Finding a franchise that fit in that timeline was hard enough >_<. Plus I've seen weirder things before, like people who like Final Fantasy VIII...

Gears of War 3 then

That's the only other I know of that fits the description, even though I've never played any Gears game.

Portal.

• "The Enrichment Center regrets to inform you that this next test is impossible."
• "Make no attempt to solve it."

I will remain resolute in this atmosphere of extreme pessimism, and say that your game is Portal.

Hint #35:

If this series keeps moving in the same direction, the third game will probably take place in some dictatorship in Southern Africa. (the game I'm talking about is the second game in the series)

I'm running a bit behind.

Hint for #36: The third proper entry in a popular series (not counting spinoffs or anything like that), it is often seen as a low point in the franchise, despite many additions, innovations, and refinements.

Final Fantasy III?

36. Mario Power Tennis (New!), first impression 8, replay 8, technical 7.5

Pros: Mario Tennis (the first one of which is much higher up the list) is back with all-new characters and powers and shiny GameCube graphics. It did almost everything right that the old game did, and only falls lower because of a few drawbacks.

Cons: Aside from a general feeling of "sameness" that keeps its first impression score repressed, and lacking the Game Boy connectivity that helped boost the 64 game's replay, the game suffered a bit from the Defensive Power Shots, which could turn matches into utter wars of attrition, since you basically had to make your move when the other guy wasn't glowing, or else they could always block.

35 had LAN capability but no online, although in hindsight that's a good thing because the game also incorporated a certain serpentine mechanic that made the online multiplayer of the franchises first online game completely broken

No. Later than that, and a different company.

Mario Kart: Double Dash!!