20 Old Video Game Franchises That NEED A New Game

20 Old Gen Franchises that NEED a New Game

Welcome to MojoPlays, and today we are revisiting some classics and asking ourselves, why did you stop, classic? Why did you leave us wanting more? These are 20 Old Gen Franchises That NEED a New Game.

“Dino Crisis” (1999)

Dino Crisis was phenomenal. Dino Crisis 2 was great. Dino Crisis 3 may well have killed the franchise, and I’ll never forgive it... It was actually fine, but I’m painting a narrative for entertainment. Developed by the creators of the original Resident Evil, the franchise was among the few games that featured dinosaurs, and you know how everything is zombies now-a-days? Back then, Dinosaurs were the sh**. As long as we don’t do Dinosaurs in space, a new game with today’s standard of development would be WILD.

“Nintendogs” (2005)

You remember back in 2005 when every second girl in your class was playing Nintendogs on their DS? What the hell happened to that franchise? The game allowed players to experience the joys of pet ownership by simulating activities like playing with, feeding, bathing, and walking a virtual dog. It also featured wireless connectivity, enabling players to interact with each other's pets. The series was expanded with the 3DS launch title Nintendogs + Cats, but there’s been no new entry since 2011... Imagine what they could do with the Nintendo Switch. Your actual dog could probably play it. The future is now.

“The Secret of Monkey Island” (1990)

In the early '90s, graphic adventure games were immensely popular, with LucasArts arguably leading the genre. Among their string of high-quality hits, The Secret of Monkey Island and its sequels stood out as perhaps the best and most beloved. Known for its challenging puzzles and genuinely funny humor, the series became an industry icon. However, as gaming shifted towards 3D titles focused on first-person shooters and action games, the popularity of graphic adventures waned. But look at Telltale with their popularity and recent closure. There is a hole in the market for 90’s kids who’d like to see the return of this beloved series.

“Golden Sun” (2001)

It’s shocking just how many people didn’t play this beautiful gem of a game, because for me personally Golden Sun rivals the majority of the Final Fantasy games. Unfortunately, it was released for the Game Boy Advance in 2001, relegating it to handheld and limiting its availability. Upon its debut, the game received widespread acclaim from critics, who praised its impressive graphics, engaging gameplay, and diverse settings. It was doing some REALLY cool things, with some great gameplay concepts that could EASILY be adapted to a 3D open world similar to Breath of The Wild.

“Gex” (1994)

Despite rarely receiving much critical acclaim, the Gex series became a fan favorite following its debut in 1994. The third installment, Gex 3: Deep Cover Gecko, sold over six million copies across various platforms. However, as the new millennium approached, the series, along with other cartoonish animal mascots, was largely sidelined by most publishers, sent to the graveyard with characters like Rayman, Croc, and Sly Cooper. A serious return is in order. And I’m not talking about that Gex Trilogy remake, we need a brand new game!

“Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain” (1996)

Some games just seem OBVIOUS for a new installment. With the concepts and themes created in their heyday, we can only imagine what they could do today, and Legacy of Kain is one of them. This blood-soaked Gothic vampire series was a major hit on the original PlayStation. Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain and its sequel, Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver, were brilliantly inventive open-world action-adventure games that blended multiple genres. While three more titles followed, they didn't quite capture the quality and creativity of the originals, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t keep trying! Cowards.

“Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell” (2002)

How are we living in an era with hyper-advanced ray-tracing graphics and yet no new Splinter Cell game? And while we're at it, who is Tom Clancy? I’m already off topic. Growing up with Metal Gear Solid and Splinter Cell felt like we were in the golden age of gaming, and Splinter Cell took things to a new level with their excellent use of light, sound, and precise movement through hostile environments. We haven’t seen a new entry since 2013, and not for lack of trying! We’ve had loads of almost Splinter Cell games being canceled. JUST MAKE IT HAPPEN.

“Metal Gear Solid” (1998)

Now obviously, Metal Gear Solid did have the final canon entry only in 2015, not including the terrible Metal Gear Survive, but that’s still 9 years, and Metal Gear Solid V took the game in a different direction. With a remake of the best game in the series on the way, fans are craving a new entry in this classic series that takes us back to the most beloved characters in the series. After the fifth game’s release, creator Hideo Kojima left Konami and established his own studio, shifting his focus to the Death Stranding series, which debuted in 2019. But Kojima, I say this with peace and love, and I think everyone would have my back… F*** Death Stranding. I actually love Death Stranding, I just want Metal Gear back.

“Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus” (2002)

The frustrating part about the demise of the Sly Cooper franchise is that it could have ended on a high note after the third entry, and instead, Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time ended on a heartbreaking cliffhanger, with Sly trapped in the timeline, stuck in Ancient Egypt. Now we don’t just demand a new entry because we miss the series, but because we NEED TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS. We’ve seen the series revamped on PS3 when Thieves in Time picked up after the PS2 trilogy, and introduced time-traveling heists involving Sly’s ancestors and successfully updated the formula while remaining faithful to its origins. So we KNOW they’re ready to adapt again, DO IT!

“Minecraft” (2009)

When Markus Persson first launched Minecraft in 2009, he likely never imagined it would become the best-selling video game of all time. Its simple design has made it easy to port across multiple console generations, while the PC version has consistently received updates and improvements to enhance gameplay. But, what if we started on something fresh, something new, ladies and gentleman, I introduce the concept of Minecraft 2. Admittedly, expansion and add ons are probably as far as this game will ever go, and for good reason. Why improve upon perfection? But we have seen established IP’s with games that could just be built on and improved release sequels that move their attention.

