Uncharted, And Other Game Franchises That Got Better Over Time

Summary

Some franchises began shaky but grew stronger with each sequel, becoming mainstream hits.
Developers refined combat, scope, and systems with open worlds, online play, and accessibility.
By their 3rd and 4th games, series like The Elder Scrolls, Mario Kart, Red Dead, Persona, and Smash Bros. hit their stride.

You know, some game series just nail it with their first game, but then the sequels kind of fall flat. But it’s awesome when a series starts a little shaky and then *really* finds its footing with each new release. Some of my favorite franchises were slow starters – they didn’t really blow up until the third or fourth game, and then everyone was playing them!

It’s easy for fans to look back on older games with rose-tinted glasses, which makes it tough for developers to keep surprising players with each new release. They’re always facing the challenge of building on what fans already love. That’s why it’s surprisingly difficult to create a game series that consistently improves over time, but some franchises have successfully done just that, and hopefully they’ll continue to do so for years to come.

The Elder Scrolls

Bethesda’s Immensely Popular RPG Franchise Continues To Blow Players Away

Franchise Started: 1994
Mainline Games In Franchise: Five

It’s surprising to look back now, but the very first *Elder Scrolls* game, *Arena*, didn’t have many role-playing features. The series really started to take shape with *Daggerfall*, though it was still quite limited in scope and didn’t look very modern. It had a long way to go before becoming the hugely popular RPG series it is today.

I really think the *Elder Scrolls* series hit the big time with *Oblivion*, the fourth game. What grabbed everyone – and me! – was just how much freedom you had. I mean, a huge open world packed with people to talk to, cool side quests, and tough fights? It was an instant hit. Then *Skyrim* came along, made everything look even better, and added a ton more stuff. Honestly, the series has just kept getting better and better since then.

Mario Kart

From A Quirky Minigame To A Must-Buy Competitive Racer

Franchise Started: 1992
Mainline Games In Franchise: Nine

Wow, thinking about how Mario Kart started is crazy! It began as this kinda side project back in the 90s, but now it’s one of Nintendo’s biggest deals. The basic idea – super fun, fast-paced racing – has always been there, but Nintendo’s constantly tweaked things and added new stuff to make each game even better. I remember when Mario Kart 64 came out and blew my mind with the 3D graphics – suddenly the characters and tracks actually *felt* real and looked amazing!

While *Mario Kart DS* first experimented with online play using Wi-Fi, *Mario Kart 7* on the 3DS really built on that feature. This ultimately led to *Mario Kart World*, which many fans believe is the best game in the series. It offers the classic, exciting races you’d expect, plus a large, colorful open world to explore and discover hidden secrets.

Red Dead

These Cowboy Simulators Have Only Gotten More Robust And Engaging

Franchise Started: 2004
Mainline Games In Franchise: Three

Most players know Red Dead Redemption and its sequel, but fewer realize the series began with a lesser-known game called Red Dead Revolver. Released in 2004, Red Dead Revolver takes place in the town of Brimstone, where players complete missions largely focused on defeating waves of enemies using various weapons. While the game had a somewhat lighthearted story and didn’t feature an open world, it didn’t achieve the same success as Red Dead Redemption.

When Red Dead Redemption launched in 2010, it quickly became a phenomenon thanks to its engaging characters, sophisticated story, and incredible ending. Then, Rockstar Games raised the bar even higher with Red Dead Redemption 2, delivering a story that stayed with players long after they finished and a world that was truly breathtaking. While it’s unknown if a third Red Dead Redemption game is in the works, it’s hard to imagine how Rockstar could possibly surpass the last installment.

Persona

Atlus Has Been Growing More Confident With Each New Persona Game

Franchise Started: 1996
Mainline Games In Franchise: Five

Looking back, the original *Revelations: Persona* can be tough to play today. The combat is slow, and moving around in first-person feels awkward. While Atlus made improvements in the next few games, the series really found its footing with *Persona 3*. That game introduced Social Links and a great cast of characters, making it stand out. However, even fans thought the combat and dungeons could still be better.

Atlus listened to feedback and improved the battle system in both *Persona 4* and *Persona 5*, with *Persona 5*’s “Baton Pass” feature making combat flow even better. The *Persona* series has become a major success for Sega, and while *Persona 5* is now a beloved JRPG, fans are eagerly anticipating the next installment, hoping *Persona 6* will surpass all expectations.

Street Fighter

It Feels Like Street Fighter Has Finally Hit The Sweet Spot With Its Sixth Installment

Franchise Started: 1987
Mainline Games In Franchise: Six

While incredibly popular and often considered the game that launched the fighting game genre, *Street Fighter 2* was surprisingly basic. It was still enjoyable, but Capcom had a lot of room to improve, and they began doing so with later installments. *Street Fighter Third Strike* really defined what *Street Fighter* would become, introducing features like the parry system, a fantastic soundtrack, and a cast of unique characters.

As a huge Street Fighter fan, I remember being blown away by how Street Fighter 4 updated the look of the game and really tried to make everything fair for all players. While Street Fighter 5 eventually grew into a really deep and rewarding fighting game with tons of combos, I honestly think Street Fighter 6 is the best one yet. It takes everything that was great about the older games and puts it all together in one amazing package. Plus, it’s so much easier for new players to learn, which is awesome!

Super Smash Bros.

Masahiro Sakurai Worked Tirelessly Until Smash Bros Was Just Right

Franchise Started: 1999
Mainline Games In Franchise: Six

Today’s Super Smash Bros. fans might be surprised to learn that the original game, released on Nintendo 64, only featured 12 characters you could play as. This is because the number of playable characters has grown dramatically over the years. While each new game added more fighters, Masahiro Sakurai, the creator of the series, also worked hard to perfect how the game felt. He found that Super Smash Bros. Melee was a little too fast-paced, so he slowed things down in Brawl. However, some elements, like tripping opponents, still needed improvement.

This all culminated in *Super Smash Bros. Ultimate* for the Nintendo Switch, the game Masahiro Sakurai had clearly been working towards throughout his career. Featuring a massive roster of nearly 100 characters – including popular guests like Cloud, Bayonetta, and Steve from Minecraft – *Smash Bros. Ultimate* is easy to pick up and play, and offers incredibly fun and chaotic gameplay for everyone.

Uncharted

Drake’s Adventures Have Only Gotten More Chaotic, Fun, And Memorable

Franchise Started: 2007
Mainline Games In Franchise: Four

The original Uncharted game was popular, but some players felt it focused too much on shooting and not enough on the adventurous spirit it promised. While action is a key part of the Uncharted series, the real appeal lies in the excitement of discovering new and interesting places. Naughty Dog clearly recognized this and emphasized exploration and wonder even more in Uncharted 2 and the third installment.

The game’s action sequences became much larger and more spectacular, but they were cleverly balanced with quieter, more personal moments and clever puzzles. The developers really nailed this combination in *Uncharted 4*, which still delivers some of the most exciting and over-the-top action gameplay ever, all while telling a deeply engaging story with characters that series fans will always remember.

2025-09-23 13:59