Every Microsoft Franchise Ranked From WORST To BEST

Whilst writing this list we discovered that Microsoft have relatively few first party franchises compared to Sony, Microsoft and Sega. But despite this, the original Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox One and Xbox Series X & S have certainly left their mark with some hugely successful series. So, from titles with iconic characters, such as Halo and Gears of War, to immersive games like Forza and Microsoft Flight Simulator, it's time to rank them all from worst to best.
VO: Peter Austin (@ThatPeterAustin) & Ben Potter (@Confused_Dude)
Script: Philip J Reed (@NoNoiseChitChat)
Video Editor: Alex Winters (@MrSteakFace)
#Microsoft #MicrosoftGames #MicrosoftFranchises
Featured franchises:
Age of Empires
Barney
BattleTech
Bicycle Games
Close Combat
Crackdown
Dance Central
Doritos
Fable
Forza Horizon
Forza Motorsport
Gears of War
Halo
Hexic
Kinect Sports
Kingdom Under Fire
Links
Lips
Microsoft Arcade
Microsoft Baseball
Microsoft Combat Flight Simulator
Microsoft Entertainment Pack
Microsoft Flight Simulator
Microsoft Golf
Midtown Madness
Motocross Madness
Project Gotham Racing
The Magic School Bus
Viva Piñata
Zoo Tycoon
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[@reeebvc]

Doritos Crash Course is a classic! Everyone I knew was playing it and loved it! Great stuff!

[@verbal_backflips9493]

Same

[@Tampafan33]

I thought it looked fun o dont understand why it got hate

[@Cyberbrickmaster1986]

I own a digital copy of the first one, which I can play on my new Xbox.

[@apprentice_jedi]

Yes!

[@Dsalv003]

This game was amazing

[@Gayliath]

Fable & Viva Piñata both deserved WAY higher. Curse those 3rd games dragging them down 🤦‍♂️

[@ultimatepotato192]

Im surprised he didn't mention the fable kinect game

[@thefunkdroid2777]

There was a second Viva Piñata game!?

[@McClintonforThree]

Fable 3 is one of my favorite games ever. Don’t get the hate.

[@KaiserHanstedt]

I was gunna say the Fable disrespect is real

[@tajiris6376]

@@McClintonforThree fable 3 Is extremely underrated just for being a little different. My personal favorite as well

[@Highretrogamelord]

Actually, I would be interested in seeing every Davilex game ranked worst to best. 😅

[@Banquet42]

That's cruel. Might be interesting though...

[@Highretrogamelord]

@@Banquet42 Yeah, maybe. It's just ... I actually grew up with the Autobahnraser games and its spin-offs, as they were on the CDs of German PC games magazines, so I have a weird nostalgic feeling for them. (AmsterDoom is silly fun though.)

[@Se7en2107]

Every Davilex game ranked from worst to just worse than most.

[@adipramana7]

"I run very few zoos and very few successfully" RIP Skyrim Zoo

[@ThatShyGuyMatt]

The first Doritos game was amazing. Not sure why they made more of them though. They were crap after.

[@ultimatepotato192]

Doritos crash course 2 was decent...if only the maps were a bit better

[@noaht2005]

I have a lot of fond memories of crash course. I used to get really mad but it was all good fun

[@markelcraig5042]

Nice! Since you did this, could you do Sega or Capcom next?

[@sugreev2001]

Sega’s best franchises are too obvious now. It’s either Yakuza for Sega Proper, or Persona for Sega Atlus.

[@howmuchdidyoupay]

I actually did have a dream about barney as a kid. He was my roommate and a basically normal guy (the show was just his job) other than the fact that, when hungry, would just go outside and eat people.

[@IdeaBox-dk5vj]

That should be an indie game or something on that level. I say this in the nicest of ways, because whatever prompted you to dream that up must have been good.

[@dramarabbit69]

The link between Fable and Viva Pinata is that they're both British games cause Lionsgate and Rare made them

[@jamstonjulian6947]

Lionhead

[@dramarabbit69]

Yep. I'll get my coat.

[@Cyberbrickmaster1986]

Fun fact: Viva Pinata had a short lived cartoon series back in the 2000s, and it used to air on Nickelodeon. From my understanding, it was better than the Tak cartoon.

