As we enter the 7th generation of gaming, becoming a "Series Completist" has become a more daunting task than ever. Many popular video game franchises have spanned over 20 years, while shifting to multiple consoles during that time. The average gamer isn't going to hunt down every piece of hardware in order to play every title in a series, especially when some titles aren't as critically acclaimed as others. That's why I came up with my Top 10 Underappreciated Games in a Series. In order to be in the Top 10, the game must have multiple sequels/prequels.

The Metal Gear series needs no introduction. The series is more popular than ever, with Metal Gear Solid 4 getting incredible reviews earlier this summer. The series is most well known for the original 2 Metal Gear games, and it's renaissance years later on the Playstation, Metal Gear Solid. Did you know of it's lone appearance in 2000 on the Gameboy Color? Well, maybe you did, but it's certainly not one of the most discussed Metal Gears. Despite the cutting edge 3D technology on consoles at the time, and the hardware limitations of the Gameboy Color, Metal Gear Solid GBC was one of the highest rated games of 2000, and is easily the highest rated Gameboy Color game ever made. That's pretty impressive considering the library of games Nintendo's handheld had.

Castlevania: Symphony of the Night is without a doubt, one of the best 2D action games ever made. Did you know the game was a sequel though? Unfortunately, it's prequel never made it's way to American shores, mostly due to the lack of popularity of the PC Engine, better known as the TurboGrafx-16. The game plays like earlier Castlevania installments, resembling Super Castlevania 4 the most. Add in full motion anime-style cutscenes and voice acting, and a plot that proceeded the most popular Castlevania ever made, and you got yourself a great game. So why is it on the list? Because we never got to experience it here in America, while Symphony of the Night has reached legendary status. Fortunately, you can play the remake and original "Rondo Blood" on your PSP in Dracula X Chronicles.

I'll forgive you if you overlooked this title. The Sega CD, although interesting at the time of it's release, was a complete failure. As with any failed console, you can always find a cult classic or a diamond in the rough. A diamond so rough, that it is at the top of a few gamers "Best Sonic Game of All Time" list. If your a Sonic series completist, or looking for a good game on the Sega CD (for some reason), then you must check out Sonic CD. Perhaps it wasn't Sonic CD that was underappreciated, it was the Sega CD that was...........okay, maybe not.

Many gamers were turned off by The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind, in the same fashion that the original Legend of Zelda may of turned them off over 15 years earlier. The Elder Scrolls series defines exploration. That feeling of exploration was the beauty, and in some gamers' minds, the downfall of this PC/Xbox role playing classic. Some gamers who tried Morrowind out, weren't quite sure what to do, and never put the disc back in the tray again. Others set out on a quest that took about 100-200 hours of their life away. I was thrilled with Oblivion, I just wasn't thrilled with how journalists compared it to Morrowind. The general feeling was that Oblivion "fixed" Morrowind's problems. In my opinion, Morrowind changed the way console gamers felt about RPGs, and layed the groundwork for games like Oblivion to follow.

You've read this far, great! I figured you would of wrote me off by now. Final Fantasy X-2 was downright hated by fans of the series. Similar to Zelda II, this game strayed away from many of the series elements that made it so popular. I personally feel that change is needed in series that run for over 2 decades. Fans freaked out when this game came out, as if Final Fantasy had changed forever and would never come back. I have played many JRPG's where my main character is a young man trying to find himself, an elder preaches philosophy to me, and I end up saving the world. If I want that, I will gladly play any other Square Enix title. X-2 took a much more lighthearted direction, but also added the best battle system that has ever appeared in Final Fantasy. And no, I don't have that opinion due to dress spheres. It also was non-linear, added "new game plus", and had a completion percentage rate. How often are JRPG's non-linear? Very rarely.

Disgaea is a cult classic, over the top SRPG, that has spawned ports and sequels on multiple platforms. Your probably familiar with that awesome game, but did you know that Disgaea was released after La Pucelle Tactics in Japan? Although La Pucelle Tactics is technically not part of a series, it is very similar to other cult classic Nippon Ichi titles. In fact, it is the original that laid out the structure for other games like Phantom Brave, and Makai Kingdom. Unfortunately for La Pucelle Tactics, it will never get the recognition I feel it deserves. Why is on the list? Because it's a great game clouded by the greatness of Disgaea. Am I done answering my own questions? We can only hope so.

