20 Best Video Game Sequels of All Time
By Kris Kucza
Most would argue a sequel could never top an original, especially in the video game world. Yet, there are still sequels that standout as amazing and revolutionary titles in their own right. Even some become the best entry in the series.
Here are the 20 best video game sequels of all time (limited to one per series).
20. Burnout 3: Takedown
Taking the arcade racing series by storm, Burnout was a jolt to a genre that needed it badly. High speed gameplay, action, crazy crashes -- Burnout 3: Takedown had it all. The sequels that followed, particularly the open-world Burnout Paradise, left a mark on the racing genre forever.
19. Skate 2
The original Skate was a breath of fresh air in the skateboard gaming department after years of Tony Hawk games. Skate 2 refined gameplay, added compelling multiplayer with the Hall of Meat and cementing Skate as a top series at the time for EA.
18. Pokémon Ruby/Sapphire
A little bias here, but Generation III is the best Pokémon generation ever. Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald took the series to the next level as the first main series entry on the Game Boy Advance. Gen III arguably had the greatest legendary group with Groudon, Kyogre, Rayquaza, Latios, Latias and the three Regis (Regirock, Registeel and Regice).
The Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire remakes for Nintendo 3DS reminded everyone just how awesome Gen III was.
17. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare flipped the first-person shooter market upside down with its Create-a-Class system, weapon camouflage progression and replay value. It spawned two more sequels under the same subtitle and changed console FPS forever.
16. Diablo II
The Diablo series is a cornerstone in the action role-playing game genre, spawning three entries. Diablo II though takes the cake in the franchise. Diablo III had too many ups and downs to compete with the original sequel. Not to mention, the Lords of Destruction expansion was fantastic.
Until, of course, we get Diablo: Immortal. "Y'all have phones, right?"
15. Super Smash Bros. Melee
What can't be said about Super Smash Bros Melee? The game just won't die, even with Smash Ultimate's release on the Nintendo Switch. The original on the Nintendo 64 gave Nintendo a unique, first party platform fighter on its console. Melee multiplied everything on the Gamecube, and thus the Melee craze was born.
14. Super Mario 64
The Super Mario entry on the list could arguably be a different entry, but for me Super Mario 64 just takes the cake. A full 3D game for the Nintendo 64 and one of the best releases for the system, Super Mario 64 captured the hearts of kids everywhere.
13. Assassin's Creed II
Assassin's Creed II shifts from Altair to Ezio Auditore da Firenze but keeps the same gameplay. ACII received a 9.5 from Game Informer and the publication ranked it as the second best AC game in December 2015.
12. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
A recent sequel, yes, but no one can deny the masterpiece that is The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. Playing as Geralt of Rivia, CD Projekt Red's third entry in the series earned awards. It also spawned two expansions that were praised and a CCG, Gwent, spinoff.
11. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
The Elder Scrolls is a flagship Bethesda series featuring sequels such as Morrowind and Oblivion, but Skyrim stands tall among the rest. Hell, the game has been remastered and rereleased more than what feels like the rest of the Elder Scrolls games combined.
10. BioShock 2
Welcome to Rapture. Despite being a sequel, BioShock 2 is a prequel to 2K's original. Putting players in control of a Big Daddy, and no not Adam Sandler, BioShock 2 told a compelling tale with a breathtaking setting and enriching gameplay.
9. Half-Life 2
Half-Life 2 on a greatest video game sequels of all time list? HL3 confirmed!
Half-Life 2, to this day, remains one of the most compelling and engaging games of all time. Taking full advantage of the Source engine, HL2 withstands the test of time with its storytelling, action and puzzle solving.
8. Kingdom Hearts II
Kingdom Hearts II Final HD 128/256 ReMixed Hyper Edition has to be on a best video game sequels list. Okay, maybe it's just called Kingdom Hearts II, but the meme was funny enough. Who would've thought combining Final Fantasy and Disney worlds together with a great story and fun gameplay would create such a fan-favorite series?
7. God of War (PS4)
BOY! God of War established itself as a AAA title for Sony during the PlayStation 2's lifecycle with its hack-and-slash gameplay, gore and violence. The first GoW entry on PlayStation 4 blew everyone out of the water earning stellar ratings. While some may prefer the second or third entries, there's no doubting how amazing of a game the current God of War is.
6. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Really? Breath of the Wild? Not Ocarina of Time or Majora's Mask?
Yes, Breath of the Wild is the best The Legend of Zelda game ever. And it's technically a sequel. It is arguably the most encapsulating and breathtaking game ever released. If you have a Nintendo Switch and you don't have BotW, what are you doing?
5. Halo 2
Halo: Combat Evolved exploded on the original Xbox and became one of Microsoft's most popular IPs. Bungie brought the hype with the follow-up, Halo 2, and took the series to a whole different level. Who doesn't remember the ending cutscene to the campaign all these years later?
4. Grand Theft Auto 3
When you think of revolutionary video game titles, many pale in comparison to what Grand Theft Auto 3 did to the industry. Fans may prefer Vice City, San Andreas or even GTA IV or V more than the first open world entry, but there's no denying its impact on the video game landscape.
3. Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty
What better way to follow-up the best PlayStation game of all time by swerving your fans 15 minutes into the game? Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty faked Solid Snake's death and gave players a new protagonist to play as. Raiden became a mainstay in the series and so did MGS2 as one of the best video game sequels of all time.
2. Final Fantasy VII
Final Fantasy VII isn't per se a true sequel to a FF game, but it's still technically a sequel. Hands down the best Final Fantasy game in the series, FFVII introduced the world to Cloud Strife, Sephiroth, Aerith and more. It spawned two spinoff titles, a feature length film and we're all awaiting the mysterious FF7 remake.
For the sake of it, let's all torture ourselves by watching the remake trailer over and over again.
1. Resident Evil 4
Resident Evil is one of the most popular franchises of all time. Yet, no entry stands up to RE4. Changing the series' tank controls to an over-the-shoulder third person view, RE4 put players once again in control of Leon S. Kennedy. Initially only available on Gamecube, RE4 was remastered for PlayStation 2, 3 and 4, Xbox 360 and One, Nintendo Wii and Switch, iOS and Android, Zeebo and PC.
RE4 reinvented the survival horror genre just as the RE1 and 2 did, but tenfold.