10 Video Game Cash Cows The Industry Can’t Stop Milking
4. Mario
It's insane to see all the games Nintendo has made featuring Mario. Estimates suggest that the pudgy plumber has made an appearance in no less than 200 different titles, including main series games, sports spin-offs, kart racers, and so much more. He is the most iconic and recognisable figure in the gaming world and Nintendo has built an entire empire on his popularity.
Mario first appeared in the original Donkey Kong way back in 1981. He was simply known as 'Jumpman' at the time, but would go on to become a global phenomenon with the release of the first Super Mario Bros title.
That game was swiftly followed by a couple of sequels, and then the Super Mario Land and World games were also launched, as well as the Kart games and many more random spin-offs.
Mario was also given his own RPG series and sports releases, many of which became big successes in their own right. What's so impressive about Mario games is that Nintendo has clearly milked the character to ludicrous lengths but has managed to keep the various series fresh in their own ways, with last year's Super Mario Odyssey being one of the top-rated games of all time.