Guinness World Records, the global authority on record-breaking achievements, today announced the all-time Top 50 Videogame Series as voted on by the readers. After receiving more than 13,000 votes, it was Halo, Call of Duty and The Legend of Zelda that were left standing at the top of the chart. The list currently featured in the Guinness World Records 2010 Gamer's Edition notes the best all-around series including all titles and spin-offs, serving as a snapshot of the biggest names in gaming today.
Landing in first place is Microsoft's flagship franchise Halo - the "Best-Selling First-Person Shooter (FPS) Franchise Ever". According to the Gamer's Edition, "Featuring an iconic character, excellent level design, perfect controls and unparalleled multiplayer options, the series sets the bar at near-unattainable heights."
Call of Duty and The Legend of Zelda claimed the second and third spots, respectively. Call of Duty - the most successful entertainment launch of all-time - boasts beautifully balanced gameplay with jaw-dropping set pieces and extensive multiplayer options. The Legend of Zelda is credited for providing players of all skill levels addictive and immersive gameplay, while also featuring one of gaming's most recognizable heroes - Link.
"We decided to take a different approach with this list than we did in the previous edition," said Guinness World Records Gaming Editor Gaz Deaves. "Instead of asking developers, industry insiders and journalists to rank their favorite titles, we approached a different kind of expert: the players themselves! We are confident that this 'top 50' more accurately reflects the tastes of the average gamer and not just the critics."
The subsequent spots, in ranking order, are Guitar Hero (#4), Metal Gear (#5), Super Mario Bros. (#6), World of Warcraft (#7), Gears of War (#8), Super Smash Bros. (#9), Grand Theft Auto (#10), Pokémon (# 11), Resident Evil (#12). Fallout (#13), Half-Life (#14), Sonic the Hedgehog (#15), Counter-Strike (#16), Runescape (#17), FIFA (#18), Kingdom Hearts (#19), Final Fantasy (#20), Pac-Man (#21), Madden NFL (#22), The Sims (#23), Tomb Raider (#24), WWE Smackdown Vs. RAW (#25), Rock Band (#26), LIttleBigPlanet (#27), Saints Row (#28), The Elder Scrolls (#29), God of War(#30), GoldenEye 007 (#31), Bioshock (#32), KillZone (#33), Skate (#34), Left 4 Dead (#35), Need for Speed (#36), Chrono Trigger (#37), Gran Turismo (#38), StarCraft (#39), Ratchet & Clank (#40), Pong (#41), Tom Clancy's (# 42), Star Wars: Battlefront (#43), Battlefield (#44), Diablo (#45), Lego Batman (#46), Mario Kart (#47), Burnout (#48), Crash Bandicoot (#49) and Pro Evolution Soccer (#50).
It is interesting to note that some of the most important gaming franchises ranked low in the list. For example: Mario came fifth in the list, Fallout was 13th, Half-Life was 14th, Counter Strike was 16th, Final Fantasy was 20th, Tomb Raider was 24th, God of War was 30th. Bioshock, KillZone, Left 4 Dead, Need for Speed, StarCraft, Ratchet & Clank and Battlefield were all lower in the list than 30th place.
It is also funny how Tom Clancy's wide range of games from different genres made to the list as a single item. Tom Clancy's brand includes the tactical squad shooter Rainbow Six, the stealth third person series, Splinter Cell, the Real Time Strategy (RTS), End War as well as the modern combat flight simulator, H.A.W.X.
Soccer fans will also note that FIFA was ranked 18th in the list, easily beating its rival Pro Evolution Soccer which made it barely to the list the last title.
To determine this list, the Guinness World Records Gamer's Edition website hosted a poll between January and August 2009.
The Guinness World Records 2010 Gamer's Edition book is the go-to tome for all things video games, from records to trivia to interviews with industry bigwigs and more. The book is available now for $14.95.
