Most Valuable Gaming Franchise EVER

[Collector_Gaming]

I am not asking most popular
or what your favorite franchise is
or why this ones better then this or whatever

I was watching a show sunday night (well the repeat cause it was on at the same time as Walking Dead). Called Curiosity on discovery channel. They ask celebs or people of power to ask a question and then basically answer it for the people at home.
Donald Trump hosted the last one and he asked.... What is america as a whole worth. Every tiny molecule that makes up america. What is it worth if we were to outright sell it to say china for whatever reason.

And it made me wonder about the financial situation of video games as a whole.

My question to you DP members....... What is the most valuable video gaming franchise to ever exist.
And when I say franchise I mean a game that ties to other games or shows or movies or merchandising ect ect ect.
games about movies or shows don't count (otherwise disney related games would own obviously).

No take in for instance Super Mario brothers.
There is dozens and dozens of video games and computer programs related to the series like Mario Teaches Typing.. Mario Kart. Super Smash Bros. ect ect ect
We have all these tshirts from the typical advert shirt to the typical shirt that displays a icon like "1up" or whatever.
Then you have the tv shows like the sunday super show.. and the classic cartoon series.
Then the ill fated Super Mario Bros movie.
Then franchise being used in stuff like soundtrack albums. and concert series (like video games live) ect ect ect
the countless toys and stuff like that

What is the most valuable gaming franchise ever.

I mean i know people are gonna spring instantly to Super Mario brothers... but what if maybe its a underdog.. maybe a newer franchise say like Call of Duty? or Halo? or Final Fantasy?

[jcalder8]

I mean i know people are gonna spring instantly to Super Mario brothers... but what if maybe its a underdog.. maybe a newer franchise say like Call of Duty? or Halo? or Final Fantasy?
No, it's Mario. It wouldn't even be close.

[Ro-J]

Mario by a landslide, then Madden.

[Collector_Gaming]

Mario by a landslide, then Madden.

i wonder why madden?
i mean mario has all its merch outside of sales of the game itself as well.
i don't remember much merch for madden outside the game itself

[Buyatari]

Mario

2nd is Earthworm Jim.

[Kitsune Sniper]

It could be Mario.

But honestly? It's the Call of Duty series. Those games have made billions of dollars in a few years, a lot more than the Mario games ever did.

They're not good games, but they sell a shitton of stuff.

[T2KFreeker]

It could be Mario.

But honestly? It's the Call of Duty series. Those games have made billions of dollars in a few years, a lot more than the Mario games ever did.

They're not good games, but they sell a shitton of stuff.

Problem is that with the way Activision floods the market with these, it will pass because people will get tired of the CoD games. Example? The Tony Hawk series could have been where you are saying seven years ago and just recently, so could Guitar Hero. In the end, Too much of a good thing is bad, even if we all don't agree what's good. I hate to say it, but it's the Mario games. I hate the damn thing, but it's either Mario or it's Tetris. Both of them can arguably be called the top money making game franchises of all time. It would be interesting to see the break down. Problem with Tetris is that there were so many bootlegs back in the day it would almost be impossible to know how much exactly Tetris has made over time.

[lakerstowin]

I totally agree, call of duty hands down. Modern warfare 3 sold 6.2 million copies, made 400 million dollars in 24 hours.

Not even close.

Craig

[Collector_Gaming]

the problem i see with tetris is the merch end of it.

Once again the tally isn't just about how many games a franchise sold..

But how many games
how many tshirts
how many comic books
how many wrist bands
how many watches
how many this
how many that
tv shows
movies.
EVERYTHING

Sonic had all its games.
It had 2 different cartoon series
crazy amount of merchandise that still spawns all over to this day.

Pacman had all its mech in the form of
t shirts, hats, cups, frisbees, shoes, wasn't there even a pacman cereal?
there was also a pacman cartoon show that we all remember and the christmas special and all that.

[Griking]

Warcraft would have to be included on a short list. 11 million people purchased the game itself and three expansions at $39.99 each and then paid $15 a month for 6+ years and counting. Then there's the card games and the old strategy games. Blizzon, the WoW magazine and other merchandise and so on.

