Nintendo games have something about them gives them a remarkable charm. Sure, the video game company has franchises mostly aimed for kids like Mario and Pokémon, but they also delve into mature games that you wouldn't believe were published by Nintendo. There are some games that have gotten praise or sold well, but they never got another chance to shine. Many beloved games like Super Mario RPG were loved by many fans, but for whatever reason, have not gotten a sequel of some sort.
There are tons of games that have the potential to have a franchise, but either due to unfortunate circumstances or no plans at the moment, the possibility seems to be in the distant future. Although, it is not too late to think of what could have been if these games were to get sequels. Here are 10 original games from Nintendo that never became franchises.
10 MadWorld
MadWorld was certainly an interesting game, to say the least. It is perhaps the most violent Nintendo game to date, and it just so happens to appear on the Wii, the highest selling Nintendo console to date. Despite its gruesome violence and being an original title, MadWorld received mostly positive reviews since PlatinumGames was the developer behind it.
The art style set itself apart from other colorful games, but the game has a short length compared to other Wii games such as Super Mario Galaxy or The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess. MadWorld did eventually get a spiritual successor titled Anarchy Reigns but was released as a 3D fighting game on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. Not exactly a sequel, but it offered something outside of the hack and slash Wii title.
9 Super Mario RPG: Legend Of The Seven Stars
Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars was the first attempt at an RPG in the Mario world, and it was certainly a big accomplishment by being both successful and critically acclaimed. The game did get spiritual sequels from a gameplay perspective, such as Paper Mario and Mario & Luigi games, but after nearly 25 years, there has been no official sequel with the same world Super Mario RPG takes place in.
Since Square Enix and Nintendo seem to be on good terms today by having Cloud appear in Super Smash Bros. and having some Final Fantasy titles available on the Switch, maybe the possibility for a proper sequel is not far off. Perhaps if Genos makes his way into Super Smash Bros. Ultimate DLC, then there might be some hope.
8 Pokémon Conquest
Pokémon Conquest is if Pokémon and Fire Emblem had a love child. As a tactical RPG with a Japanese-inspired setting that is based on the game series Nobunaga's Ambition, Pokémon Conquest is a unique take for a spin-off. The gameplay is fun and has an engaging story inspired from Japanese history.
If Nobunaga's Ambition had many games in the franchise, then there is a possibility for Pokémon Conquest to have a few sequels since there are eight generations of Pokémon. Also, while Eevee is a popular Pokémon, it would be an interesting idea for the player to pick their starter just like in the mainline games.
7 Astral Chain
Astral Chain is one of the recent titles for the Nintendo Switch, so becoming a franchise is plausible, but too early to focus on. It has sold well, having a million copies bought and being one of the best-selling games for the Nintendo Switch. The concept is fresh and takes dystopia to a whole new level with a science fiction setting.
The game's story ending does leave room for interpretation and could start off with a follow-up game. Even if it was a critical and commercial success, PlatinumGames is currently focusing on Bayonetta 3, which was announced at the 2017 Game Awards, along with other games such as Granblue Fantasy: Relink and Babylon's Fall.
6 Elite Beat Agents
By technicality, Elite Beat Agents does have a sequel of some sorts, but it remains as a Japanese exclusive titled Moero! Nekketsu Rhythm Damashii Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan 2, thus never being released to the west. But that does not mean fans of the Nintendo DS are tired of it. As a fun take on the rhythm game genre, Elite Beat Agents has a fun art style based on comic books and has a simple, but effective story to progress forward to beat the game.
The game also has a great soundtrack featuring artists from the 60s to the 2000s. This is an absolutely perfect game to have a sequel for on the Switch and can feature a huge variety of songs even from Japan. Game director and designer Keiichi Yano has expressed interest for a sequel, so it will possibly become a reality in this decade.
5 Super Princess Peach
Even if this is not the first time playing as the iconic Princess Peach, Super Princess Peach is her first game as the main character. The gameplay is like any other Mario game by being a platformer with bright and colorful graphics, but Peach has the power of emotions that can be activated with the stylus on the DS touch screen, though she does have to find resources to gain more energy for her vibe meter.
With Peach mostly being the one captured by Bowser or others, it is refreshing to see her be the heroine by rescuing Mario and Luigi. A successor of similar gameplay mechanics would be fun to play on the Switch and offer more worlds and perhaps exploring more of Perry's backstory before he turned into the umbrella we know and love.
4 Arms
Arms was Nintendo's answer for an original fighting game, and it received all the praise it can get for its unique cast of characters and addictive gameplay. With Min Min as a playable DLC fighter in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, the game's recognition got bigger even though the game was a surprising success. The game's art style also takes inspiration from classic anime like Dragon Ball and Akira.
Arms has a lot of potentials to do something like a story mode to bring more life to the characters outside of their fighting style and personality. A franchise can be in the foreseeable future by being a series like Street Fighter or Mortal Kombat.
3 Ice Climber
Ice Climber was another platforming game that offers cooperative gameplay with a bit of competition if the two players get to the bonus round. It served as a launch title for the NES and can be played on the Nintendo Switch with an online membership subscription. Today, the two Ice Climbers, Popo and Nana, are remembered thanks to being in Super Smash Bros. Melee, appearing in every game since except for Super Smash Bros. on the Wii U and Nintendo 3DS.
They are beloved because of their inclusion, and it's still baffling how they have not had a game since 1985, but is still a part of the Super Smash Bros. roster. It definitely could have taken the Mario route and had sequels that are outside of the platforming genre. Right now, it seems unlikely if we'll ever get a sequel or spiritual successor for Ice Climber.
2 Dinosaur Planet
Dinosaur Planet is the only game on this list to never be officially released, which is a shame because it was developed by the legendary company Rare. It was to be an original game with an open-world experience. This all changed when Shigeru Miyamoto, one of the main figureheads from Nintendo, noticed how Sabre, one of the main characters, bears a striking resemblance to Star Fox's Fox McCloud. Dinosaur Planet eventually became Star Fox Adventures as a result, but it was a concept that we will never get to see more of outside of released gameplay footage and released MP3 from Rare.
1 Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem
Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem was one of the underrated gems from the GameCube's library. The game received praise at the time for its gameplay and an intriguing plot. While it gained critical acclaim, the game did not sell well, sadly.
There were plans to do a sequel, but Nintendo canceled it and owned the rights to the copyrights. The developer behind Eternal Darkness, Silicon Knights, went bankrupt in 2014. Despite that, writer/director Denis Dyack aimed to make a spiritual successor called Shadow of the Eternals. Sadly, the Kickstarter campaigns for the game failed to reach its goal, making the game be on indefinite hiatus.