Video Games That Killed Their Competition
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VOICE OVER: Adrian Sousa
WRITTEN BY: Garrett Alden
Welcome to MojoPlays and today we'll be looking at the video game franchises that managed to kill, or at least deal a serious blow, to their competition.
Welcome to MojoPlays and today we’ll be looking at the video game franchises that managed to kill, or at least deal a serious blow, to their competition.
“Grand Theft Auto” (1997-) – Killed “Driver” (1999-2014)
A lot of people tend to forget that “Grand Theft Auto” began its life as a top-down experience. When “Driver” came along, it’s 3D version of “GTA”’s gameplay looked ready to steal the title of the industry’s king of crime games. However, “GTA” struck back with “Grand Theft Auto III”, that was essentially better than “Driver” in every way and set the standard for sandbox gameplay. Although “Driver” continued to put out games for around a decade, it couldn’t compete with “Grand Theft Auto”’s more consistent quality and popularity.
“Overwatch” (2016) – Killed “Battleborn” (2016)
The early bird doesn’t always get the worm, as this franchise proved. “Battleborn” is a “TF2” style multiplayer arena game that was intended to be the big hit of 2016. Yet, “Overwatch,” which was released soon after it, managed to overshadow it immediately. This was thanks in large part due to its overwhelming hype and impressive advertisement campaign, which had everyone practically salivating for the game by the time it was released. The addicting and fun gameplay also had a big part in “Overwatch”’s success too. “Battleborn” couldn’t compete and was soon forgotten…except for in videos like this.
“Final Fantasy” (1987-) – Killed “Phantasy Star” (1987-)
The biggest name in JRPG video games wasn’t always a simple answer. During the late 1980s and early 1990s, JRPGs were in abundance but two early frontrunners emerged: “Final Fantasy” on Nintendo consoles, and “Phantasy Star” on Sega ones. Although “Phantasy Star” appeared poised to take the lead with its unique blend of fantasy and sci-fi, “Final Fantasy” proved the more popular franchise; delivering hit after hit, for the most part, with many of its games acting as the first or defining RPG experience for gamers. Although “Phantasy Star” games continued being made, they just couldn’t compete with their franchise’s former rival.
“Counter-Strike” (2000-) – Killed “Quake” (1996-)
Multiplayer first-person shooters have seen plenty of standout stars over the years, but one of the first big names was the “Quake” franchise. “Quake” quickly developed a cult following that still persists to this day with its adaptable engine and fun gameplay. Unfortunately, the turn of the millennium “shook” things up for “Quake,” when “Counter-Strike,” a game which originated as a mod, saw mainstream success. The franchise quickly gained traction and helped set the standard for multiplayer FPS games from then on. Although “Quake” still has its devoted followers, it’s no longer the epicenter of online shooters.
“Sonic the Hedgehog” (1991-) – Killed “Alex Kidd” (1986-90)
When people think Sega, they think Sonic…right? Well, not always. Prior to the Blue Blur speeding on to the scene, Sega’s flagship franchise was this platformer series starring the eponymous character. However, Sega needed a flashier mascot to compete with Nintendo’s golden boy Mario, which resulted in Sonic’s creation. Sonic’s momentum based gameplay and his iconic design made him an instant hit, leading to more heavy competition between Sega and Nintendo. Although Alex has appeared occasionally in cameos in several Sega games, his days in the spotlight are long over, while Sonic remains a major presence in multiple mediums.
“StarCraft” (1998-) – Killed “Command & Conquer” (1995-)
For many years, there was only one name in real-time strategy games that mattered: “Command & Conquer.” But the primarily historical battle game faced steep competition for the first time with “StarCraft,” despite only receiving no new games and a single expansion for around a decade. The sci-fi RTS pulled ahead though with the release of its long-awaited sequel in 2010 though, cementing it as the de-facto choice for fans of the real-time strategy genre. Meanwhile, “Command & Conquer” has languished for years without a new release and could not maintain its popularity like “StarCraft” did.
“Call of Duty” (2003-) – Killed “Medal of Honor” (1999-2012)
The most prestigious U.S. military award lent its name to one of the most prestigious FPS video game series with “Medal of Honor.” Made famous by games set in WWII, “Medal of Honor” was ultimately laid low by some of its former developers, who departed the franchise to create “Call of Duty.” Although the new franchise initially aped its predecessor’s early 20th century setting, “Call of Duty” would eclipse “Medal of Honor” in popularity with its game-changing “Modern Warfare” games. “Medal of Honor” tried to aim for a similar setting with its releases, but they missed the mark.
“Madden NFL” (1988-) – Killed ALL Other Football Games
Gather round youngsters: back in our day, there were football games besides “Madden!” Crazy, we know! Oh sure, “Madden” was talked about, but there were other franchises such as “NFL 2K” or “Blitz.” “NFL 2K5” in particular got everyone’s attention, and rightfully so. Well, EA, who owned the “Madden” franchise, just couldn’t measure up with its shoddy products shilled out year after year. Yet despite EA’s mediocre games, they had one thing going for them: money. So, the miserable Grinches decided to buy an exclusive license with the NFL, which meant that no one would be able to look better than them again…in theory.
“Grand Theft Auto” (1997-) – Killed “Driver” (1999-2014)
A lot of people tend to forget that “Grand Theft Auto” began its life as a top-down experience. When “Driver” came along, it’s 3D version of “GTA”’s gameplay looked ready to steal the title of the industry’s king of crime games. However, “GTA” struck back with “Grand Theft Auto III”, that was essentially better than “Driver” in every way and set the standard for sandbox gameplay. Although “Driver” continued to put out games for around a decade, it couldn’t compete with “Grand Theft Auto”’s more consistent quality and popularity.
“Overwatch” (2016) – Killed “Battleborn” (2016)
The early bird doesn’t always get the worm, as this franchise proved. “Battleborn” is a “TF2” style multiplayer arena game that was intended to be the big hit of 2016. Yet, “Overwatch,” which was released soon after it, managed to overshadow it immediately. This was thanks in large part due to its overwhelming hype and impressive advertisement campaign, which had everyone practically salivating for the game by the time it was released. The addicting and fun gameplay also had a big part in “Overwatch”’s success too. “Battleborn” couldn’t compete and was soon forgotten…except for in videos like this.
“Final Fantasy” (1987-) – Killed “Phantasy Star” (1987-)
The biggest name in JRPG video games wasn’t always a simple answer. During the late 1980s and early 1990s, JRPGs were in abundance but two early frontrunners emerged: “Final Fantasy” on Nintendo consoles, and “Phantasy Star” on Sega ones. Although “Phantasy Star” appeared poised to take the lead with its unique blend of fantasy and sci-fi, “Final Fantasy” proved the more popular franchise; delivering hit after hit, for the most part, with many of its games acting as the first or defining RPG experience for gamers. Although “Phantasy Star” games continued being made, they just couldn’t compete with their franchise’s former rival.
“Counter-Strike” (2000-) – Killed “Quake” (1996-)
Multiplayer first-person shooters have seen plenty of standout stars over the years, but one of the first big names was the “Quake” franchise. “Quake” quickly developed a cult following that still persists to this day with its adaptable engine and fun gameplay. Unfortunately, the turn of the millennium “shook” things up for “Quake,” when “Counter-Strike,” a game which originated as a mod, saw mainstream success. The franchise quickly gained traction and helped set the standard for multiplayer FPS games from then on. Although “Quake” still has its devoted followers, it’s no longer the epicenter of online shooters.
“Sonic the Hedgehog” (1991-) – Killed “Alex Kidd” (1986-90)
When people think Sega, they think Sonic…right? Well, not always. Prior to the Blue Blur speeding on to the scene, Sega’s flagship franchise was this platformer series starring the eponymous character. However, Sega needed a flashier mascot to compete with Nintendo’s golden boy Mario, which resulted in Sonic’s creation. Sonic’s momentum based gameplay and his iconic design made him an instant hit, leading to more heavy competition between Sega and Nintendo. Although Alex has appeared occasionally in cameos in several Sega games, his days in the spotlight are long over, while Sonic remains a major presence in multiple mediums.
“StarCraft” (1998-) – Killed “Command & Conquer” (1995-)
For many years, there was only one name in real-time strategy games that mattered: “Command & Conquer.” But the primarily historical battle game faced steep competition for the first time with “StarCraft,” despite only receiving no new games and a single expansion for around a decade. The sci-fi RTS pulled ahead though with the release of its long-awaited sequel in 2010 though, cementing it as the de-facto choice for fans of the real-time strategy genre. Meanwhile, “Command & Conquer” has languished for years without a new release and could not maintain its popularity like “StarCraft” did.
“Call of Duty” (2003-) – Killed “Medal of Honor” (1999-2012)
The most prestigious U.S. military award lent its name to one of the most prestigious FPS video game series with “Medal of Honor.” Made famous by games set in WWII, “Medal of Honor” was ultimately laid low by some of its former developers, who departed the franchise to create “Call of Duty.” Although the new franchise initially aped its predecessor’s early 20th century setting, “Call of Duty” would eclipse “Medal of Honor” in popularity with its game-changing “Modern Warfare” games. “Medal of Honor” tried to aim for a similar setting with its releases, but they missed the mark.
“Madden NFL” (1988-) – Killed ALL Other Football Games
Gather round youngsters: back in our day, there were football games besides “Madden!” Crazy, we know! Oh sure, “Madden” was talked about, but there were other franchises such as “NFL 2K” or “Blitz.” “NFL 2K5” in particular got everyone’s attention, and rightfully so. Well, EA, who owned the “Madden” franchise, just couldn’t measure up with its shoddy products shilled out year after year. Yet despite EA’s mediocre games, they had one thing going for them: money. So, the miserable Grinches decided to buy an exclusive license with the NFL, which meant that no one would be able to look better than them again…in theory.
