Recently, I started to think about old games, specifically how some of them will get another shot at life after a few years away and it made me think about all those series that have not had that.

To be clear when I say another shot at life, I don’t mean via a remaster or a remake, but rather a from the ground up, original entry in that series. A prime example is F-Zero, that series saw a number of games released over the first 14 years of its life, with F-Zero: GP Legend being the last one to release in the West. But then it went 19 years before it got a new game, or really any game.

So with that in mind, I wanted to have a look through the big publishers to see what series they are leaving behind. There are a few conditions for this list:

There must be at least 2 games in the series, so one off releases are not included.
There must be at least 2 console generations between the last game and now, so if a game was released on PlayStation 4, but there is no entry on PlayStation 5, that does not count. The exception will be for games that released very early within the previous generation.
We are not including Game of the Year, Deluxe, Complete or any other word used to describe a re-issue of the game with DLC or other extra content.
Finally, remakes and remasters do not count, they must be original. If a game has had a remaster or remake released, the series will still be included, as it is not a new game.

So let us kick things off with Xbox. You will also notice that we have included many of the games boxes in with each title, so should you want to see them in detail, you can click on them to enlarge them.

Links

First Release: November 1990 | Last Release: November 2003 | Total Number of Games Released: 10

For many, the Links series will be connected to the original Xbox console, it was the only golf game that was included within the XSN line up of games. But that was actually the 10th entry in the series, which itself began back in 1990 and was the second golf game created by Access Software.

While Microsoft were not involved with the original, they did come on board for the second entry and all the ones after that. The sad history of the series is that after 10 games and ~25 expansions, the series was put on the back burner while Microsoft opted to ‘take a hard look at’ the series. Sadly the look didn’t last long as they then sold the studio making the games to Take-Two Interactive, which also included their XSN tennis game Top Spin. There are not many simulation golf games around any more, so Links could do well if it came back fore more.

RalliSport Challenge

First Release: March 2002 | Last Release: May 2004 | Total Number of Games Released: 2

A 1-2 punch of titles, the Rallisport Challenge series attempted to create a new take on rally, with both games created by the then independent studio Digital Illusions CE or as they are known today, Dice. The first entry was received quite well, with many praising the graphics of it, but the sequel saw even more accolades for the graphics and actual racing.

While the first game was more of a traditional release for the racing sport, the second entry straddle a more arcade racing feeling, giving a chance for players who may have been unfamiliar with rally, a chance to compete. The second game also connected to Xbox Live, giving players a chance to test their rally skills out against opponents from around the world and like Links above, this was another solo entry in the XSN brand that Xbox had. While the developer is currently locked into shooters, a more arcade rally game would be a good win, easy right.

Zoo Tycoon

First Release: October 2001 | Last Release: November 2014 | Total Number of Games Released: 7

PC has been home to countless simulation games over the years and Zoo Tycoon is just one name among many, but where the others remained locked to the machine, this series went everywhere. The original release in 2001 was successful enough that it got two expansions and then a direct sequel 3 years later, but the series would leave PC for a long time after that release. In 2005 the previously Windows exclusive series made the jump to Nintendo DS, I should know as I own it and then it got a sequel there a few years later.

The DS itself was home to many games of this nature, like SimCity, Theme Park and Zoo Tycoon, it was a natural home, but after 2 games the series jumped to mobile phones. While Windows Phone was never a big thing, I loved it, it did get some exclusive games from Microsoft and Zoo Tycoon: Friends was one such game. It was also the return of the series to PC, but the final new entry would be a cross-gen release of Xbox 360 and Xbox One. A relaunch of the series, Zoo Tycoon for consoles was the first and only release of the game on a home console, it did get a Xbox One X update a few years later, but the series ended when the servers for Friends were shut down in 2015.

Viva Piñata

First Release: November 2006 | Last Release: September 2008 | Total Number of Games Released: 4

One of the biggest success for developer Rare after their buyout by Microsoft from Nintendo, the Viva Piñata series gave players a unique take on the strategy-gardening genre, which is a small one to be sure. At a time when Microsoft were all about Halo and Forza, seeing a very bright and colourful game arrive in Viva Piñata shook a few folks and for good reason, it was a great little game. Your goal was very simple, tend to a garden where Piñatas would come to live, as long as players were able to meet their needs.

