Iconic Games & Franchises

40 questions · Answers revealed below each question · Print this set

1.Which iconic video game is the falling-block puzzle that Alexey Pajitnov created in 1984?
- A. Super Mario World
- B. Demon's Souls
- C. Cyberpunk 2077
- D. Tetris
Show answer
Tetris
Did you know? Tetris came to the West through a complex licensing battle.
2.Which video game franchise is Nintendo's ape-led series that began in the 1981 arcade game?
- A. Ace Attorney
- B. F-Zero
- C. Donkey Kong
- D. Uncharted
Show answer
Donkey Kong
Did you know? Donkey Kong Country was Rare's 1994 revival of the series.
3.Which video game franchise is Naughty Dog's post-outbreak drama series that began in 2013?
- A. Resident Evil
- B. The Last of Us
- C. Kingdom Hearts
- D. Metroid
Show answer
The Last of Us
Did you know? The Last of Us received numerous game-of-the-year awards in 2013.
4.Which iconic video game is Rovio's 2009 slingshot physics hit?
- A. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
- B. Angry Birds
- C. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
- D. Half-Life 2
Show answer
Angry Birds
Did you know? Angry Birds expanded into films and merchandise.
5.Which iconic video game is the 1996 launch title that set the template for 3D platforming?
- A. Super Mario Bros.
- B. BioShock
- C. Super Mario 64
- D. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Show answer
Super Mario 64
Did you know? Super Mario 64 introduced the triple jump and wing cap.
6.Which video game franchise is the Santa Monica Studio action series that began on the PlayStation 2 in 2005?
- A. Silent Hill
- B. Fire Emblem
- C. God of War
- D. Sonic the Hedgehog
Show answer
God of War
Did you know? The 2018 entry moved the setting to Norse mythology.
7.Which iconic video game is the 1984 NES light-gun shooter with a laughing dog?
- A. Duck Hunt
- B. Super Mario 64
- C. Grand Theft Auto V
- D. GoldenEye 007
Show answer
Duck Hunt
Did you know? Duck Hunt shipped on a cartridge bundled with Super Mario Bros.
8.Which video game franchise is Sega's speed-focused platform series that began in 1991?
- A. Sonic the Hedgehog
- B. Warcraft
- C. The Last of Us
- D. Final Fantasy
Show answer
Sonic the Hedgehog
Did you know? Sonic 2's Chemical Plant Zone remains a fan favorite.
9.Which iconic video game is Nintendo's 2006 motion-control collection bundled with the Wii?
- A. BioShock
- B. Snake
- C. Bloodborne
- D. Wii Sports
Show answer
Wii Sports
Did you know? Wii Sports' bowling became a favorite in retirement communities.
10.Which video game franchise is the landmark Japanese role-playing series that began in 1986?
- A. Splatoon
- B. Dragon Quest
- C. Ace Attorney
- D. Pikmin
Show answer
Dragon Quest
Did you know? Dragon Quest is known as Dragon Warrior in early North American releases.
11.Which iconic video game is the open-air 2017 adventure that launched with the Nintendo Switch?
- A. PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds
- B. Xenoblade Chronicles
- C. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
- D. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Show answer
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Did you know? Breath of the Wild let players reach any visible destination from the start.
12.Which video game franchise is the archaeological adventure series that began with Lara Croft in 1996?
- A. Tomb Raider
- B. Star Fox
- C. F-Zero
- D. Splatoon
Show answer
Tomb Raider
Did you know? Tomb Raider was rebooted by Crystal Dynamics in 2013.
13.Which iconic video game is Naughty Dog's 2020 post-outbreak sequel?
- A. Nintendogs
- B. Elden Ring
- C. Super Mario World
- D. The Last of Us Part II
Show answer
The Last of Us Part II
Did you know? The Last of Us Part II won Game of the Year at The Game Awards 2020.
14.Which video game franchise is the monster-catching franchise Game Freak launched in Japan in 1996?
