As a lifelong fan of Capcom games, I can’t help but feel a pang of nostalgia as I look at this list. Each title represents a piece of my gaming history that I hold dear, from the exhilarating battles in Breath of Fire 3 to the heart-pounding horror of Dino Crisis.
At the 2024 Game Awards, long-held dreams were realized when Capcom announced they would be rekindling not just one but two classic series that haven’t been active for many years – Onimusha and Okami. Alongside Okami 2 and Onimusha: Way of the Sword, Capcom has also promised to revive more of its inactive intellectual properties in the future, while continuing to create new games (as stated on their official website).
Overjoyed as a devoted fan of Capcom for years, I can’t help but feel elated about these classic series making a comeback. Titles like Okami and Onimusha, which graced the PlayStation 2, are some of Capcom’s most captivating releases in my opinion. This renewed activity stirs anticipation within me that other dormant IPs from Capcom might finally have their moment back in the limelight.
Come along as we, from Windows Central, list the top 10 inactive game franchises by Capcom that they might consider revisiting starting from 2025 and beyond.
10. God Hand
God Hand is a third-person fighting game released in 2006 for the PlayStation 2. You take on the role of Gene, a martial artist on a journey to save the world from demons. After losing his arm and receiving the ‘God Hand’ artifact as replacement, he is compelled to act.
The character engaged in fierce battles against tough demon groups, employing an unusual battle system that merged traditional tank controls from Resident Evil with intricate, customizable beat-’em-up dynamics. On the surface, it seemed peculiar, but the execution offered immense gratification when players learned how to use it and became proficient.
Furthermore, it featured adaptive challenge levels that adjusted themselves on the fly based on your proficiency (for example, adversaries might learn new maneuvers or strike harder if you were highly skilled in the game).
9. Viewtiful Joe
Since 2005, when Viewtiful Joe: Double Trouble! was released for the Nintendo DS, there hasn’t been a new installment in the series of side-scrolling fighting games known as Viewtiful Joe.
The games revolve around the humorous escapades of the main character, Viewtiful Joe, as he goes on wacky, self-referential missions to save the world, poking fun at films, cartoons, television shows, and video games.
1 and 2 in the Viewtiful Joe series were highly praised as iconic games on the Nintendo Gamecube, offering engaging beat-’em-up action that delighted players who mastered the art of strategically blending moves with time-freezing abilities to effortlessly defeat adversaries.
8. Cyberbots: Full Metal Madness
1995 saw the launch of “Cyberbots: Full Metal Madness,” an intense, one-on-one combat video game initially available only in arcades. Over time, it found its way onto various gaming consoles as well.
In this game, participants assume command over colossal robots, engaging in fierce battles against one another. The fighting mechanism bears resemblance to Capcom’s Street Fighter series, but allows players to tailor their selected robot’s move-set by arming it with diverse body components that cater to individual playstyles. Moreover, it showcases an impressive level of aerial agility.
7. Final Fight
One of Capcom’s earliest intellectual properties, Final Fight, significantly shaped the side-scrolling beat ’em up genre we know today. Regrettably, it has been almost a decade since a new installment was released (2010’s criticized Final Fight: Double Impact). In these games, you controlled a diverse cast of tough characters such as Cody, Guy, Mike Haggar, and others, embarking on a mission to rescue Metro City from the clutches of the malicious Mad Gear Gang.
These games, notably Final Fight 1, 2, and 3, essentially shaped the genre of beat ’em ups by introducing straightforward yet potent combat systems, formidable and unforgettable adversaries, and engaging cooperative play.
6. Lost Planet
During the Xbox 360 period, the Lost Planet series emerged, offering third-person shooting action where players battled to stay alive amidst a hostile alien planet teeming with enormous creatures called Akrid.
In the past, these games were well-liked due to their challenging gameplay that catered to both solo and team multiplayer experiences. Players would employ a vast array of weapons to combat colossal monsters, much like in Capcom’s Monster Hunter series. Unfortunately, the franchise has not seen any new releases since 2013’s Lost Planet 3.
5. Darkstalkers
The Darkstalkers video game franchise involves players taking on the personas of various nighttime creatures such as succubi, werewolves, vampires, beastmen, and the undead, engaging in intense battles against one another.
