Oldest Video Game Series Still Active: Tetris Takes the Crown

The answer depends on definitions, but the strongest contender is Tetris (1984 → present).

Why Tetris Wins

• Continuous new releases: Tetris Effect (2018), Tetris 99 (2019), Tetris Forever (2024), mobile updates, console ports
• Same core gameplay, same brand, licensed by The Tetris Company since 1996
• Active competitive scene (Classic Tetris World Championship)
• Never had a multi-year gap without a new commercial release on current platforms

Other Long-Running Series (First Entry → Latest)

• Pac-Man (1980 → Pac-Man World Re-Pac 2022, Shadow Labyrinth 2025)
• Donkey Kong (1981 → Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze 2018, cameo in Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2024)
• Space Invaders (1978 → Space Invaders Invincible Collection 2020, Arkanoid vs Space Invaders 2024 mobile)
• Wizardry (1981 → Wizardry Variants Daphne 2024)
• Ultima (1981 → Ultima Online still running, New Legacy 2024)
• Dragon Quest (1986 → DQ XII in dev, DQ III HD-2D 2024)
• Final Fantasy (1987 → FF XVI 2023, FF VII Rebirth 2024)
• The Legend of Zelda (1986 → Echoes of Wisdom 2024)
• Metroid (1986 → Metroid Dread 2021, Prime 4 in dev)

Tetris edges them out through sheer consistency—no dormant periods, constant reinvention, and universal recognition across generations.