The video game industry is unpredictable, turbulent, and prone to quick changes. Unfortunately, once famous franchises were just one bad game away from being buried in the past. On the other hand, there's a lot of independent entertainment software that became massive hits overnight. Considering all that, it's not unusual to see some of the most famous video game series getting discontinued and left in the abandonware domain. This top ten list contains some of the most jarring examples of forgotten video game franchises.

10. Twisted Metal

Vehicular combat games were all the craze during the 1990s, and Twisted Metal was the most prominent example. Here, you could choose your fighter from a roster of weird vehicles. Then you'd go to world-famous cities to combat your adversaries to death. Except for a wide array of vehicles and weapons, the selling point was the great destruction you could inflict on the areas you fought in. 

However, after the PlayStation 1 era, these games sharply declined. While there were occasional attempts to bring the franchise back, new generations found vehicle combat games limiting, sealing their fate in the wake of sandbox games. Surprisingly, Twisted Metal returned as a TV show, the first step in the triumphant return.

9. Bloody Roar

The concept of human-beast hybrids fighting each other was quite popular during the 1990s. That idea was the initial spark of many successful franchises, like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. However, this fighting game is way edgier than the adventures of the benevolent ninja reptiles. Bloody Roar followed a group of mutants fighting against the company which performed genetic experiments. Cue inhuman violence. 

Despite lasting for two generations, Bloody Roar stopped at the fourth installment. We're not sure why the sudden cancellation of further sequels was, but we are confident that many people would be glad to see this franchise back. As the fighting game market has been going strong, this might be a great time to do it. Bloody Roar certainly has originality!

8. Turok

Turok games were neither the best-looking nor the funniest, and they could have had a better multiplayer experience. Nevertheless, the concept of hunting dinosaurs with the help of modern and futuristic weaponry wasn't something to be ignored. This game originated on Nintendo 64 and became one of the greatest hits for the console. 

The game's popularity granted it several sequels, but save for the reboot of the first two games in 2015, there has been no news about new Turok games since 2008. This is a shame because a multiplayer co-op game in which you're trying to survive among dinosaurs would be a great hit.

7. Parasite Eve

The original Resident Evil inspired many companies, including Square. However, Parasite Eve also incorporates JRPG elements, making it quite unique. Thus, while the game looks like Resident Evil, it includes random encounters and Active Time Bar, similar to Final Fantasy. Add a phenomenal horror atmosphere, and you'll get a real gem. The game spawned two sequels, which were still well above-average titles.

Yet, the last game in the series came only for PSP and under a new name, making it pretty obscure. Surprisingly, this title never came to other platforms, and none of the games in the series received remasters. In 2022, many hoped that the series would be back, as the company trademarked Symbiogenesis. This phrase is an essential part of Parasite Eve's story. However, it turned out to be just another horrible NFT project. While it's good that Square Enix hasn't completely forgotten about the series, no one asked for this.

6. Syphon Filter

Syphon Filter games were one of the pillars of the foundation for the third-person stealth genre. The other two series are Metal Gear Solid and Splinter Cell. All three are currently on ice, with the titular one being the longest gone, ever since 2008. Syphon Filter is the name of the fictional virus that could be programmed to attack certain groups of people. Therefore, our main characters need to fight the terrorist organizations which want to use it in their evil ways. 

A combination of stealth action, an exciting story, and a charming protagonist made this game a big deal. As the PlayStation exclusive, Syphon Filter got three sequels for the original console and four more for other Sony systems. We would like to see the return of stealth games led by another Syphon Filter sequel. Until then, at least some of the old games are now available with trophy support.

 5. No One Lives Forever

Take the best from the spy movies and TV shows during the 1960s, mix it with stealth, outrageous weaponry, spy tech, and add the outrageous villain and suave chique lady as the protagonist. It sounds like a receipt for instant success, right? Unfortunately, it's not.

The fate of the No One Lives Forever franchise is one of the most obvious examples of injustice in the gaming world. The first game got everything right, from graphics and gameplay to atmosphere and humor. Nevertheless, this title was only moderately successful, which earned it just a single sequel before the franchise went on ice for good. What is worse is that you can't even buy this game legally. This is due to the dispute about copyright infringement between developers and distributors. 

4. Legacy Of Kain/Soul Reaver

Remember the time when vampires were scary? Yeah, we barely do too. One of the flag bearers of the scary vampire trope was the Legacy of Kain franchise. The titular character is one of the most remarkably written ever, whose malice and cunning mesmerized a whole generation of gamers. Kain's legacy continued with the Soul Reaver series, helmed by his son Raziel, a disfigured and mutilated vampire-mutant with the power to travel between material and spectral realms.

After the last game in the Soul Reaver series (Defiance,) there were numerous rumors about reinstating the Legacy of Kain games. The closest we came to another Legacy of Kain game was Dead Sun, canceled in 2018. However, in 2021 there were rumors about a Soul Reaver games remaster.     

3. Sly Cooper

When it appeared in 2002, Sly Cooper came to a market oversaturated with excellent platform-adventure games. Yet, it still established itself thanks to some unique elements, like stealth mechanics. Furthermore, Sly is not alone in his adventures, and other characters are totally unique. Add to that an excellent presentation that still holds well and a surprisingly good story. All games in the series are excellent, and the PS2 games received a must-have PS3 exclusive HD remaster. Yet, the physical copy can be pretty expensive.

While the last Sly game (Thieves in Time) ended with Cliffhanger, the developers announced there won't be any sequel. As they explained, low sales and Sony's focus on more realistic titles contributed to that. While Sucker Punch still holds the license, they have no plans with it. Yet, it's hard to believe they won't revisit it, as fans and media haven't forgotten it. Interestingly, Sony even announced a movie and a TV series, although these projects are currently on ice.

2. Castlevania

Castlevania is the oldest and the most numerous franchise on this list, spanning over 35 years and having more than 30 games under the belt. Castlevania's influence on the gaming world is hard to describe because the first one featured so many elements that all later games accepted and standardized. However, the original story about the Belmont family wandering around Dracula's castle remains insurmountable.

It was 2008 when the last mainline Castlevania game was published. From then on, we saw various spin-offs, side stories, and even a fighting game we don't want to talk about. This is not the only franchise Konami treated poorly, but it's the most important. Furthermore, we can't even buy some of these games.  

1. SSX

Near the end of the millennium and the beginning of another, we were all obsessed with extreme sports. Thus, Electronic Arts created the EA Sports Big label just for that purpose. While we loved NBA Street, NFL Street, and Def Jam, we especially miss the SSX series. The original game appeared in 2000 as a PlayStation 2 exclusive, quickly followed by a few more excellent releases. What we loved about these games is their excellent visuals and high playability. While these are arcade titles, they offer incredible depth. Thus, you can always find a way to improve.

In 2012, EA Canada did a reboot that deserved praise, despite being more sim-oriented than previous games. Luckily, gamers also loved it, making it a commercial success. Thus, it's so weird that SSX 2012 is still the last game in the series. Unfortunately, EA decided to completely ignore arcade sports titles, instead focusing on their yearly franchises. The situation looks gloomy now, but it's hard to believe that the series won't return.

Video game history is full of forgotten franchises, some of which are among the most famous of all time. While we can't bring them back, we should remind ourselves why they deserve another chance. Hopefully, that'll become the truth for some of them.

What is your favorite forgotten game series on our top ten list? What are some of the other franchises that need sequels?

Cover photo: TopTens.fun/Midjourney