Summary
Some video game series take their time to find their groove, some are continually getting better, and some peak with their very first game. They strike gold from the get-go and even if the sequels are still of a high quality, they never quite capture that same magic as the first game.
Whether the original idea for that game series was so strong that it didn’t merit sequels or core members of the development team changed between the first and second game, there are a range of reasons why this happens. If you like playing game series in order of release, then you’re in for a treat from the very beginning with these series.
For the purpose of this list, only video games series with three or more entries will be considered.
Updated on July 04, 2025:We’ve added a video version of this list for you to check out, in case you feel like watching the biggest series with the best starting points!
8New Super Mario Bros.
Less New With Each New Game
The original New Super Mario Bros was a breath of fresh air when it launched on the Nintendo DS in 2006. There hadn’t been a core 2D Mario platformer in over a decade, and here was a game that seamlessly combined old school design philosophy with modern visuals and a suite of exciting new power-ups and features.
However, with each subsequent game in this Mario sub-series, the “New” in the title started to feel less earnest and more ironic. While there were new things added, the sequels began to feel more and more iterative, lacking that novelty that made the DS New Super Mario Bros special.
7Mega Man X
Not To Be Confused With Mega Man 10
Mega Man X was the 16-bit shakeup the series needed after starting to feel a bit same-same with the core series. The game adopted an edgier art style, added slick new mechanics, and placed a greater emphasis on story and characters.
However, in a case of history repeating itself, Mega Man X would be followed by numerous sequels before hitting burnout. Some of the other Mega Man X games were worthy follow-ups that came close to matching the original’s creative vision, but the quality had well and truly tapered off by the time the series reached the 21st century.
6Xenoblade Chronicles
The Start Of A Modern JRPG Legacy
The main advantage that the first game in a series has compared to any sequels is novelty factor. WhenXenoblade Chroniclesfirst launched on the Wii, it shook up a decades-old genre that was slowly growing stale on home consoles by thrusting it towards modernity.
And while Xenoblade Chronicles X, 2, and 3 are all excellent JRPGs in their own right, there was something special about being introduced to Monolith Soft’s eye for scale and spectacle in the first game. It truly felt like the start of something new and helped kickstart a renaissance of sorts for the genre that we still benefit from to this day.
5Final Fantasy Tactics
The Peak Of Ivalice
Final Fantasy Tacticsheralded the start of a fantastic spinoff series to Sqare’s flagship franchise while also being one of thegreatest strategy RPGs of all time. With morally grey characters, a world steeped in rich lore, and sweeping tactical battles, Final Fantasy Tactics was well-positioned for ongoing success.
Sadly, that ongoing success has never been truly realised. Outside of a couple of decent but tonally very different handheld sequels, a PSP remake, and the world of Ivalice being revisited in other projects, the original Final Fantasy Tactics remains the clear pinnacle of the series. Whether or not that pinnacle could go even higher depends entirely on Square Enix’s motivation to finally resurrect this beloved series from the grave.
4Dark Souls
The Game That Changed Everything
Dark Soulsis one of those games that planted a clear flag in the annals of gaming history. There was gaming before Dark Souls, and there was gaming after Dark Souls, and despite having two sequels and a slate ofother Soulslike gamesin its wake, none of them have matched the legacy or impact of the original.
Of course, legacy and impact don’t mean everything, and while the second and third Dark Souls are excellent games, neither quite manages to match the original’s seemingly endless sense of discovery. The first Dark Souls was a literal game-changer and continues to be regarded by most as the peak of the series.
3Banjo-Kazooie
The Best Of The Bird And The Bear
Bajo-Kazooie remains a beloved favourite among fans of3D platformer gamesfor its charming characters, excellent world design, and fluid controls. While developer Rare does have a strong history with sequels (particularly with Donkey Kong Country and Killer Instinct), they could never quite capture that same magic with any of Banjo’s other games.
Banjo-Tooie ramped up the difficulty and backtracking a bit too much while Nuts & Bolts made some big steps away from the series’ 3D platforming conventions. Throw in a couple of largely forgettable handheld spinoffs, and the original Banjo-Kazooie remains the clear favourite for many.
2Yoshi
It’s Hard To Top Such A Beloved 2D Platformer
Technically Yoshi for the NES is the first game to feature everybody’s favourite green dinosaur as the main character, but most people would consider that game – along with Yoshi’s Cookie and Yoshi’s Safari – as spinoffs. When looking at the core platforming Yoshi games, then the original Yoshi’s Island for the Super Nintendo is where it all began.
And arguably, Yoshi’s Island is also where it all peaked. There have been some great Yoshi games released in more recent years – in particular, Yoshi’s Woolly World – but none of them have quite reached the heights of the original.
1Bioshock
Would You Kindly Make A New Bioshock?
Bioshock made a large impact in the gaming industry when it launched back in 2007. It’s philosophical storytelling, incredible setting, and moody atmosphere set it apart from all the other first-person shooters of its time and helped kickstart a new era of narrative-driven games.
Most fans would agree that, while Bioshock 2 and Infinite each have their own stellar qualities, neither excels across all facets in quite the same way as the original. And given how long it has been since we’ve had a new Bioshock game, it’s looking less and less likely that the first game will ever be topped.
