Normally, video game sequels take quite a bit of time to develop, especially in today’s age, where games are much bigger than they were decades ago. However, back in the day, it was quite common to put out a sequel just one year later. This was from the NES days until about the PS2, Xbox, and GameCube eras.
The thing is, most of these weren’t rushed sequels, like you may think. You could make a great sequel in a single year back then, and most of them topped the original. These sequels often refined and improved many gameplay elements to make a far superior title.
1991
PC, Xbox 360 (Series X|S Backwards Compatible), PlayStation 3
The Secret of Monkey Islandis one of the mostacclaimed adventure games of all time, and just one year later, its sequel was launched. LeChuck’s Revenge offers a bigger, grander adventure this time, and you can actually travel between islands. The great humor and writing of the first game are still present, and the puzzles got noticeably more difficult.
You definitely have to think harder here, but it leads to the solution being more gratifying. Monkey Island 2 was the last truly great entry into the franchise for a while until Ron Gilbert came back to the series withReturn to Monkey Island.
1999
Nintendo 64, Switch (via Switch Online)
While the originalMario Partywas great, it did have one nagging issue, and that was the amount of minigames. There were only 50, and due to that, you’d end up repeating them a lot. Mario Party 2 fixes that with 65 minigames, and many refinements are added for better balancing.
Much of the unfair stuff in MP1, like losing coins after a minigame loss, is gone. Some people might actually prefer the cruelness of MP1, but objectively, this makes Mario Party 2 a much better experience. The palm-damaging minigames were also thankfully scrapped.
2002
PlayStation 2, Xbox, PC, Mac
WhileGrand Theft Auto 3is technically the third game in the franchise, most started with it, and it was the game that exploded the open-world genre in popularity.GTA Vice Citycame one year later, and it was a phenomenal sequel. First off, you get a fresh-speaking protagonist this time compared to GTA3.
Claude was a silent protagonist in that game, and Vice City’s speaking Tommy Vercetti did a lot to enhance the story here. The 80s vibe is awesome to this day, especially with the original soundtrack in the PS2 version. It was also one of the first games of that era to havea nostalgic 80s vibe, which made it pop out even more. It’s still fun to play today, even with its dated elements.
1988
PC
Many stateLeisure Suit Larry 2is one of the series' weaker entries, primarily due to its tameness compared to the original. However, if you put that aside, it’s another great adventure game with good humor, memorable moments, and an equally memorable wacky adventure.
You go from simultaneously winning the Dating Game and a million dollars to going on a cruise to surviving over a week stranded on a boat, and so on. The best part has to be the bomb disposal sequence. Just like Batman, “Some days you just can’t get rid of a bomb.”
Platforms
1992
Genesis, iOS, Android, Nintendo DS, Nintendo 3DS, GameCube, Switch, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S
Sonic 1was a good game, but Sonic 2 is what blew everyone away. Looking back, Sonic 1 is just way too slow with most of its levels. Sonic 2, on the other hand, actually lets you gain speed, and it’s still exhilarating today.
The levels are the best in a 2D Sonic game, with no real hard duds like in many others. Thespecial stages were an improvement, and it had two-player co-op with Tails, which made the game even more fun. EvenSonic Maniacouldn’t top this 2D platforming masterpiece.
2006
PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3 (Japan Only), Wii U (Japan Only)
The first instalment into theYakuzaseries has not aged well at all. This is due to the combat, which is so inaccurate and unenjoyable. Yakuza 2, though, is a massive game-changer. The combat in this title fixes all the problems of the original and is still satisfying and holds up.
Playing the original Yakuza 2 and Kiwami 2, there’s no denyingwhich game is more enjoyablefrom a combat perspective. The story is debatably better in Kiwami 2, but the original is definitely more fun. Like the first game, an even better version launched on the PS3 and Wii U, but since it’s Japanese-only, it could be difficult to play.
GameCube
One of thebest games on the GameCubehas to beSuper Monkey Ball 2. This is a sequel that doesn’t feel like a complete evolution, but regardless, it has a ton of improvements on offer. The biggest one is the slightly easier difficulty due to the improved lives system.
In Monkey Ball 1, fully completing the game was just ludicrous, with only three lives to start with. In Monkey Ball 2, you can unlock up to 99, which is a life savior, and while the game’s still hard, this makes it more fair. Plus, you have a story mode now with memorable cutscenes with the evil Dr. Bad-Boon. The party games are stellar, as always, making this both a great single-player and multiplayer title.
PC, Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Switch
Serious Sam: The Second Encounterdoesn’t feel like a true sequel but more like Serious Sam 1 Part 2. That isn’t a bad thing, as there are still many improvements here. You got more variety in the environments, more creative levels in general that constantly switch things up, and improved combat.
The Sniper Rifle is new to this game, and it’s an amazing inclusion for dealing with those pesky faraway enemies. You also got new baddies and new power-ups that build on the established horde FPS gameplay. Second Encounter feels very much likeDoom 2, and while it’s not a huge leap forward, it’s still a solid sequel.
2000
PlayStation, Nintendo 64, Dreamcast, Xbox, PC, Mac
Still, to this day, one of the highest-rated games of all time isTony Hawk Pro Skater 2. It’s not hard to see why because the game is just the epitome of fun. What really elevates this title past the original is the inclusion of manuals to chain together combos.
This is a much-needed gameplay element that adds so much depth and possibilities. Going back to Tony Hawk 1, it feels ancient today due to this missing feature, while Tony Hawk 2 still plays great. You also get unlockable bonus levels for completionists, and you may even play as Spider-Man, which is the icing on the cake.
1993
Arcade, GameCube, Xbox, Xbox 360, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PSP
A game that many will say has aged poorly is the very firstMortal Kombat, and it’s understandable when looking at how far the series has come. It’s so basic and feels more like a proof of concept than a fully finished fighting game. MK2, however, is a total beast. You have 12 playable characters, more special moves, two fatalities per character, and two additional finisher types.
you’re able to tell the developers at Midway put all the resources they gained from MK1’s success into making a bigger and better sequel. The Easter eggs, too, are off the charts and add a lot of personality. Unfortunately, you can’t play the classic MK games on modern platforms, which is a shame because they’re still enjoyable and take you back to the past.
