This is Objection Network’s countdown of the top 25 video game series of all-time. For more info on the voting process, click here.

Another top 25 is in the books, and the Legend of Zelda has emerged as our pick for the best franchise ever made. There have been lists that have had surprises in the top spot, but this was probably a foregone conclusion. Everybody who voted has played at least one game in the series and really enjoyed it, and others have played damn near every title.

To me, the most interesting thing about how the results went down is in the timing of when we did this. Several games on this list might have gotten a boost from a recent release that just wasn’t out in time to add it to consideration (Zelda, Mass Effect, Persona, etc.). Others took a hit because unlike 5-10 years ago, they’ve faded into the background with spin-offs or bad games or no games at all (Kingdom Hearts, Metroid, Silent Hill). This list would have looked very different if we’d done it in 2012, although I think the top two would still be the same.

We’re already kicking around a few ideas for our next top 25, which will probably start either near the end of the year or on Jan. 1. One of them is revisiting our picks for the best games ever. That’s another grouping that would probably see some significant changes (for example, Skyward Sword is not going to make it!), but it might be tricky getting the same panel to participate. Life changes in half a decade, you know?

The entire list of the best video game series ever is below. How did we do? Let us know in the poll and tell us in the comments if there were any games ranked too high or too low, or if you think our picks were pretty good.

RELATED LINKS:
(1) The Legend of Zelda
(2) Mario
(3) Ace Attorney
(4) Final Fantasy
(5) Mass Effect
(6) Pokemon
(7) Metroid
(8) Kingdom Hearts
(9) Mario Kart
(10) Smash Brothers
(11) Fire Emblem
(12) Street Fighter
(13) Batman: Arkham
(14) Metal Gear
(15) Fallout
(16) Persona
(17) Tales
(18) Saints Row
(19) BioShock
(20) The Sims
(21) Grand Theft Auto
(22) Halo
(23) Animal Crossing
(24) Silent Hill
(25) Donkey Kong
#50-26
Intro/Honorable Mention

PREVIOUS TOP 25s:
Video Games
Pokemon
Male VG Characters
Female VG Characters
Zelda Items
Animated Movies
Comedies