10 Best Video Game Sequels Of All Time
Turning foundations into legacies.
More often than not, a video game sequel will build on what the first set out. Bigger, better, more content (hopefully), all wrapped up in a lovely sense of pseudo-nostalgia that reminds gamers why they loved the first one(s).
Superhero adventures that people didn't expect to do well expanding into massive cityscapes, for example. Or a western game that, whilst not having the most original story, offers hours and hours of open-world exploration to get lost in.
Or, akin to Back to the Future, continuing a timeline-spanning adventure that many didn't think needed or could be expanded on. It was done, and it was incredible. Or, in terms of keeping it simple: a prehistoric buddy starting their own franchise on an aging console, to the best results (if not sales).
Now, before you read this, cry outrage and reach for the torches: these are only ten of the best sequels ever. There are many, many more out there that are just as worthy.
It's just that these ten do what a sequel should do above: everything the first game did, but better.
10. Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island
Before they were wooly, before they crafted, they were... being punched in the back of the head by Mario. Granted, not the most glamorous of starts, but the Yoshi were soon immortalised as a new favourite in the Mario universe.
The only problem with them starring in Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island is the timing. Released in the summer of 1995, gamers were already gearing towards the next console generation.
Which is a shame, as it's one of the best games in both the SNES' lifetime and the world of Mario.
For one, it's got some of the most beautiful visuals to come out of the 16bit era of gaming. Levels are vibrant and colourful, like a child's intricately detailed colouring book.
On top of that, it's the gameplay that keeps it fresh. Whilst still a 2D platformer, it adds more variety with egg-firing, vehicle-like moments and ensuring a baby version of the titular plumber making it from Yoshi to Yoshi at the end of each level.
Yoshi's may have had there time some years later, but in terms of follow up to one of the best SNES games ever, this was where it started.