Source: Unsplash

The video game industry started somewhere around the late 1970s and early 1980s, and it has only been moving on an upward trajectory ever since. It has evolved into a billion-dollar industry that rivals Hollywood in both revenue and cultural impact. Some video game franchises, however, have had an even greater impact – they have developed a cult-like following and they have been influencing the entire pop culture.

These games have changed how people see gaming as a whole. They didn’t just sell millions of copies – they changed how the world sees video games. We’ve created a list of the five video game franchises that have the largest impact on the industry, so you can check it out below.

1. Super Mario

We’ll start with probably one of the most recognizable video game characters in the world – Super Mario. The original Super Mario Bros game launched in 1985 and was the first true ‘game changer’. But, it wasn’t all about the gameplay. It redefined how side-scrolling platformers worked. It used precise controls and the movements of the characters were fluid. Another novelty was the level design, which intended to teach players how the game is played through gameplay, and not instructions.

All the Mario games have been trendsetters, just like the top online roulette sites for Canadians, but the biggest evolution was with Super Mario 64, which revolutionized video games and set the standard for 3D platformers. The later Super Mario Galaxy game turned it up a notch by using gravity mechanics for level design. 

The franchise is loved by millions because it has stayed true to its core gameplay despite the advancements in technology. For example, Super Mario Odyssey shows how Nintendo hasn’t lost the plot and has learned how to use the tried-and-tested formula to deliver a truly special game without losing what made it so special.

2. The Legend of Zelda

Open-world video games have become the biggest trend in the industry. But, it all started with The Legend of Zelda, the first open-world game that gave players the option to explore. The first Zelda game was released in 1986 and changed how people see gaming. It was a game where players could set their own pace and introduced some of the first ‘Easter eggs’.

However, Zelda became a legend in the gaming world with Ocarina of Time, which was released in 1998 and revolutionized 3D adventure games. It revealed the unique lock-on targeting systems, in-game puzzles, and even cinematic storytelling.

The most recent Legend of Zelda games, Breath of the Wild and Echoes of Wisdom, have received positive acclaim, and what sets them apart is the focus on discovery and creativity rather than a scripted scenario. It’s safe to say that Legend of Zelda has changed the gaming industry and has influenced many of today’s popular open-world games like Genshin Impact and Elden Ring.

3. Grand Theft Auto

Grand Theft Auto III was a true revolution in the video gaming world. It’s the game that made the genre mainstream, and GTA games continue to do so to this date. GTA VI is the most highly anticipated video game in history, and GTA V continues to set records even today.

The easiest way to explain GTA games is that they have it all: memorable characters, comedy, storytelling, action – you name it. The franchise’s longevity was further cemented by introducing GTA Online – a mode that never gets boring and is proof that even single-player-focused games can evolve into long-term experiences.

4. Doom

First-person shooter games barely existed before Doom was first revealed in 1993. The game introduced a new genre, which involved fast-paced and direct combat, multiplayer gaming, and even modding communities. It’s safe to say that Doom has influenced the creation of games like Call of Duty, Halo, Battlefield, and many others. Without Doom, the FPS genre may never have taken off the way it did.

Another area where Doom changed video gaming forever is modding. The game’s modding community kept the game alive for decades, paving the way for player-generated content that later gave birth to many video games we know and love today.

5. Pokémon

Many believe that Pokémon was a manga and anime series that turned into a video game. Actually, it was the other way around. The world first met Pokémon in 1996 as a video game for Game Boy, but as we all know, the franchise has gone well beyond gaming. It has become a true cultural phenomenon that’s recognized in every country around the world.

The franchise introduced the concept of social gaming through trading and battling, and it proved that portable gaming can work – which has paved the way for mobile gaming as we know it today.

Even today, Pokémon follows the same familiar concept: catch them, train them, and put them into battle. The idea has remained the same for more than two decades, and no other franchise has been able to dominate multiple forms of media as much as Pokémon.