Best Video Game Series

[suckerpunch5]

Last night I was working on a review of Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory, and the more I thought about it, the more I was impressed with, not only its quality, but the entire Splinter Cell series. I think it is slightly rare because each game in the series is not only good, but each one truly improves on the formula.

Then I looked in my collection at my PS1 Tomb Raider games, and remembered how they kinda got flat after the second one.

So this brings me to my question. Which series do you think not only started great, but has gotten consistently better with each installment?

I really like Metroid Prime 1 & 2, but I'm not sure how solid I think some of the previous Metroid games are. I guess I nominate the Splinter Cell series.

EDIT: I think to be considered a series, it needs to have at least three games. So sorry, "Halo" doesn't count.

[MegaDrive20XX]

CastleVania
Metal Gear

[WanganRunner]

Metal Gear is definitely one, sweet sweet continuity.

Does Final Fantasy qualify? Each one is pretty different....

I think Gran Turismo should be on this list.

I think the Ace Combat games have progressed very well.

[boatofcar]

I think the most consistently excellent series of all time has been the Mario Series. Every game (with the arguable exception of Mario Sunshine, which I loved btw) has been almost universally praised.

[digitalpress]

This topic has been done many times. Remember to search the Classic Discussions forum first!

http://www.digitpress.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=9449&highlight=series

Please feel free to continue this discussion in the thread above, thanks.