The 90s had many new and old consoles that survived longer than seemed possible. There was the NES, Game Boy, SNES, N64, PS1, Sega Genesis, Sega Saturn and so much more. With so many consoles, there were plenty of games to play across a wide range of genres.
10 Video Game Sequels Fans Didn't Realize Existed
From way back on the NES to not so far back on the PS3, you probably didn't know you were missing out on these sequels to some pretty well-known series.
Unfortunately, for the following games, they only had one shot in the dark and never received any sequel whatsoever. Some didn't even leave the console they were released on. Let's go over some of the best games without sequels, along with mentioning a couple that are worth rebooting more than giving them a sequel.
Little Samson
Switch between heroes
Little Samson was released for the NES in 1992, and its big gimmick revolved around four protagonists that players could switch between during the platforming levels.
There was a human boy who was little Samson, a mouse, a dragon and a golem, all of which had different abilities, such as the mouse could enter small places and the dragon could fly. It's one of the rarest NES games of all time, but it's set to become more widely available in 2026 via an upcoming port to modern consoles like the PS5, thanks to Limited Run Games.
Shatterhand
Smash Through Robots
Shatterhand
- Released
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October 26, 1991
Shatterhand was released for the NES in 1991, and is actually a re-skin of a game in Japan based on one Power Rangers-like show is called Super Rescue Solbrainwhich began broadcasting in 1991.
The North American version allows players to choose levels to jump into as a cybernetic hero who can hit hard. Besides the fists, the hero can also get robot power-ups, and overall it's one of the best NES games that still holds up.
Yo! Noid
Avoid The Noid
Yo! Noid was released for the NES in 1990, and is another example of a game being reskinned from another, as it was called Kamen no Ninja Hanamaru in Japan.
For those who don't remember, The Noid was a mascot for Domino's in the 80's and 90's, and back then, AdverGames, or advertising games, which Yo! Noid was fashionable. Players could attack enemies with yo-yos, with the goal of trying to get pizza just like in the Domino's commercial.
Mech-based action
Metal Warriors was released for the SNES in 1995, which was developed by LucasArts and published by Konami, so it was a high-profile item at the time. It still has some of the best cutscenes on the SNES with impressive pixel art that is drool worthy.
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Changing main characters is a healthy way to keep a franchise alive.
The game itself is based on shooting enemies in an oversized mech, and in difficult situations players can even leave the cockpit. This game mechanics is similar to the design Blaster Master on the NES, which had a tank and not a mech.
Goof squad
Resident Gawrsh
Goof squad was released for the SNES in 1993, which was based on the 1992 Disney cartoon of the same name, but the game's plot ultimately has nothing to do with the show.
Max and Goofy get trapped on a pirate island, and players must help them fight pirates with various gadgets. It's mostly a block puzzle game, and Shinji Mikami, father of Resident Evilhelped design the game, which is why it's a notable Disney game within Capcom's backlog.
The secret of Evermore
Not quite Mana
The secret of Evermore
The secret of Evermore was released for the SNES in 1995, and although it has “Secret” in the title, and was made by Square, it is not part of Mana series.
Instead, it was a spiritual spinoff of sorts, set in 1965, before the boy protagonist is sent back to the prehistoric era, transforming his dog into a more beast-like companion. This action RPG never reached the heights of The Secret of Manawhich is probably why it never got a sequel.
Crusader of Centy
Legend of Zelda
Crusader of Centy
- Released
-
June 16, 1994
- ESRB
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e
Crusader of Centy was released for the Sega Genesis in 1995, which was a year after Japan, and this was Sega's attempt to make one Zelda clone. For the 90s, this is one of the best Zelda cloned around with an amazing overworld, graphics, music and item-based gameplay. It's incredible that the game never saw a sequel since then Zelda was such a hot series in the 90s.
There were other top-down action-adventure titles within Sega, such as Linkle Liver Story for the Sega Saturn, but neither were true successors to Crusader of Centy.
Speed Power Gunbike
From Bikes To Mechs
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Developer: Inti Creates
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Publisher: Sony Music Entertainment Japan
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Platform: PS1
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Release Date: 4/23/98
Speed Power Gunbike released for the PS1 in 1998 for Japan only. It's notable because it was the first game designed by Inti Creates, who some may know these days as the developer behind Mega Man Zero and Azure Striker Gunvolt.
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Whether these sequels or spinoffs are bad games or just plain embarrassing, fans would rather pretend they never existed.
The game itself starred action-packed warriors who could hunt down enemies while riding a bike, but this bike can also transform into a mech. Thanks to the blocky polygonal designs and anime-inspired aesthetics, the game still looks great.
The threads of fate
Minty Fresh
The threads of fate
- Released
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14 October 1999
The threads of fate was released in 1999 in Japan for the PS1 and a year later in North America, which technically reached the limit of 90s gaming. It was released during the height of Square's experimental phase on the PS1, which featured two separate campaigns in one action RPG adventure.
Rue was a male hero who had an ax sword and the ability to turn into monsters, while a female mage, Mint, used rings and magic to take down her opponents.
The princess's crown
A forgotten Atlus game
The princess's crown was released for the Sega Saturn in 1997, the PSP in 2005, and the PS4 in 2020, all versions of which were never released outside of Japan. In this Atlus-developed action RPG, players could battle opponents as a princess in 2D arenas.
With impressive sprites and a decent battle system, it's a shame it's somehow never been localized or given a sequel all these years, but it's about as good as many Sega Saturn games get.
