Top Video Games never made

[Cuāuhtemōc]

Assassin's Creed Black Flag
Developer: Ubisoft Montreal
Publisher: Ubisoft
Platform: Playstation 3, Playstation 3, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows
Release Date: November 2013

Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag is an action-adventure video game developed by Ubisoft Montreal and published by Ubisoft. It is the sixth major installment in the Assassin's Creed series. Its historical time frame precedes that of Assassin's Creed III (2012), though its modern-day sequences succeed III's own. Black Flag was first released for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and Nintendo Wii U in October 2013 and a month later for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Microsoft Windows.

The plot is set in a fictional history of real world events and follows the centuries-old struggle between the Assassins, who fight for peace with free will, and the Templars, who desire peace through control. The framing story is set in the 19th century and describes the player as an Abstergo agent. The main story is set in 19th century Vietnam and southern China during the Sino-French War and follows Ying Zhen, a Chinese bandit hired by the Empire of Annam to help train the Black Flag Army. He eventually stumbles upon the Assassins who are using the Black Flag Army to counteract Templar influence in southeast Asia.
Unlike previous games, gameplay elements focus more on ship-based exploration of the seamless open world map, while also retaining the series' third-person land-based exploration, melee combat, and stealth system. Multiplayer also returns, albeit with only land-based modes and settings. The game spans across the South China Sea with the three main cities of Guangzhou, Hanoi and Hue.

 

[Ogrebear]

By me from: A Kinder, Gentler Nation Continued: A Collaborative Bush wins '92 TL

March 4 2004 Atari release Fallout: Brotherhood of Steel - originally started at Interplay before the Atari buyout as a console only game, Atari have also created a PC version, and given the game much needed polish. The storyline has the player as a Brotherhood of Steel initiate. Taking place in Carbon, Texas in the year 2208, the storyline involves the player uncovering the mystery behind the Texas BOS branch formation, how it involved the local Ghouls, and dealing with a Super Mutant settlement - the moral choices of staying true to the BOS ideals, or making a peace deal with the Ghouls, and Super Mutants would lead to controversy amongst fans as the 'good' ending of making peace, was seen to contradict the BOS 'mission' despite it being the better choice for restoring the Wasteland. The amount of swearing in the game also drew criticism from critics. Despite this the game sold well enough for Atari to order a sequel from Black Isle.

October 8 2005 Atari release Fallout: Brotherhood of Steel 2 on all platforms - based on ideas from the cancelled Fallout Tactics 2, the storyline from this game sees the player exploring the remains of post-apocalypse Florida as part of a BOS expeditionary group from the Texas chapter. A major plot twist would be the reveal that the BOS expedition leaders where 'hardcore' militants blinded by their hatred of mutants, and ghouls- cleaning out or joining in with their plans for 'cleansing' Florida was part of the games moral system. The BOS would come across plenty of mutants in Florida including a irradiated GECK full of mutated plants and fungi that was spreading rapidly, preying upon sentient and animal life, using them as carriers/fertilizer to spread its fungal seed. The player gets tasked with discovering the source and a way to put an end to the out of control accelerated regrowth and nature reclaiming the wasteland. One of the possible endings has the player choosing to merge with the GECK- becoming a Mutant, but bringing machine under control; another had the now promoted BOS Paladin removing the 'infection' with nuclear fire.

Fallout: Brotherhood of Steel 2 is much better received that the first game, with critics and fans praising the multi-layered, complex storyline and updated engine. Mutant crocodile leader Byron became a fan favourite Companion, and Keates, the literate Super Mutant leader voted 'most memorable character' in several video game awards for the year.

November 16 2006 Fans have dug out a Form 8-K filing to the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regarding a potential Fallout massively multiplayer online game by Obsidian, a division inside Atari. Speculation runs rampant, but Atari, Black Isle, and Obsidian remain silent.

October 31, 2011 On Chatter [Twitter] a rumour starts that Fallout Online has been cancelled in the wake of the Titan launch.

November 2, 2011 Matt Firor, head of ZeniMax Online Studios gives an interview to Gaming World magazine in which he denies Fallout Online has been cancelled, but does confirm it has been delayed 'for a while'.