[@SlapNuts4Life]

3:08 HOLY HELL HE SAID THE THING!!!!!! I love you Ben 🥺

[@mattgannon591]

It doesn't matter what video series - anytime any sports game is mentioned in any TripleJump script it's always hysterical and brilliant!! 10:51

[@BlockFacts]

Barney is Microsoft's best franchise and I can't be convinced otherwise

[@rickasslee9394]

I’m surprised you of all people watch this channel

[@BlockFacts]

@@rickasslee9394 lol I've listened to every episode of podiots

[@grippieb6447]

@@BlockFacts you have an agreeable point

[@jayminyoel7911]

Halo stutters at the name.

[@Househoppper]

BLOCK FACTS

[@yourgameisstupid]

I feel like I am incomplete as a gamer having not played through the Doritos series.

[@RickyRicardo03]

It’s like a puzzle 🧩 missing in your soul, in the shape of a triangle.

[@AlexaRobin21]

@@RickyRicardo03 Is there a pharaoh inside it?

[@NathanielBarlam]

Surprised to see Zoo Tycoon sitting so low; maybe it's because I played them as a kid but I really enjoyed the first and second installments (though obviously found roller coaster tycoon to be the best in the genre). Also, beating Chip's Challenge is still something I'm quite proud of.

[@kylenorman5250]

That really surprised me too. Granted I also played them as a kid but I assumed the first two games were generally considered pretty good.

[@Laz3rCat95]

Same those were some of my favorite PC games growing up

[@justboschma5047]

I love these ranked list from this channel.

[@Dutchfalco]

“We’re not counting mobile games because every single mobile game is awful.” Truer words have never been spoken.

[@noaht2005]

I don’t know, I’ve played a couple I’ve enjoyed

[@tommyvercetti1827]

There are some good ones

[@fatalbert2210]

Doritos crash course was amazing!!! How dare you.

[@shintok1745]

Can you do Sega Franchises next. I love your lists and the channel.

[@PaulPararnoid]

Sega Franchises would be sooo awesome!

[@stephen3929]

Doritos crash course was a great game 😂

[@vincentspaans671]

agree

[@kaspervletter290]

Never played it but im definitely buying it

[@stephen3929]

@@kaspervletter290 sure it's free ain't it?

[@Cyberbrickmaster1986]

Joy Ride Turbo was also pretty decent in my opinion. That's the version without the Kinect and the one you can play on the new Xbox systems.

[@SteveTheDog115]

so was dash of destruction! i loved that stupid little freebie game. IIRC i even 100%ed it(not that it was hard to if i remember right)

[@CrowTRobot]

Incubus also wrote a few great pieces of music for Halo 2 (Follow is still great) and imo Make Yourself was a pretty great album.

[@juliassacre]

It's a real shame that the licenced tracks were not brought back for Halo 2 Anniversary, the fight in the mausoleum of the Arbiter isn't the same without Blow Me Away (by Breaking Benjamin)

[@prodbyANT]

Incubus is a great band. Fuck what this dude said in the video.

[@slinkbradshaw8674]

Seeing Crackdown never really reach the heights it could've still hurts

[@joeywalker2061]

Crackdown 1 was so good I loved the co op I remember buying it just for halo 3 and ended up loving the game.

[@Return2TheLiving]

I’m convinced Ben and Peter are the same person. Perhaps his name is actually Bennen Peter

[@H0lyMoley]

"If you can think of a more embarrassing end for a videogame franchise..." Doritos Pachinko 6: An Overdose of Disodium Guanylate - A Nokia N-Gage Exclusive. I know it technically doesn't exist, but it should. I mean, everyone needs a cautionary tale right?

[@Rosiereo]

Honestly this kinda of just shows how Microsoft doesnt have many kick ass titles under their belt.

[@Tyranniod]

I really wish Microsoft could do better but they really don't have anything of note apart from the usual gears, halo, forza combination.

[@oscarperez9783]

@@Tyranniod Microsoft is pure disappointment

[@Kebaskia]

If you want to feel old, Halo turns 20 this year.

