6 Game Series That Need Legacy Collections ASAP

Castlevania

Castlevania earns its place in video gaming legend thanks to a string of acclaimed titles across nearly every console generation. The most iconic Castlevania titles were in its earlier years, and we’d love to see a legacy collection compile all of the 8 and 16-bit era titles in one special edition.

Starting from the very first Castlevania, titles such as Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse and Super Castlevania IV would be a particular highlight. The earlier Castlevania games are tough-as-nails, demanding precision inputs and lots of patience, but an emulated version in this hypothetical collection could let us save for an easier run. Armed with extra lives, we’d love a chance to take on the notorious flying Medusa heads once again.

As for Symphony of the Night, the inclusion of the special edition that came to Xbox with Simon Belmont as a playable character would be our choice. Challenges, as in the Megaman Legacy Collection, for trophies and achievements in the shape of speed runs would be awesome, too.

Given that Castlevania has just had a successful Netflix series greenlit, it seems like just about the perfect time for a Legacy Collection of our favorite Transylvanian adventures.

Possible Legacy Collection:

• Castlevania
• Castlevania II
• Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse
• Super Castlevania IV
• Castlevania Bloodlines
• Castlevania: Rondo of Blood (X)
• Castlevania: Symphony of the Night

Mario

OK, so old Mario games are available on about ten different systems at this point, but who could honestly say no to a compilation of its best titles in one awesome collection? There really aren’t any dud Mario platforming experiences, and the collection could quite easily span two different volumes: one for early 2D side scrolling games; and a future volume that encompasses 3D titles.

Inevitably, when the Switch’s virtual console does finally launch, older Mario games will be available for download. But rather than re-releasing the same emulations, the younger generation of gamers who haven’t experienced the franchise’s magical origins really should have a chance to play them through on a shiny compilation edition.

When it comes to additional modes and challenges, the Mario games are rife with opportunities. Not to mention, given that Nintendo has chosen to ignore the popularity of achievements within games, this would be a fun way to add replayability to old games that we haven’t had before. Time trials, coin collection, completing levels without dying, mashups of different levels from different 2D Mario games; there are so many cool challenges Nintendo could add across those early Mario titles.

With the impending launch of Mario Odyssey – the first 3D Mario game in years – is there a better time to generate even more hype for the Mario franchise than with a Legacy Collection to play through its platforming roots?

Possible Legacy Collection:

• Super Mario Bros
• Super Mario Bros II
• Super Mario Bros III
• Super Mario World
• Super Mario World II: Yoshi’s Island

Shinobi

Along with Alex Kidd and Sonic, Shinobi’s Joe Musashi has to be one of SEGA’s most iconic characters, and it’s time to celebrate it properly with a legacy collection.

There weren’t many SEGA published games of the that Nintendo went out of its way to port to the NES system during the console wars of the eighties, but Shinobi commanded such popularity that it earned that honor. Starting life as a smash-hit arcade game, the Shinobi series grew into one of SEGA’s most beloved franchises, and was a mainstay on all of their home consoles during the eighties and nineties. It was very much part of the push for more mature content on Genesis that gave the company its identity during the nineties. From the Master System to the Saturn, Shinobi is firmly part of SEGA heritage.

Like Castlevania, Shinobi was known for its brutal difficulty, but its platforming was a little more fluid to control. The emphasis was firmly on ninja-like spinning and grappling, which only got more athletic throughout the years. High jumps, low kicks, shuriken throwing, and Katana slashing, Musashi was a bad-ass that needs his own collection ASAP.

Possible Legacy Collection:

• Shinobi
• Shinobi II: The Silent Fury
• The Revenge of Shinobi
• Shadow Dancer: The Secret of Shinobi
• Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master
• Shinobi Legions

Dragon Quest

The disparity between Dragon Quest’s popularity in Japan compared with its small following in the western markets is marked. Over the years, though, the magic of the series has slowly spread, and Dragon Quest is finally getting the global attention the series deserves. Indeed, the upcoming release of Dragon Quest XI has certainly piqued the interest of western gamers. We’d absolutely love a compilation of those scarcely available titles from the NES through to the PSOne era.

Dragon Quest role-playing games are well known for their enormous size. A single game can easily clock in at around one hundred hours including all side quests, so this Legacy Collection would certainly represent decent value.

What is also notable about the Dragon Quest games is their similarity in premise, design, and overall aesthetic. It would be easy to mistake these continued themes as nothing more than mindless repetition, but it is this lineage that utterly defines Dragon Quest. While they have evolved over the years, there is something so charming about their familiarity, and something so commendable about the confidence with which they stick to their roots.

Possible Legacy Collection:

• Dragon Quest
• Dragon Quest II
• Dragon Quest III
• Dragon Quest IV
• Dragon Quest V
• Dragon Quest VI
• Dragon Quest VII

The Legend of Zelda

Zelda is a beloved series to so many gamers, and the is now franchise firmly back in the spotlight after a triumphant return in Breath of the Wild. With our interest in Hyrule at an all-time high and our thirst for more cool games to play on our Nintendo Switch, who wouldn’t want the chance to return to earlier versions of Hyrule once again?

With the exception, perhaps, of the second title in the series, every Zelda game has brought innovation in game design. From A Link Between World’s non-linear design to Ocarina of Time’s groundbreaking 3D gameplay, each title has become a new benchmark in the adventure genre. A Legacy Collection that commemorated each of these entries in one slick package would be oh-so cool. Please, Nintendo, you could even throw in a special Amiibo if you like, too!

Starting with the original game and leading up to its big evolution to 3D wouldn’t quite be enough for a collection alone, so it would be nice to include games from the Gameboy Color library too.

Possible Legacy Collection:

• The Legend of Zelda
• The Adventure of Link
• A Link to the Past
• Link’s Awakening
• Ocarina of Time
• Majora’s Mask
• Oracle of Seasons
• Oracle of Ages

Donkey Kong

Donkey Kong is such an important part of Nintendo’s heritage. After all, the original game inspired a spin-off called Mario, which went on to become somewhat of a big deal. Later, Donkey Kong Country’s unrivaled graphics and sumptuous side-scrolling gameplay would reaffirm Nintendo as King of the home consoles. The success of that SNES title transformed Donkey Kong into the first iconic Nintendo character that rose to fame via a third-party studio.

We feel it is time to celebrate Rare’s wonderful creation with a Legacy Collection that encompasses Donkey Kong’s best games. Starting with the acclaimed two Country games through to the glory days of 3D platforming on the N64, this is assortment would surely be eaten up by nostalgic Nintendo fans. It would also be a chance for younger gamers who never got a chance to experience the talented Rare team’s best work to see the origins of recent games like Yooka Laylee.

The collectathon gameplay loop of Rare’s 3D platforming games is absolutely perfect for challenge modes, too, which would add new experiences to freshen up these older games.

Possible Legacy Collection

• Donkey Kong Country
• Donkey Kong Land
• Donkey Kong Country 2
• Donkey Kong Land 2
• Donkey Kong Country 3
• Donkey Kong Land 3
• Donkey Kong 64
• Donkey Kong Racing