9 Game Franchises in Need of a Comeback

Today’s gaming world is dominated by Call Of Duty, FIFA & Grand Theft Auto. But there used to be a time when different game franchises ruled the gaming world. Before Call Of Duty, Medal Of Honor ruled the first-person shooters, and before FIFA, Pro Evolution Soccer did. But for some reason, these 9 franchises listed below have disappeared off the face of gaming, with no return in sight. 9 franchises I believe could make a great and successful comeback.

I start with the first game I ever played on the Playstation. Naughty Dog is arguably the top dog of action and survival games. But there was a time when Naughty Dog was known for a different genre, platform gaming. Crash Bandicoot was introduced in a big way back in 1996, challenging Mario, the king of platforms, for his crown. Even after the first installment, Crash Bandicoot became the face of Playstation 1. With its 20-year anniversary coming up, what better way to celebrate that than with the next instalment of one of Playstation’s biggest icons.

A fun multiplayer game in the late ’90s, Syphon Filter was Playstation’s Goldeneye. The third-person shooter featured special agents, terrorists, stealth, and action, all of which contributed to the development of the super spy genre. Today’s shooter games are mostly first person. Although I doubt Syphon Filter could compete with the likes of Call Of Duty and Battlefield, Syphon Filter’s third-person shooter could give online third-person shooters such as Metal Gear Solid Online some serious competition.

Resident Evil meets Jurassic Park in this great survival horror game where players face an array of dinosaurs, including tyrannosaurs and velociraptors. Despite the first two in the series receiving great reviews, Capcom’s Dino Crisis is known as Resident Evil’s less successful brother. But Resident Evil is currently struggling, with Capcom having a hard time deciding what to do with Resident Evil 7 after Resident Evil 6’s mediocre reviews. A new Dino Crisis game could be a better option, helping the series step out of the shadow of Resident Evil and become Capcom’s main game franchise. Also, with Jurassic World making over $1 billion, dinosaurs are now relevant again.

The hack-and-slash genre is extremely popular today, especially on the PC. Diablo 3 was a great success. But once upon a time, Diablo had a fierce rival named Baldur’s Gate. Two games on the PC and two games on PlayStation 2. Each game received positive reviews. Enhanced editions for the first two games were released a few years back on the PC. But a brand new Baldur’s Gate could make a big impact on the hack-and-slash genre. Diablo fans waited 12 years for Diablo 3. It’s already been 11 years since the last Baldur’s Gate game. Must Baldur’s Gate fans wait the same amount as Diablo fans, or suffer for longer?

Another Naughty Dog series. Similar to Crash Bandicoot, but on the PlayStation 2. The Jak & Daxter main series had three great platform games, involving a mix of comedy, action, racing, and puzzles. A mix you don’t see much in today’s games. Although the last of the main series came out in 2004, the team of Jak & Daxter has since been in a few spin-offs, an HD remaster of the main series, featured as playable fighters in the Playstation All-Stars, and appeared as an easy-to-find Easter egg in The Last Of Us. Although Naughty Dog has moved on from platform gaming, they obviously want to keep gamers aware of the Jak & Daxter series. Maybe a return to platform gaming is already in the works?

Chaotic multiplayer, fun game modes, creative characters, and monkeys. TimeSplitters was a blast from the past. First-Person Shooters are not what they used to be, with most games focusing on futuristic locations and all kinds of guns and gadgets. Call Of Duty, Star Wars Battlefield, and Rainbow Six haven’t been able to improve on their previous instalments. Medal Of Honor is also nowhere to be seen. The makers of TimeSplitters could really take advantage of the lack of recent quality first-person shooter games and introduce online gaming to a new mode of fun, Virus.

Another Capcom game. The side-scrolling beat ’em up Viewtiful Joe has the same comic book graphics and in-your-face fighting as Marvel Vs. Capcom. Ten years have passed since the last Viewtiful Joe game, which is quite a surprise given how well the reviews were. Viewtiful Joe has aged well and still looks great today. With today’s technology and the major popularity of superheroes, a third instalment could really be the most fun and best-selling in the series.

Racing games now seem to focus more on realism. Driveclub, Project Cars, and Gran Turismo lead the race on the Playstation. But there used to be a time when racing games were more about high speeds and crazy crashes. Burnout: Paradise City is known as one of the greatest racing games ever made, and the rest were also pretty great. With the most recent Need For Speed not reaching top gear. The return of Burnout instead of a Need For Speed sequel could be a better, as well as a more popular option.

Another Capcom game makes the list. Before Ninja Gaiden Sigma, there was Onimusha. The Onimusha series had a likable main character, cool sword fighting, Resident Evil-like puzzles, great boss battles, and a playable Jean Reno. It’s been almost 10 years since an Onimusha game from the main series was made. With Ninja Gaiden Sigma hiding in the shadows. Onimusha could really take advantage of the spotlight while it lasts.

You’re welcome! Your list of game franchises in need of a comeback is well-structured and engaging. If there’s anything else you’d like assistance with or if you have more content to discuss, feel free to let me know. Good luck with your writing and engagement on Twitter X @rhysbritton.