[@realxjosh8298]

Doritos crash course was just pure fun

[@TheFirstRealChewy]

Halo was the reason I got the original Xbox. I walked into EB Games and saw it running on a kiosk. I played the demo and was hooked. Since then, Halo has lost a lot of steam. Its time for Microsoft to pull out all the stops on their first party titles. Bring in some people who focus on delivering quality experiences, whether big or small.

[@jayraymond3036]

Keep up the good work love the lists.

[@vslazer6728]

I've said it before and I'll keep saying it until you do it, but please PLEASE rank every single Mario game ever made covering the mainline 2D and 3D platformers, the Mario RPG's, the Mario Sports games, Mario Kart, Mario Party, and everything else in between. Great video by the way.

[@alexbenton6306]

Are you happy that they finally did it?

[@vslazer6728]

@@alexbenton6306 Of course

[@bensonsj98]

Age of Empires is incredible.

[@Tampafan33]

Yes it is. I get lost im those games.i also liked age of mythology

[@Cyberbrickmaster1986]

Age of Empires 2 is the best in the series, and is also the best handled out of all the series' remasters. Never played the online one or the ones on DS, but I guess I'm not really missing out on much.

[@ARIXANDRE]

Hum, no one did it so..."Oh yeah, Barney time! I've never played a Barney game before so I'm gonna give this EVERYTHING THAT I'VE GOT!"

[@rmfoodreviews2201]

Doritos crash course was actually fun with friends as a kid

[@raptorjesus2516]

Ah yes,only the best xbox titles for the thumbnail,like halo,gears of War,barney,and the magic school bus,the games every xbox fan wanted (jk, great ranking as always lads)

[@VideoGameGlass]

The magic school bus games were my favorite growing up! I had the dinosaur, rocks, and jungle (or was it insects?) games.

[@Laz3rCat95]

I had the one about flight which was shown in the video, and also one about outer space and one about whales and dolphins.

[@onceortwiceooh]

Barney ranked way higher than I was expecting

[@IsaacWrightMusic]

Considering it was unexpected as an existing game at all by probably most of us, I think that statement is certainly valid, haha.

[@sebanatic]

Doritos Crash Course 2 was really fun. Sadly it was removed years ago

[@philchristian2672]

Can we have an every EA Sports Franchise worst to best

[@michaelpitcher2820]

Hexic. Damn I remember sinking tons of hours into that on 360

[@scarrantsandreviews]

This series is great. Maybe it could work with third-party publishers too.

[@foilbaby6759]

Ben: I'm Ben Ben: And I'm Peter. Welcome to every Microsoft franchise ranked from worst to best.

[@billdemarco4436]

Great job as usual guys!

[@mrsmilee]

surprised Monster Truck Madness wasn't on the list.

[@aarlavaan]

Only two games sadly.

[@Se7en2107]

Sorry for the essay you're about to read but wow did this video take me on an unexpected nostalgic journey. I didn't think I would recognize so many of these but it turns out growing up as a PC gamer since Windows 95 exposes you to a ton of Microsoft franchises. Should've been obvious😅 Ngl I kinda liked the Doritos games but that might just be nostalgia from getting my Xbox 360 at the start of university, not having a lot of games and just playing whatever garbage I could get my hands on. Also, I learned about the solar system (or at least how it was defined in the 1990s) and practiced my English through Magic School Bus Explores the Solar System. The disc is gathering dust in a box of my dad's old stuff in the cupboard at this very moment. Zoo Tycoon and Age of Empires were two of the first proper games I ever played. I still have the full Zoo Tycoon collection with the Marine Mania and Dinosaur Digs expansions, and was ecstatic to get it working on Windows 10. My personal highlight of Xbox's E3 2019 was learning Age of Empires II Definitive Edition was coming to Game Pass and then crying because my dad didn't live to see his favourite game in glorious 4K. Also, also Fable 3 is one of my favourite games of all time and I'm beyond excited for the reboot coming to Xbox Series X/S. Finally, Halo and Gears of War simply existing means I'll keep buying Xbox consoles for as long as console are a thing.

[@KB-ib4kj]

"We're not counting mobile games because every single mobile game is awful." You guys are amazing.

[@EmeraldBlack-up6xi]

Banjo Kazooie and Banjo Tooie got Xbox 360 ports published by Microsoft. Those combined with Nuts and Bolts should qualify them for this list. Also, you counted the entire Shin Megami Tensei series in the Sega video, despite Sega having nothing to do with most of those. Can we redo this list with the Bethesda franchises?

