10 Iconic Video Games You Had NO IDEA Were Originally Sequels

When a game emerges as a landmark classic, it’s hard to imagine its developers ever seeing it as anything other than what it became. Surely there’s no way it could’ve started life as just another sequel, spin-off, or tie-in to an entirely different franchise… right?

Funnily enough, it’s happened several times - in fact, enough to fill out a top ten list. Publishers are far more willing to fund a project if it’s connected to an existing IP or famous license, something with instant brand recognition. But that often clashes with developers who want to take creative risks and build something new. 

In some cases, an expired license or soured IP deal led to developers having to shake up their sequel concept. Still, in most of these cases, it was a tug-of-war between business and creativity that shaped what the game eventually became - until development reached a point where the money men could finally be convinced to drop the old branding and let the idea stand on its own two feet.

Ironically, many of these so-called “accidental” new IPs went on to surpass the franchises they were originally meant to continue - proving that sometimes, shaking up the formula is exactly what audiences are looking for.

Originally: James Bond stealth game

Back in 1999, when Ubisoft was still just a Montreal-based developer without dozens of global offshoots, the team was experimenting with a prototype for a Sci-Fi action game called The Drift. It featured some interesting, forward-thinking mechanics, like the ability to aim at two enemies at once, or, most relevant, a grapple gun that could also fire custom surveillance cameras - but the rest of the project wasn't coming together.

In a last-ditch effort before higher-ups likely shut it down, the developers repurposed the concept into a spy-action game based on the James Bond IP, adding stealth missions, globe-trotting action, and blockbuster flair. They pitched it to the rights holders, who firmly turned them down.

Then another license came along to save the day. Ubisoft had recently acquired the rights to the Tom Clancy brand and was eager not only to create a “Metal Gear Solid 2 killer,” but also to plaster its new label onto games already in development. The unused Bond concept was reworked to fit, as cocktails were traded out for night vision - first as an adaptation of The Sum of All Fears, before shedding any story connections and simply adopting the Clancy aesthetic and tone.

From that, Sam Fisher was born - a worthy rival to Solid Snake, and arguably the most iconic character to ever emerge from a Tom Clancy game. Now, where on earth is that remake?