Also, Pac-Man.

[understatement]

Resident Evil could be up there 18+ games, 4+ live action films and some CG films, 7 novels, comics, and a good bit of merchandise.

[TurboGenesis]

I totally agree, call of duty hands down. Modern warfare 3 sold 6.2 million copies, made 400 million dollars in 24 hours.

Not even close.

Craig

I HATE and DESPISE crap of duty, but I could agree with it having value…

what other game has a vehicle (Jeep Wrangler JK) tied in?
we had to have suppliers modify the crush tubes and compatibility crossbar just for these stupid cod JKs!

[buzz_n64]

Mario.

[Colorado Rockies]

Fifa is probably up there.

[NerdXCrewWill]

The obvious competitor to Mario is Pokemon. I'd say it might even top Mario as a franchise.

[k8track]

I'm going with ALF.

[jonebone]

Good point on Madden. Part of the Madden franchise is the NFLPA license they bought up, which is probably a couple of hundred of million dollars per year alone. Not to mention about 20 years of sales too. If they renew that license, it's only going to cost them even more in the future.

I also agree with Mario and Resident Evil being somewhere up there, probably both in the top 10 for sure. Mario was Nintendo only, but Resident Evil has touched so many platforms, in addition to their movies and other items.

[Collector_Gaming]

I HATE and DESPISE crap of duty, but I could agree with it having value…

what other game has a vehicle (Jeep Wrangler JK) tied in?
we had to have suppliers modify the crush tubes and compatibility crossbar just for these stupid cod JKs!

Technically
Tomb Raider

Remember when its 2 movies came out.

When they started production on these bad boys
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a53/njjeepthing/Jeeps%20owned/xl_12460251324.jpg
and their promotion was to get you to own the vehicle that laura croft used

[mikeshinobi]

The obvious competitor to Mario is Pokemon. I'd say it might even top Mario as a franchise.

So I'm not the only one who thought of Pokémon. However I'm not sure you'd technically count Pokémon as a gaming franchise, since it started as an anime and was eventually made into a video game (I think?).

But man, all that money wasted on Pokémon cards...

[Cornelius]

So I'm not the only one who thought of Pokémon. However I'm not sure you'd technically count Pokémon as a gaming franchise, since it started as an anime and was eventually made into a video game (I think?).

But man, all that money wasted on Pokémon cards...

I believe Pokemon was conceived as a TV show, video game, and merchandising vehicle all right from the beginning. I could be wrong, but that's how I remember it. I'd also put it on a short list for this topic.

Mario would be the winner, though.

[Kitsune Sniper]

I believe Pokemon was conceived as a TV show, video game, and merchandising vehicle all right from the beginning. I could be wrong, but that's how I remember it. I'd also put it on a short list for this topic.

Mario would be the winner, though.

Pokemon started as a game, everything else came later.

And I still stand by my comment about Call of Duty. I don't think they're good games, and I agree that Activision is flooding the market. But they make a shitton of money, so...

[jonebone]

I googled "most profitable video game series" for kicks to see what was suggested. Someone suggested WOW due to their recurring monthly fees and GTA was another mention that we've forgot about.

It took me to this wikipedia link which appears a bit outdated, but it's as good of an estimate as any:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_best-selling_video_game_franchises

In terms of sales (at whatever date this was written, not sure how updated), it has:

#1 Mario - 262 Million
#2 Pokemon - 215 Million
#3 Wii Series - 181 Million (Sports / Play / Etc.)
#4 Tetris - 175 Million
#5 Sims - 150 Million
...
#8 Call of Duty - 100 Million (This is why I wonder how updated the article may be)
...
#11 Madden - 90 Million
...
#25 Resident Evil - 46 Million

Of course those are game sales only and don't account for movies, merchandise, advertisements, console bundles, strategy guides and who knows what else. But I figured people in this thread would find the list interesting.

[xelement5x]

I'd also have to say Mario, especially since you consider how long they have been putting out Mario games and how many tie ins there are.

Call of Duty seems up there, but I'm surprised Halo hasn't been mentioned yet. It's also had several major games, books, plenty of merch, and even a supposed movie deal. I can't imagine there will ever be a Call of Duty movie.

[Collector_Gaming]

I can't imagine there will ever be a Call of Duty movie.

Shhhhhh.... I think michael bay is listening in on this conversation.
http://images.askmen.com/galleries/model/michael-bay/pictures/michael-bay-picture-1.jpg

[jb143]

I'm looking at this question as if a video game company were to sell it's intellectual property rights of a particular game then what would get the most. The value of the IP would factor in pretty much everything. I'm having a hard time thinking of anything other than Mario. So happy birthday Shigeru Miyamoto:D

[Ryudo]

The Ys series.
Followed by Shenmue.

Ys is the best for me simply for the amazing music and fantastics gameplay and sense of adventure. Oh and Dogi is awesome.

Shenmue for being so atmospheric with amazing music.

[Collector_Gaming]

Well lets break it down
Mario has
we can't count donkey kong really because yes we know he was there but he didn't really take any revenue from that.. Same as punch out.

So thats what... about 100 titles roughly?

Then you have the Super Mario Super Show
Super Mario World Cartoon

Then you Had the Super Mario Bros movie

http://www.mariowiki.com/merchandise
goto town on the merchandise history
Candy, Shirts, Keychains, Toys, Board Games (they made a mario monopoly for christ sakes!), stamps, pens, furnishings, stickers, ornaments (wouldn't you like a mario bros christmas tree?), tech supplies, school gear, figurines, list goes on and on and on and on

I mean Mario and everything that has to do with mario as a franchise. Must be in the billions of dollars range.

[Collector_Gaming]

But Sonic Was Right up there as well specially with all its Japanese releases and such.

Pokemon yes.
All the trading cards, toys, collectibles, games, movies, cartoons, fashion. Specially in the late 90s to mid 2000's when the world seemed to be hooked on them.
Once again when you take into consideration of all the pokemon related items with its games and such.. Once again a multi billion dollar franchise

[jb143]

we can't count donkey kong really because yes we know he was there but he didn't really take any revenue from that.. Same as punch out.


Of course you would have to count those. If someone wanted to outright buy the full rights to those games from Nintendo they certainly wouldn't get the rights to Mario as well. Not that it would happen, but at best, they'd only be able to license Mario's image from Nintendo. That goes back to the value of the IP I mentioned before...it's all inclusive. Hypothetically speaking, If Nintendo were to sell off it's rights to Mario then they would have to take all that into consideration. We're probably talking billions of dollars.

[NerdXCrewWill]

The following argument is rather informal. I don't claim to know inside info and am just going from what is readily available on Wikipedia.

If those figures from Wikipedia are close to being accurate, Mario outsells Pokemon in terms of video games. However, despite Mario having a decade worth of history over Pokemon, it has come nowhere close to the merchandising success of Pokemon.

I'd guess that the trading cards alone brought in way more than enough cash to close the profit gap created by Mario selling more video games. Those things cost so little to produce and sold like absolute hotcakes. Hell, they still have a huge share of the card game market. Additionally, besides just t-shirts and dolls and action figures (which Pokemon dwarfs Mario in to this day), we should look at the anime and movies.

Pokemon the anime has been running for 14 years and is still going. Using Wikipedia numbers once again, Pokemon The First Movie brought in $163,644,662 at the box office while Super Mario Bros. brought in $20,915,465 (unadjusted dollars) and still managed to earn 27 million less than the budget. Since Pokemon The First Movie, there have been 15 more Pokemon films (although many were home video releases/tv specials).

I really don't think Mario can come close, although I guess we'll never really know the numbers.

Sonic, while having a good representation across multiple markets (tv, toys, etc.), just can't compete with those numbers.

[NerdXCrewWill]

Er, sorry. This was an unintentional double post.

[Buyatari]

The following argument is rather informal. I don't claim to know inside info and am just going from what is readily available on Wikipedia.

If those figures from Wikipedia are close to being accurate, Mario outsells Pokemon in terms of video games. However, despite Mario having a decade worth of history over Pokemon, it has come nowhere close to the merchandising success of Pokemon.

I'd guess that the trading cards alone brought in way more than enough cash to close the profit gap created by Mario selling more video games. Those things cost so little to produce and sold like absolute hotcakes. Hell, they still have a huge share of the card game market. Additionally, besides just t-shirts and dolls and action figures (which Pokemon dwarfs Mario in to this day), we should look at the anime and movies.

Pokemon the anime has been running for 14 years and is still going. Using Wikipedia numbers once again, Pokemon The First Movie brought in $163,644,662 at the box office while Super Mario Bros. brought in $20,915,465 (unadjusted dollars) and still managed to earn 27 million less than the budget. Since Pokemon The First Movie, there have been 15 more Pokemon films (although many were home video releases/tv specials).

I really don't think Mario can come close, although I guess we'll never really know the numbers.

Sonic, while having a good representation across multiple markets (tv, toys, etc.), just can't compete with those numbers.

Yeah but how many systems does Mario sell? Without releasing a single game how much value does Mario add to the Nintendo name? Mario is the flagship of Nintendo in much the same way that Mickey Mouse is the flagship of Disney.

Pokemon is a revenue stream for Nintendo but it is not Nintendo. Mario IS Nintendo.

[Buyatari]

Shhhhhh.... I think michael bay is listening in on this conversation.


Well there was a Doom movie amd if this series continues to remain at the top of the heap there WILL be a movie. However, I'm convinced that not only could COD and Madden be replaced by the next best shooter and football game it is just a matter of time. Doom was at the top of the genre for years and it is nowhere these days. COD is not popular because it is COD but because it is the best shooter out there right now. People don't buy the game to follow the characters as much as to buy the game everyone is currently playing online.

Same with Madden. When placing a value on Madden how many people buy the game just because of John Madden and how many people buy it because it is the only modern football game in the US right now. It is an NFL license and without that the Madden name in videogames has no value.

[NerdXCrewWill]

Yeah but how many systems does Mario sell? Without releasing a single game how much value does Mario add to the Nintendo name? Mario is the flagship of Nintendo in much the same way that Mickey Mouse is the flagship of Disney.

Pokemon is a revenue stream for Nintendo but it is not Nintendo. Mario IS Nintendo.

Surely, there's no argument there. Although, I would guess (again, I have no facts) that Pokemon has sold many handhelds.

[Buyatari]

Surely, there's no argument there. Although, I would guess (again, I have no facts) that Pokemon has sold many handhelds.

Tetris established the Gameboy but Pokemon did prolong its life. Pokemon games still sell today but I don't think the name has the power it once did.

I wonder which one would add more system sales to the 3DS. Pokemon or Mario?

[Rob2600]

call of duty hands down. Modern warfare 3 sold 6.2 million copies, made 400 million dollars in 24 hours.

Not even close.

Not even close?

Mario Kart Wii (28.23 million)
New Super Mario Bros. Wii (21.94 million)
Super Smash Bros. Brawl (9.48 million)
Super Mario Galaxy (8.84 million)
Mario Party 8 (7.6 million)
Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games (7.09 million)
Super Mario Galaxy 2 (6.36 million)

That's at least 89.5 million Mario-related games just on the Wii alone.

[Buyatari]

Not even close?

Mario Kart Wii (28.23 million)
New Super Mario Bros. Wii (21.94 million)
Super Smash Bros. Brawl (9.48 million)
Super Mario Galaxy (8.84 million)
Mario Party 8 (7.6 million)
Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games (7.09 million)
Super Mario Galaxy 2 (6.36 million)

That's at least 89.5 million Mario-related games just on the Wii alone.

Speaking of Wii these number don't count the digital downloads of classic Mario games.

[Rickstilwell1]

Let's see how many 3DS systems Super Mario 3D Land sells over the holiday season :)

[lakerstowin]

Not even close?

Mario Kart Wii (28.23 million)
New Super Mario Bros. Wii (21.94 million)
Super Smash Bros. Brawl (9.48 million)
Super Mario Galaxy (8.84 million)
Mario Party 8 (7.6 million)
Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games (7.09 million)
Super Mario Galaxy 2 (6.36 million)

That's at least 89.5 million Mario-related games just on the Wii alone.

Call of duty mw3 in just 5 days has made 775 million, that does not include the other ones that broke the entertainment records as well. By the end of the year mw3 will hit a billion in sales.

[crazyjackcsa]

Call of duty mw3 in just 5 days has made 775 million, that does not include the other ones that broke the entertainment records as well. By the end of the year mw3 will hit a billion in sales.

I wonder if you like being obtuse.
The mario reference is games sold:That's 89 million copies, not dollars. Across one system, and doesn't include spin off games like the sports titles.

Then you go ahead and figure the "legacy" titles. 30+ years of Mario games and marketing.

I know COD is the be all and end all of video games. But it isn't.

[Rickstilwell1]

I've always felt that Call of Duty was always a ripoff of Medal of Honor.

[Buyatari]

I wonder if you like being obtuse.
The mario reference is games sold:That's 89 million copies, not dollars. Across one system, and doesn't include spin off games like the sports titles.

Then you go ahead and figure the "legacy" titles. 30+ years of Mario games and marketing.

I know COD is the be all and end all of video games. But it isn't.

Come on man clearly they are just getting started. By next year I fully expect to see these titles top the charts.

Call of Duty Krash Kart
Call of Duty Family Party
Call of Duty Soccer
Call of Duty Baseball
Paper Call of Duty
Dance Dance Revolution Call of Duty
Call of Duty RPG
Lego Call of Duty
Call of Duty VS WWE Raw Wrestling
Marvel vs Capcom vs DC vs Call of Duty

[crazyjackcsa]

Come on man clearly they are just getting started. By next year I fully expect to see these titles top the charts.

Call of Duty Krash Kart
Call of Duty Family Party
Call of Duty Soccer
Call of Duty Baseball
Paper Call of Duty
Dance Dance Revolution Call of Duty
Call of Duty RPG
Lego Call of Duty
Call of Duty VS WWE Raw Wrestling
Marvel vs Capcom vs DC vs Call of Duty

I hate to say it, but I might play Paper Call of Duty...

How about

Super Call of Duty Brothers.
Call of Duty is Missing.
Call of Duty Plush dolls
Call of Duty The Saturday morning TV show
Call of Duty the Breakfast Cereal
Call of Duty Paint
Dr. Call of Duty.
M1 Garand Cookie
Enfield's Story
Call of Duty Time Machine

There are ideas to be mined, that's for sure.

[AceAerosmith]

Sorry to get off the subject here, but I have a paper cut on my index finger right in the area I use to click the mouse and it is killing me to scroll these forums as well as type this.

Feel my pain.

[Collector_Gaming]

Sorry to get off the subject here, but I have a paper cut on my index finger right in the area I use to click the mouse and it is killing me to scroll these forums as well as type this.

Feel my pain.

its ok Dr Call of Duty will get you all fixed up

*lines up 3 grenades to kill infection!*

[jwmollman]

Come on man clearly they are just getting started. By next year I fully expect to see these titles top the charts.

Call of Duty Krash Kart
Call of Duty Family Party
Call of Duty Soccer
Call of Duty Baseball
Paper Call of Duty
Dance Dance Revolution Call of Duty
Call of Duty RPG
Lego Call of Duty
Call of Duty VS WWE Raw Wrestling
Marvel vs Capcom vs DC vs Call of Duty

I loved that one. Thanks for that. I really can't imagine a game like that.

[Nophix]

How much merchandise do you see with Mario and Pokemon on it going out the doors of stores? Now, make the same observation with COD merch.

Mario still holds the title, with Pokemon coming in a steady second. COD is selling well NOW, but it doesn't have the history.

Seriously, you can buy Mario PEZ dispensers, boxer shorts, stationary, and just about anything else you can imagine. I rarely even see COD on t-shirts unless its promotional release merch.

[jb143]

Seriously, you can buy Mario PEZ dispensers, boxer shorts, stationary, and just about anything else you can imagine. I rarely even see COD on t-shirts unless its promotional release merch.

This.

The thing is, Nintendo isn't in the candy, T-Shirt, Bandaid, and Halloween costume business. They license the rights to their IP out to other companies. The value of the licensing rights on Mario alone (especially on future uses) has to be huge.