The Greatest Video Game Franchises of the 20th Century, Ranked
Polygon has unveiled a ranked list of the greatest video game franchises of the 20th century, evaluating their impact on the industry and the medium as a whole. The article spans multiple gaming platforms including the Nintendo Entertainment System, Genesis, Game Boy, PlayStation, and PC, celebrating the franchises that defined the era and established foundations for modern gaming. The ranking prioritizes cultural and industry impact over other factors, acknowledging how these franchises created new heroes, genres, and gaming experiences. The list includes titles such as Madden (published by Electronic Arts at position 12), representing the diverse array of franchises across different genres and platforms that shaped gaming history. By examining these 20th-century juggernauts, Polygon reflects on how video games evolved into a cultural phenomenon, with specific franchises leaving lasting impressions on both their respective publishers and developers as well as the broader video game industry.