In the world of gaming, as well as in the movie industry, remakes, reboots, and sequels are common occurrences. Established intellectual properties (IPs) that have long been dormant often receive second or third opportunities for revival. Franchises once considered defunct are frequently brought back to life. However, this is not the case for every IP, as some gaming franchises do not receive the same chances for revitalization.
In this era where reviving older franchises has become a trend, five gaming IPs deserve similar treatment.
1. Twisted Metal
Despite the success of the Twisted Metal franchise as a television show on the streaming platform Peacock, it has not seen a new installment in the gaming series since 2012. This remains a surprising fact, given that Twisted Metal could easily have been considered a PlayStation staple alongside iconic titles such as God of War, Uncharted, and Ratchet and Clank.
This absence is even more notable because of the lack of real competition in the vehicular combat genre. The genre is not thriving, so few alternatives are available for fans seeking a similar experience to Twisted Metal.
P.S. Regarding PlayStation franchises, seeing new installments of the Infamous or Sly Cooper series would also be exciting.
2. Rayman
Oh, how I sympathize with Rayman fans. While the character occasionally appears in other titles like the Rabbids series and Mario + Rabbids, it has been quite some time since Rayman headlined his own game. And no, the mobile games do not count. The last main installment in the Rayman series was Rayman Legends, released in 2013.
It has been 11 years since we last ventured into the world of Rayman, and frankly, the franchise's future appears bleak. Ubisoft has little interest in reviving it, and earlier this year, Davide Soliani, the Creative Director who was a strong advocate for Rayman during his 25-year tenure at Ubisoft, announced his departure from the company.
While one can never say never, it would be wise not to hold out hope for a new Rayman game anytime soon.
3. Banjo-Kazooie
Much like Rayman, the Banjo-Kazooie franchise has been dormant for quite some time. This beloved platformer debuted on the Nintendo 64 and showed great potential. And to be fair, much of that potential was fulfilled; Banjo-Kazooie is far from a failure. However, it has been a considerable time since the franchise saw a new installment.
While there have been re-releases, allowing players to experience Banjo-Kazooie on the Nintendo Switch via Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack or on Xbox with the original game and its two sequels, these offerings do not replace the absence of a new entry in the series. Fans can also enjoy playing as Banjo and Kazooie in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
Although these experiences are enjoyable, they do not change the fact that 16 years have passed since the last Banjo-Kazooie installment. Meanwhile, Rare, the developer behind the franchise, is heavily focused on their massively successful title, Sea of Thieves. As a result, it is uncertain when they will have the opportunity to work on a new Banjo-Kazooie game.
4. Darkstalkers
Among the franchises listed here, Darkstalkers has the most significant potential for a revival. While Rayman and Banjo-Kazooie occasionally appear, they feel somewhat abandoned by their respective developers, Ubisoft and Rare. This, however, is not the case for Darkstalkers.
The franchise has seen several compilation releases, the most recent being the Capcom Fighting Collection, which included five Darkstalkers titles. Moreover, characters from Darkstalkers have made notable appearances in the Marvel vs. Capcom series.
It is evident that Darkstalkers still holds a special place within Capcom. While I do not anticipate a new game in the immediate future, I would be genuinely surprised if we did not see a new installment at some point.
5. F-Zero
When it comes to dormant franchises, few are as iconic as Nintendo’s F-Zero. It has become synonymous with gaming series that are long overdue for a revival. Interestingly, Captain Falcon, the main character, is now more recognized for his role as a playable character in the Super Smash Bros. series than for his involvement in the F-Zero franchise.
While the most recent F-Zero game, F-Zero 99, was released last year as a battle royale for the Nintendo Switch, it has been 20 years since we have seen an accurate F-Zero title.
Perhaps Nintendo believes that the overwhelming success of Mario Kart leaves little room for a second racing game series like F-Zero. However, this reasoning seems unfounded and quite disappointing if it is indeed the case.
I can envision a future where we see new installments of Banjo-Kazooie or Darkstalkers, but imagining another F-Zero game is far less likely. I sincerely hope I am wrong.
Bottom Line
The gaming industry has seen a resurgence of many classic franchises through remakes, reboots, and sequels. However, not all beloved series have been given the same treatment. Iconic franchises like Twisted Metal, Rayman, Banjo-Kazooie, Darkstalkers, and F-Zero have been left dormant for years, much to the disappointment of their dedicated fan bases.
While there is some hope for reviving certain franchises, others are fading into obscurity, overshadowed by more popular titles or developer priorities. Nonetheless, the enduring legacy of these franchises remains strong, and many fans continue to hope for their eventual return to the gaming spotlight.
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