15 Video Game Sequels That Totally Defined Their Franchises

4. Street Fighter II

For many, this is still the beat 'em up - so refined and perfected was its take on the original's side-on fighting style that SF II's many remakes and sequels can never have the same magic as this first one. This is where "Hadouken!" was born, where button-mashing really came into its own both in the arcades and at home - to hell with anyone who forever spams Blanka's electric shock move - and where some of the most intense fighting game duals have ever played out. There's something about the feel of combat in the series that's still timeless too - even through all the different versions and re-releases that have emerged, that reflex action-test of exactly when to dodge, duck, throw and jump etc. still makes SF II the most cerebrally challenging fighter out there.