Top 10 Video Game Series With No Bad Games

The “Metal Gear” franchise contains some of the most beloved stealth-action games ever made. The series has set the bar for storytelling in video games through its extensive use of cinematics in its more recent titles. While the story itself can veer into the absurd, that’s just part of its charm. “Metal Gear” games also feature great gameplay, gorgeous music, and some truly outlandish characters. From the early 2D titles to the 3D cinematic masterpieces, “Metal Gear” is just a “solid” series all the way through. Whether it stays that way after creator Hideo Kojima’s departure… well, we all know about “Metal Gear Survive,” right?

“GTA” may focus on criminals, but the series’ track record for quality games is positively saintly! While its humble top-down beginnings are just so-so, once the franchise made the jump to 3D, it quickly became the biggest name in open-world games. The games feature a ton of freedom, while also delivering engaging storylines and some A-list voice acting. The amount of variety within the series is also impressive, from the ‘80s themed “Vice City,” to the expansive “GTA V.” We don’t know when we’ll get the next entry in this series, but it’s sure to be great!

These games aren’t just some of the best superhero games ever made, they’re also right up there with some of the best “Batman” stories out there! The voice acting is stellar, and the twists and developments hit hard - even if you can see some coming. Plus, unlike most “Batman” stories, you get to decide how to take down his foes, or at least the goons. And sure, “Origins” is kind of a weak link in the franchise, but that’s only by comparison to the others – it’s still a decent game. The “Batman: Arkham” franchise truly immerses players in the world of the Dark Knight and it’s one amazing experience.

While not the first game series to have great cinematic cutscenes, “Uncharted” has arguably some of the best. The franchise’s compelling adventure stories feel like something Hollywood wishes they could pull off, with great characters, engaging stories, and gameplay, as well as jaw-dropping set pieces. Each of the series’ 4 main entries is excellent in their own way, even if later games naturally build on those that came before. The “Uncharted” series is off-the-charts in terms of quality, and with Naughty Dog’s track record, that’s unlikely to change in the future.

When it comes to action games, players worship a diverse group of them, but “God of War” ranks near the top of the pantheon. Following Kratos, a human turned god as he battles the deities of Greece and later Scandinavia, the “God of War” games are filled with moments of spectacle and surprisingly emotional storytelling. Most of all, though, the franchise is among the best when it comes to making players feel like a badass! Even the quick time events are cool! The games have reached new heights recently, and, like Kratos himself, we’re curious to see just how high they can ascend!

A subseries within the expansive “Mario” franchise, “Mario Kart” games see everyone’s favorite plumber and his friends, enemies, and relatives engaging in kart racing. Although most games improve in some way on those that preceded them, several “Mario Kart” games have their own unique gimmicks that set them apart, such as “Double Dash”’s two drivers per kart. Every game in the franchise is a fun racing experience, even if they can all be frustrating at times – particularly if there’s a Blue Koopa Shell involved! While kart racing isn’t exactly an innovative or acclaimed genre, “Mario Kart” games are consistently the best at what they do.

Easily the most underrated series on our list, “Yakuza” has been gaining traction recently outside of Japan, but there are still plenty of people who are sleeping on its greatness! Perhaps most easily described as a cross between “Shenmue” and “GTA,” the “Yakuza” franchise primarily follows the yakuza Kazuma Kiryu as he becomes embroiled with the Japanese gangster scene. The series’ compelling story and well-drawn characters are only the tip of the iceberg, though. There’s also awesome beat-‘em-up combat and more side missions than you can shake a chicken at! Like seriously – there is SO much to do in these games, and it’s all CRAZY!

Whether they’re “Demon’s” or “Dark,” the “Souls” games are all exceptional! This franchise of action RPGs may be famous for its punishing difficulty, but it has proven to be a mountain that players are eager to climb no matter how many times they get knocked down! While there have been a few quality-of-life changes as the series has gone on, its core gameplay has remained largely unchanged, probably because it works so well. While pitting players against a succession of huge and hugely difficult bosses may not be everyone’s cup of tea, for those who enjoy it, praising the “Souls” series is like praising the sun – it’s just what you do.

“The Legend of Zelda” franchise is legendary in more than name. It’s also renowned for its high standards of quality! Even its weakest entries are still good games. From its humble beginnings on the NES to the breathtaking open world of “Breath of the Wild,” “The Legend of Zelda” has been providing exceptional games for decades. Most may follow similar structures, but each has its own unique spin on the successful formula to keep it distinct. “The Legend of Zelda” always delivers fun puzzle/adventure gameplay, creative worlds, memorable characters, and unforgettable music. If not for our next entry, it could easily be #1.

Before we get to our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions:

A Pioneer of the FPS Genre & Still Going Strong - & Brutal!

Would You Kindly Point Out a Weak Link in This Series? ‘Cause We Can’t Find One!

Sure, There Are Like 2 Games in This Series, But They’re Both Great!

The core “Super Mario” titles are the gold standard of video games for a reason – they don’t miss! “Super Mario” set the standard for both 2D and 3D platformers, as well as raising those standards with practically every new release! The series has some of the most iconic gameplay, characters, music, and all-around presentation in all of video games! While the mustachioed man has put out a few games that weren’t up to his high standards, they’re still quality titles by any other measure. Let’s put it this way – if you could only play one game for the rest of your life, and the choices were any random non-Mario game and a random “Super Mario” game, you should probably bet on Mario!