What's the best video game series of all time?

Gamespot recently posted an interesting story about the upcoming release of Metal Gear Solid: The Essential Collection for the PlayStation 2.

According to the report, "The Essential Collection will compile the original PlayStation edition of Metal Gear Solid along with Metal Gear Solid 2: Substance and Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence, both "director's cut" versions of the PS2 games. The compilation will sell for $29.99, and will feature commemorative packaging designed by series artist Yoji Shinkawa."

And as a fan of the Metal Gear series (and others, like Final Fantasy), I thought it would be a good time to ask you all a simple question, "what's the best video game series of all time?"

Of course, the decision is an extremely difficult one. Obviously some would choose their old standby -- Super Mario Bros., but others would venture out into unknown territory with picks like Lunar or even the cult classic, Shenmue.

And while I think the Final Fantasy series, highlighted by VII, and even the aforementioned Metal Gear series easily top the list, there's no one correct answer.

Unlike so many other aspects of the tech industry, choosing the best video game series of all time is an extremely difficult task. Who can possibly say that just because you like the Zelda series, you're somehow incapable of being right just because I may choose Halo?

Suffice it to say, the chances of any of us coming to a conclusion regarding which video game series is the best of all time are nil.

So in the end, I thought I would leave it up to you. Instead of preaching to you about why I think certain series are better than others, I want to get your feel for it and respond to that.

So let's hear it -- what's the best video game series of all time?