Video game series with multiple reboots

A reboot is a risky endeavor for any video game series, no matter how well established. Ideally, you want the reboot to bring in a new audience without alienating your existing fan base, and that doesn't always end well. Devil May Cry was actually forced to back off the reboot and return to original continuity due to the anger it caused from fans.

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As a result, most video game series only have one reboot, if at all, but some take things much further. Some series took a few tries to get right, while others just became cautionary tales of publisher mismanagement. Here are the best video game franchises that have broken the reset button more than once.

10

Shinobi

Joe Musashi holding a katana in front of an orange background on the cover of Shinobi 3: Return of the Ninja Master.

Debut

Shinobi (1987)

First reboot

Shinobi (2002)

Second reboot

Shinobi 3D (2011)

Once an arcade staple and home to some of Sega's most iconic characters, Shinobi has fallen into obscurity over time. Despite maintaining a hardcore fan base, the series struggled to find its footing once 3D video games became the norm.

A PS2 reboot in 2002 was successful enough for a sequel, especially since games didn't require obscene budgets back then, before another eight years of radio silence. In 2011, this ninja emerged from the shadows for another failed 3DS reboot before slipping off into the night.

9

Sonic the Hedgehog

From left to right: Tails, Sonic, Knuckles and Amy in their Sonic Boom variants.

Debut

Sonic the Hedgehog (1991)

First reboot

Sonic the Hedgehog (2006)

Second reboot

Sonic Boom (2014)

Over the past 30 years, Sonic the Hedgehog has had more failures than successes, however, this blue ball of charisma always takes the number eight and bounces back. You can thank his loyal fans for that, as his record with reboots is a little less impressive.

In 2006, Sonic the Hedgehog was rebooted in what was supposed to be a celebration of 15 years of ring collecting. Instead, it was heavily criticized for its bizarre plot and strange gameplay. In 2014, Sonic Boom attempted another reinvention of the character, only to stumble again. That's okay though: I made a really good TV show out of it.

8

Wolfenstein

Three soldiers on the cover of Wolfenstein The New Order.

Debut

Castle Wolfenstein (1981)

First reboot

Wolfenstein 3D (1992)

Second reboot

Return to Castle Wolfenstein (2001)

Third reboot

Wolfenstein: The New Order (2014)

Wolfenstein 3D's legacy will always be tied to its status as the prototype of the first-person shooter. However, there were two entries in the series even before Wolfenstein 3D, dating back to Castle Wolfenstein in 1981. Few would call Wolfenstein 3D a reboot these days, but given its revamped and revolutionary gameplay during a time in which story was secondary, definitely qualifies.

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In 2001, Return to Castle Wolfenstein came out and reinvented the series once again in a world where FPS controls had become standardized. 2014's Wolfenstein: New Order served as another reboot with an increased focus on story.

7

Call of duty

Key art of Captain Price in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3.

Debut

Call of Duty (2003)

First reboot

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2007)

Second reboot

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019)

Call of Duty's timeline is more like a family tree than a straight line. It's branched out into sub-series managed by different developers, ensuring you have a new game every year. While this annual release trend has drawn a lot of criticism, Call of Duty has some stellar titles in its lineup and still serves as a mainstay of multiplayer.

After its debut in 2003, Call Of Duty sought to differentiate itself from other World War II shooters by moving into a contemporary setting in 2007's Modern Warfare. The game was a huge success and set the template for all military shooters that they will come While other subseries continued in their original continuity, Modern Warfare was rebooted in 2019 because for Activision Blizzard, “it worked the first time” is as good a reason as any.

6

Prince of Persia

Cutout cover of Prince of Persia: Sands Of Time.

Debut

Prince of Persia (1989)

First reboot

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (2003)

Second reboot

Prince of Persia (2008)

Third reboot

Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown (2024)

A series that has consistently redefined genres and left fans wanting more, Prince of Persia began in 1989. Jordan Mechner's creation was brought to a wider audience with 2003's Sands of Time before being rebooted again in 2008.

