Nintendo Has Forgotten and Neglected These 15 Game Franchises

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Ignacio Weil

Gaming - December 5th 2025, 22:00 GMT+1

Star Fox Zero cropped processed by imagy — Star Fox

Zooming through space with the Star Fox team used to feel like Nintendo firing on all cylinders, but the series has been idle ever since *Star Fox Zero* released back in 2016. That entry experimented heavily with Wii U controls, which left fans divided, yet the charm of the squad still managed to shine through the chaos. Since then, Fox and the crew have mostly survived through cameos and nostalgia winks rather than any proper comeback. It’s wild how a universe built around talking animals in fighter jets has remained untouched in an era begging for stylish action. All that potential for dazzling dogfights, dramatic rivalries and sharp one-liners is just sitting on the runway collecting dust. At this point, even Slippy is probably wondering what’s taking so long. | © Nintendo

Cropped earthbound — Earthbound

Among Nintendo’s long-lost series, *Earthbound* might be the one that hurts the most, because its emotional and wonderfully strange storytelling still feels ahead of its time. The last main installment, *Mother 3*, released in 2006 – and never officially left Japan – leaving the rest of the world clinging to rumors instead of real updates. This is a franchise that blended surreal humor, heartfelt moments and unforgettable characters in a way almost no RPG has matched since. The silence around it makes the absence feel even louder, especially with how much love the community still pours into it. Every year without a new entry feels like another reminder of unrealized potential. It’s the sort of world that deserves more than to be frozen in a time capsule. | © Nintendo

Punch Out — Punch-Out!!

Stepping into the ring as Little Mac once delivered a kind of cartoonish exhilaration that mixed tight timing with over-the-top personality, and somehow it all just worked. The Wii’s *Punch-Out!!* in 2009 was the last major time Nintendo let us dodge, weave and smack around its roster of wildly animated opponents. Since then, the series has been stuck in the locker room, watching generations of hardware pass it by without so much as a warm-up round. It’s a strange fate for a franchise so full of energy, humor and larger-than-life characters that practically beg to be reimagined. A modern take could easily bring the series back into the spotlight with fresh animation and new mechanics. But for now, the gloves are hanging untouched above the ring lights. | © Nintendo

Cropped F Zero 99 — F-Zero

For racers who crave speed beyond reason, *F-Zero* has always been that glorious blast of futuristic chaos, yet Nintendo has kept the series in hypersleep for what feels like ages. The most recent release, *F-Zero 99*, brought back the iconic tracks in a modern multiplayer twist, but it leaned so heavily on old material that it felt more like a frantic remix than a true return. It proved the appetite is still there, even if it wasn’t a full-fledged mainline title. For a series built on blistering velocity and sharp sci-fi attitude, it’s strange to see it limited to nostalgia experiments. A proper new entry could easily melt eyeballs in the best way possible on current hardware. Instead, fans are left dreaming about what a real comeback could look like. | © Nintendo

Cropped Kid Icarus Uprising — Kid Icarus

Pit’s triumphant return in *Kid Icarus: Uprising* back in 2012 showed just how much personality the series still had tucked away, mixing action, comedy and charm with surprising confidence. That 3DS revival struck a perfect balance between quirky storytelling and stylish combat, reminding players that this mythological world could still shine. And yet, after that energetic leap back into the spotlight, the franchise vanished again without a trace. Pit pops up occasionally in crossover games, but his own adventures remain frozen in time. It’s baffling, considering how much creativity Uprising showed and how loudly fans still talk about it more than a decade later. A world with that much flavor shouldn’t be stuck waiting on the sidelines. | © Nintendo

