Reviving Capcom: 5 Forgotten Franchises That Deserve a Comeback!

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Summary

  • Capcom can revitalize long-forgotten franchises like Lost Planet with innovative new approaches to gameplay.
  • Cult classics like God Hand deserve remasters or sequels, especially with key creators returning to Capcom.
  • Capcom should consider bringing back stylish titles like Viewtiful Joe to appeal to nostalgic fans and introduce new audiences.

Capcom boasts a rich collection of intellectual properties (IPs), but unfortunately, several underappreciated series have been overlooked and neglected for quite some time. Some of these series haven’t seen a new release in more than 20 years. The commercial success of Capcom’s top-selling games like Resident Evil and Monster Hunter has kept lesser-known franchises from getting the spotlight they deserve.

Currently, Capcom finds itself in a situation where it isn’t solely dependent on its major titles, and has the ability to generate significant funds from its best-selling games to invest in fresh installments of once overlooked series. Several games on this list seem like logical choices for a talented team like Capcom to modernize for the current generation; fans have long awaited some of them. Here’s hoping that in the not-too-distant future, Capcom will breathe new life into these classics for a contemporary audience.

5. Lost Planet

Big Mechs And Even Bigger Monsters

Regardless of its three iterations, the Lost Planet series struggled to define its identity. Initially a single-player shooter with smaller scale, it morphed into a game focused on massive boss battles like Monster Hunter. To breathe fresh life into the franchise, it could draw inspiration from successful multiplayer sci-fi shooters such as Earth Defense Force or Helldivers.

With this novel strategy, Lost Planet may transform into the multiplayer-centric sequence Capcom envisioned for Exoprimal. By reinventing Lost Planet as a daring live service endeavor, there’s an opportunity to rejuvenate this long-dormant series. Capcom has consistently showcased ingenuity in designing thrilling battle scenarios, and a grounded science fiction epic would provide a fresh canvas for the team to demonstrate their skills.

4. God Hand

Clover’s Cult Classic Deserves Time To Shine

The “God Hand” series is well-known for various reasons, some aspects of which were initially misunderstood or even dismissed by critics. This game stood out as a groundbreaking beat-em-up title with an exceptionally intricate combo system that allowed players to tailor each move within a combo, resulting in unique combinations that were entirely their own. Players could even execute seemingly pointless moves where the character, Gene, would gently probe enemies without causing any damage, leading to seamless and swift kicks and punches.

This series could greatly gain from a sequel or remaster, which isn’t too far-fetched since games like “Lollipop Chainsaw” and “Shadows Of The Damned” have received remastered versions lately. With Clover Studio’s chief, Hideki Kamiya, back at Capcom, there’s a possibility that players could once again use the power of the God Hand.

3. Viewtiful Joe

Henshin-a-Go-Go, Baby!

Viewtiful Joe is a chic side-scrolling brawler game, skillfully crafted by Hideki Kamiya, who was previously mentioned. The game exhibited a flair reminiscent of Hideki’s other renowned title, Devil May Cry. In fact, Dante, a character from that game, even made a guest appearance in this one. This game was essentially an affectionate tribute to the classic Tokusatsu films and shows like The Power Rangers, with the main character, Joe, embarking on a mission to rescue his girlfriend by entering different movies.

In my gaming world, it’s all about Viewtiful Joe – a concept that blossomed into intriguing gameplay twists, centering on time manipulation. As the protagonist, I could slow down time for powerhouse punches and kicks, or crank up the speed to breeze through puzzles at supersonic rates. Hideki Kamiya himself, the mastermind behind this series, has hinted at a possible return to Capcom, even urging PAX East 2020 attendees to email Capcom about reviving dormant franchises, particularly Viewtiful Joe. With Kamiya back on board at Capcom, gamers like me are hopeful that these long-slumbering franchises might awaken once again, as long as he can sway the higher-ups that there’s still a dedicated fanbase waiting in the wings.

2. Marvel Vs Capcom

It’s Time For A New Age Of Heroes

The “Marvel vs. Capcom” series continues to hold a cherished position within the fighting game category. While “Street Fighter 6” has managed to rejuvenate Capcom’s fighting game landscape following the turbulent debut of “Street Fighter 5”, there is an undeniable yearning for a fresh installment in the “Marvel vs. Capcom” franchise. This series has nurtured a dedicated fanbase, with personalities like YouTuber Maximilian Dood funding a custom mod to enhance “Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite”. This modification rectifies the problems that the game faced and provides an improved gaming experience, showcasing the hunger among “Marvel vs. Capcom” enthusiasts.

The Marvel vs. Capcom series is known for its user-friendly gameplay that offers a challenge to master, combining Marvel’s famous superheroes with Capcom’s esteemed characters. Although technically, a new installment has been released through the Capcom Fighting Collection, it’s currently considered the best way to play these games by experts. However, a completely fresh installment might help revive the franchise’s popularity again.

1. Devil May Cry

This Party’s Getting Crazy

Despite not being absent for as extended a period as other series on this list, it’s been nearly six years since the latest installment in the iconic Devil May Cry franchise graced our screens. Yet, the allure of this series remains undiminished. In Capcom’s annual fan vote, Devil May Cry was hailed among their most cherished franchises, and Dante emerged as the fan-favorite character. It’s evident that gamers yearn for additional doses of these captivating action games.

At the moment, a Devil May Cry anime is being developed by Adi Shankar, famously known for his work on Castlevania. Although this doesn’t necessarily mean a game is in development, it’s worth noting that Capcom, the developer of both series, had previously released an anime for their other action franchise, Dragon’s Dogma, on Netflix in 2020. Four years later, Dragon’s Dogma 2 was launched. This pattern suggests that Capcom might be testing the waters by producing media related to its franchises to gauge fan interest.

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2025-01-21 11:06