Games likeFallouttake players through vast wastelands, whileCall of Dutydelivers intense combat.
These series have defined their genres and inspired countless other games.
Everyone has their favorites, but some series stand out as must-plays.
Here are 10 video game series' every gamer should experience at least once.
Thanks to its popularity,the series has spanned 16 games across consoles, arcades, and mobile devices.
Each new game builds on the original, adding fresh tracks, characters, and gameplay features.
Features like drifting, gliding, and underwater driving have kept the series fun and exciting.
Released in 1987 on arcade systems,Street Fighterallowed players to fight in one-on-one martial arts battles.
The series now has six main games, also with spinoffs and crossovers.
Each game brought new characters, better graphics, and new fighting moves.
Some fan-favorite characters include Ryu, Chun-Li, and Ken.
Street Fighteris one of Capcom’s flagship series, selling 55 million units worldwide.
Custom image by Katarina Cimbaljevic.
It offers new features but still keeps the classicStreet Fighterfeel.
It first came out on February 27, 1996, for the Game Boy in Japan.
With its mix of adventure, strategy, and collecting,Pokemoncontinues to attract new and old fans alike.
Each new generation of games introduces new Pokemon, areas, and features.
With its mix of adventure, strategy, and collecting,Pokemoncontinues to attract new and old fans alike.
It first debuted in Japan on December 18, 1987, created by Square Enix.
The series is known for its captivating stories, memorable characters, and engaging turn-based combat.
There are 16 mainFinal Fantasygames, withFinal Fantasy XVIlaunching in 2023 for the PlayStation 5.
Final Fantasycharacters also appear elsewhere, like inKingdom Hearts.
Over the years,Final Fantasyhas evolved.
While the early games focused on turn-based combat, newer installments have moved toward more action-oriented gameplay.
The series became known for its relaxing, open-ended gameplay.
Since the first game,there have been five main entries.
Since its debut,theResident Evilseries has expanded to 12 main games, along with remakes and spin-offs.
For many, myself included, it was their first step into gaming.
Created by Nintendo, the first game came out in 1985 on the NES.
The game was a big hit and helped define platforming games.
These became key parts of the game.
The series also introduced new challenges and fun mechanics with each new game.
Mario’s name was originally supposed to be Jumpman.
He appeared in the 1981 video game,Donkey Kong.
There are now over 200Mario-themed games, with a handful from the main series.
Its a true must-play for all.
The first game was released in 1997 for MS-DOS and Windows.
The series gained huge popularity withGrand Theft Auto III.
This game introduced a 3D open world, letting players explore Liberty City from a third-person view.
Its success led to even bigger sequels inGrand Theft Auto: Vice CityandGrand Theft Auto: San Andreas.
Its a personal favorite; I have played all of its mainline games, and most spinoffs.
The first game in the series was released on February 21, 1986, for NES.
The games often focus on exploration, combat, and puzzles.
There are currently 21 mainZeldagames, 17 spinoffs, and nine remakes and re-releases.
Other games should learn from it.
