Don't let the title fool you, this isn't a Top 5, or at least not your usual Top 5. This is something of a best of the best. When you make a list, without a doubt whether it is about a person or thing, everyone wants to make Top 5. It is just the nature of the beast and video games are no different.
Some games are all about one good game, while others aim for a triple threat take over in the form of a gaming trilogy. But then there are games that want to transcend all of that.
For the purpose of this article. it is all about the number 5 and even the numbers that have come after.
Keep reading for a list of some of the most noteworthy franchises so strong they've made it to their fifth installment and then some.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Developer: Bethesda Game Studios
Publisher: Bethesda Softworks
Platforms: Xbox 360, PS3 and Microsoft Windows
Out of all the Elder Scrolls games, Skyrim is one of the most popular and for many reasons including its majestic open world and the accompanying DLC. While Elder Scrolls Online may have been somewhat of a debacle, it isn't enough to keep this growing franchise down.
Halo 5: Guardians
Developers: 343 Industries
Publisher: Microsoft Studios
Platforms: Xbox One
After the first ever Halo, many people knew the game was going to be a success if it chose to continue and many gamers are happy they did. The game is now on its fifth installment and is set to release in October of this year as an Xbox One exclusive.
Call of Duty: World at War
Developer: Treyarch, Exakt Entertainment, Arkane Studios
Publisher: Activision
Platforms: Xbox 360, PS3, PS2, Wii, Nintendo DS, Windows Mobile and Microsoft Windows
World at War is a 2008 follow-up to Call of Duty 4, making it the franchise's fifth game. While it is the fifth game, there isn't much different from CoD4 as it is simply a more enhanced version with increased audio and visual effects.
Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain
Developer: Kojima Productions
Publisher: Konami
Platforms: PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One and Microsoft Windows
Metal Gear Solid V continues where Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker left off in the sub-series of prequels within the Metal Gear Solid franchise. The game was originally planned to be one full-length playable experience but was eventually broken up into two parts due to extended development time and Kojima wanting to get the game out to fans as soon as possible.
Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain
Developer: Kojima Productions
Publisher: Konami
Platforms: PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One and Microsoft Windows
Two Metal Gear Solid Vs? Yep.
While we won't get Silent Hills, we will still at least get Kojima's Metal Gear Solid V, so fans can rejoice. The game serves as a sequel to Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes. The game is set to release early September.
Grand Theft Auto V
Developer: Rockstar North
Publisher: Rockstar Games
Platforms: PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One and Microsoft Windows
When it comes to Grand Theft Auto, the franchise is without a doubt one of the best. While it may be controversial, it is a beloved title and GTA V has made GTA fans love it even more. Larger than life characters and a brand new city, GTA V has it all and we can't wait to see what the eventual GTA VI will have in store.
Final Fantasy V
Developer: Square
Publisher: Square
Platforms: Super Famicom, Playstation, Game Boy Advance, iOS, Android
If you were waiting to see Final Fantasy V on this list, then wait no more. There's absolutely no way I could make a list about games reaching no. 5 let alone surpassing it and not talk about Final Fantasy. The franchise is borderline unstoppable as it is currently on it's fifteenth installment. Not to mention the recent E3 announcement of a Final Fantasy VII reboot.
Yes, this franchise, no matter how long winded, is alive and well.
Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: ConViction
Developer: Ubisoft Montreal, Gameloft
Publisher: Ubisoft
Platform: Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows, iOS, Cloud, Android, Mac OS X, Bada and Windows Phone
Conviction is Splinter Cell's fifth game that was released in 2010. While the game did get some negative reviews thanks to monotonous gameplay and being short in length, it didn't stop the franchise from being able to launch a sixth game in 2013 under the Splinter Cell title.
Mega Man X 5
Developer: Capcom Poroduction Studio 3
Publisher: Capcom
Platforms: Playstation, PC
Before there was Mega Man X there was Mega Man and unsurprisingly, both titles have reached their fifth game and then some. Interestingly enough, Mega Man X was meant to be the final game in the saga but on second consideration the game went on to be continued through several other titles.
Tekken 5
Developer: Namco
Publisher: Namco
Platforms: Arcade, PS2
If you're a fan of Arcade Style fighting games, then surely you are happy to see such games like Tekken come a long way. Tekken 5 isn't just the fifth installment but marks the ten year anniversary of the Tekken franchise. The game staying true to its roots, was originally released in 2004 for the arcades before debuting on PS2 in 2005.
Street Fighter V
Developer: Capcom
Publisher: Capcom
Platforms: Microsoft Windows and PS4
From Namco to Capcom, arcade games have such old school roots and large followings that there is almost no way you couldn't make at least five games. Street Fighter is no exception to this rule and, as a Street Fighter fan, I'm more than happy. The game is set to release early next year.
Mortal Kombat 5
Developer: Midway Games
Publisher: Midway Games
Platforms: Game Cube, PS2, Xbox, Game Boy Advance
Mortal Kombat is another game, just like Final Fantasy that I just couldn't leave out on this list. Deadly Alliance is a follow up to Mortal Kombat 4 as we see Quan Chi and Shang Tsung attempt to revive an ancient army in order to take over Outworld and Earthrealm. While the takeover may not have worked out for them, the progressive and a bit of controversial gameplay offered by Mortal Kombat was enough to get it through a fifth game all the way to the recent tenth installment.
Assassin's Creed III
Developer: Ubisoft Montreal
Publisher: Ubisoft
Platform: PS3, Xbox 360, Wii U and Microsoft Windows
Despite the III in the Assassin's Creed name, this is actually the fifth game put out for AC. Not every game sequel has a number and this proves it. The AC franchise is currently on their eighth game Assassin's Creed Syndicate, which is set to release October 23 of this year.
Dead or Alive 5
Developer: Team Ninja
Publisher: Koei Tecmo
Platforms: PS3 and Xbox 360
The franchise title may be Dead or Alive but the game is certainly alive, even if DoA 5 is technically the last numbered title. However, there have been several spin-offs since the 2011 release including a love of the number five with DoA 5 Last Round, DoA 5 Ultimate, and DoA 5 Plus.
Don't worry, this isn't a full list of games that have made it to the Top 5, just some of the most notable. So with that said, share down in the comments some of your all time favourite games that have gone on to 5 games or more.
Published: Jun 18, 2015 11:20 am