- A. StarCraft
- B. Silent Hill
- C. Splinter Cell
- D. Pokémon
Show answer
Pokémon
Did you know? The first Pokémon games were Pokémon Red and Green in Japan.
15.Which iconic video game is King's 2012 match-three mobile phenomenon?
- A. Candy Crush Saga
- B. Grand Theft Auto III
- C. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
- D. Tetris
Show answer
Candy Crush Saga
Did you know? King was acquired by Activision Blizzard in 2016.
16.Which video game franchise is Rockstar's western series that began with Red Dead Revolver in 2004?
- A. Castlevania
- B. Metal Gear
- C. Monster Hunter
- D. Red Dead
Show answer
Red Dead
Did you know? Red Dead Redemption 2 arrived in 2018.
17.Which iconic video game is Epic Games' 2017 battle royale known for its building mechanic?
- A. Sekiro
- B. Fortnite
- C. God of War Ragnarök
- D. Pokémon Red and Blue
Show answer
Fortnite
Did you know? Fortnite's seasonal live events draw millions of viewers.
18.Which video game franchise is Capcom's co-op hunting series that began on the PlayStation 2 in 2004?
- A. Diablo
- B. Minecraft
- C. Monster Hunter
- D. Horizon
Show answer
Monster Hunter
Did you know? Monster Hunter World became Capcom's best-selling game.
19.Which iconic video game is the 2007 underwater-city shooter from 2K Boston?
- A. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
- B. BioShock
- C. Sekiro
- D. Guitar Hero
Show answer
BioShock
Did you know? BioShock's city of Rapture was built by an industrialist.
20.Which video game franchise is Nintendo's slow-life community series that debuted in Japan in 2001?
- A. Streets of Rage
- B. Assassin's Creed
- C. StarCraft
- D. Animal Crossing
Show answer
Animal Crossing
Did you know? Animal Crossing: New Horizons arrived on the Switch in 2020.
21.Which iconic video game is Valve's 2004 shooter built on the new Source engine?
- A. Fortnite
- B. Nintendogs
- C. Tetris
- D. Half-Life 2
Show answer
Half-Life 2
Did you know? Half-Life 2's gravity gun let players grab and throw objects.
22.Which video game franchise is Nintendo's adventure series whose 1986 original was designed by Shigeru Miyamoto?
- A. Ace Attorney
- B. The Elder Scrolls
- C. The Legend of Zelda
- D. Grand Theft Auto
Show answer
The Legend of Zelda
Did you know? Ocarina of Time (1998) is often ranked among the greatest games in the series.
23.Which iconic video game is CD Projekt Red's 2020 release set in Night City?
- A. Cyberpunk 2077
- B. Angry Birds
- C. Red Dead Redemption 2
- D. Candy Crush Saga
Show answer
Cyberpunk 2077
Did you know? Cyberpunk 2077 is based on the tabletop game Cyberpunk 2020.
24.Which video game franchise is id Software's demon-blasting shooter series that began in 1993?
- A. Grand Theft Auto
- B. God of War
- C. Doom
- D. Splinter Cell
Show answer
Doom
Did you know? Doom popularized deathmatch multiplayer.
25.Which iconic video game brought the monster-catching series to North America in 1998?
- A. Pokémon Red and Blue
- B. Bloodborne
- C. Rock Band
- D. The Last of Us Part II
Show answer
Pokémon Red and Blue
Did you know? Link cable trading was essential to complete the original Pokédex.
26.Which video game franchise is Hideo Kojima's stealth series that began in 1987?
- A. Splinter Cell
- B. Metal Gear
- C. Metroid
- D. EarthBound
Show answer
Metal Gear
Did you know? Metal Gear Solid (1998) brought the series to 3D on the PlayStation.
27.Which iconic video game is the 2022 open-world collaboration between FromSoftware and George R. R. Martin?
- A. Pokémon Go
- B. Cyberpunk 2077
- C. Ōkami
- D. Elden Ring
Show answer
Elden Ring
Did you know? Elden Ring won Game of the Year at The Game Awards 2022.
