10 Video Games With The Most Re-Releases
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VOICE OVER: Aaron Brown
WRITTEN BY: Aaron Brown
With so many re-releases, chances are pretty good you've played these games. Welcome to MojoPlays and today we're reliving the past again, and again, and again, with video games that have seen more re-releases than the likes of “Skyrim” and “Resident Evil 4.” Our list of video games with the most re-releases includes “Doom” (1993), “Super Mario Bros.” (1985), “Minecraft” (2011), “Street Fighter II” (1991), and more!
Script written by Aaron Brown
Welcome to MojoPlays and today we’re reliving the past again, and again, and again, with video games that have seen more re-releases than the likes of “Skyrim” and “Resident Evil 4.”
A game that took the world by storm and became a cultural icon, fans have no shortage of options to explore the endlessly procedurally generated world and all its user creations. The simple premise of exploring the world at your leisure makes it easy to pick up and play. And the low poly textures have made it easy for developer Mojang to publish the game on almost every modern-day gaming system with a graphics card. Even over 10 years later, the “Minecraft” community is still going strong and some of their creations are truly the stuff of legend. The easy access to the game no matter where you are is undoubtedly a driving factor in the game’s ongoing success.
Of all the things to come from the 80s boom of video games, you wouldn’t think a game about a pair of dragons blowing spit bubble traps at enemies would be the one to stand out. But here we are. A runaway success in its original arcade iteration, the “Bubble Bobble” dragons soon found themselves blowing up and popping onto home consoles and handhelds. It has become so synonymous with Nintendo, many fans don’t even know it started in the arcades. And some version of the game has been released on nearly every Nintendo console to date. With numerous sequels, spinoffs and clones, this is one bubble that seems unlikely to ever burst.
One of the original arcade coin munchers, “Dragon’s Lair” became an arcade hit due to its style that made players part of an animated adventure. The game was ported to numerous other platforms shortly after, to varying successes. But it’s also seen playable versions on DVD players and, more recently, cell phones and tablets. Dirk the Daring’s adventure still holds up today visually, thanks to Don Bluth’s striking color palette and character designs, even if its “on rails” gameplay might not be for everyone. There have been numerous sequels as well as remakes, but none have managed to recapture the original game’s spirit, which is why Dirk has even found himself on modern consoles.
The title that launched a franchise that is still going strong over 3 decades later, Square’s last-ditch effort at a hit video game is also the most readily available for fans to play. It’s been re-released as a standalone title over the years as well as in many collections. The various updated versions have made the original “Final Fantasy” not only a landmark title in gaming, but also one of the most re-released games in Square’s extensive catalog. With recent re-releases on everything from tablets, smartphones and the newest consoles, it would seem that Square has just as much nostalgia for the title that saved its legacy as gamers do.
The joke “can it run Doom” came from somewhere and it was most likely due to the sheer ridiculous number of times id Software’s classic shooter has been released over the years. The genre defining title has appeared on nearly every console in one form or another since its original release. And its responsible for the popular “Doom Clone” craze we’re still experiencing today. With people even managing to get Doom to run on everything from pregnancy tests to refrigerators, and even going so far as to build a working version of the shooter in “Minecraft,” the official number of re-releases is dwarfed by the fan community’s unofficial endless imagination and resourcefulness.
Arguably responsible for revolutionizing the fighting genre because of a bug, “Street Fighter II” is not only the most recognizable “Street Fighter” game, it’s also the best selling entry in the entire series. That’s likely due in no small part to the game’s numerous re-releases and updated versions. With no fewer than 6 separate versions of the game at the time of writing, Capcom has seen fit to release one version or another of their classic fighter on everything from the Amiga to, most recently, the Nintendo Switch. Managing to outshine even its most recent entries for many die-hard fans, “Street Fighter II” has yet to encounter a console it wasn’t ready to throw down on.
Back in the 80s, there wasn’t a child alive who didn’t suffer from ‘Pac-Man Fever.’ The little yellow pizza man wakka wakkaed his way through children’s allowances just like the little pellets he devours while running from his demons. Widely regarded as one of the most important video games ever created, “Pac-Man” has managed to munch himself onto nearly every gaming device known to man in one form or another. We just don’t talk about the Atari 2600 version. With countless updates to the classic formula, even a battle royale of all things, the secret formula to Pac-Man’s success was its simplicity. Any player of any skill level could take up a joystick and have a great time running the mazes with Pac-Man and four of his closest, ghostly friends. Even over 4 decades later, the ‘Pac-Man Fever’ is still going strong.