“Dead Rising” (2006)

Some franchises on this list seem like they never had the chance to grow into something big. Then there’s Dead Rising*, which feels like it’s been given multiple chances but has never taken off the way you’d expect a game about slaughtering thousands of zombies to. Aside from the hordes of zombies and the ability to kill them with anything at hand, the gameplay has shifted significantly between titles, making it tough to build a dedicated fanbase. If I could offer Capcom advice, it would be to revisit the first game’s formula and give it another shot, but this time fully embrace the rigid and challenging structure of Dead Rising 1. Embrace what makes you different. That’s why I haven’t fixed my webbed toes.

“Mother” (1989)

Like F-Zero, modern gamers likely know the Mother/Earthbound series best through the Super Smash Bros. franchise. The most iconic entry is the 1994 SNES title Earthbound, which has remained a classic in the RPG genre. However, its sequel, Mother 3, never saw a Western release, despite decades of fan demand. While Nintendo might eventually add Mother 3 to their Nintendo Switch Online library, a new game in the series seems unlikely. And the demand is THERE! Fans even made their own sequel titled “Mother 4”, which was later renamed due to copyright issues... Oops.

“Silent Hill” (1999)

Okay, I’ll admit, this entry was going on this list regardless of what the general public think, because I personally believe Silent Hill could be a series DYING for a Resident Evil style reinvigoration. I’m just lucky the general horror community feels the same. Silent Hill brought horror games into a more serious and psychological realm. A MASSIVE chunk of today's horror games have Silent Hill to thank. The first three games were outstanding, and while I appreciated the new direction in the fourth installment, the series went downhill afterward, including a lackluster HD remaster of Silent Hill 2 and 3. What makes the absence of a Silent Hill reboot especially painful is that we saw a glimpse of its potential with P.T., which was a teaser for a new installment called Silent Hills (which was inevitably canceled).

"Starcraft” (1998)

Blizzard's Starcraft is one of the greatest real-time strategy games ever made, featuring an epic battle for interstellar dominance between humans and various alien species. Though the sequel took over a decade to arrive, it was well worth the wait, with some strong expansions following. Since the 2017 remaster of the original, we KNOW there’s an audience sitting on the edge of their seats for a Starcraft 3. So Blizzard, cut the S*** and make it happen.

“Final Fantasy Tactics” (1997)

Ain’t nobody gonna stop Square Enix from pumping out a new Final Fantasy title every few years, because the audience is strong. One standout in the Final Fantasy series is Final Fantasy Tactics, released for PlayStation in 1997. Unlike other entries in the franchise, FFT featured a much more complex combat system, incorporating a three-dimensional isometric battlefield for strategic movement during battles. We were lucky enough to get a second tactics entry in 2003 for the Game Boy Advance, which many played AND loved. This formula has proven itself with the fans, and deserves to be revisited, arguably on the Nintendo Switch.

“Banjo-Kazooie” (1998)

Adding Banjo and Kazooie to Super Smash Bros. Ultimate was an obvious choice, but I’m always cautious about companies reviving beloved franchises without genuine commitment. It’s been 16 years since the last Banjo-Kazooie game, and even that wasn’t the platformer fans have been craving since Banjo-Tooie in 2000. While the company is currently focused on Sea of Thieves, can I offer them an alternative? This... This series... Or Conker... In fact, revisit any of your 90’s classics, you dummies.

“Left 4 Dead” (2008)

Technically, Valve has continued to update Left 4 Dead 2 here and there, often with help from fans, but I still consider the franchise essentially dead. However, this game teaches us one very important fact: even after things die, they can come back! Whether you were mowing down zombie hordes with friends or hunting players as special infected, the experience was a blast. It was the quintessential co-op experience for a good chunk of time, and a third entry, crafted carefully, could be as good as co-op can possibly be.

“Chrono Trigger” (1995)

Chrono Trigger is widely considered one of the greatest JRPGs ever, having debuted on the SNES in 1995. It was followed by a sequel, Chrono Cross, for the PlayStation 1, but Square hasn’t developed any new titles in the series since. Unfortunately, it seems there’s little hope for new *Chrono Trigger* content, though many fans might prefer it that way. Given its status as one of the greatest games ever made, it's a tough legacy to match. That being said... Come ooooooooon.

“Portal” (2011)

13 years. We haven’t seen a new entry from this title in over 13 years... And two entries just don't feel right. Portal 1 set the series up for success by introducing a game style that was innovative and addictive, and Portal 2 fleshed out the world, and the story gave us a wide array of characters who made the world feel even cooler. But a third entry? A prequel that shows the development of Aperture Science? There are options for this game to be brought to new fans, and some are even praying for a Half-Life Alyx style take, with a VR entry.

“Half-Life” (1998)

Speak of the devil, is there any more requested third entry in gaming history than Half-Life 3? I’ll wait. The third installment in the franchise has become the epitome of gaming patience, seemingly in development since the release of Half-Life 2: Episode 2 in 2007. During this time, Valve has remained tight-lipped about the sequel, leaving it unclear whether the company is actively working on it. With no new announcements to the contrary, it seems players will have to wait even longer to see the conclusion of Gordon Freeman’s story. And with the multiverse style ending of the largely inaccessible Half-Life Alyx, we can only imagine how cool this game is going to be.