When 2024's The Lost Crown came out, Ubisoft became aware of the dangerous reputation that the series with multiple reboots could acquire. The editor fervently insisted that it was not a reboot, but a new chapter. Reboot, reimagine, reborn – tell us straight, folks.

5

The need for speed

Screenshot of Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit Remastered showing a police car chasing a street racer.

Debut

Need for Speed ​​(1994)

First reboot

Need For Speed: Underground (2003)

Second reboot

Need For Speed ​​(2015)

If you weren't there, it would be hard to explain what Need For Speed ​​was. During the 2000s, no racing game was cooler. Ask anyone who played 2005's Most Wanted and they'll tell you: the police chases, story and soundtrack are all iconic.

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From highly illegal street racing to legitimate track driving, Need for Speed ​​has had quite the history, spanning 20 years.

The series began as a fairly simple arcade racer in 1994. The Fast and Furious influence began to show in 2003, with Need For Speed: Underground switching to street racing instead of professional circuits. The series received another self-titled reboot in 2015, but by then the glory days were in the rearview mirror.

4

Alone in the dark

A close-up of Edward Carnby from Alone In The Dark.

Debut

Alone in the Dark (1992)

First reboot

Alone In The Dark: The New Nightmare (2001)

Second reboot

Alone in the Dark (2008)

Third reboot

Alone in the Dark (2024)

Perhaps the most unfortunate example of intellectual property mismanagement ever, Alone In The Dark was never able to claim its throne after Resident Evil came along. After a spectacular debut in 1992, the series tried to duplicate the success of Resident Evil. The result was 2001's Alone In The Dark: The New Nightmare, an ambitious game stuck between generations of hardware.

Things have gotten murkier since then, with the self-titled reboot from 2008 being as much derided as the Uwe Boll film adaptation. The third time wasn't the charm, as despite a rather kind review from TheGamer, the 2024 reboot was also a flop. This series is the loneliest and darkest it's ever been right now, and it might be time to cut and run.

Sweet Tooth and his Wrecking Truck from Twisted Metal.

Debut

Twisted Metal (1995)

First reboot

Twisted Metal: Black (2001)

Second reboot

Twisted Metal (2012)

The chaotic car carnival Twisted Metal first came to PlayStation in 1995. After four entries and a solid reputation, the series reimagined itself for a new millennium in 2001 with Twisted Metal: Black. While the 2001 reboot was a massive success, the 2012 one was less so.

By then, Twisted Metal was no longer as revolutionary and exciting as it had once been. What should have been one of the flagship series of the PlayStation brand has finally stopped completely.

2

Mortal Kombat

Mileena fights her sister Kitana in Mortal Kombat 1.

Debut

Mortal Kombat (1992)

First reboot

Mortal Kombat (2011)

Second reboot

Mortal Kombat 1 (2023)

No fighting game series has a better track record of reinventing itself than Mortal Kombat. After becoming a massive hit in the arcade in 1992, the series decided to start again in 2011. Another reboot, titled Mortal Kombat 1, followed in 2023.

Mortal Kombat has always been dogged by controversy wherever it goes, regularly being banned in some regions due to its extreme violence. That didn't stop it from being the best-selling fighting game series of all time, just as its convoluted lore didn't stop it from rebooting itself repeatedly.

1

tomb raider

Lara Croft standing on a rainy night outside her mansion in Tomb Raider Underworld promotional art.

Debut

Tomb Raider (1996)

First reboot

Tomb Raider: Legend (2006)

Second reboot

Tomb Raider (2013)

What can Lara Croft do that Indiana Jones can't? Spark interest in her series. While the immersive archaeologist has had its share of setbacks, Tomb Raider has always managed to bounce back strong. The first reboot came after the awful Angel of Darkness. Led by new developer Crystal Dynamics, Tomb Raider: Legend finally gave the series the gameplay overhaul it badly needed, and it was a damn good game in the process.

In 2013, another reboot named after the first game escaped shore, and once again Tomb Raider was on everyone's mind. This new continuity starred a younger, more inexperienced Lara. A blockbuster trilogy later, she's certainly as resilient as her original namesake.

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