We all know the legend of Street Fighter II, and how it dominated arcades and home consoles in the early 90's. With all great series, change is needed to keep the series from feeling stale. It is a double edged sword however, as you have your purists who fell in love with the original formula, and would like to see more of the same. Street Fighter Zero, or Alpha, was obviously a big change. Some fans hated the anime art style, multiple super combos, and new characters. Fans also felt the need for a prequel was unnecessary, and demanded Street Fighter III. I however, loved the Alpha series! I enjoy all of the games in the series, but I feel Alpha 2 has the best soundtrack, fighting system, and characters. No questions asked!

When the original Metroid was released in 1987, game developers typically strove for a linear experience. That all changed when Metroid hit the shelves. Many old school game fans, remember the first time they were set in a world where they could explore. A world where certain areas could not be reached until power ups were found, which in turn would allow them to explore the next area. These elements are still prominent in game design today. Being so innovative at the time of it's release, why is the original Metroid on my list of underappreciated games? Simply put, a lot of gamers experienced Super Metroid first. Super Metroid caught the attention of a lot of fans, and in turn, these fans wanted to see where the roots of the series started from. The original Metroid seems very simple and somewhat primitive compared to it's older brother. The lack of in game map didn't help either. If your playing Metroid for the first time, try to appreciate it as a stand alone title, and refrain from comparing it to later installments in the series. Then, you will fully appreciate this gaming achievement.

The original Legend of Zelda was at the center of the video game world over 2 decades ago. The game appeared on all sorts of merchandise, ranging from cereal boxes to backpacks. The NES classic even had it's own TV show, which aired every Friday during the Super Mario Bros. Super Show. Introduced in the game were protagonists Link and Zelda, antagonist Ganon, the world of Hyrule, Rupees, Dungeons, Boomerangs, and many more elements that would late become Zelda series "staples". Unfortunate for Zelda and Link lovers, many gamers were not alive, or not old enough to remember when the Zelda series became popular. The main reason why this game is on my list, is because typically whenever I read a Zelda fan's "Favorite Zelda Games" list, it does not include the original Legend of Zelda. Although I agree that games like A Link to the Past, Ocarina of Time, and Twilight Princess are amazing classic games, it brings sadness to my heart that the original does not get the praise it will always deserve.

Konami is the king of the rhythm-action games. Just ask the creators of Dance Dance Revolution, Drum Mania, and Guitar Freaks. The latter, appeared in a 2003 film "Lost in Translation", during a scene where Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson run through a crowded arcade in downtown Tokyo. Guitar Hero and Rock Band are currently the craze in America, uniting the casual and hardcore gamer together, while selling millions of copies around the nation. Guitar Hero and Rock Band are great, fun games, but are they all that original though? Since arcades have been on the demise for over a decade here in America, a lot of us missed out on the opportunity to play a game that started the whole guitar-game genre back in 1998. That's right, 1998! Activision certainly owes quite a bit to Konami, and so does everyone who purchases a Guitar Hero or Rock Band game. Sometimes, gamers will argue, "Yeah, well Guitar Freaks sucked", but my question for them is, "Have you ever played Guitar Freaks?". A wise man once said, "As long as there is consoles, there will be fanboys". Okay, so I made that quote up. My point is, we all agree that Guitar Hero is a great series, but would it be so wrong to admit that Guitar Freaks is also a great series?

My thoughts on underappreciated video games can be summed up with Zelda II: the Adventure of Link. If this game had a different title, it would be considered a timeless gem. The game is still challenging, fun, and features one of the best soundtracks I have ever heard in a video game. On the flip side, fans of the Zelda series don't consider it a true Zelda game, and go as far to call it the black sheep of the series. Let's not pay too much attention to the name on the box, and refrain from comparing games to other installments in the series, and we may be surprised to find some of our most memorable gameplay experiences.

List by finalfnfantasy