[@SlapNuts4Life]

And what in the blue hell does checkers, connect four and cards have to do with bicycles???

[@krishaberstroh4391]

It’s a brand. Lol Bicycle is a company who makes cards.

[@SlapNuts4Life]

@@krishaberstroh4391 well I guess that makes sense then😂

[@penatio]

Too bad Ori didn't make it on this list :C

[@ianausdal7997]

Y'all deserve more subs fr

[@Banquet42]

Tell your friends!

[@LNSLateNightSaturday]

You're allowed to use your own catch-phrases any way you like, Ben! lol

[@EastJesusNowhere1989]

I'd like to see a "Every console launch line up ranked from worst to best". It would be a mammoth list, though quite interesting I think.

[@saschaberger3212]

Seeing fable way down there hurts

[@misteraskman3668]

Ikr I felt hurt seeing Solitaire and Barney over it.

[@RocketJo86]

As a great fan of Zoo Sim games I am shocked how low the franchise that startet it all sits on this list. Especially when Zoo Tycoon 2 was one of the two best games of this type til most recently, when Planet Zoo was released. But then again, Zoo games are a bit special, I guess?

[@jonnyOysters]

Same. I was absolutely addicted to Zoo Tycoon as a kid.

[@Swedishtrex]

Yeah, I'm absolutely shocked that the franchise ended up this low. And it's not rose-tinted glasses, I still regularly play both the first ZT and ZT2. They're great games, even now. The only thing that doesn't really hold up is the graphics (but I think they're charming) But now it's Planet Zoo all the way, because that game is amazing.

[@LobsterPuncher]

Damn dude, I'm sitting here next to my Dreamcast and Zune and wondering what I did to deserve this.

[@dingle2987]

They hate Microsoft and Dreamcast for some reason. I personally feel PS2 only got so many exclusives because it was riding off a PS1 high and once everyone had one, developers didn’t want to put their games anywhere else. Otherwise all the expensive accessories and weak graphics always annoyed me. I had both and Onimusha looked so sharp on Xbox. Sad i has to buy 2 and 3 on PS2 and just wish the games had shaders, normal maps and bump mapping.

[@BleedGreen2023]

OH YEAH. HERE WE GO. SPORTS TIME! Was upset at first that I wasn’t going to hear it in this video.

[@PANDORAZTOYBOKZ]

@19:21 to be fair, Incubus did the most badass track in Halo (the one when you're flying Banshees on Oracle in the original OST)

[@funcoolfunfun]

Love Barney just being on the thumbnail

[@thomasferraro479]

How long till whatculture steals this list too lol

[@BooperTee]

*Name redacted.

[@trunter20]

*Name redunded

[@BooperTee]

@@trunter20 I was waiting for the correction!

[@magicjack4076]

Dorito crash course 1 was amazing never really played the other ones but it was such a blast with your friends

[@baggyobeast]

Fable 1 is one of my favourite games of all time

[@markcarey87]

I'm surprised Links Awakening didn't bump up the average for the series as a whole.

[@Dxdan23]

Doritos Crash Corse and was a fucking gem and you know it

[@KittenishgirlJess]

I think the rules section should be longer. (Love the list as per usual 💕)

[@christopherconnel6909]

Also, read by Rules Boss.

[@leontinsley3873]

Loved playing Doritos Crash Course with friends, was like playing Total Wipeout the game lol

[@wastelanderone]

Fable and Viva Pinata both suffered from Games for Windows Live when ported to PC!

[@homogenized]

I used to play Chip's Challenge, SkiFree, Jezzball and the Magic School Bus solar system game with my friend growing up! She had a computer before we did lol. Good times

[@noaht2005]

Honestly I have some fond memories of Doritos crash course. I remember playing it with friends and having a lot of fun

[@urk5204]

I remember how massive Halo was when it first came out. Then the second Halo one-upped the first one in hype big time. I was in high school when Halo 2 released, and I remember people skipping school the entire release week just to play it.

[@jimpatterson1111]

‘Kingdom Under Fire: Crusaders’ is one of my all time favorite games!

[@Spacemutiny]

I just bought the HD versions of both games on Steam and I’m loving them!

