If you are not including one of the absolute king franchises of gaming, how can you be debating best franchise? Is this a debate on your personal favorite games? If so, should state that. For that matter, how is Mario not on the list. It's the top selling gaming franchise of all time. Just saying, be clear with what you are actually doing which is having people debate on what you personally like. Of your list, COD is tops...the game is shit now, but you cannot argue with its sales and popularity. Final Fantasy is probably next (though I hate it).