Summary
One common denominator among history’sgreatest video game seriesis that each of them has more than just a single superb title. If any series is going to have staying power in the vast gaming lexicon, there must be a consistent measure of high quality among several releases, usually spanning different console generations.
However, such a streak of flawlessness across multiple games under the same banner is rare. Sometimes, games in hugely popular series can quickly fade away from the minds of gaming audiences. From obscure spin-off stories to titles made exclusively for specific devices, these games are overlooked entries in recognized IPs.
10Batman Arkham Origins: Blackgate
The Dark Knight Metroidvania-Style
Rocksteady’sBatmanArkham titles easily stand high above the sea of other superhero video games. Batman: Arkham Asylum, Arkham City, and Arkham Knight are each considered some of the best games of their respective release years.
You might assume that Batman: Arkham Origins is the overlooked entry of the series; but that title actually belongs to Arkham Origins: Blackgate. Initially released exclusively for the PS Vita, Blackgate is Arkham’s winning formula on a much smaller scale. While a perfectly fine game, Blackgate was far below its beloved console cousins.
9Ōkamiden
Spiritual Successor Of A Beloved Wii Classic
2006’sŌkamiwas a massive critical success, earning game of the year recognition. Developed by Clover Studios, Ōkami didn’t do well financially, but with its fantastic art style and engrossing gameplay, it’s often at the center of the “video games are art” conversation.
Despite Okami’s overwhelming acclaim, the game didn’t receive a full-fledged sequel. Instead, a spin-off game known as Ōkamiden: Chiisaki Taiyō, or, more simply, Ōkamiden, was released for Nintendo DS in 2011, which earned positive reviews and moderate commercial success.
8Halo: Spartan Assault
Twin-Stick Combat Evolved
Perhaps no gaming franchise has influenced the industry more than Microsoft’s flagshipHaloseries. While the sci-fi first-person shooter juggernaut has dropped off in recent years, the impact of Bungie’s games was instrumental in revolutionizing the gaming landscape.
Given Halo’s iconic status, it’s hard to believe that any Halo game can be considered “forgotten.” Yet that is very much the case for 2013’s Halo: Spartan Assault. Developed originally for Microsoft Windows, the game would be ported to consoles but never truly left a mark.
7Bomberman: Act Zero
A Gritty Reboot Nobody Asked For
The Bomberman series has been a long-running gaming staple with dozens of titles released over nearly four decades. Initially created by Hudson Soft, the series was never quite the cream of the gaming crop, but it had a strong following.
Despite all of Bomberman’s success, the series was nearly irreversibly damaged when Bomberman: Act Zero was released in 2012.Act Zero was a gritty reboot that failedto carry the IP’s trademark charm or be a quality video game by any metric. As such, it’s best left consigned to history.
6Tony Hawk Ride
An Ambitious Skateboarding Experience
The aptly namedTony Hawk’s Pro Skaterseries is as beloved as its titular skateboarding mascot. Despite having as many developers as game releases, the Tony Hawk titles have generally been well received by fans and critics alike, but there have been slip-ups.
2009’s Tony Hawk Ride decided to take an unconventional approach to its gameplay by having a skateboard-shaped peripheral control your movements. While a novel concept, the game was ultimately fairly barebones and failed to make much of an impact.
5Pokemon Conquest
The Crossover Game We Didn’t Know We Needed
What springs to mind when you think of Gamefreak’s famous pocket monster franchise? Open world, gym leaders, and turn-based battles are just three of the many stables of thePokemonseries. One thing you probably don’t associate with Pokemon is the Sengoku period of feudal Japan.
Nobunaga’s Ambition is an RPG series developed by Koei. In 2012, Koei collaborated with The Pokemon Company to develop Pokemon Conquest. Combining elements from both franchises, Pokemon Conquest is a well-made game that earned positive reviews but never really reached Western audiences.
4Resident Evil Gaiden
Bit-Sized Biohazard Horror
It’s hard to remember the time beforeResident Evilburst onto the scene. While there have been incredible highs and fathomless lows, one thing that has remained consistent throughout the years is that Resident Evil has been a prevalent presence in the horror genre.
Resident Evil Gaiden was a Gameboy color exclusive that took the series' trademark third-person camera and rotated it top-down. Due to its non-canon story and mixed reviews, Gaiden is probably the most bygone entry in the series.
3Fallout: Brotherhood of Steel
A Spin-Off of The Nuclear Post-Apocalyptic Franchise
In the conversation about the most inconsistent video game series, Fallout should always be a part of that discussion. The post-apocalyptic open-world franchise has seen everything from masterpiece titles likeFallout New Vegasto lambasted productions like Fallout 76.
Lost in the nuclear wasteland shuffle is 2004’s Fallout: Brotherhood of Steel. Die-hard fans might fondly remember this Brotherhood of Steel-centric tale, but for most audiences, Interplay’s spin-off Fallout game is little more than a series oddity that garnered only mixed reviews upon release.
2Doom RPG
The Iconic First-Person Shooter Series With An RPG Mobile Twist
Doomis arguably one of the mostimportant video gamesever created. Created by id Software, the Doom series would redefine first-person shooters, enemy and level design, and multiplayer while serving as the blueprint for many great games that followed.
For most of Doom’s history, its winning formula of demon slaying FPS combat has scarcely been doctored with. As the name suggests, 2005’s Doom RPG, released for mobile devices, added a splash of role-playing gameplay into the mix. Sadly, Doom RPG would remain exclusive to cellphones.
1Call of Duty: Black Ops Declassified
Activision’s PS Vita Exclusive Dud
Innovation, passion, greed, and shortsightedness are all words that can describe the ever-polarizingCall of Dutyseries. One of gaming’s most well-known series has reached the mountains' zenith of excellent video games and the dark abyss of abhorrent corporate products.
The PS Vita exclusive Call of Duty Black Ops: Declassified exists utterly detached from every other COD title. While not a completely terrible game, it ultimately failed to bring Call of Duty’s trademark gunplay to handhelds, making Declassified the forgotten child of the series.
