Often a classic is so good, that what follows pales in comparison. What I want to know though is the opposite. What games' sequels were so good yet stuck to the formula so carefully that there's little reason to play the original? Or what can properly be skipped without really missing much. Any thoughts?
Going through what I own, I'd say these fit the bill:
Racers! Racers are so formulaic, that the original often isn't nearly as good. These include Burnout 3, Need for Speed Hot Pursuit 2, XGIII (or for Ex XGRA), and Road Rash II.
Sports! I don't own that many sports games anymore. They really lost their appeal to me the older I got (opposite of many people I know), but there's little reason to own the original Madden or the original NBA 2K2. For me NBA Street Vol. 2 obviates the need to own Vol. 1. I'm others have their own opinions on other series.
While I never played Thunder Force I, Thunder Force II never really attracted my interest like Thunder Force III and IV.
Streets of Rage 2 and Final Fight 2 mean the originals are unnecessary and a chore to play in comparison.
The original Street Fighter II doesn't compare to Turbo or Super.
Game series to consider: Gauntlet, Golden Axe, Diablo, and Civilization.
No doubt everyone will have their own opinion on this, so what are your picks?
Better with (each) age
Re: Better with (each) age
Yeah, most racing games seem to be out done by their sequels. Like on the SNES, is there any point on playing the first Top Gear when you can play Top Gear 2? But here's an interesting example: Top Gear Rally and Top Gear Rally 2 on the N64 were made by different developers. I think the first game has some charm that's missing form the second, just something that one developer had over the other. So the first one is absolutely still worth playing.o.pwuaioc wrote:Racers! Racers are so formulaic, that the original often isn't nearly as good. These include Burnout 3, Need for Speed Hot Pursuit 2, XGIII (or for Ex XGRA), and Road Rash II.
Re: Better with (each) age
Ha! Thanks. Guess this should be closed/merged then.PresidentLeever wrote:It was discussed about a year ago:
http://www.racketboy.com/forum/viewtopi ... e#p1149362
Re: Better with (each) age
I'm sure I said a similar thing on the last thread, but I would say only very few genres completely make their predecessors obsolete. Using your example, while there is no doubt that streets of rage 2 is leagues better than the original, I still play the original fairly often because, even though it is not as strong, it is its own unique experience.
The same logic applies to countless inferior games that I revisit constantly such as tmnt 2 and 3, mega man 1, double dragon 1, castlevania 1, etc
I would say the games that render their predecessors null are games that are more like upgrades than true sequels, the example of street fighter 2 turbo vs OG street fighter 2 is a perfect example of that, as well as stuff like many sports games.
The same logic applies to countless inferior games that I revisit constantly such as tmnt 2 and 3, mega man 1, double dragon 1, castlevania 1, etc
I would say the games that render their predecessors null are games that are more like upgrades than true sequels, the example of street fighter 2 turbo vs OG street fighter 2 is a perfect example of that, as well as stuff like many sports games.