28.Which video game franchise is Naughty Dog's treasure-hunting adventure series that began on the PlayStation 3 in 2007?
- A. The Witcher
- B. Uncharted
- C. Donkey Kong
- D. Phantasy Star
Show answer
Uncharted
Did you know? Uncharted: Drake's Fortune introduced treasure hunter Nathan Drake.
29.Which iconic video game is Valve's 2013 battle-arena game descended from a Warcraft III mod?
- A. Nintendogs
- B. Dota 2
- C. Flappy Bird
- D. Red Dead Redemption 2
Show answer
Dota 2
Did you know? Dota 2's The International holds esports' best-known crowdfunded prizes.
30.Which video game franchise is Capcom's robot-action series that began in 1987?
- A. The Elder Scrolls
- B. Mega Man
- C. Street Fighter
- D. Minecraft
Show answer
Mega Man
Did you know? Players copy defeated bosses' weapons in classic Mega Man games.
31.Which iconic video game is Bethesda's 2011 open-world fantasy with shouts as weapons?
- A. Shadow of the Colossus
- B. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
- C. Dota 2
- D. Rock Band
Show answer
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Did you know? Skyrim's "arrow in the knee" line became a widespread meme.
32.Which video game franchise is Blizzard's fantasy series that began as a real-time strategy game in 1994?
- A. Star Fox
- B. Metal Gear
- C. Gran Turismo
- D. Warcraft
Show answer
Warcraft
Did you know? World of Warcraft (2004) took the series' world into MMO form.
33.Which iconic video game is the 2006 platform where players create and share their own games?
- A. Team Fortress 2
- B. Snake
- C. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
- D. Roblox
Show answer
Roblox
Did you know? Roblox's creators earn Robux from their experiences.
34.Which video game franchise is Blizzard's dungeon-crawling action role-playing series that began in 1996?
- A. Pokémon
- B. Diablo
- C. Tomb Raider
- D. Metal Gear
Show answer
Diablo
Did you know? Diablo II (2000) became one of the best-selling games of its era.
35.Which iconic video game is the 2013 open-world release frequently cited among the best-selling games?
- A. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
- B. Grand Theft Auto V
- C. Team Fortress 2
- D. Wii Sports
Show answer
Grand Theft Auto V
Did you know? Grand Theft Auto V switched between three playable protagonists.
36.Which video game franchise is Bethesda's open-world fantasy role-playing series that began in 1994?
- A. Hitman
- B. Kirby
- C. The Elder Scrolls
- D. Streets of Rage
Show answer
The Elder Scrolls
Did you know? Morrowind, Oblivion and Skyrim are the series' most-played modern chapters.
37.Which iconic video game is the 1998 Nintendo 64 adventure that solved 3D combat with lock-on targeting?
- A. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
- B. Pokémon Go
- C. Resident Evil 4
- D. Shadow of the Colossus
Show answer
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
Did you know? Ocarina of Time's lock-on system became a 3D action standard.
38.Which video game franchise is the retro-futuristic post-apocalyptic role-playing series that began in 1997?
- A. Animal Crossing
- B. God of War
- C. EarthBound
- D. Fallout
Show answer
Fallout
Did you know? Fallout was originally developed by Interplay's Black Isle team.
39.Which iconic video game is Nintendo's 1985 side-scroller that revived home gaming in North America?
- A. Super Mario Bros.
- B. Grand Theft Auto V
- C. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
- D. Pokémon Go
Show answer
Super Mario Bros.
Did you know? Super Mario Bros. sold tens of millions of copies bundled and alone.
40.Which video game franchise is the open-world crime series that DMA Design began in 1997?
- A. Street Fighter
- B. Splatoon
- C. Grand Theft Auto
- D. Counter-Strike
Show answer
Grand Theft Auto
Did you know? Grand Theft Auto III moved the series into 3D in 2001.

Questions are for entertainment — difficulty ratings are a guide, and you know your crowd best. Always follow the rules of your venue or event.