The series next entry was developed here in Australia with the party focused Viva Piñata: Party Animals, the game basically took the gameplay of Fuzion Frenzy, but with a much more colourful skin. The series would then return to its more garden focused roots and deliver a nice sequel in Viva Piñata: Trouble in Paradise, before finding a home on the Nintendo DS with Viva Piñata: Pocket Paradise. The series was not just about games as Microsoft commissioned an animated tv series, which delivered over 50 episodes and often referenced things players could actually do in the game. One final seed for thought, the series last game Pocket Paradise, was also the last game that Rare ever made for a Nintendo platform.

Blinx: The Time Sweeper

First Release: October 2002 | Last Release: December 2004 | Total Number of Games Released: 2

When Blinx first blinked into existence, many just assumed that it was Microsoft attempting to get their own mascot platformer out the door, but then players got their hands on the game and had a great time, pun intended. The games existence came about due to Xbox launching in Japan, the original console that is and Microsoft realising that they needed local games on the machine, not much has changed really.

The first game drew players in with the title character, but the sequel dropped Blinx as a playable option and instead let players pick from a small group. But the sequel also expanded in other ways, giving players additions to make the game easier to play, which many welcomed. Sadly though, for all the fans of the series that exist, it never quite achieved the status that Microsoft were hoping for, it did ok in Japan, but outside of Japan it was just another generic mascot game. While the developer did work with Xbox again to create The Last Dragon, the studio blinxed out of existence in 2011.

Lips

First Release: November 2008 | Last Release: April 2010 | Total Number of Games Released: 6

Perhaps one aspect from the world of gaming that will always remain is that once someone finds success, everyone will try to copy them. We saw it with Mario and then Sonic, Breath of the Wild and then too many to name, but Lips was another story. Singstar was quite the popular series, especially here in Australia, but globally the series saw some 70 different releases and of course, Microsoft wanted a slice of that home karaoke pie. Lips had a big claim going in, you could hook up your iPod or Zune if you had one of those and import your own music, which meant the 35 or so tracks on the disc were not all you had to use.

The game got 3 full sequels globally and two regional specific releases, but the star of this singing game were the microphones. First of all they were wireless, which was a big deal for the time as Singstar had cables, which did the job, but meant those who had performer in their soul could not break out completely. The microphones also could detect motion, shaking one was all you needed to do in order to join in, but it also meant players could strike a pose or mimic clapping actions. Basically it let home singers behave like you see some folks do on stage at a concert. While the games can be played on modern hardware, the microphones are not supported, which is a real shame.

Banjo-Kazooie

First Release: June 1998 | Last Release: November 2008 | Total Number of Games Released: 5

I really feel like I shouldn’t have to explain this series, but I will just because it’s fun to do. In 1997 a game released called Diddy Kong Racing and within it was a character called Banjo, among others. Fast-forward to one year later and Banjo was now the star of his own game, which inspired a series of titles and because of that the character holds a special place in the heart of many gamers, especially if they are Nintendo fans.

The original two games released on the Nintendo 64 and when the third game appeared, it confused many. Now isometric in action, the series put more of a focus onto Grunty, and acts as a bridge between the two Nintendo 64 releases. The fourth game was a genre departure as Banjo Pilot was a racing game and was the last game in the series for a Nintendo platform, after the Microsoft buyout. The last game was Nuts & Bolts and divided the fan base very quickly, as players either liked the construction parts or didn’t and apart from cameo’s in other games, this was the last time the gaming world heard of the bear and bird.

Rise of Nations

First Release: May 2003 | Last Release: May 2006 | Total Number of Games Released: 2

When Rise of Nations was first announced, I remember some of my mates getting very excited for it, as it was coming from one of the folks who had worked on the Civilization series. The games release was solid, as it made use of elements from both turn-based strategy games, but also real-time strategy ones and people really enjoyed that mix. The original game got an expansion around a year after its original release and then a decade later was re-released with some updates and enhancements.

