The first installment of which series was given away for free in North America via a Nintendo Power promotion?

Which series debuted (in Japan) first?

Which franchise had the highest number of core installments (three) originate on the Super Famicom?

Which franchise is so popular in Japan that it spawned the urban legend that the company is forbidden by law from releasing new installments on weekdays because too many people would miss school and work that day?

Which franchise has sold more total copies worldwide?

Which franchise had games that weren't originally part of said franchise re-branded as such to increase sales when they were localized for North America?

Which franchise had its first two games packaged together in one or more future collections?

Which franchise's music was used for choreography purposes during an Olympic event?

Which franchise has characters, environments, and music featured in Fortune Street for Wii (the only installment of that series to be released outside of Japan), sharing a roster with popular Nintendo characters?

Which franchise was the first to have a spin-off game separate from the main series in 1991?

Both franchises have a piece of music that is considered the "main theme" of the series, but which franchise has core installments that don't actually feature the theme in any way?