[@ManuMora199]

Didn't expect to see Barney here

[@bingoblackdynomite]

I always love with "PeterFromTripleJump" and "Ben" bring us these hefty lists! I also love when I see the word "Doritos" listed as a game franchise. Microsoft Bless 🙏🏾 EDIT: Also, the entry at #23 made me laugh really hard just on paper

[@CulturePhilter]

I loved the mouse game in the puzzle collection

[@DrakeAurum]

You missed Minesweeper.

[@ricahrdb]

The first Crackdown was awesome! Too bad that the second one was not much more than a reskined version of the first game. And I still enjoyed the third game despite its flaws. This franchise could have been so much more though.

[@justinhockstead3551]

I love the crash course games...

[@jimllc]

Hey now. Jump Start 3rd and 5th grade as well as 2 of the 3 R Blasters games are dope.

[@wildfya6657]

Great video but come on dude Doritos Crash course was so fun I've played alot of that and I know a ton of people who liked and played just as much as I did

[@RhythmLP]

6:04 Nice

[@zachzacha]

I love the videos written by Philip J Reed

[@Balc0ra]

Back in the day, the madness games were hours of endless entertainment in the 90s for a 12-year-old me. Going to the edge of the map on motocross to get slapped back across half the map never got old.

[@2097xl]

Crash course was pretty fun ngl

[@gabrieledimatteo1851]

Guys, you are absolutely the best ♥️ lot of love from Italy

[@TKMRacer28]

I’d love to see every worst games ever ranked from worst to worstest

[@SandpiperN121PP]

You didn't even include Dungeon Siege.... which was a fantastic game in itself... and had a 3 part series of games.

[@FuerzaLives]

Doritos crash course was so much fun!

[@Spacemutiny]

Links was so fun back in the day. And I’m not even that big of a golf fan.

[@danielmorency790]

Spent a lot of childhood time one those magic school bus games

[@DefeatedInk]

I wondered will Monster Truck Madness be in the video but then I remembered that it does not have 3 installments

[@Bman32x]

Can’t wait to see this list in 10 years once Microsoft has ownership of more studios

[@YellowMohamad1234567]

There better be 3D space pinball or Im going to riot!

[@DuckJoystick]

Anyone catch the name of the very fist game shown. (At 8 seconds in)??

[@aname6408]

Holy shit I remember that magic school bus game inside the human body. It weirded me out as a kid.

[@SergioMach7]

Wait what?! The first doritos crash course game is regularly used for multiplayer parties here because anyone can pick them up and they have great split screen options. Sad to see it so low, but the other 2 games were fairly rubbish

[@robertdeboer2336]

i would love to play midtown madness again

[@trunter20]

Pretty sure we all want every Davilex game ranked my dudes 😂

[@amalakin4444]

bro that rant was funny as hell

[@jimothymayhorn]

I miss playing Midtown Madness 3 online.

[@Tatokat]

HEY! YOU FORGOT [insert *anything* Microsoft related]!!! YOU ARE A REAL [insert whatever he was talking about at 0:53]!!!?!

[@federicorodriguez8869]

They need to make a video ranking sega and capcom games

[@leeroysilks]

Can you do a 'Every TripleJump ranking list ranked' video?

[@tonyc7879]

Geez, how sad. Viva Pinata and Fable ranked lower than Lips? Viva Pinata and VP:TIP were absolutely wonderful games, probably the best Rare put out in the 360 gen, you could even argue they're the last decent games Rare put out at all - the rating took a huge hit with that silly mini game thing that was indeed awful. Fable being lower is ridiculous too. Fable 1 got great reviews at launch when its mechanics weren't as outdated as nowadays, Fable 2 was excellent and Fable 3 was decent but not great, I'm gonna take a guess the rating took a hit due to Fable Anniversary which was woefully ported/remastered and felt hugely prehistoric to play. I know the list is correct, it's just really sad to see 2 decent franchises lower than flipping Lips because of 2 poor entries in otherwise decent franchises. That said, Viva Pinata wouldn't even be in the list without that daft mini game so maybe just maybe it'll get a few people to try the awesome main games.

[@hopefulhero95]

Best thumbnail ever 😂

[@Gooch359]

I would like every Davilex game ranked 😁