirmed yet.
20. Westward Journey – about $6.5 billion (until 2018)
Fantasy Westward Journey and Westward Journey Online 2 are the two games belonging to the franchise from NetEase. The first game in the series was released in 2001. After a disastrous launch of the second part, it had to be relaunched but is now one of the most successful PC games in 2019, along with Dungeon Fighter and CrossFire.
In 2015, a mobile version for iOS and Android was also released, which was able to increase total revenue by more than half in a very short time.
21. Dragon Quest – about $6.2 billion (until 2019)
Another gem from earlier times is Dragon Quest from 1986, when the first game in the series was released. It represents a series of Japanese role-playing games that has also found many fans in the West.
In Japan alone, the series has generated over $5 billion, with mobile accounting for nearly another billion. In 2019, the co-op game Dragon Quest Builders 2 was released for the Nintendo Switch.
22. Clash of Clans – about $6.4 billion (until 2019)
The mobile game Clash of Clans from 2012 is the last mobile franchise on our list. It was one of the most successful mobile games in the world on iOS and Android in 2019.
Unlike many other mobile games, Clash of Clans is popular worldwide. The game earns revenue through the sale of gems. While they are not necessary for the game, they speed up the process. Many players utilize this “pay-to-convenience” feature.
23. Sonic the Hedgehog – about $6.3 billion (until 2019)
The Sonic franchise is Sega’s flagship. The first installment, Sonic the Hedgehog, was released in 1991 for the Mega Drive. The franchise itself has generated over $5 billion.
However, it should be noted that an additional $1.25 billion came from the “Mario & Sonic” games. These revenues count toward both Sonic’s and Mario’s total revenues.
Note: The Wikipedia list still places the Digimon franchise before Sonic. However, the largest revenues here come from merchandise and subsequently from digital sales and manga. Games account for only $90 million.
24. Star Wars – about $6 billion (until 2020)
Despite some difficulties with newer games in the Star Wars saga, the franchise remains popular in video games. Alone by 2015, the games could generate $4 billion, with mobile adding another billion by 2019.
Star Wars itself, however, is much larger. As a whole media franchise, Star Wars has generated about $70 billion so far. In our list, it would thus rank ahead of Mario – but still behind Pokémon across all media. Overall, it ranks fifth worldwide (via Wikipedia).
25. Dragon Ball – about $6 billion (until 2019)
The Dragon Ball series has released 64 games on 20 platforms since 1986, starting from the Famicom (Nintendo Entertainment System) to the PS4 and Nintendo Switch.
Recently, Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot was released, which came to the PC, adding to the otherwise console-heavy franchise. This has not yet been included in the statistics. The revenues from Shōnen Jump (manga, $217 million) are also not accounted for, which would put Dragon Ball ahead of Star Wars.
26. Pro Evolution Soccer/Winning Eleven – about $5.8 billion (until 2019)
The probably biggest (or only) competitor of FIFA, Pro Evolution Soccer, ranks at least in position 26 on our list.
As the only other sports game, the 1995-released PES (known as Winning Eleven in Japan) alone generated nearly $1.2 billion. Worldwide, an additional $4.3 billion came in. PES also has a mobile spin-off.
27. Halo – about $5 billion (until 2015)
Halo is Microsoft’s flagship game and one of the probably most famous game series ever. The series is particularly known as a top-notch shooter for the Xbox and for its multiplayer battles, which are still popular today.
The figure also includes console bundles. However, neither Halo Wars 2, Halo: Fireteam Raven, nor the Master Chief Collection, which has most likely generated quite a bit more due to its availability on PC are included. Whether it is enough to surpass PES, we cannot say for certain.
28. The Sims – about $5 billion (until 2019)
The simulation game series The Sims by EA has been making virtual people run around our screens since 2000. The series consists of four main titles, five spin-offs, and several mobile and handheld entries.
The freedoms to create their lives and families make The Sims a popular game for many. The community shows great creativity, with mods that bring World of Warcraft to The Sims.
29. Fortnite – about $4.3 billion (until 2019)
The surprise hit Fortnite, released in 2017, only achieved major breakthroughs with its free-to-play mode “Battle Royale” that took the gaming world by storm. Since then, it has been unstoppable and wears the crown of the genre.
Fortnite’s success, especially stems from its constant influx of content. Weekly patches are released, and new seasons come regularly with more content that often changes the map or the entire game. Currently, Chapter 2, Season 2 is running.
30. Assassin’s Creed – about $4.1 billion (until 2016)
The Assassin’s Creed series has been telling the story of the Assassins and Templars as well as the protagonist Desmond Miles and others related to him since 2007. The games impress with interesting parkour gameplay, stealth elements, historical backgrounds, and great graphics.
Currently, Assassin’s Creed Origins, Rebellion, and Odyssey, which is also available on Google Stadia, are missing from the calculations. Odyssey was quite successful, so it is possible that Assassin’s Creed actually ranks before Fortnite.
Was there anything surprising about this list? Did you find titles you didn’t expect, or are there any you miss? Let us know in the comments!
Perhaps 2020 will offer something else that could threaten the top 30 with a mega success:
