Video Game Characters Who Were Retired From Their Series

Highlights

Some iconic video game characters have been effectively “retired” from their series, making limited or no appearances in recent games.
Characters like Nameless from King of Fighters or Dick Gumshoe from Ace Attorney have not returned in new games since their last appearances.
Donkey Kong Country characters like Kiddy Kong or Lanky Kong have disappeared from recent games, with only Donkey and Diddy Kong remaining playable.

It seems that both Ada Wong from the Resident Evil series and various characters from Donkey Kong Country have had varying appearances in their respective franchises over the years. In the case of Ada Wong, she has been a staple character since Resident Evil 2 but hasn’t appeared in a new game since 2012. For Donkey Kong Country, many characters were introduced throughout the series, some of which have reappeared while others have been absent from more recent games.

In extended video game franchises, a varied ensemble of characters frequently emerges. Some of these figures may seem permanent, appearing occasionally or even consistently, but their continued presence is not guaranteed.

As a dedicated gamer, I’ve noticed that some beloved characters seem to suddenly disappear from their respective games without much explanation. It’s not always a clean transition; sometimes they’re barely present or even archived. Yet, it’s important to remember that many of these characters still make appearances in more recent releases. However, their roles are significantly reduced compared to their past adventures, often with an archival element woven into their new stories. Here are some video game characters who have taken a break from their series for the time being:

5 Nameless

Last Seen In: The King of Fighters 2002 Unlimited Match (2009)

Video Game Characters Who Were Retired From Their Series

In the revamped version of “The King of Fighters 2002,” there emerges a questionable figure named Nameless, taking over the role previously occupied by K9999. The latter character was a subject of controversy due to his striking similarity to Tetsuo Shima from “Akira,” raising potential legal concerns. Since “The King of Fighters 2002” is a “dream match” game with no connection to the established storyline, Nameless was introduced as a simple replacement for K9999. SNK seemingly erased K9999 from existence through this retcon.

As a dedicated gamer, I’ve noticed an intriguing twist in the world of “The King of Fighters.” K9999, who had disappeared from the scene, unexpectedly reappeared in “The King of Fighters XV” under a fresh moniker and disguise. Some insiders at SNK hinted that the legal issues surrounding K9999 were fabricated, casting doubt on his return to a significant role in future KoF games. With limited playability initially, it seems unlikely Nameless will make a comeback in a proper KoF title. However, he’s continued making appearances in mobile games since “Unlimited Match,” even sharing the spotlight with K9999 at times.

4 Dick Gumshoe

Last Seen In: Ace Attorney Investigations 2: Prosecutor’s Gambit (2011)

Detective Dick Gumshoe plays a significant role in numerous homicide investigations that Phoenix Wright has been involved with, spanning from the initial Ace Attorney title up until Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney. He frequently collaborated with Prosecutor Miles Edgeworth during this period, contributing to their efforts in the Ace Attorney Investigations games, which mark the last 2D entries in the Ace Attorney series and represent Gumshoe’s most recent appearance so far (excluding remasters.)

In every instance following the flashback depicted in Turnabout Succession, Gumshoe’s detective duties have been assumed by either Ema Skye or Bobby Fulbright. Despite his absence from a new Ace Attorney game since 2011, Gumshoe remains a member of the police force. Characters occasionally refer to him in Spirit of Justice, which serves as the most recent entry in the series’ narrative progression.

3 Toadsworth

Last Seen In: Mario and Luigi Dream Team (2013)

In the year 2002, Princess Peach’s elderly caretaker made his first appearance in “Super Mario Sunshine.” Since then, he has been a recurring character in various “Super Mario” titles, playing a similar role. He can be found in Role-Playing Games (RPGs) released between 2003 and 2013, as well as racing, sports, and party games featuring the “Super Mario” cast.

As a dedicated gamer, I’ve noticed that since the release of Dream Team, Toadsworth has been absent from any new Super Mario game. Despite his appearance in various titles, he mostly shows up as a Trophy or Spirit in the Super Smash Bros games that came out after 2013.

Despite the likenesses resembling past tributes to various characters within the expansive _Super Mario_ universe and employing pre-existing character designs, Mario has featured in five games following _Dream Team_. Notably, these titles are updated versions of earlier releases like _Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door_, implying that he has yet to debut in a completely new game since 2013 – even with the recent release headlined by Princess Peach.

There’s a possibility that Nintendo won’t utilize him in a fresh role again, but recently discovered concept art for “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” revealed a design of him. Unfortunately, this particular design wasn’t incorporated into the final production of the film.

2 Ada Wong

Last Seen In: Resident Evil 6 (2012)

In 1998, this Chinese-American woman with a mysterious allure made her debut in “Resident Evil 2.” Although her moral alignment was unclear, Wong collaborated with the good guys on certain assignments, such as Leon S. Kennedy. The character’s portrayal has sparked differing opinions since then – some viewing her as a feminist symbol while others believe she was excessively sexualized in the game.

As a dedicated gamer, I’ve witnessed firsthand how beloved Wong has become within the Resident Evil community. Her influence extended to subsequent games, with entire campaigns devoted to her character. Yet, it’s been quite some time since we last saw her in a new, canonical Resident Evil title – all the way back in 2012.

1 Most Donkey Kong Country Characters

Last Seen In: Varies, Most Disappear After Donkey Kong Barrel Blast (2007) Or Mario Super Sluggers (2008)

The classic video game “Donkey Kong Country” significantly contributed to Donkey Kong’s enduring fame today. In this series, the characters not as closely tied to the “Super Mario” universe were given a continuous storyline. As a result, an array of new Kong characters emerged, such as Diddy Kong, Dixie Kong, Kiddy Cong, and Lanky Kong. Moreover, Donkey Kong was introduced to a new set of adversaries in the form of the Kremlings, with King K. Rool leading them.

As a gamer, I can tell you that in the second and third versions of “Donkey Kong Country,” Diddy Kong takes over the spotlight, leaving DK largely in the background. However, in “Donkey Kong 64,” he is one of the five playable characters, joining Diddy, Lanky, Chunky, and Tiny as unlockables. Many of these characters, both Kongs and Kremlings, made appearances in other games like “Donkey Kong Barrel Blast” and “Mario Super Sluggers.”

As a dedicated gamer, I’ve noticed some exciting changes in the latest installments of “Donkey Kong Country.” In “Donkey Kong Country Returns,” only Donkey Kong and Diddy are playable characters. We encounter new adversaries that require us to adapt and strategize. Grandpa Cranky Kong makes a comeback, offering assistance with his invaluable advice. Rambi and Squawks join forces once again as our loyal allies.

For a while, there were theories suggesting that the absence of certain elements in the more recent games could be attributed to the fact that Rare, the company previously responsible for creating these characters, had been acquired by Microsoft. Some fans assumed that Rare held the rights to most of these characters. However, with the reemergence of these characters in various non-Rare projects – such as cameos by Kiddy Kong and Chunky Kong in “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” – it is now widely accepted that these lesser-known characters, including Lanky, Wrinkly, and Tiny, still exist within the franchise, even if they have yet to make a appearance.

2024-07-14 05:04