December 31, 2011 Fallout Online.com launches with just a picture

June 6, 2012 At E3 in LA, Atari and ZeniMax Online Studios officially announce Fallout Online. Set in the Canadian Commonwealth, in and around Post Apocalyptic Toronto, the game is described as a Strategy RPG; faction and base building elements are a major part of the game. The game will launch with PVP and PVE servers, though both allow for 'Arenas' where players can pitch teams against each other. The Enclave are the overarching 'bad guys' of the games plot, with no other traditional Fallout factions present- though mention is made of the Brotherhood of Steel, NCR, etc.

Fan and critical reviews are mixed with some expressive in their like or dislike for the base building- though all agree the extra year of development seems to have really made the game work smooth.

June 10, 2012 Fallout Online goes live globally in a smooth launch. It is the first online game to be available on console and PC at launch, though not on cross platform servers.

 

[unclepatrick]

H G Wells The War of the World
Developer Westwood Studios
Publisher Virgin Interactive
Platform PC
Genre Point and Click Adventure Game
Release Date July 2001

Created by Louis Castle and the crew that developed the 1997 game "Blade Runner".
You play a reporter (unnamed in the game but the character wife calls you Herbert in a dialog thread and there is a letter address to Mr. Wells on you home desk)
You go from the first landing of a Martian cylinder , across the battlefield where the Army fights the Martian to London where you see the evacuation of the city and then in to the hunt for a professor who is developing a virus that will kill the Martians. In the game, you must fight off retreating soldiers, The Martians tripods and in the latter half of the game. the Red Weed.
Wonderful graphics but many found the point and click style to not be a good way to control your character in a action style game.
The collapsing building puzzle after the sinking of the naval ship "Thunderchild." was considered almost impossible to solve and many players had to download a cheat that allow them to skip the puzzle.

 

[SapSoakedOak]

Scalebound... R.I.P.

 

[Aisha Clan-Clan]

Starbound but with hiring a programmer who isn't a pedo who they later have to remove half the content before 1.0 to hide the fact they hired a pedophile. Starbound with expansions on the pre 1.0 content would have been something.

 

[Skyrish10]

Assassin's Creed Black Flag
Developer: Ubisoft Montreal
Publisher: Ubisoft
Platform: Playstation 3, Playstation 3, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows
Release Date: November 2013

I think you made a typo, you put Playstation 3 instead of Playstation 4

 

[Duke Andrew of Dank]

Based on @CountDVB

Paper Mario: Isle of Color (2016)
Developer: Intelligent Systems
Publisher: Nintendo

Paper Mario: Isle of Color is the fifth installment of the Paper Mario RPG games released for the Nintendo Uz (TTL's WiiU, which is yet another take on the premise of Nintendo and Sony working together then merging). Unlike Super Paper Mario, this game is far closer in design to the first game. Mario receives a set of partners that correspond to the colors of the rainbow. Lori, a female shy guy, is the knowledge provider. Russell, a male pokey, serves as a bridge or ladder. Tie Feng, a male Banzai Bill, can blow away obstacles. Bella, a female Spike, can push away or destroy heavy obstacles. Galileo, a male penguin, transports Mario over water and in it. Agatha, a female Swooper, can fetch items and hit switches far horizontally or vertically. Lastly, Toad appears later on as a partner and has similar roles to goombas in terms of attacks (barring knowledge). There are Bowser segments as the character searches for his son within the game and Bowser is a playable character in these segments.

This time, the game follows Mario when he arrives to Palette Island with Peach and her sibling Cream (from another idea I have in the works), to investigate Bowser appearing there. It eventually turns out that Bowser is on the island because Bowser Jr has gone missing. Whereas Lori, who Mario meets a the resort town of Cherry Lake, theorizes Jr may be tied to the mysterious rash of people being discolored and sights of a mysterious figure consisting of a mysterious being of "space color" called Pigmentorum. Meanwhile, Bowser is seen investigating the area when Huey, a sentient paint can that regularly proceeds to heckle and insult Bowser at the least excuse.

Eventually, Mario and co find the six Sacred Hues, glittery paint in mystical containers. When all six are collected, color is restored to the land and used to make a rainbow bridge to an inter-dimensional portal where the Colorless Void lays and the final boss, based on The Colour Out of Space. At one point, Peach and Cream are transformed into a pair of monstrous beings by Pigmentorum, whom Mario and co fight. Mario learns Pigmentorum has been spreading itself through the use of Bowser Jr and his brush, whom is possessed and to spread itself while draining the color from the land to grow stronger. Mario and co kill Pigmentorum and Jr, and the Princess and her brother are saved.