Pokémon Stadium cropped processed by imagy — Pokémon Stadium

Remember those nights crowding around the Nintendo 64, watching your favorite Game Boy team get tossed into 3D arenas and having wild battles on the big screen? That was *Pokémon Stadium:* a perfect bridge between handheld RPGs and console showdowns. It technically last appeared in the form of *Pokémon Stadium 2* (known as Stadium for many), but that was way back in the early 2000s. Since then, Nintendo hasn’t given us a new version with modern graphics, updated battle systems or even a refreshed interface. In a time when nostalgia sells and the Switch could easily handle real-time 3D Pokémon clashes, it feels weird that Stadium sits untouched. The idea of loading up your classic teams, choosing a stadium and duking it out still has charm – but for now, it's a ghost of evenings past. | © Nintendo

Golden Sun Dark Dawn cropped processed by imagy — Golden Sun

Back in the Game Boy Advance days, *Golden Sun* was a gem – a perfect mix of lush sprite work, deep JRPG mechanics and that rare brand of storytelling where you felt the weight of your decisions. The last time we stepped into the world of Weyard was with *Golden Sun: Dark Dawn* on the DS, around 2010. That game tried to carry the torch forward with updated visuals and new protagonists, but it never quite recaptured the magic of the originals. Since then, the series has slid into dormancy, with no news or whispers of revival. It’s strange, because there’s still a real appetite among fans for turn-based fantasy, elemental magic and puzzle-heavy dungeons – exactly what Golden Sun did best. For now, those backgrounds and psynergy-colored battles remain memories. | © Nintendo

Another Code cropped processed by imagy — Another Code

There was something quietly special about *Another Code –* its mix of mystery, atmosphere, and touching narrative made it stand out during a time when many portable games played it safe. The last full entry, *Another Code: R – A Journey into Lost Memories*, came out on DS around 2009, and after that the series evaporated. Its clever use of dual screens, diary-style storytelling, and emotional beats felt like they could’ve blossomed even more in modern consoles. But instead, *Another Code* got stuck as a cult footnote, barely mentioned in Nintendo’s memory. It’s hard not to wonder what a full remake or spiritual successor could look like today, especially the way narrative-driven adventure games have evolved. | © Nintendo

Hotel Dusk Room 215 cropped processed by imagy — Hotel Dusk

*Hotel Dusk: Room 215* was like reading a noir graphic novel disguised as a DS game: heavy on atmosphere, full of moody jazz-club vibes, and brimming with weird, unforgettable characters. Since that 2007 release, though, nothing – the sequel never came, and Nintendo left the halls of that mysterious hotel empty. The charm of tracing clues with a stylus, flipping notebook pages, and unravelling secrets while sipping espresso at midnight is gone silent. In the age of remakes and reboots, a remake of *Hotel Dusk* feels like the kind of weird, intimate game that could shine again, yet it remains untouched. It’s weird to think a story this unique could slip through the cracks so completely. | © Nintendo

Pokémon Ranger Guardian Signs cropped processed by imagy — Pokémon Ranger

For a while, *Pokémon Ranger* was the fun, experimental side lane of the Pokémon franchise: catching Pokémon without battling, drawing circles to capture partners, exploring environments and solving puzzles. The most recent (and last) entry was *Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs*, released in 2010 for the DS. After that, the series faded away, even as other spin-offs and mainline entries kept rolling. It’s odd, because the concept was neat: a softer, gentler take on Pokémon that didn’t revolve around gyms or leagues, but cooperation and exploration. In a gaming era increasingly open to different ways to enjoy familiar worlds, Ranger seems more relevant than ever, but Nintendo never came back for a second round. | © Nintendo

Cropped Eternal Darkness — Eternal Darkness

There was a time when the name *Eternal Darkness* sent a chill down your spine – a GameCube horror classic blending psychological terror, eldritch myth, and a “sanity meter” that literally toyed with your nerves. The game was developed by Silicon Knights, not Nintendo, but the rights ultimately belong to Nintendo, which makes its absence all the more frustrating. Since *Eternal Darkness: Sanity’s Requiem* released in 2002, we’ve been waiting for a follow-up, a remaster, or at least a re-release. Over the years, Nintendo has renewed the trademark several times, hinting at something lurking in the shadows, yet nothing ever materializes. Meanwhile, the studio behind it folded, the supposed sequel never happened, and fans are left wondering if this haunting tale will ever escape the GameCube’s grave. | © Nintendo

