Favorite video game series

With so many sequels being released every year, I'm sure not all are
worthy successors. I'm curious to know what are your favorite video
game series? Also, mention the ones you think are the best out of that
series. Here's my list in no particular order:

1)Y's
Y's I&II, Y's IV (TurboDuo) - These had the most catchy tunes. Also,
the art direction and voice acting (in I&II) remain the very best to
this day.

2)Shinobi
Super Shinobi I & II (Mega Drive) - Both these games had an incredible
soundtrack, the first composed by the legendary Yuzo Koshiro. Gameplay
is classic 2d that can't be found these days. The graphics have
surprisingly aged quite well too.

3)Thunderforce
TF III & IV (Mega Drive) - Both games had a kick ass soundtrack that
couldn't sound better on any other hardware. Also, one of the few
shoot em ups I enjoy. A sequel was made for PlayStation and Saturn but
could not best these.

4)Panzer Dragoon
PD II Zwei & Saga (Saturn) - The atmosphere Team Andromeda created here
is truly unique and magical. Both games make me a proud Saturn owner.

5)Wipeout
XL & 3 (PlayStation) - Soundtrack composed by trance's top artist.
Both versions are much more playable on the PS2 (load times were
horrible on PSone). Pretty steep learning curve but very rewarding
once you got the hang of it.

6)Phantasy Star
1, 2 & IV (Genesis) - The first one was revolutionary. Definitely an
experience unlike any other at that time. These three had the most
compelling storyline, memorable soundtracks and amazing artwork
(especially loved the character designs and world created by the
designers). It seems that no other RPG series has captured and
captivated my interest since then.

7)Vampire/Darkstalkers
Vampire Savior (Arcade & Saturn) - VS is my all time favorite 2d
fighter. The Saturn version is even better than the arcade since it's
virtually arcade perfect with more characters. Too bad it doesn't get
tournament play.

8)Bomberman
Super Bomberman 2 (SNES) & Saturn Bomberman (Saturn) - Lots of
incarnations. One of the best multi-player and party games. Gets
crazy when you have four or more friends.

9)Bare Knuckle
2 & 3 (Mega Drive) - This one was heavily influenced by Capcom's Final
Fight series. But I prefer this much more and like all games in the
series. Awesome soundtrack. Probably the peak of 2d beat em ups. Two
had the best overall presentation, level design and music. Three had
the best graphics and gameplay although SoA managed to butcher the US
version.

10)Virtua Tennis
2 & 3 (Arcade & Dreamcast) - One of the few sports games I enjoy and
definitely one of the most addicting gameplays. Very simple and easy
to pick up (even among my friends who've never played video games can
learn after few matches) but has enough depth and difficulty to reward
those willing to master the mechanics. Ideal with 4 players on a
doubles match which can be pretty intense on high level of play. I
look forward to a faithful home console translation of the recently
released arcade Virtua Tennis 3.

11)Virtua Fighter
VF4:Evolution (Arcade & PS2) - My all time favorite 3d fighter. By far
the deepest fighting game. Pioneered character customizations. I
liked 2 the best, that is until I played Evolution. I tried going back
but it's pretty difficult considering how much more refined the
graphics and gameplay have become. Too bad Final Tuned was never
ported to a home console. I'm highly anticipating the recently
released Virtua Fighter 5. It's sad this rarely gets played
competitively outside Japan.

12)Street Fighter
SFA2 & SFIII: 3s (Arcade, Saturn & PS2) - I enjoy most of the games in
this series but prefer and play these two the most. Third strike gets
plenty of tournament play. I hope the recently released alpha
anthology / fighters generation will spark enough interest to generate
more competitive and a revival in tournament play.

13)Soul Calibur
1, 2 & 3 (Arcade, Dreamcast & PS2) - Hmm, it's difficult to pick one so
I mention all games in the series. I've had and have most fun playing
with the first one on Dreamcast. The third part has some of the nicest
looking background stages though.

14)Mario Kart
Super Mario Kart (SNES) & Double Dash (Gamecube) - The original on SNES
had and still has one of the most fun and addicting two player battle
modes. Double dash with four players is the probably as good as it
gets for racing madness. Not generally into portable games but I've
seen and briefly played Mario Kart DS and I must say it's an incredible
game too.

