5 Forgotten 2000s Franchises that Desperately Need New Games

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Man, gaming in the 2000s just felt different. It wasn’t just because I was a kid with no real worries! The tech was different back then, and so were the kinds of games everyone was into. Seriously, they made games out of everything – every movie, every TV show. And the graphics? Let’s just say they were… charmingly blocky. A lot of the biggest franchises we love today really found their footing on consoles like the PS2, GameCube, and the original Xbox. It’s cool seeing so many of those old games get remade or remastered now that everyone’s feeling nostalgic, but it’s a bummer that some series have been totally forgotten and are still stuck in the past.

Many classic games, like Final Fantasy 7, Gears of War, and Halo, are getting remade with updated graphics and gameplay. This is great for longtime fans and can also attract new players. However, simply updating old games isn’t always enough. Some franchises from the 2000s need completely new installments to truly bring them back to life. I believe these five franchises deserve another chance and should get new games as soon as possible.

5) Dance, Dance Revolution

Though new Dance, Dance Revolution arcade machines are still being made, the series hasn’t seen a home console release in years. I remember spending countless hours playing on my PlayStation 2 dance pad back in the 2000s, but the last console version came out on the Nintendo Wii in 2008. It’s a real shame we haven’t had a new one since then.

Like a lot of people, I really enjoy playing Dance Dance Revolution (DDR) at arcades. However, I don’t get to do that very often. When I do go to an arcade, there’s usually a dedicated player already using the machine. It feels like games like Just Dance have taken the place of DDR, but it’s not quite the same experience. I really miss the feeling of physically stepping on the dance mat. We need a new DDR game for home consoles!

4) Nintendogs

I’m telling you, Nintendo needs to bring back Nintendogs! With the new Switch reportedly getting a microphone again – something that was so key to the original DS games – there’s really no reason not to. Okay, Nintendogs wasn’t a massive hit back in the day, but I think a lot more people would be into a game like that now. We’ve got tons of simulators coming out, but nobody’s doing that simple, cozy pet care thing quite like Nintendogs, and I really miss it!

Every few years, people start hoping this series will make a comeback, but it hasn’t happened yet. I think a key piece of the puzzle might have been the built-in microphone on the upcoming Switch 2. At the very least, Nintendogs should be a priority if Nintendo brings DS games to Nintendo Switch Online. But what fans really want is a completely new Nintendogs game that builds on the original and feels modern – that would be a guaranteed hit.

3) Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance

Wizards of the Coast continues to create new Baldur’s Gate games. However, the main series uses a turn-based combat system that can be quite complex, even in recent games like Baldur’s Gate 3. The console spin-offs, Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance and Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance 2, were action RPGs that were easier to pick up and play. I enjoyed having both types of games, and I’d like to see that variety again.

A third game in the Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance series was planned but ultimately never released. This wasn’t due to a lack of interest, but because the developers, Dark Isle Studio, closed down and the rights to the game lapsed. Now, with Dungeons & Dragons becoming increasingly popular, bringing back Dark Alliance would be a great addition to games like Baldur’s Gate 3. While BG3 focuses on the traditional tabletop RPG experience, Dark Alliance offered a more action-oriented approach. I still hope a Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance 3 will be made someday.

2) Command & Conquer

Real-time strategy games are becoming popular again, but the classic Command & Conquer series hasn’t made a full return. A remastered version was released on Steam in 2020, which was a faithful update to the original games. However, many fans are hoping to see a completely new Command & Conquer game that reimagines the series for today’s players.

For many, Command & Conquer defined the real-time strategy genre, setting the standard for countless games that followed. Players enjoyed its engaging stories, simple economic system, and reliable gameplay. Now that RTS games are becoming popular again, Command & Conquer is the perfect series to reimagine for today’s players. Updated graphics, a modern interface, and refined gameplay could quickly make it a leader in the genre once more.

1) Star Fox

Like a lot of Nintendo fans, I’m always hoping to see Fox McCloud and the Star Fox crew make a return. The series started way back in 1993, but it really became something special in the 2000s. I have so many good memories playing Star Fox Adventures, and honestly, it’s been way too long since we’ve gotten a new game in the series. I’m really hoping Nintendo brings it back!

The last original Star Fox game was Star Fox Zero, released in 2016, though it largely revisited ideas from Star Fox 64. The mixed response to Zero may have led Nintendo to pause the series. Despite this, many fans still want to see a completely new Star Fox game, which could revitalize the franchise and bring it back into the spotlight. Nintendo should consider giving the series another chance with a fresh entry.

What gaming series from the 2000s would you love to see make a comeback with a new installment? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!

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2026-01-12 23:13