Cash rules everything around me: here are the 5 game franchises that have made the most money

Money makes the world go round; the same is true in the video game industry. These days, some serious money is being sunk into developing our favorite titles, sometimes upwards of $250 million. We’ve all got our favorite game franchises, but have you ever wondered which one is the king of the heap? Which franchise has grossed the most money?

To be clear, highest-grossing and best-selling are two entirely different things, so games you might expect to be on this list may not make the cut. Minecraft, for example, is one of the best-selling games of all time in terms of copies sold, but it doesn’t quite make the cut for most money made. We’re going strictly by the number of dollars earned. Here are the five highest-grossing game franchises of all time! And if you’re itching to find some more top-grossing franchises, don’t forget to check our source.

1. Call of Duty - $30 billion

Call of Duty tops the list if we’re going off money based on video game sales alone. This juggernaut has been going strong for twenty years, with no signs of slowing down soon. In fact, Modern Warfare II, the latest console and PC entry in the franchise, was so popular it made $1 billion in ten days! All of those people who said video games were a waste of time when I was growing up clearly lacked the vision to see the financial opportunity of what would eventually be a billion-dollar industry. Let this be a lesson: Don’t let anyone kill your dreams!

2. Pokémon - $27 Billion

Pokémon would easily top the list if we included the merchandising, movies, anime, and other spin-offs. Based on video game sales alone, though, it sits comfortably in the number two spot. I remember getting Pokémon Blue for the Game Boy in 1998 and immediately being addicted. It was more than a game; it was a way of life! We’d start wars and get into massive arguments over which version had the better Pokémon, but we needed access to both to get all 151—which maybe starts to explain just how this series has made so much money from game sales!

3. Mario - $22 Billion

Mario has been around since the ’80s, running and jumping his way into video game and general pop culture history. It’s rare to find someone that’s never heard of this charismatic plumber, The Super Mario Bros movie alone is now the highest-grossing video game adaptation ever produced! So, it’s no wonder the game franchise itself has grossed so much money over the years. Like Mickey Mouse, I wouldn’t be surprised if one day I’ll be telling my grandkids about the adventures of Mario. 

4. Final Fantasy - $19 Billion

If you haven’t played a Final Fantasy game, you’re missing out! And with the recent release of Final Fantasy XVI, now is the perfect time to jump into the series. This franchise has sold over 180 million units worldwide for an estimated $19 billion in sales. My first time playing was when I purchased Final Fantasy VII, and I’ve been a fan of the series ever since.

5. Dungeon Fighter Online - $18 Billion

I had never heard of Dungeon Fighter Online until doing my research for this list, but apparently, this online beat-em-up action RPG has 850 million players worldwide and has generated around $18 billion in sales, but according to some sources, it’s closer to $20 Billion! Originally published in 2005, Dungeon Fighter Online wasn’t a critical hit, so I’m assuming a lot of folks must be spending money on all sorts of microtransactions, but who am I to judge? This is one I’m going to put on my future playlist.

💬 What are some other high-grossing franchises that should be on this list? Let me know in the comments section!