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Games that haven't changed in ten years

August 11, 2007 in News comments 22

Deciding how much a sequel should have in common with its predecessors is a difficult choice for developers, usually they get the mixture just right with just enough new twists to keep the game interesting. And then there are the those developers who are afraid of the unknown and just repackage the same game every year. In this list Game Radar lists 8 games which have barely changed in 10 years. Notable entries include Pokemon and Virtua Fighter

Some games truly evolve. Prince of Persia, for instance, is now a million miles from where it started. So too, Sonic the Hedgehog and even Mario. Over the last ten years, these games have either changed tack totally, or shaken up the basic gameplay elements and crafted a similar yet far-removed experience. Some other games... haven't.

These are the games that refuse to change. Like Bob Monkhouse, they look the same as they always did. Like Friends, they found a formula that worked and stuck with it. But, bizarrely, looking down the list, they're also still very good. See if you agree...
Bale Fire via gamesradar.com »
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  • 0
    teodortenchev Aug 11, 07
    Some interesting comparisons there. I'm having a problem liking any of the pokemon games. A long time ago I played Pokemon Fire Red and enjoyed it quite a bit. After beating the game once, I got one of the other Pokemon games, played for an hour and dumped it. It was just the same as the previous one with minor twists and adjustments, some new Pokemons and a slightly different story.
  • 0
    Gotenks Aug 11, 07
    Some interesting ones. Pokemon I believe was a given one for this since it's pretty much the same in all of the handheld games just new region and new Pokemon. Most of the others I never played but I can remember the changes. Nice to see LoZ on there but the site gives credit to only 3 systems that the series was on. Oh well.
  • 1
    Miss Razz Aug 11, 07
    TBH I think the old Metal Slug game looks better than the new one. XD

    I'm not surprised the Pokemon games are up there. Though I must admit, I find them all to be pretty fun, despite them all being the same. XD. Same goes for the LoZ games.
    • 0
      Final Blade Aug 11, 07
      I 100% agree, pokemon games are always fun even if they don't change from graphics wise. Zelda same thing, metal slug does look better than the old one. But my problem is with Street Fighter i mean its a fighting game, how much change do you need. Just up the graphics and up the controls and stuff and you got your self a game. That game shouldn't be on that list.
    • 0
      BANDITO ATTACK Aug 12, 07
      i concur.. on metal slug. I never played the game, but judging by the screens, the old one looks cooler. >_>
  • 0
    Insanity Prevails Aug 11, 07
    Zelda? Each one tends to bring new elements that completely change the gameplay. Majora's Mask had Link transforming into different characters. Wind Waker made use of the wind and put heavy emphasis on sailing. Oracle of Seasons use the seasons for some ingenious puzzle elements. Seems a bit odd to base everything off 2 games and say the series hasn't changed in the past 10 years.

    I do agree with Pokémon though. It's changes have always felt minor, so the actual battles and exploration changed very little. Kinda why I stopped after Sapphire - it just got boring.
    • 0
      Gogetenks Aug 11, 07
      Agreed in both points. Zelda has always followed a certain formula in terms of dungeon order and such, but otherwise they have had diverse gameplay. Twilight Princess was their answer after 8 years of begging for a game along the lines of OoT.

      Bah, I stopped buying Pokemon at Silver, my third Pokemon game (after Blue and Yellow). I played Ruby, and it was more of the same. Diamond and Pearl look the same, as well. The game quality has been upped slightly, but that's about it. The Pokemon themselves have gotten duller. The game really needs something fresh and new, since they are not bad games. In fact, I'd say the formula is excellent. They are just all the same. You play one game, and it's like you played them all.
  • 0
    Infinite Gravity Aug 11, 07
    Metal Slug Anthology is sure to be a great one. I'm surprised of the changes in Pokemon.
  • 0
    Shadow of Death Aug 11, 07
    For some reason, the pokemon games are addictive...

    I'd really like to see a proper Home console version of pokemon -_- You know, looking like the anime (like the article said)...

    Diamond has 3D effects on teh buildings, but that is about all that is different (aside from there being more pokemon, and more colours)...Some additional tools, most make use of the touch sensitivity in some way
  • 0
    dandy01 Aug 11, 07
    'Tis True, the Pokemon handhelds haven't really changed at all, apart from the battle system, but I think that's a positive thing. They are extremely enjoyable how they already are, they needn't change at all.
  • 0
    Storm* Aug 11, 07
    Well, I can understand Pokemon not going through much changes, but hey, they have been successful so why should they? Ten year is a long time, though.
  • 0
    Red_Phoenix Aug 11, 07
    I would also have to say Pokemon looks the most similar the only differencs is that it's more colorized and the scree probably loads a lot faster.
  • -1
    Matt3224 Aug 11, 07
    Pokemon WILL change. They are just taking "Baby" steps to change. Supersmash bros Changed 50/50. Mario Kart? Usually Never Changes. Pokemon is still releasing more games so don't worry!
    • 0
      JJBDude Aug 13, 07
      I can't wait to see this "change" you are saying about, because in my opinion Pokemon has always been the same ever since I got given Red back when I was a little boy. I'm not dissing Pokemon I find it great fun, but truth of the matter is the games don't change and probably never will.
  • 0
    FusionWeapons Aug 11, 07
    Pokemon is like a example it really hasnt changed at all really execpt the pokemon.Mario changes alot they make new creative things.and i really never like prince of persia.
  • 1
    sten mk II Aug 11, 07
    pokemon never really changes because the creators know it's going to sell either way.

    Virtua Fighter is the same as the Game Gear version. when I got it for my PS2 I was like "what!"
  • 0
    Ameer Aug 12, 07
    I don't agree with the CM/FM series as a game that hasn't changed. Albeit, the differences between 06 and 07 were superficial at best, but every game has brought quite a bit new to the table.
  • 0
    InnerDemon Aug 12, 07
    well poke. alls they have really done is changed the villian added new pokes and added some extra stuff to the game to make it interesting, like the new wifi compatibility. altough i do say they could change it up for once, it feels like i buy the same game over and over agian.
  • 0
    Mudkip94 Aug 13, 07
    Wow from old to new pic next to each other. Oak from pokemon looks weried
  • 0
    Mudkip94 Aug 14, 07
    Wow good times good times
  • 0
    tidus04 Aug 17, 07
    Everyone enjoyed them when they was older so why change them to a far extent as it may ruin the enjoyment for the consumer =]
  • 0
    Revenger of Wastelan Aug 21, 07
    Games like Pokemon werent really changed and should never change, this goes for most of the titles they showed in there.

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