Making video games is an immensely difficult task. Developers have to make sure mechanics work correctly, that level design is interesting and that the game's characters and story are memorable. Sometimes, a team's hard work pays off in the form of a true classic.
But success often breeds a sequel. Revisiting a game's world lets a development team implement features and ideas that may not have been possible in the original. While this doesn't always work out, second entries have the opportunity to grow bigger, bolder and, in some cases, secure the foundation of a franchise. Here are five direct video game sequels that are better than the first.
Super Mario Galaxy 2
Mario is more than just a gaming franchise; he's an icon. For the most part, his 3D journeys have been stand-alone adventures with their own twists on the classic formula. But in 2010, Nintendo released a sequel to Super Mario Galaxy and one of the best 3D platformers of all time.
Nintendo didn't actually have to try too hard to improve on the already fantastic Galaxy. There were small technical fixes and, thankfully, the inclusion of a streamlined world map instead of a hub world. The level design was as supreme as it always was with the final challenge, the Grand Master Galaxy, being a particularly difficult standout. New power-ups like the Cloud Flower and the Rock Mushroom were welcome additions, allowing Mario to traverse planetoids in new ways. Plus, it gave players Yoshi, which automatically makes it better.
Halo 2
The original Halo is undeniably a ground-breaking first-person shooter, but Halo 2 took what Bungie accomplished in the first game and multiplied it tenfold. It was built with a better engine, included more vehicles and, despite a cliffhanger ending, a single-player campaign that expanded on the game's lore and let players play as an Arbiter in addition to Master Chief. However, Halo 2's multiplayer has really allowed it to stand the test of time.
Hours upon hours were undoubtedly spent on wonderful new multiplayer maps like Ascension and Zanzibar, as well as remakes of those from Halo like Coagulation. Halo 2 took full advantage of Xbox Live, giving players an online multiplayer experience with matchmaking and lobbies that continue to influence games to this day. It's not only an amazing sequel but a crucial piece in the evolution of the FPS genre.
Super Smash Bros. Melee
Super Smash Bros. for the Nintendo 64 was a glorious idea. Taking Nintendo's most beloved characters and making them duel spawned a successful fighting franchise that celebrates all things Nintendo. But it isn't the original game we have to thank for the franchise's legacy. It's Melee.
The original game did the best with the hardware it was given, but floaty characters and slower gameplay means it should only be played for nostalgia's sake. Melee, on the other hand, is the blueprint all later entries would follow. Exciting new character inclusions, a variety of modes to choose from and the simple addition of trophies were welcome improvements. But its fast-paced and fluid combat are still incredibly fun to experience almost 20 years later. There's a good reason the game is still played competitively today.
Batman: Arkham City
Going open-world can sometimes hurt a series through a lack of content in a vast landscape. Thankfully, that didn't happen with Batman: Arkham City. Arkham Asylum put players in the role of the Caped Crusader, both as a goon-pummeling hero and as an intelligent detective. Rocksteady's follow-up let those mechanics run loose in a crime-ridden city.
It brought many elements players expected for Batman's nightly war on crime from his fascinating rogues' gallery to his belt of handy gadgets. Upgrading the Dark Knight and his tools made fighting thugs endlessly enjoyable whether players were causing fear with smoke bombs or literally tackling them head-on. And the variety in missions as Batman glided from rooftop to rooftop guaranteed there was plenty to do. Bolstered by another bone-chilling performance by Mark Hamill as the Joker, it's one of the best superhero games ever released.
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
Naughty Dog was already a well-established creator for Sony by the time Uncharted was released having developed the Crash Bandicoot and Jak & Daxter franchises. Uncharted plopped players in the middle of an Indiana Jones-style adventure with a snarky protagonist, swarms of dastardly enemies, a dash of the otherworldly and the allure of a grand adventure for priceless treasure. Uncharted marked the beginning of Naughty Dog's move towards more cinematic games.
But the sequel completely blew it out of the water. Graphics obviously aren't everything, but the improvements seen in Uncharted 2 made for more interesting environment designs with the train level still considered a series high. The story, spanning multiple world locations this time, was more unique than the search for El Dorado in the first game. It also introduced Chloe, a fan-favorite character, and included a surprisingly good multiplayer mode. Uncharted 2 is the epitome of what a great video game sequel should be.