Game Franchises that Need to Retire

[bladerunner]

So over at the Game Heroes, they had a discussion (and video) about the top 5 gaming franchises that need to retire. They came up with:

1. Sonic
2. Mortal Kombat
3. Madden
4. Halo
5. Guitar Hero

Others mentioned: Tomb Raider and Wolfenstein/Doom.

First off, I can't disagree with this list more. I like Handsome Tom and some of his opinions, even going back to when he was at ScrewAttack. But this?

The only ones I see are Tomb Raider, Guitar Hero and maybe Mortal Kombat. MK has not had a great, true MK in a LONG time. I like MK vs. DC, but I agree that is was not a true MK game due to the lack of that series' signature violence.

Guitar Hero: yes, yes, yes. I have never been a fan and I see fewer reasons to be with the plethora of games that keep coming out. Activision, go to just DLC and give it a rest.

Tomb Raider I see as I haven't played a good TR game in like, a decade. No one really cares about the franchise anymore.

I disagree with Halo. This is obviously these guys deciding that Halo 1 was more pure and that the rest needs to be disregarded. I feel this way to a point as well. Halo Combat Evolved is the greatest Halo game TO THIS DAY. I still enjoy it over its successors. The graphics have aged and the Xbox version has no multiplayer support beyond Xbox Connect and the like, but the controls are the best. But I still love this franchise. I believe it needs to go back to its roots a bit, but much of what made Halo great is still there.

I believe the future potential for Doom games are great. I liked Doom 3. I'd love to see another modern interpretation of the franchise.

I love Sonic, but he has had too many bad games in the last 6 or 7 years and he has suffered as such. The last good Sonic game was Sonic Adventure 2. Maybe with Sonic 4...

As far as my own opinions, I partially think the Final Fantasy games are a bit too stale. I mean, I love the new production values, but they are far too cinematic and not enough game. I mean I want to play a game! How come so many big name Japanese games are going to this style. MGS4 did this and I think it prevented the title from becoming as big as it should. It was big, but well, it could have been more. Good game nevertheless.

I am going on too long. What franchises are YOU tired of?

[FiftyDollarCurse]

Tomb Raider I see as I haven't played a good TR game in like, a decade. No one really cares about the franchise anymore.

Have you played any Tomb Raider games at all in the last decade? Tomb Raider Anniversary and Tomb Raider: Underworld were both fantastic. I still care about the Tomb Raider franchise so phhhhbt.

Game franchises don't need to die, they just need some time, money, passion and effort invested into them. It wasn't so long ago that Mega Man, Contra, Resident Evil or Street Fighter would have been thoughtlessly dropped on a list like this.

[Erik_Twice]

Game franchises don't need to die, they just need some time, money, passion and effort invested into them. It wasn't so long ago that Mega Man, Contra, Resident Evil or Street Fighter would have been thoughtlessly dropped on a list like this.

Couldn't agree more.

[bladerunner]

Have you played any Tomb Raider games at all in the last decade? Tomb Raider Anniversary and Tomb Raider: Underworld were both fantastic. I still care about the Tomb Raider franchise so phhhhbt.

Game franchises don't need to die, they just need some time, money, passion and effort invested into them. It wasn't so long ago that Mega Man, Contra, Resident Evil or Street Fighter would have been thoughtlessly dropped on a list like this.

I agree with your last point. Any game franchise that has become stale just needs more creativity to breathe life into it. But, it does become hard when successive failures mare the IP's reputation, but it is not impossible.

As far as Tomb Raider goes, I suppose I just lost interest in the franchise a long time ago and I just saw the successive titles as beating a dead horse. Mind you, that was my impression and it was not based on actually playing the games. I did play TR Anniversary, and enjoyed it for the nostalgic value, but to me, it did not bring anything new. When I get a chance, I will revisit the TR games.

I think the point that you made FiftyDollarCurse is valid. These are all great franchises, some just need a new lease on life. I suppose we all get a little disappointed though when some of our favorite franchises stumble. As consumers we vote with our money, and we often think twice before chancing on another disappointment.

[ReddMcKnight]

As much as I hate to say this, Mega Man needs to retire. I love Mega Man, but it's strayed way too far from the original concept.

[noiseredux]

As much as I hate to say this, Mega Man needs to retire. I love Mega Man, but it's strayed way too far from the original concept.

you don't think 9 and 10 are close to the original?

[ReddMcKnight]

As much as I hate to say this, Mega Man needs to retire. I love Mega Man, but it's strayed way too far from the original concept.

you don't think 9 and 10 are close to the original?

OK, so I neglected to mention them. Sorry. I was actually referring to the Star Force Series.

[bladerunner]

To be honest, 9 and 10 are EXACTLY like the old school games. So Mega Man fans rejoiced and so they should.

[noiseredux]

MM certainly did stray when Capcom was crapping out the Battle Network games and all. But then they delivered with 9 and 10. So I guess my opinion is (much like with any game) that there's no need to retire... (here comes the raint) Make as many games as you want. There's nobody pointing a gun at our heads saying we HAVE to buy every game that comes out. It's like the complaints about Wii shovelware. Dudes! Don't buy games you don't want! Maybe some kid WANTS another Nintendogz game or whatever. But you don't NEED to buy it just because it was made. I'd rather have TOO MANY games available than not enough.

[J T]

There are too many versions of Rogue Warrior