 

[Cuāuhtemōc]

Pokémon Sun and Moon (2018)
Developer: Genius Sonority
Publisher: Nintendo

Pokémon Sun and Moon are the third set of Pokémon games developed by Genius Sonority and the first made for Nintendo Switch. Sequels to the events of the past two sets of games, Sun and Moon take place a year later in the Alola islands. The games were announced worldwide on June 6, 2018, at 11 pm JST through Nintendo Direct. The paired versions were released worldwide on November 17, 2018. All copies of the game are playable in nine languages: Japanese, English, German, Spanish, French, Italian, Korean, and Simplified and Traditional Chinese.

The player characters are thirteen year old Elio/Selene; they and their scientist mother moved from Kanto to live in Aether Paradise, headquarters for the Aether Foundation. [FONT=Verdana, Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif]After meeting Aether President Lusamine, she requests that the player character join Professor Kukui to investigate an Ultra Wormhole in Melemele Island. The player character chooses an Alola Starter from Kukui and encounters the Ultra Recon Squad while investigating the Ultra Wormhole in Ten Carat Hill. Elio/Selene teams up with local youngster Hau and defeats them. After doing so, Hau encourage the player character to embark on the Island Challenge, a coming-of-age[FONT=Verdana, Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif] custom native to Alola. In addition, Kukui grants possession of a mysterious Cosmog named Nebby to the player character to protect from the Ultra Recon Squad.

Unlike in previous games, trials involve battles with powered-up Pokémon followed by battles with a Kahuna upon completion of an island's trials.

Mid-way to your in-game journey, revisiting Aether Foundation causes Necrozma to emerge from the Wormhole and attack the headquarters. The Ultra Recon Squad also succeeds in kidnapping Nebby after returning from the Aether Paradise. Later, after the player defeated Recon Captain Phyco is it revealed that their people once controlled Necrozma as a captive light source to power their technologically advanced city only for it to backfire and have the Pokemon absorb all the light it could, destroying their home in the process. Lusamine and the Ultra Recon Squad worked together to capture the Pokemon before it could destroy their world as well. They needed bait and what better bait to attract Necrozma than Cosmog itself; the problem being that Lillie (Sun)/Gladion (Moon) took it.

The player proceeded to battle through Aether Paradise with Hau and Lillie (Sun)/Gladion (Moon). They eventually defeat Aether President . Lusamine, who is revealed to be Gladion and Lillie's mother. During the climax, Lusamine uses Nebby to create a wormhole to Ultra Space, where she attempts to fight Necrozma who she blames for the mysterious disappearance of her husband Mohn and her strained relationship with her children. This makes Nebby evolve into a cocoon-like form while unknowingly unleashing the Ultra Beasts, native creatures to Ultra Space on Alola, forcing the island Kahunas and guardian deities to fight them.

Proceeding on the final island, the player and Lillie/Gladion perform a ritual to evolve Nebby into its final form Solgaleo (Sun) or Lunala (Moon) at the island’s altar. With the newfound power, the player and Lillie/Gladion travel into the Ultra Megalopolis, taking the world's light with it. There, the player battles Necrozma, this time in its true form (Ultra Necrozma), for the fate of the two worlds and defeats it once more though without being able to capture it.

After defeating Necrozma, the player character returns to Alola and ascends Mount Lanakila where Elio/Selene fights the Elite Four. In the last match, Elio/Selene defeat their rival Hau to become Alola’s first League Champion. After a celebration, Lillie/Gladion announce that they would be departing for the Sinnoh region the following day.

After becoming the champion, the player is contacted by two members of the International Police: Anabel (who was head of the Battle Tower in Pokémon Emerald) and Looker. The player assisted the two with handling wild Ultra Beasts that Lusamine let loose into Alola in a series of quests. Following the final quest, Looker revealed that he saw another Ultra Beast, although Anabel dismissed this. If the player then travels to Ten Carat Hill, they will encounter Team Rainbow Rocket, under Giovanni who had taken control over Necrozma. They seize control of the Aether Foundation’s headquarters and take Lusamine hostage, before a counterattack by the player, Hau and Red (Sun)/Blue (Moon).

