The Most Popular Racing Video Game Franchises
Racing video games have come a long way since their early days. No longer limited to 8-bit graphics and basic gameplay, modern racing games are now incredibly detailed and immersive. Nowadays drivers of all ages can hop onto their favorite racing simulation games and immerse themselves in realistic graphics, powerful audio, and thrilling game dynamics.
Playing a racing simulation game can be very thrilling, and only a few things could match the level of that excitement: perhaps playing online blackjack games for real money or immersing yourself in a sporting competition such as the FIFA World Cup. But fans of racing simulation, you’re in for a treat. We’re about to dive deep into some of gaming’s highest-grossing franchises and uncover just how much money they’re raking in.
So, rev up your engines, gamers – it’s time to take a ride through gaming history and explore what franchises have been at the steering wheel of success when it comes to making major banks.
Mario Kart
Not only is Mario Kart one of the most popular racing game franchises of all time, but its success has stood the test of time. With over 165 million units sold across all versions of the beloved game, Mario Kart is the best-selling racing game franchise ever. Over the years it has grossed an estimated $10bn in sales since its inception in 1992.
The game has become incredibly popular over the past few decades and continues to bring in revenue as well as more and more devoted fans worldwide. In fact, few games can say that they have become a pop culture phenomenon throughout history, but Mario Kart is certainly one that has.
Though originally released as a regular Mario game back in 1992, Mario Kart quickly caught on, becoming one of the most successful franchises in Nintendo’s history. The game’s accessibility and family-friendly nature have allowed it to become popular with gamers of every age – not to mention all the awards that have been won by the franchise.
Mario Kart truly is a testament to Nintendo’s comprehensive creativity and artistry when it comes to creating video games that are both fun and slightly competitive at the same time. There’s no doubt that Mario Kart will continue to earn its place as one of the more beloved titles for many years to come.
Gran Turismo
The Gran Turismo series has been around for over two decades now, but it remains just as popular as ever. It’s not quite as profitable as Mario Kart—it’s estimated that the series has made around $3 billion in sales—but it is still an incredibly successful franchise that fans flock to whenever a new installment is released. The latest game in the series, Gran Turismo 7 – which was released almost exactly a year ago, sold more than 5 million copies within its first nine months alpine.
Sony’s racing simulation has cemented its legacy as one of the most successful video game franchises ever created. As a PlayStation-exclusive title, the franchise has won numerous awards, with Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec winning Game of the Year at the illustrious BAFTA Games Awards, and Gran Turismo 7 picking up the DICE Award for Racing Game of the Year just last month.
Gran Turismo undeniably deserves the universal adoration it has gained since 1997 and continues to be a top choice among gamers all over the world who seek an unparalleled realistic driving experience.
Forza
Last but not least is Forza. This series debuted in 2005 and has gone on to become one of the most successful Xbox franchises ever. It’s estimated that Forza Horizon 4, which was released back in 2018, reached over 12m players. Throughout its 14-game history, the game is estimated to have generated more than $1bn in revenue, and those figures were estimated way back in 2017, with two games being released since the data was gathered.
Forza has become an immensely popular video game franchise, with millions of fans worldwide enjoying its realistic racing experiences and varied content. The game is widely regarded as one of the best racing games ever made, as demonstrated by Forza Motorsport 7winning the Best Sports/Racing Game at The Game Awards 2017.
As is the case with Gran Turismo and PlayStation, Forza is an Xbox-exclusive game making both the games’ successes all the more impressive considering the fact that they are only available on one platform.
When it comes to making money from racing video games, there’s no doubt that Mario Kart leads the pack. But even though it may be the biggest earner out there right now doesn’t mean that other franchises aren’t worth considering too. Gran Turismo and Forza both have their own merits and provide an experience just as enjoyable as their Nintendo counterpart.
