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14 Abandoned Franchises that Need to Make a Comeback

• By Patrick Shaw and McKinley Noble
• December 30, 2008 07:31 AM PST
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#7: Carmageddon

Last Seen: Carmageddon 3: TDR 2000 - PC (2000)
If you've never played Carmageddon, perhaps you've seen the film Death Race 2000 and can imagine a video game version of that irreverent movie where drivers race around a pseudo-futuristic track scoring points for mauling helpless pedestrians with their vehicle (and no, not the unholy bastardization remake that came out earlier this year, but the cult 70s flick starring David Carradine).

Where'd It Go: Let's face it, if Rockstar can barely get away with the violence featured in Grand Theft Auto, how are they going to make another game where you are encouraged to savagely splatter old women with walkers on the hood of your car?

#6: Shenmue

Last Seen: Shenmue II - Dreamcast (2001), Xbox (2002)
Ah, another unfortunate series that died along with the Dreamcast. While the Shenmue story definitely had legs to run on, it now looks like Ryo Hazuki may never get the chance to avenge his father. After five years, there's been no concrete evidence of a new Shenmue, despite hundreds upon hundreds of fan requests.

Where'd It Go: While pictures and rumors of an online Shenmue title have been dangling in front Sega fans like a meaty steak, we still haven't heard anything new since a sparse 2006 press release.

#5: Tomba

Last Seen: Tomba! 2: The Evil Swine Return - PlayStation (1999)
If you've never played a Tomba! game, you're not alone. The now defunct Whoopee Camp's whimsical side-scrolling adventures where you jump on the backs on pigs (not in the way that you're thinking) as a pink-haired caveman named Tomba were nothing short of awesome. Tomba could have easily risen to the fame of modern game mascots like Crash and Jak & Daxter.

Where'd It Go: Despite the fact that both Tomba! and its sequel sold well and received overall great review scores, Whoopee Camp went under and Tomba! 3 was never made.

#4: Blood

Last Seen: Blood II: The Chosen - PC (1998)
The original Blood, as its name suggests, took the traditional FPS gameplay of the time featured in games like Doom and cranked up the blood and guts. In many ways though, Blood, was far more than just a Doom-ripoff. On top of sporting some really cool enemies like axe-wielding zombies and cloaked Jawa-lookalike cultists, Blood allowed you to rip off zombie's heads with a pitchfork and kick them around the level like a soccer ball and set other foes ablaze by firing a flare into their bodies.

Where'd It Go: Blood II didn't feel like a true sequel and failed to meet the expectations of fans.

#3: Chrono Trigger

Last Seen: Chrono Cross - PlayStation (2000)
No, releasing Chrono Trigger on the DS doesn't count as reviving the franchise. If Square Enix put half as much effort into making new games as they did into making ports, we'd be playing Final Fantasy XIII by now. We're not denying that the SNES port is a good thing (after all, our Chrono Trigger review rated a 5) we're still waiting for an honest sequel to Chrono Cross.

Where'd It Go: Plenty of fan sites have been clamoring for a new Chrono game, even going as far as making their own mods -- until Square Enix starts handing out legal letters.

#2: Road Rash

Last Seen: Road Rash: Jailbreak - PlayStation (1999)
Road Rash was famous as one of the only racing games where you were required to literally punch, kick, and scratch your way to the finish line. Using blunt weapons to take out rival racers was the best part of the Road Rash series, something that continued all way up to its PlayStation debut, Road Rash: Jailbreak. Not only could you upgrade your bike, but you could also earn new bludgeoning weapons for inflicting massive damage.

Where'd It Go: Electronic Arts is apparently getting their racing destruction quota from series like Need For Speed and Burnout, since Road Rash's only post-1990s exposure has been a couple of bare-boned GBA and PSP ports.

#1: System Shock

Last Seen: System Shock 2 - PC (1999)
With the tremendous popularity of BioShock (the "spiritual successor" to the System Shock games) it only seems natural to give some serious thought to rebooting the sci-fi horror series that started it all. In the System Shock games, which combine both FPS and RPG gameplay elements, you run around a space station crawling with murderous infected crew members called "The Many," that's reminiscent of the film Event Horizon (which came out after System Shock). Though System Shock and SS2's graphics are dated, the game's still fun to play.

Where'd It Go: From what we understand, what little work was done on bringing a third System Shock game to life was absorbed into the creation of BioShock. Many fans of the series would kill for a chance to play a new System Shock, but so far there aren't any plans to bring it back this abandoned franchise.

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