Top Best Selling Video Games Franchise by Global Sales
The best selling video games franchise is the Mario franchise, which has moved over 850 million units worldwide as of the newest public data from Nintendo financial reports and industry trackers. The series includes mainline platformers, spin-offs, and mobile titles, with consistent sales across multiple console generations. According to Nintendo's latest annual reports, Mario remains the company's primary revenue driver and the most recognized character in gaming history Nintendo annual financial reports.
Other leading franchises in the best selling video games franchise rankings include Tetris, Pokémon, and Call of Duty. Tetris has reached over 520 million paid downloads and physical sales across platforms, while the Pokémon franchise has shipped over 480 million units, combining games, merchandise, and media. Call of Duty has surpassed 425 million copies sold since its debut in 2003, driven by annual releases and a large online multiplayer ecosystem Forbes best selling video game franchises data.
Companies Behind the Best Selling Video Games Franchise
Nintendo Co., Ltd., headquartered in Kyoto, Japan, is the publisher and primary developer behind the Mario franchise and other top selling titles. The company reports consolidated sales data in its annual securities reports, which show that Mario games continue to generate the largest share of its software revenue. Nintendo's business model relies on first party hardware and software integration, with franchises like Mario, Zelda, and Pokémon forming the core of its long term strategy Nintendo investor relations annual reports.
Activision Blizzard, now part of Microsoft following its 2023 acquisition, owns the Call of Duty franchise and publishes titles across console, PC, and mobile platforms. The deal, valued at 69 billion dollars, was completed after regulatory approvals and marked a major consolidation in the gaming industry. Microsoft now integrates Call of Duty into its Xbox Game Pass subscription service and plans long term support for the franchise across its ecosystem SEC filing on Microsoft Activision Blizzard acquisition.
Rankings, Revenue, and Market Position of the Best Selling Video Games Franchise
Global Sales Rankings by Unit Sales
Industry trackers consistently rank the Mario franchise first in the best selling video games franchise category by lifetime unit sales, followed by Tetris, Pokémon, and Call of Duty. These rankings are based on shipped and sold units, including digital downloads, physical copies, and bundled titles. The data reflects cumulative sales across multiple platforms, from early cartridges to modern consoles and mobile devices Forbes best selling video game franchises data.
Revenue and Profitability
While unit sales define the best selling video games franchise, revenue varies based on pricing, platform mix, and monetization models. Nintendo reports franchise level revenue in its consolidated statements, with Mario titles contributing a significant portion of its annual net sales. The company's fiscal year ends in March, and its latest reports show strong recurring revenue from established franchises supported by new entries and remasters