PixlBit

Just when you thought they were down and out, they returned in style!

The history of gaming is littered with remarkable video game franchises that suddenly disappeared. I'm talking about great games that gamers really loved, and for whatever reason, despite the love, the series still died. However, some of these series made amazing comebacks years later. They were unexpected. They were momentous. And they were fantastic. These comebacks breathed new life into seemingly dead franchises. It was more than just a comeback, it was a resurrection. 

In this month's retrospective, we take a look back at ten video game series which made incredible comebacks. Please note that these games are not remakes (there are tons of those), but rather, completely new games which breathed new life into a dead and dormant franchise. These games are some of the most beloved in gaming, so get ready for a nostalgia trip. 

Metal Gear

Last Game: Snake's Revenge (1990)    Developer: Ultra Games

Comeback Game: Metal Gear Solid (1998)    Developer: Konami

Period of Absence: 8 years

The old Metal Gear games on MSX and NES introduced gamers to the stealth genre. They were top-down action games, but they also had sections where you couldn't let the enemy spot you. Two different MG games were released in 1990: Snake's Revenge and Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake (only in Japan). After that, Metal Gear seemed to disappear completely. The series was revived in 1998 with one of the most important games in history: Metal Gear Solid for PS1. The series was now in 3D, voice acting brought the characters to life, and director Hideo Kojima threw in all kinds of surprises, such as when Psycho Mantis actually looked into your memory card! This game gave way to the many amazing sequels that followed, and while the future of the series in uncertain, the legacy will never be forgotten. 

Metroid

Last Game: Super Metroid (1994)   Developer: Nintendo R&D1

Comeback Game: Metroid Prime (2002)   Developer: Retro Studios

Period of Absence: 8 years

Super Metroid left a lasting impression on everyone who played it. So you can imagine the disappointment when the Nintendo 64 came and went without any Metroid title. Unlike Mario and Zelda, Nintendo wasn't sure how to bring the Metroid series into 3D. So for 8 long years, fans waited for that game. 

That game came in 2002, and the wait was worth it. A new development team in Texas known as Retro Studios took the task of crafting a Metroid game in 3D. Prime blew our minds. It was Super Metroid in 3D. The exploration, the isolation, the alien locations, it was all there. It was also one of the most gorgeous games on any console at the time. Samus Aran has never looked better. 

Ninja Gaiden

Last Game: Ninja Gaiden Trilogy (1995)    Developer: Tecmo

Comeback Game: Ninja Gaiden (2004)   Developer: Team Ninja

Period of Absence: 9 years

The NES Ninja Gaiden games are some of the hardest games ever. We were able to enjoy these games in a collection on the SNES, but that was the last we saw of the series for awhile. Then, 9 years later, Ninja Gaiden came to the Xbox. Now Ryu Hayabusa wore black, a more modern appearance for a new generation of gamers. The game maintained its difficulty, but managed to bring even more style into the series. The success of the game launched several sequels, and Ryu was also added as a fighter in the Dead or Alive series. Just like Samus, Ryu came back in incredible style. 

Gunstar Heroes

Last Game: Gunstar Heroes (1993)   Developer: Treasure

Comeback Game: Gunstar Super Heroes (2005)   Developer: Treasure

Period of Absence: 12 years

Gunstar Heroes on Sega Genesis is one of the best and most beloved games on the system. It's a run 'n gun similar to Contra, but with plenty of crazy things to keep it distinct. Sadly, this gem received no sequel as developer Treasure went on to make other games. That all changed, though, in 2005, when we got Gunstar Super Heroes, which re-introduced us to Red and Blue. This Game Boy Advance game retained all the craziness of the original with lots of shooting and plenty of explosions. It was the perfect sequel. 

Super Mario Bros. 

Last Game: Super Mario Land 2: Six Golden Coins (1992)   Developer: Nintendo R&D1

Comeback Game: New Super Mario Bros. (2006)   Developer: Nintendo EAD

Period of Absence: 14 years

I'm referring, of course, to the 2D Mario games. After Mario Land 2, we didn't get any new Mario games for 14 years (the Wario games and the Yoshi games don't count)! The GBA only gave us ports, remakes, and spin-off games. Finally, in 2006, the 2D Mario formula was reinvented with New Super Mario Bros. for DS. This game actually looked modern with 3D character models. This game started a whole new line of 2D Mario titles that are still with us today. We should be thankful for that. After all, you can't beat the platforming perfection of 2D Mario games. 

