Over the years, popular video game franchises come and go. Sometimes, audiences are impressed by a fresh take on a long-continued genre, likeSplatoonorDaganronpa. Other times, a new entry in a franchise can renew it for a fresh audience, such asThe Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, or 2013’s reboot ofTomb Raider.
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However, some franchises try and fail to keep their place in mainstream video game history. While some entries on this list were unfortunate enough to only have one game, others had many installments over a span of years, but have failed to remain relevant in the modern gaming climate. These eightvideo game franchises deserved better.
8StarTropics
This title was released for the NES in North America in December 1990, following a teenage baseball player named Mike Jones who explores a mysterious tropical island in search of his lost grandfather. Graphically, it resembles Nintendo titles like the originalThe Legend of Zelda, with a top-down point-of-view of the overworld that Mike travels.
When entering a dungeon inStarTropics, the gameplay shifts to a closer perspective. While critics at the time of its release praisedits innovations on theZeldaseries, it likely fell short due to the SNES’s subsequent release in 1991. However, the game has been included in Virtual Console releases since the Nintendo Wii in 2008.
7Rhythm Heaven
For a while,Rhythm Heavenwas Nintendo’s premiere rhythm game franchise. The first internationally released title in the franchise was a bestseller in Japan, finding continued success with its next title on the Wii,Rhythm Heaven Fever. For a while, aRhythm Heavenfighter was even rumored to appear inSuper Smash Bros. 4.
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Unfortunately, the franchise has been dormant since 2015’sRhythm Heaven Megamix. This title was barely a new title, as it featured mostly returning rhythm games from the previous entries in the series.Rhythm Heavendefinitely had the charm and reception to become one of Nintendo’s most popular franchises, but sadly there’s no future in sight.
6Custom Robo
Custom Robohad a lot of potential among Nintendo’s smaller franchises. The series began in 1999 in a Japanese-exclusive Nintendo 64 title, but worldwide fans were likely introduced to it through the GameCube title of the same name. The series has the makings of an easy-to-love franchise, with players battling with customizable robotic avatars.
Sadly,Custom Robofailed to receive the kind of praise that it’s found in retrospect. The most recent title in the franchise wasCustom Robo Arena, which released on the DS in 2006. PerhapsNintendo found themselves content enough with RPG franchiseslikePokemonandFire Emblemenough to not go looking for a third success.
5Darksiders
The firstDarksidersreleased in 2010 for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. The hack-n-slash title combines the gameplay of franchises likeGod of WarandDevil May Cry, all against the backdrop of an apocalyptic setting. The game has seen ports on PC, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox One, and sequels as recently as 2019 withDarksiders Genesis.
However,Darksidershas yet to release a title that reaches the success of developer THQ Nordic’s other franchises, likeSaint’s RoworWarhammer. Despitepositive reviews for the main three titles in the franchise, sales fell below expectations. Thankfully, everyDarksiderstitle is available on consoles such as Nintendo Switch, PC, and PS4.
4Titanfall
It’s not as flashy asCustom Robo, butTitanfallalso had a lot of potential when it came to robot-centric games. The EA-published title was developed by the same team behindCall of Duty, becoming one of the most highly-anticipated titles following its reveal at E3 2013. However, upon release, critics were underwhelmed at the mech-controlling shooter.
Titanfallwas successful at earning a sequel inTitanfall 2, which released in 2016 for PC, PS4, and Xbox One. While the series specifically wasn’t a hit, EA did find success with the spin-off series set in the same universe,Apex Legends. This battle royale has become one of the most played video games of all time, certainly more successful than its parent series.
3TimeSplitters
Many 90s kids rememberGoldenEyeas one of the greatest shooters ever made. It’s remained relevant to this day, despite the continued efforts of its developers. One of those efforts isTimeSplitters, a spiritual successor which first released on PlayStation 2 in 2000. The game was an attempt toevolve the FPS genre following the success ofGoldenEye.
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The sequel,TimeSplitters 2, even received unanimous praise from publications like Game Informer and IGN. Perhaps due to its lack of online play even in 2002, it struggled to catch on in the mainstream. The most recent title released in 2005, though in May 2021 it was announced that a newTimeSplitterstitle was heading into development.
2Little Inferno
This indie puzzle game is a product of developer Tomorrow Corporation, who found success with mobile titles likeWorld of Goo.Little Inferno, a fireplace simulator, released in 2012 for Wii U, with later ports on PC, mobile devices and Nintendo Switch. It combined sandbox elements with a narrative and setting that are uncovered as the game progresses.
Many publications had positive things to say about the memorable gameplay and story ofLittle Inferno. Other sites, like IGN, criticized its vagueness and occasional simplicity. However, the title is perfect for fans of macabre, Tim Burton-esque stories and video games that allow freedom. It certainly has the markings of a potential cult classic.
1Monster Rancher
Video game fans love their monsters, fromPokemontoMonster HuntertoFinal Fantasy. However, one series of this feather that failed to catch on wasMonster Rancher, which first released in 1997 for the original PlayStation. This game allows plays to breed and raise monsters in order to fight in battle, which subsequent sequels releasing for the PS2.
Monster Ranchereven got far enough to merchandise their franchise, with an anime series that aired for two years, and portable spin-offs likeMonster Rancher DS. The series hasn’t received a new installment since that title, thoughports have released on PC and Switch in recent years. Perhaps one day modern video game fans will rediscover the franchise.