Wario Land Shake It cropped processed by imagy — Wario Land

Back in its heyday, *Wario Land* spun the Mario formula sideways – Wario wasn’t a goody-two-shoes plumber, but a greedy anti-hero smashing through levels for treasure, power-ups, and that delicious sense of chaos. The last true Wario Land platformer was *Wario Land: Shake It!* on the Wii in 2008, and before that the classics on Game Boy and Game Boy Color. Since then, Wario has mostly shown up in minigames, spinoffs or as a cameo, rarely stepping into the spotlight with a platformer of his own. For all the fun that remains in his greedy swagger and cartoonish violence, there’s been nothing to let Wario hop back into a world of coins, transformations, and over-the-top stage hazards. It’s odd to see a character with such big personality relegated to bit parts when he could still headline a wild platforming romp. | © Nintendo

Sin and Punishment cropped processed by imagy — Sin and Punishment

Released many years ago, *Sin and Punishment* carved a niche for itself by blending light-gun style shooting with intense sci-fi storylines and over-the-top action, making you feel like you were starring in a high-octane anime. Its last original release was on the Wii as *Sin & Punishment: Star Successor* (2009), and since then the franchise has faded into near silence. The hype for its mix of frantic shooting, dramatic music and twisted sci-fi settings is still alive among fans, but Nintendo hasn’t given it a second glance. It’s a shame, because with modern hardware and a resurgence of interest in stylized action games, *Sin and Punishment* could easily find a new audience. Instead, it remains one of those cult corners of Nintendo history people talk about in wistful tones. | © Nintendo

Wave Race Blue Storm cropped processed by imagy — Wave Race

Gliding across shimmering waves, dodging buoys, and catching air on jetskis – that was *Wave Race*, pure aquatic exhilaration wrapped in Nintendo polish. The last main entry, *Wave Race: Blue Storm*, dropped in 2001 on GameCube. After that, the high-octane water racing vanished nearly completely; occasional ports or appearances here and there kept the name alive, but no new *Wave Race* game materialized. In a world where water physics, particle effects and modern controls could make those jet-ski stunts feel better than ever, it’s surprising Nintendo hasn’t given the series another spin. All those summers spent splashing across virtual seas now feel like distant memories, and yet the saltwater itch remains for anyone who played. | © Nintendo

Pilotwings Resort cropped processed by imagy — Pilotwings

There was something serene, almost whimsical about *Pilotwings,* gliding through the sky in light planes, hang gliders or rocket belts, taking in sunsets, landing on tiny platforms, or skydiving through loops. The original came out on SNES, and after a few sequels, the last major release was *Pilotwings Resort* for the 3DS in 2011. Since then, silence: no new flight lessons, no fresh skies to explore. Considering how popular flight sims and open-world / exploration games have become lately, Pilotwings feels like a forgotten treasure. That sense of peaceful aerial freedom, of mastering wind and gravity – it’s exactly the kind of vibe that could stand out again. And yet… the control stick stays unmoved, the runway untouched. | © Nintendo

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Some Nintendo series feel like they’ve been left in a vault so deep even Samus would need a map to find them. Whether they vanished after a long drought, resurfaced only to get a bare-minimum remake, or returned through a quick cash-grab that nobody asked for, these franchises once had real spark, and now they’re stuck waiting for Nintendo to remember they exist.

This roundup digs into the game worlds that deserved fresh ideas instead of reheated leftovers, and the classics that haven’t seen a proper new entry in years. It’s part nostalgia trip, part gentle nudge at a company that usually knows how to treat its icons – but somehow managed to misplace these along the way.