NiGHTS

Last Game: NiGHTS into Dreams (1996)   Developer: Sonic Team

Comeback Game: NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams (2007)   Developers: Sonic Team, Sega

Period of Absence: 11 years

When NiGHTS was released on the Sega Saturn, it became an instant classic. It was different, fun, charming, and soooooo Sega. But for some reason, Sega never released a true sequel. Christmas NiGHTS was an add-on to the game, and NiGHTS would appear in several Sega series, but that was it for the purple jester. Or was it?

In 2007, Sega surprised everyone by releasing a true sequel on the Wii: NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams. NiGHTS fans could finally play the sequel they'd always wanted and many gamers were introduced to NiGHTS for the first time. Journey of Dreams perfectly captured the feel and spirit of the original, with fun levels, thrilling boss fights, and a killer soundtrack. Let's just hope that NiGHTS hasn't disappeared again for another 11 years. 

Punch-Out!!

Last Game: Super Punch-Out!! (1994)   Developer: Nintendo IRD

Comeback Game: Punch-Out!! (2009)   Developer: Next Level Games

Period of Absence: 15 years

Punch-Out!! is a legendary game on the NES. It's a boxing game that feels more like a puzzle game; you have to carefully watch your opponent and learn when to counter if you're going to win. Super Punch-Out!! on SNES was also a great game, offering a power meter and plenty of goofy characters. But after just two games, the series disappeared. Little Mac seemed to retire far to early. 

But that all changed in 2009, when developer Next Level Games (Super Mario Strikers) revived the series on the Wii. What we got was a combination of both games as several characters returned and Mac put back on his gloves. The motion controls made it an experience to remember, even if they were a little tiring. The game is chock full of personality as the characters are more expressive than ever. Little Mac's comeback didn't stop there as he was included in the new Super Smash Bros. games in 2014. He's definitely a fan favorite. 

Donkey Kong Country

Last Game: Donkey Kong Country 3 (1996)   Developer: Rare

Comeback Game: Donkey Kong Country Returns (2010)   Developer: Retro Studios

Period of Absence: 14 years

Punch-Out!! wasn't the only Nintendo series to be revived on the Wii. Just one year later, to everyone's surprise, the DKC series returned! Retro Studios is credited here with reviving a second Nintendo franchise. And they proved again that they were more than capable of giving us an excellent Nintendo game. In many respects, the game exceeded that of the original, although it was much more difficult than the original games. Retro followed up with a sequel on the Wii U, once again, an incredible game, perhaps the best of all the DKC games. And don't be surprised if they round out the trilogy soon. 

Kid Icarus

Last Game: Kid Icarus: Of Myths and Monsters (1991)   Developers: Nintendo, TOSE

Comeback Game: Kid Icarus Uprising (2012)   Developer: Project Sora

Period of Absence: 21 years

The first Kid Icarus is a brutal game, but is still considered a classic. The sequel on Game Boy was a much better game and certainly more enjoyable. Yet for some reason, the series died after that. And Nintendo didn't seem very interested in reviving it. It took over two decades before it was revived, and that was at the hands of Masahiro Sakurai, the man behind Kirby and Super Smash Bros. 

The world of Kid Icarus was brought to life like never before in Kid Icarus Uprising for 3DS. Granted, it was a difficult game with tricky controls, but the amount of content was staggering. Voice acting and an incredible soundtrack made it even better. It was far more than anyone expected from a two decade-old series. Pit returned in heavenly style. 

Star Fox

Last Game: Star Fox Command (2006)   Developers: Q-Games, Nintendo EAD

Comeback Game: Star Fox Zero (2016)   Developers: Nintendo EPD, Platinum Games

Period of Absence: 10 years

I know this game hasn't been released yet, but it's obvious that it will be good (mostly because Shigeru Miyamoto is personally involved with it). Not counting the 3DS remake, the Star Fox series has been gone for a whole decade. The last game on DS wasn't really even a shooter; it was more of a strategy game. Zero seems to be returning to the roots of Star Fox 64, and it will be a welcome return. Fox and the team look better than ever, with new vehicles which will give the game some great replay value. It's good to see the Star Fox series follow in the footsteps of other revived Nintendo franchises like Metroid, Punch-Out!!, Donkey Kong Country, and Kid Icarus. 

I'm sure I missed some great comebacks, so feel free to share some of your favorites below.