The game followed the Age of Empires route and released a sequel that left the real behind, though unlike Age of Empires they went with fantasy over mythology. The gameplay was the same, but now instead of tanks and regular looking buildings, players had dragons and towers to deal with. While people loved the fantasy element here, the amount of playable civilizations was drastically stripped back from 18 to 3, which may have contributed to the lower sales. In 2009 when the developer closed, it was discovered that a completed game called Rise of Nations: Tactics was done, but it was never released, making the Legends release the last new game in the series.

Midtown Madness

First Release: May 1999 | Last Release: June 2003 | Total Number of Games Released: 3

In 1998 Microsoft published a game called Motorcross Madness and it got a lot of attention, even though it was mostly set within an empty world, however a year later Microsoft released Midtown Madness, same idea but swap bikes for cars and empty for city streets. The first two games in the series were created by Angel Studios, who after these games would head on to create Midnight Club, with the final game created by DICE, the same folks who made Rallisport Challenge above.

While the first two games were made for PC, the third entry was made for Xbox and did get a weird mobile port, but regardless of platform the gameplay was the same. Players would drive around recreations of cities, completing tasks based on the vehicle they were driving, like taxi or ambulance. The first game was set in Chicago, the second doubled the city count with London and San Francisco and then the final entry did Paris and Washington D.C. I myself have found memories of crashing in Washington, as sometimes the other cars would just get in my way, but I still had fun with the game.

Crimson Skies

First Release: September 2000 | Last Release: October 2003 | Total Number of Games Released: 2

Crimson Skies is one of those games, at least the Xbox release, that is forever at the top of remake lists for Xbox fans, it is a good game so it makes sense. The first game was released on PC only and was created by the folks who would go on to create the SOCOM series for PlayStation. What drew players to it was both the plane customisation and the fact that you didn’t need a pilot licence to take flight.

Three years later the more beloved entry was released and High Road to Revenge kept the characters from the first game, but gave them a more revenge focused tale to follow. A lot of the same elements from the first game carried over, but the game expanded its mission structure, to allow players to discover some while flying, giving them a reason to do so. The series also has a number of books that were released over a few years and a collectable miniatures game, like Warhammer, just without the need to paint.

MechAssault

First Release: November 2002 | Last Release: February 2005 | Total Number of Games Released: 2

Mech games are a dime a dozen these days, heck even when MechAssault first released on Xbox, they were still fairly common, but the first of the two MechAssault titles had one big thing that no one else had at that time, online play. The game offered a story that took place within the BattleTech universe and has players take control of a mercenary pilot who is hired to discover why communications on Helios ceased.

Where the game shined though was with its online, it was also one of the very first games to support Xbox Live, including debuting features that are now common. For those without internet there was a local multiplayer mode, but if you were able to go online, you could enjoy gaming using a number of search options, to get the type of game you wanted. For the sequel it contained another great story, but refined its multiplayer to be even more welcoming for all players. The game actually released later than planned, in order to avoid a little game called Halo 2.

Project Gotham Racing

First Release: March 2002 | Last Release: November 2009 | Total Number of Games Released: 7

While the Project Gotham Racing series was new, it was actually the developers second racing game, having made a Dreamcast title first. Many of the elements from that game were carried over here, including the Kudos points system, where players are rewarded for doing stylish driving.

The series had two games on the original Xbox and two on the Xbox 360, but it also saw a few mobile games and even a unique release for the Zune HD. Project Gotham Racing 2 was one of the first online racing games for the Xbox brand and even went so far as to release additional tracks via DLC. The series made use of real world locations, while the first game had 4 locations, the sequel had 11 including Sydney, Australia. The second game was also where Geometry Wars made its debut. The third game was a launch title for the Xbox 360, which wowed players with its new visuals and while the fourth entry was the final console release, it added weather effects and motorcycles to the game.

So those are the series that we could find that Microsoft could do something with, sure a few might not do that well in todays market, but players are known to sometimes grab onto the most random of things.

Did we miss any series from the company, if so let us know in the comments below.