7 Long-Running Video Game Franchises (And Where To Start With Them)

Start with: Pokémon Sword/Shield

Most Pokémon fans started whilst the franchise was still young and forget how intimidating the franchise is to many newcomers.

There are almost 1000 different Pokémon, each main series game has different versions, there are numerous remakes, spin-offs, movies, and a long-running series. The franchise seems impossible to get into, but in reality, it's a beginner-friendly franchise if you know where to start.

Whilst criticised by longtime fans for not including every Pokémon, Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield are a great place to start with the franchise.

You don't need to pick up both Sword and Shield, just one of them. Most Pokémon games come out in pairs and those pairs are basically the same game.

For a newcomer, the lack of every Pokémon might actually be a good thing. There are still 400 Pokémon in the game so you'll still have plenty of Pokémon to choose from. Also since Pokémon Sword and Shield are the latest games in the franchise there's still a huge online community that will be happy to trade Pokémon with you.

Finally, Pokémon Sword and Shield are really beginner-friendly being arguably the easiest games in the franchise.