Best Konami Franchises

As a child of the 90s and early 2000s, I can confidently say that these three game franchises – Guitar Hero, Castlevania, and Silent Hill – have left an indelible mark on my gaming experience. They were not just games; they were moments, memories etched in time.

Back in the day, spotting the Konami logo at the beginning of a game was like finding a golden ticket to an unforgettable gaming adventure. Their titles were brimming with creativity, packed with depth, and frequently pushing the boundaries of what was possible within the gaming world. The games I’m about to mention are a testament to this fact.

Although it can be challenging to play certain series nowadays using contemporary equipment, Konami has generously made available compilations of several of them. The top-rated franchise is subjective, but there’s no disputing the exceptional gaming experiences found in each one.

In our system, we indicate the number of games per series, yet we distinguish spin-offs only when it’s apparent that they are indeed spin-offs. Certain longstanding franchises may not number their titles or discontinue numbering after several releases.

7 Zone Of The Enders

Futuristic Mech Combat With A Focus On Story

Due to having just two main games and a spin-off, Zone of the Enders earns the top position on our list. What’s more, both titles offer engaging action gameplay that lets you pilot mechs in a futuristic world.

Both the initial release and its follow-up are surprisingly brief, yet this brevity signifies a lack of filler content. Particularly noteworthy is the sequel, titled “The 2nd Runner“, which skillfully leverages its gameplay mechanics to ensure each mission offers a unique experience.

Originally released, the initial version of “Zone of the Enders” was well-known for featuring a demo of “Metal Gear Solid 2”. Some enthusiasts even found themselves spending more time playing this demo compared to the actual game they purchased.

6 Lethal Enforcers

Light-Gun Series That Evolved To Use Motion-Sensing Tech

Platform(s): Arcade, SNES, Genesis, Sega CD, PlayStation
Released: 1992
Developer: Konami
Genre: Light Gun Shooter

Back in the day, light-gun games were the stars of arcades, drawing long queues. Games like Lethal Enforcers immersed players in urban settings, allowing them to eliminate dangerous criminals with digitally rendered sprites as visuals. Nowadays, their excitement level seems to have dwindled.

Back in the day, the console versions featured a unique accessory shaped like a miniature revolver. As the series progressed, Konami introduced “Police 911” with an innovative motion-sensing feature that mirrored the players’ movements within the game. Although it may not seem remarkable today with VR and games such as “Super Hot,” it was quite a clever trick at its release and functioned efficiently.

5 Contra

The Most Iconic Side-Scrolling Shooter

It is hard to go wrong with 2D Contra. Even the debut entry has a simple, irresistible charm. The franchise becomes less reliable once it adds a dimension, though. The PS1 Contra games are infamously clunky, but Shattered Soldier on the PS2 is a shining example of updating a classic genre for a new generation.

Despite its challenging, vertically scrolling gameplay often resulting in numerous player failures, what makes classic Contra titles captivating lies in their difficulty and the learning experience gained from trial-and-error. What it has lacked for quite some time is a high-quality AAA game that truly stands the test of time.

4 Dance Dance Revolution

Innovated Rythmn Game Peripherals Before Guitar Hero

Prior to Harmonix introducing the game Guitar Hero and significantly impacting the rhythm game genre, Konami had already been pioneering in this field with games such as Beatmania, Guitar Freak, and of course, Dance Dance Revolution.

As a gamer, I can’t help but feel awe when I talk about that game – it truly stood out from the crowd. Whenever it was set up in an arcade, it was like a beacon drawing everyone in. People would flock to watch when a pro was playing, their eyes glued to the screen as if they were witnessing history unfold before their very eyes.

On top of standard controller compatibility, the home console editions featured an extra accessory. While you could consider Just Dance as its successor, there’s just something unique about dancing on those distinctive dance mats that can’t be beat.

3 Castlevania

Evolved From An Action Game Into Innovating The Metroidvania Genre

Castlevania initially emerged on the NES as a challenging side-scrolling action title. Its successor, “Simon’s Quest”, introduced more adventure game aspects, whereas the subsequent two installments reverted to a more straightforward design.

While it’s impractical to evaluate each title within the series, Symphony of the Night stands out as a title that warrants exceptional recognition due to its blend of RPG aspects and a map structure akin to Metroid. Despite not receiving the same level of acclaim during the 3D era, the 2010 release, Lords of Shadow, remains fondly remembered. Replaying the timeless classics from the Castlevania Collection today demonstrates how gracefully both the gameplay and art design have held up over time.

2 Silent Hill

Revolutionized The Survival Horror Genre

In its original release on PlayStation, Silent Hill stood out with its groundbreaking fully 3D graphics. Silent Hill 2 revolutionized video game storytelling, and the third installment wraps up a trilogy, but the series continues to evolve beyond it.

After the release of Silent Hill 3, subsequent installments exhibit a certain degree of unreliability, yet they still offer intriguing developments such as Shattered Memories on the Wii, where dialogues with a therapist affect gameplay elements. The collaborative project between Hideo Kojima, creator of Metal Gear, and director Guillermo del Toro, titled Silent Hills, hinted at rejuvenating the series, but unfortunately, it was ultimately canceled, leaving gamers to wonder if it could have been the revitalization the series needed.

1 Metal Gear Solid

Every Game Changed The Formula In Some Way

The Metal Gear series didn’t originate with the release of Metal Gear Solid in 1998, but it’s often that game which is recalled as the point where many fans first encountered this franchise that would later take some extraordinary turns. Metal Gear Solid 2 refined the stealth mechanics and delved deeply into a chilling narrative about the impending digital era.

From that point on, each sequel brought a unique twist to the genre, seldom delivering exactly what players anticipated, yet typically leaving them content. Since 2015’s “The Phantom Pain,” it remains uncertain if the series will regain its former greatness. The creator of the series, Hideo Kojima, established his own studio and produced “Death Stranding.” Nevertheless, fans currently enjoy one of the most impressive streaks of any video game franchise.

2024-10-02 08:33