15)Castlevania
Castlevania III (Famicom) & Dracula X (PC Engine) - Dracula X on PC
Engine is probably the last true Castlevania game. It had the most
amazing soundtrack and old school gameplay.

azmun wrote:
> With so many sequels being released every year, I'm sure not all are
> worthy successors. I'm curious to know what are your favorite video
> game series? Also, mention the ones you think are the best out of that
> series. Here's my list in no particular order:
>
> 1)Y's
> Y's I&II, Y's IV (TurboDuo) - These had the most catchy tunes. Also,
> the art direction and voice acting (in I&II) remain the very best to
> this day.

one and two were awesome, but three only took me a few hours to beat.
it was kinda like going from zelda to link on the nes. not that i
didn't love link. speaking of which, i didn't much care for any zeldas
other than the first two. i never played link's awakening, though.
never picked up 4. i think the duo version was called "mask of ys."
there was a different snes version called something like "sun of ys" or
something like that.

>
> 2)Shinobi
> Super Shinobi I & II (Mega Drive) - Both these games had an incredible
> soundtrack, the first composed by the legendary Yuzo Koshiro. Gameplay
> is classic 2d that can't be found these days. The graphics have
> surprisingly aged quite well too.

revenge of shinobi has one of the all time greatest cart soundtracks--i
just love the chinatown level's music. this is also the best genesis
game ever released.

> 4)Panzer Dragoon
> PD II Zwei & Saga (Saturn) - The atmosphere Team Andromeda created here
> is truly unique and magical. Both games make me a proud Saturn owner.

saga was the masterpiece of the series.

> 5)Wipeout
> XL & 3 (PlayStation) - Soundtrack composed by trance's top artist.
> Both versions are much more playable on the PS2 (load times were
> horrible on PSone). Pretty steep learning curve but very rewarding
> once you got the hang of it.

the greatest thing about three was that you basically got a sasha ep
for free. xl was the best wipeout release by far. actually, most of
the xl team went on to do quantum redshift for the xbox. qr is the
true heir to the wipeout crown. it's such a shame that qr was panned
in the reviews 'cause it is truly amazing.

> 6)Phantasy Star
> 1, 2 & IV (Genesis) - The first one was revolutionary. Definitely an
> experience unlike any other at that time. These three had the most
> compelling storyline, memorable soundtracks and amazing artwork
> (especially loved the character designs and world created by the
> designers). It seems that no other RPG series has captured and
> captivated my interest since then.

the first one blew my mind: i was lucky enough to get it when it came
out right along with miracle warriors. i was so looking forward to
two, but it ended up not being very good. two had a great concept, but
it was just super slow moving and got rid of the 3d dungeons! i
consider final fantasy 8 the ultimate version of phantasy star 2.

> 9)Bare Knuckle
> 2 & 3 (Mega Drive) - This one was heavily influenced by Capcom's Final
> Fight series. But I prefer this much more and like all games in the
> series. Awesome soundtrack. Probably the peak of 2d beat em ups. Two
> had the best overall presentation, level design and music. Three had
> the best graphics and gameplay although SoA managed to butcher the US
> version.

are these the streets of rage?

> 15)Castlevania
> Castlevania III (Famicom) & Dracula X (PC Engine) - Dracula X on PC
> Engine is probably the last true Castlevania game. It had the most
> amazing soundtrack and old school gameplay.

dracula x was awesome. that was another that i got my hands on when it
was released back in 1994. don't let anyone tell you that dracula x is
the best castlevania if they're just trying to posture 'cause they know
you probably haven't played it...or, even heard of it, for that matter.
symphony of the night is the best castlevania. but, drac x sure is
incredible...it's right up there with the first one in my book.

here are two games that could have become amazing series, but just
didn't happen:

act raiser. first one was incredible and included an amazing
soundtrack by yuzo himself. the second one blew.

chakan. just a great game. had that "american" look of genesis games
from the early ninties. what i mean is that it had that grainy look of
batman returns. a sequel was rumored to be in the works on the dc, but
i never heard anything about it after that.