Franchises That Lived Up To Their Amazing First Game

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Launching a new game series with a critically acclaimed title is both exciting and challenging. While a strong start builds enthusiasm, it also creates high expectations for future installments. Each subsequent game then faces the difficult task of matching or surpassing that initial success, as fans and critics anticipate a similar level of quality.

Most game franchises don’t live up to their initial success and eventually disappear, but some truly great series have built on strong starts. Instead of being limited by their original games, these franchises used them as a foundation to create many more outstanding titles, becoming defining examples of their genres.

DOOM

First Release – DOOM (1993)

Other Notable Releases:

  • DOOM 2: Hell on Earth
  • DOOM Eternal
  • DOOM: The Dark Ages

The original DOOM is a hugely important video game, known for its quick action, mix of 2D and 3D visuals, and competitive multiplayer matches.

Following the success of the original DOOM, sequels like DOOM 2: Hell on Earth and DOOM 64 continued the established gameplay. The series then paused development for several years before returning with DOOM 3. This new installment sought to update the franchise with improved graphics, a stronger narrative delivered through cutscenes and voice acting, and a greater emphasis on horror elements. While critics generally liked DOOM 3, fans were divided – some felt it strayed too far from what made DOOM special.

After DOOM 3, it seemed like there wouldn’t be any new major DOOM games. But the series was successfully rebooted in 2016, leading to the popular sequel, DOOM Eternal, and a prequel, DOOM: The Dark Ages. This prequel shifted the series’ signature fast-paced action to a slower, more strategic style of gameplay.

Crash Bandicoot

First Release – Crash Bandicoot (1996)

Other Notable Releases:

  • Crash Bandicoot: Warped
  • Crash Team Racing
  • Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time

Before its release, Crash Bandicoot faced enormous pressure to succeed. Sony was positioning the character as PlayStation’s rival to Mario and Sonic, leaving the developers at Naughty Dog with little margin for mistakes. While some parts of the original game haven’t held up well over time, especially how saving worked, it was a fantastic game for its era and a strong competitor. Naughty Dog continued the series with Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back, Crash Bandicoot: Warped, and Crash Team Racing – four games that became iconic during the PlayStation 1’s lifespan.

As a long-time fan, I honestly thought the Crash Bandicoot series had peaked and was starting to fade after Naughty Dog stopped making the games, especially after Crash: Mind Over Mutant didn’t really hit the mark. But I was so thrilled to see Crash make a huge comeback! The remasters of the original trilogy were fantastic, and Crash Team Racing was a blast – it really helped kickstart the trend of remakes and remasters we’ve seen lately. Then, Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time came out and totally blew me away! It proved that Crash can still deliver a great platforming experience, even in this day and age, and reminded everyone just how awesome he is.

The Legend of Zelda

First Release – The Legend of Zelda (1986)

Other Notable Releases:

  • The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
  • The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker
  • The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

The first Legend of Zelda game is a landmark title in video game history. It launched a hugely successful series, helped revive home console gaming in the West after the 1983 crash, and offered players an unusual amount of freedom. While modern gamers might not realize it when playing the original, the 1986 release was revolutionary for letting players explore a vast world and tackle challenges in any order they chose.

The Legend of Zelda series is now a hugely influential part of the action-adventure gaming world. Games like Ocarina of Time, Wind Waker, and Breath of the Wild are often considered to be among the best video games of all time, regardless of genre.

Halo

First Release – Halo: Combat Evolved (2001)

Other Notable Releases:

  • Halo 2
  • Halo 3
  • Halo: Reach

As a huge fan, I remember the hype around the original Xbox, and Bungie was in a tough spot with Halo: Combat Evolved. It wasn’t just about making a great game, it was about proving the Xbox was a real contender against PlayStation and Nintendo, and actually selling the console itself! The pressure must have been incredible.

Luckily for both Microsoft and fans of action games, Halo: Combat Evolved was a huge success, quickly becoming a standout first-person shooter. The Halo series has since become a major force in gaming, known for its consistently excellent single-player stories and its multiplayer mode, which helped popularize online gaming.

God of War

First Release – God of War (2005)

Other Notable Releases:

  • God of War 3
  • God of War: Chains of Olympus
  • God of War (2018)

The original God of War quickly captivated players with its beautiful depiction of Ancient Greece, a compelling story, and epic boss battles against figures from Greek mythology. The fast-paced combat was also a huge hit. The following games in the trilogy continued this success, and the titles released on the PSP were considered some of the best games available for that system.

After a few years of silence following the release of God of War: Ascension – which didn’t quite live up to expectations – many wondered if the God of War series would continue. It did, and in a big way! God of War (2018) generated a lot of excitement, and it delivered with updated combat, a shift from Greek to Norse mythology, and a surprisingly heartfelt story. This successful combination continued in God of War Ragnarök.

Metroid

First Release – Metroid (1986)

Other Notable Releases:

  • Super Metroid
  • Metroid Prime
  • Metroid Dread

The Metroid series remains a hugely influential video game, largely because it gave its name to the ‘Metroidvania’ genre. This term describes action-adventure games characterized by exploration and ability-gated progression, and Metroid—along with Castlevania—is considered one of the genres’ founders.

As a huge fan, I’ve always loved that Metroid didn’t just create the Metroidvania style – it kept pushing it forward! Games like Super Metroid, Metroid Dread, and even the 3D Metroid Prime series always found clever ways to build on what made the originals so great and keep things fresh. It’s amazing how consistently innovative the series has been!

Resident Evil

First Release – Resident Evil (1996)

Other Notable Releases:

  • Resident Evil 3: Nemesis
  • Resident Evil 4
  • Resident Evil 7: Biohazard

The Resident Evil series is a cornerstone of horror gaming. The original game essentially defined the survival horror genre, while Resident Evil 4 famously reinvented the series with fast-paced action and a new camera angle. Later, Resident Evil 7 pushed the franchise back into a truly terrifying and frightening experience.

While those three games really stand out, the series as a whole has consistently delivered fantastic horror experiences in many different styles. And it shows no signs of stopping, with both remakes and new games continuing to win over players and reviewers.

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2025-11-07 08:35