Pokémon.

Edit: Or does that count as a Game Freak franchise?

Yes, it's Pokémon.

By sales: Pokémon
By number of fans: Pokémon
By 'legacy' however, it's probably Zelda.

EDIT: If Pokémon doesn't count, then Zelda. The Wii series wins in sales of course, but definitely not in recognition and number of fans.

Well, if Super Smash Brothers doesn't count either I would say The Legend of Zelda.



The Wii franchise might be dead as far as we know. If it can prove that it has a dedicated fanbase it will take the second place though.

Not so. For most of the 2000s we got a new game every year. There's been a bit of a dry spell since Spirit Tracks was released because of increasing development times. Nintendo seems to be training up Grezzo to reduce the time between releases again.

2000 -- Majora's Mask
2001 -- Oracle of Ages, Oracle of Seasons
2002 -- Link to the Past GBA remake/Four Swords
2003 -- Wind Waker
2004 -- Four Swords Adventures
2005 -- Minish Cap
2006 -- Twilight Princess
2007 -- Phantom Hourglass
2009 -- Spirit Tracks

It's a regular series, but not really an "annual" one. It's just in a slump that will likely turn around soon; I expect 3DS Zelda this year by Grezzo, 3DS and Wii U Zelda next year by Nintendo, 3DS Zelda the year after by Grezzo...

It's probably Pokemon, 3rd would be SSB.

It has to be Zelda dude.

Pokemon is the second biggest, followed by Zelda

Kirby is certainly Nintendo's most versatile franchise after Mario, and its sales are consistent. But if you want to talk about sales, Return to Dreamland, the first traditional console Kirby game since the N64, barely reached 1.5, while Skyward Sword, the second standard Zelda game on Wii, quickly hit 3 million. The only Kirby game that's ever sold over 3 million was the very first one in 1992.

In terms of sales it's Pokemon, or Animal crossing.

In terms of importance Zelda or Metroid.

2011 - OOT 3D
2012 - Skyward Sword

If you see it like that, then only 2010 lacked a Zelda game.