The Blue Blur burst onto the scene on the Sega Genesis and instantly became an icon for the freshly minted console coming for Nintendo’s crown. While Sonic has yet to reach the same heights as his dazzling debut in the years since, and even with almost 200 games in his repertoire, few if any have managed to recapture the magic of the first time Sonic’s sneakers hit the Green Hill Zone. It seems Sega is VERY aware of the importance of the Hedgehog’s first outing as it wasn’t long before Sonic was racing his way onto not only more of Sega’s consoles, but their competitors as well. These days you can find Sonic racing on nearly every console generation since Sega bowed out of the console wars and even take him on the go with your preferred mobile device.
“Super Mario Bros.” is undeniably responsible for saving the entire fledgling video game industry. But it also put Nintendo, formerly mostly known for making toys, on the world stage as the new premiere gaming system developers. More than his arcade outings, it helped Mario become a mascot and launched an entire franchise that is stronger today than ever before. Not one to leave their legacy behind, Nintendo has re-released the original “Super Mario Bros.” as stand-alone downloads on nearly every one of its consoles. The game has also been packaged with other popular entries in the plumber's extensive catalog. It could even be played in the original Gamecube release of “Animal Crossing.” Everything about its pitch perfect design also makes it one of the most replayable titles in Nintendo’s history. And the game’s iconic music is recognizable to even the most casual gamer.
Without question, “Tetris” is the most recognizable and popular puzzle game ever created. The simple design of clearing multi-shaped blocks as they fall faster and faster is infinitely addicting and is arguably responsible for the gaming trope of ‘Just one more game.’ “Tetris” launched not only a series of copycats, but also an endless stream of re-releases and ports as well as updates to the addictive gameplay. It became a world-wide phenomenon and remains one that is played and studied even to this day. Most recently, the University of Oxford found that playing “Tetris” helps those suffering from PTSD symptoms recover faster. Yay video games. The game was so popular upon release that many would recall seeing falling blocks in their dreams. Given its ongoing popularity, as well as new iterations, future generations will continue playing “Tetris” well after the complicated story of its origins is long forgotten.
How many times have you repurchased the same game? And which titles will you always re-buy? Let us know which favorites you’ll always have in your collection in the comments down below.
Welcome to MojoPlays and today we’re reliving the past again, and again, and again, with video games that have seen more re-releases than the likes of “Skyrim” and “Resident Evil 4.”
“Minecraft” (2011)
A game that took the world by storm and became a cultural icon, fans have no shortage of options to explore the endlessly procedurally generated world and all its user creations. The simple premise of exploring the world at your leisure makes it easy to pick up and play. And the low poly textures have made it easy for developer Mojang to publish the game on almost every modern-day gaming system with a graphics card. Even over 10 years later, the “Minecraft” community is still going strong and some of their creations are truly the stuff of legend. The easy access to the game no matter where you are is undoubtedly a driving factor in the game’s ongoing success.
“Bubble Bobble” (1986)
Of all the things to come from the 80s boom of video games, you wouldn’t think a game about a pair of dragons blowing spit bubble traps at enemies would be the one to stand out. But here we are. A runaway success in its original arcade iteration, the “Bubble Bobble” dragons soon found themselves blowing up and popping onto home consoles and handhelds. It has become so synonymous with Nintendo, many fans don’t even know it started in the arcades. And some version of the game has been released on nearly every Nintendo console to date. With numerous sequels, spinoffs and clones, this is one bubble that seems unlikely to ever burst.
“Dragon’s Lair” (1983)
One of the original arcade coin munchers, “Dragon’s Lair” became an arcade hit due to its style that made players part of an animated adventure. The game was ported to numerous other platforms shortly after, to varying successes. But it’s also seen playable versions on DVD players and, more recently, cell phones and tablets. Dirk the Daring’s adventure still holds up today visually, thanks to Don Bluth’s striking color palette and character designs, even if its “on rails” gameplay might not be for everyone. There have been numerous sequels as well as remakes, but none have managed to recapture the original game’s spirit, which is why Dirk has even found himself on modern consoles.
“Final Fantasy” (1987)
The title that launched a franchise that is still going strong over 3 decades later, Square’s last-ditch effort at a hit video game is also the most readily available for fans to play. It’s been re-released as a standalone title over the years as well as in many collections. The various updated versions have made the original “Final Fantasy” not only a landmark title in gaming, but also one of the most re-released games in Square’s extensive catalog. With recent re-releases on everything from tablets, smartphones and the newest consoles, it would seem that Square has just as much nostalgia for the title that saved its legacy as gamers do.