As a researcher with a keen interest in gaming history, I can attest to the enduring popularity of the Darkstalkers franchise among fighting game enthusiasts. This series stands out due to its dark, gothic ambiance, captivating characters, and its over-the-top, intense combat system. Regrettably, since the release of Vampire Savior 2: The Lord of Vampire in 1997, there hasn’t been a fresh installment in the series. Over the years, the iconic Darkstalkers characters have primarily appeared in remakes and cameo roles within Marvel Vs. Capcom games.
4. Mega Man
The Mega Man series, a well-known collection of side-scrolling action games with a platformer twist, played a significant role in establishing Capcom’s presence within the gaming industry during the 80s. It has since spawned numerous spin-offs such as Mega Man X, Mega Man Zero, Mega Man Legends, and many more, inspiring them all.
In these classic Mega Man series, we follow the escapades of a young robot named Mega Man (or Rock), as he embarks on thrilling journeys to protect the world from the malevolent Dr. Wily and his legions of Robot Masters. These games are renowned for their exceptional level design that is both challenging and creative, appealing graphics, precise gameplay controls, and boss fights that were incredibly tough but satisfying to conquer.
Since the launch of Mega Man 11 back in 2018, there hasn’t been a new addition to the primary series or its many offshoots announced yet, giving the impression that the Mega Man series is temporarily on pause.
3. Marvel Vs. Capcom
Marvel vs. Capcom is a collection of combat-focused video games, where characters from Capcom’s renowned game series face off against the mighty heroes and villains from Marvel comics, resulting in thrilling team brawls that are truly epic.
These Capcom fighting games are highly praised for their elaborate team-based battle system that offers a multitude of combat techniques, extended combos, and an extensive cast of beloved characters such as Ryu, Wolverine, Dante, Deadpool, Mega Man, Dr. Doom, among many others.
The series has taken a break after the launch of Marvel Vs. Capcom Infinite in 2017, leaving some enthusiasts eagerly awaiting a new instalment. In response to this longing, fans have started modifying the PC versions of Marvel Vs. Capcom 3 and Marvel Vs. Capcom Infinite, enabling them to play as characters not originally included in the game rosters, and adjusting the gameplay mechanics.
2. Breath of Fire
With turn-based JRPGs experiencing a significant comeback, it’s an ideal moment for Capcom to reintroduce its counterpart to Square Enix’s Final Fantasy series – Breath of Fire. The Breath of Fire saga encompasses grand, epic tales of heroes, headed by a blue-haired warrior named Ryu (who has the ability to transform into dragons), as they traverse the world, battling monsters and saving it from malevolent forces.
Many people, including myself, highly appreciate Breath of Fire 3 and 4 as some of the finest JRPGs ever produced on the original PlayStation. These games stand out due to their intricate graphics, relatable characters that are enjoyable to play, and complex combat systems featuring exclusive mechanics in each game. Regrettably, after the launch of Breath of Fire 5 Dragon Quarter, the series seemed to stagnate – it released a Japanese-only mobile version, Breath of Fire 6, in 2016 but was later discontinued in 2017.
1. Dino Crisis
Among all Capcom intellectual properties (IP), Dino Crisis seems ripe for a comeback, offering vast possibilities. Launched in 1999 on the original PlayStation, it shared a kinship with Capcom’s Resident Evil series in theme but featured dinosaurs instead of zombies as adversaries. These prehistoric creatures were accidentally transported to the present day due to a disastrous scientific experiment.
Starting from Dino Crisis 2 and 3, the storyline shifted towards an action-packed focus, but unfortunately, despite this change, the franchise hasn’t gained as much popularity as Resident Evil, and it’s been inactive since 2003.
To this very day, the original Dino Crisis is cherished as a timeless masterpiece within the survival horror genre. For decades, fans have expressed their desire for a new installment or at least a remake that maintains the same ominous, rugged atmosphere and high-quality production values similar to Capcom’s reimagined Resident Evil series.
It’s time for Capcom to strike nostalgia gold
There are numerous Capcom intellectual properties that have been inactive for some time, but could potentially make a strong return to popularity, similar to Asura’s Wrath, Cadillacs and Dinosaurs, Mega Man Legends, Power Stone, and several more.
But, the titles on this list are among those most demanded by fans, and they stand to gain significantly from contemporary gaming advancements, enhancements in quality of life, and the wonders of Capcom’s renowned RE Engine.
Over the coming years, Capcom enthusiasts can expect an exhilarating journey with upcoming games such as Okami 2, Onimusha: Way of the Blade, and Monster Hunter Wilds, among others, ensuring an action-packed time for Capcom fans in the near future.
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2024-12-17 20:10