What's the best video game series of all time?

Is Metal Gear Solid the best?

(Credit: Gamespot)

Gamespot recently posted an interesting story about the upcoming release of Metal Gear Solid: The Essential Collection for the PlayStation 2.

According to the report, "The Essential Collection will compile the original PlayStation edition of Metal Gear Solid along with Metal Gear Solid 2: Substance and Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence, both "director's cut" versions of the PS2 games. The compilation will sell for $29.99, and will feature commemorative packaging designed by series artist Yoji Shinkawa."

And as a fan of the Metal Gear series (and others, like Final Fantasy), I thought it would be a good time to ask you all a simple question, "what's the best video game series of all time?"

Of course, the decision is an extremely difficult one. Obviously some would choose their old standby -- Super Mario Bros., but others would venture out into unknown territory with picks like Lunar or even the cult classic, Shenmue.

And while I think the Final Fantasy series, highlighted by VII, and even the aforementioned Metal Gear series easily top the list, there's no one correct answer.

Unlike so many other aspects of the tech industry, choosing the best video game series of all time is an extremely difficult task. Who can possibly say that just because you like the Zelda series, you're somehow incapable of being right just because I may choose Halo?

Suffice it to say, the chances of any of us coming to a conclusion regarding which video game series is the best of all time are nil.

So in the end, I thought I would leave it up to you. Instead of preaching to you about why I think certain series are better than others, I want to get your feel for it and respond to that.

So let's hear it -- what's the best video game series of all time?

[pamon92660]

2 of them... easily Super Mario Brothers and for adults GTA

[Tinman52]

I did this a while ago. Having come from another article about adventure games, I would probably say Space Quest or Kings Quest right now. Final Fantasy (V-VII) would be second, while Halo, Mario, Madden would all be honorable mentions..

Favorite game is still Chrono Trigger though.

[GibsonSG]

I agree with Super Mario Bros. I know it's obviously not the best graphically, but you can't deny the worldwide recognition of the characters or the longevity of the franchise. Sure, Final Fantasy has the longevity, but everyone on the planet under the age of 80 knows Mario in one way or another. As for my personal favorite...Resident Evil.

[MadKat223]

I would say that we are all forgeting the great fun we had playing stratagy and FPS. I would say that for my number one i would go with CS, Red alert as a close second and then Halo series as a third, and fourth CIV one of the most addicting games i have ever played, the firth spot would lastly go to TA.

[ThePCInfirmary]

I would think EA games with the Command & Conquer series spanning 15 years and coming out March of 2008 with yet another (i hope) mind numbing RTS.

[stuohy1]

It has to be the Championship Manager and, since 2004, Football Manager series from Sports Interactive, so many hours spent on those games!

[train24]

The Fallout games were great (and I sort of include the old Wasteland game here as a precursor) and I can't wait for the latest Fallout this fall

[Sensible1]

Seconded: in the cult circle, Wasteland was the source of hours and hours of enjoyment, even on a CGA. Its sequel, "Fountain of Dreams," just... didn't do it for me.

Fallout was an unequivocal masterpiece. The SPECIAL system is brilliant.

[jstlawrence]

Took the words right out of my mouth! Fallout2 is a good candidate for the best game ever. Sorry to hear the new owners of the franchise plan to play down the hilarious culture reference-type comedy, like the crashed Enterprise and the Pythonesque knights searching for the "Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch."

[mrc77]

I definitely vote for the Final Fantasy series. It kills me that the 13th one is not going to be on XBOX 360. I don't want to have to buy a PS3, but I may buy one eventually. "Lost Odyssey", which is coming out for XBOX 360 Tuesday in North America will be a good substitute for Final Fantasy (I hope) since it was created by the guys behind Final Fantasy.

[nate.reeves]

What, no ace combat fans in here? if we're going back... what about AD&D, Wizardy, Ultima?! C'mon.....

[Sensible1]

If there is no distinction between "computer games" and "console games" then I say heartily:

STARCRAFT. The second isn't out yet, but "come on... COME ON!" Second is Warcraft.

On console? Final Fantasy 1st, TEKKEN second.

[ninryuu]

I completely agree and disagree!

Final Fantasy is definitely high up on the best game in video games, but StarCraft and WarCraft!? Not even close, Civilization is way better than either of those!

[Sensible1]

There was a sequel to "Adventure?"

[stoobush]

One work: Zork.

[stoobush]

That should be

One word: Zork.

[MarioB101]

Doom, i've spent many nights peeking around corners, waiting in fear of that monster with the rockets.

[xeroten]

Final Fantasy series, including tactics, is my number 1 series. Other favorites in no particular order are Mario, Zelda, Resident Evil, and Castlevania.

[theITguy]

Without a doubt Final Fantasy is the best series. I've dropped a life time into that series. I also second that Chrono Trigger is the bomb, Chrono Cross was a really failed follow up though.

I have to put in honorable mentions for Tecmo Superbowl, Zelda, Resident Evil, and in the newcommer category would be Guitar Hero.

[ivorycruncher]

I may get blasted for this one, but my all-time favorite series has to be the Megaman series. It has existed in so many different incarnations through so many years, and I don't think it gets nearly the respect it deserves. Whether it's the best or not is highly debatable, but I personally would put it in the top 10.

[UKStory1355]

Amen. MegaMan is also one of the few series that has been on multiple platforms. I also think that Metroid and Madden should be mentioned.

[jczubach]

PONG!!!

[berbar]

I have to say: ZELDA. Mainly, because it set a new standard in story telling with Ocarina of Time.

[CBWolf]

It would be so hard to select out just one, but the notables are certainly: Super Mario Bros, Zelda, Metroid, Metal Gear Solid, Final Fantasy, Blizzard RTS's (WarCraft 1 -3 and StarCraft), Civilization, and Half-Life.

Halo is over-rated and should not be on the list. I am tempted to list the original Baldur's Gate RPGs, but I don't know if those are quite influential or innovative enough to make the list. A nice little article though. Way to go not being pompous enough to think you know best and creating some retarded top ten list.