“Doom” (1993)
The joke “can it run Doom” came from somewhere and it was most likely due to the sheer ridiculous number of times id Software’s classic shooter has been released over the years. The genre defining title has appeared on nearly every console in one form or another since its original release. And its responsible for the popular “Doom Clone” craze we’re still experiencing today. With people even managing to get Doom to run on everything from pregnancy tests to refrigerators, and even going so far as to build a working version of the shooter in “Minecraft,” the official number of re-releases is dwarfed by the fan community’s unofficial endless imagination and resourcefulness.
“Street Fighter II” (1991)
Arguably responsible for revolutionizing the fighting genre because of a bug, “Street Fighter II” is not only the most recognizable “Street Fighter” game, it’s also the best selling entry in the entire series. That’s likely due in no small part to the game’s numerous re-releases and updated versions. With no fewer than 6 separate versions of the game at the time of writing, Capcom has seen fit to release one version or another of their classic fighter on everything from the Amiga to, most recently, the Nintendo Switch. Managing to outshine even its most recent entries for many die-hard fans, “Street Fighter II” has yet to encounter a console it wasn’t ready to throw down on.
“Pac-Man” (1980)
Back in the 80s, there wasn’t a child alive who didn’t suffer from ‘Pac-Man Fever.’ The little yellow pizza man wakka wakkaed his way through children’s allowances just like the little pellets he devours while running from his demons. Widely regarded as one of the most important video games ever created, “Pac-Man” has managed to munch himself onto nearly every gaming device known to man in one form or another. We just don’t talk about the Atari 2600 version. With countless updates to the classic formula, even a battle royale of all things, the secret formula to Pac-Man’s success was its simplicity. Any player of any skill level could take up a joystick and have a great time running the mazes with Pac-Man and four of his closest, ghostly friends. Even over 4 decades later, the ‘Pac-Man Fever’ is still going strong.
“Sonic the Hedgehog” (1991)
The Blue Blur burst onto the scene on the Sega Genesis and instantly became an icon for the freshly minted console coming for Nintendo’s crown. While Sonic has yet to reach the same heights as his dazzling debut in the years since, and even with almost 200 games in his repertoire, few if any have managed to recapture the magic of the first time Sonic’s sneakers hit the Green Hill Zone. It seems Sega is VERY aware of the importance of the Hedgehog’s first outing as it wasn’t long before Sonic was racing his way onto not only more of Sega’s consoles, but their competitors as well. These days you can find Sonic racing on nearly every console generation since Sega bowed out of the console wars and even take him on the go with your preferred mobile device.
“Super Mario Bros.” (1985)
“Super Mario Bros.” is undeniably responsible for saving the entire fledgling video game industry. But it also put Nintendo, formerly mostly known for making toys, on the world stage as the new premiere gaming system developers. More than his arcade outings, it helped Mario become a mascot and launched an entire franchise that is stronger today than ever before. Not one to leave their legacy behind, Nintendo has re-released the original “Super Mario Bros.” as stand-alone downloads on nearly every one of its consoles. The game has also been packaged with other popular entries in the plumber's extensive catalog. It could even be played in the original Gamecube release of “Animal Crossing.” Everything about its pitch perfect design also makes it one of the most replayable titles in Nintendo’s history. And the game’s iconic music is recognizable to even the most casual gamer.
“Tetris” (1988)
Without question, “Tetris” is the most recognizable and popular puzzle game ever created. The simple design of clearing multi-shaped blocks as they fall faster and faster is infinitely addicting and is arguably responsible for the gaming trope of ‘Just one more game.’ “Tetris” launched not only a series of copycats, but also an endless stream of re-releases and ports as well as updates to the addictive gameplay. It became a world-wide phenomenon and remains one that is played and studied even to this day. Most recently, the University of Oxford found that playing “Tetris” helps those suffering from PTSD symptoms recover faster. Yay video games. The game was so popular upon release that many would recall seeing falling blocks in their dreams. Given its ongoing popularity, as well as new iterations, future generations will continue playing “Tetris” well after the complicated story of its origins is long forgotten.
How many times have you repurchased the same game? And which titles will you always re-buy? Let us know which favorites you’ll always have in your collection in the comments down below.