Battling through villainous team leaders from the past games (Maxie and Archie from Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald, Cyrus from Diamond, Pearl and Platinum, Lysandre from X and Y and Ghetsis from Black, White, Black 2 and White 2), the player finally encounteres Giovanni, leader of Rainbow Rocket who had Necrozma at his disposal. He reveals that he manipulated Lusamine’s takeover of Silph Co. and reformation into the Aether Foundation from the shadows. He then released Necrozma and caused havoc onto both worlds, leading to the events of the game’s story. After the player's victory, Giovanni vanishes, leaving behind a released Necrozma, wondering "what new world shall he unleash his evil schemes upon."

 

[Duke Andrew of Dank]

Banjo-Kazoothree is a 2003 platformer developed by Rare and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo Gamecube. It was first released in 12 December 2002 in North America and Europe and on 13 Feburary 2003 in Japan. It is the third instalment in Rare's Banjo-Kazooie series, and serves as a sequel to the original Banjo Kazooie and its sequel Banjo Tooie. The story of the game follows series protagonists Banjo and Kazooie in their third battle against Gruntilda. Who has hired a scientist to build her a body, as the entirety of it except for her head was destroyed at the end of Tooie.

Development of the game started in 2000, directly after the release of Tooie. The game's level are even larger than those of Tooie, with the amount of jiggies in said worlds increased to 15. It also includes a multiplayer mode where Banjo and Kazooie can be played as seperate characters until one either collects a jiggy or dies. At which point the other character gets a turn. By 2006, the game had sold more than 5.5 million copies, making it one of the best selling games for the Gamecube. It is also considered by many one of, if not the, best 3D platformer ever made.

Gameplay
Similar to its predecessors, Threeie features open worlds containing various items for the player to collect. The most important one of which are Jiggies, gold puzzle pieces Which are then used to open new levels for the characters to explore. Instead of puzzles in temple of Master Jiggywiggy resides like in Tooie, this game returns to the first game's method of placing jiigies on an incomplete picture of each world. Whenever the player has obtained the number of Jiggies required, they go around Spiral Mountain looking for picture, typically found in shortcuts leading to parts of what was once Gruntilda's lair, or in places where Banjo learned his moves in the first game. Unlike the first two games, each main level (not counting Spiral Mountain), has 15 jiggies. The result of the Gamecube's bigger storage space.

Musical notes return in Threeie, and share the same function as in Tooie. All of Banjo and Kazooie's moves from the first two games return in Banjo-Kazoothree, and the player can acquire several new moves. Most of these new moves simply are shooting more varieties of eggs, individual attacks for the bear and bird, or new kinds of boots. Though several new attacks that require both of the two are present. Such as one where Banjo throws Kazooie like an American football to rather high ledges.

Mumbo Jumbo also returns as a playable character like in Tooie. While Klungo replaces Humba Wumba as the character who transforms the duo in different forms. This time in a matter similar to scientific mutations. As if that wasn't enough, Bottles appears as a playable character as well. In which he finds patches of soil. Which he can then dig through to create shortcuts for Banjo and Kazooie.

The worlds are, like in Tooie, connected to the hub world, in this case Spiral Mountain, where Banjo and Kazooie live. In addition, Chuffy the train returns from Tooie with an expanded role, as only one locomtoive in an entire fleet belonging to the Jinjo Central Railroad. Additional locotmotives include a 4-8-0 steam engine called Puffs. These engines can be added to help Banjo with certain things, including transoprtation to various parts of the world otherwise inaccesible to Banjo and Kazooie. Though some also involve transporting varous loads in between levels that are too hard for smaller trains like Chuffy itself. Or even trying to get from one world to the other in a certain time.

Though many levels are new, there are some returning levels from the first game which return. Albiet with a twist or two. For instance, Mumbo's Mountain turns out to be a dormant volcano. Forcing the duo to help Mumbo save his villaige.

Plot
Two years after Gruntilda's body was destroyed by Banjo and Kazooie, the duo have moved to the Isle O' Hags to live with their friend Bottles and the Jinjos. Banjo's sister Tooty also lives there. While Banjo has begun to date Claire, a female bear who teaches at Tooty's School. Meanwhile, Grunty hires an unemployed scientist named Professor Gunzel. Who she has build her a new body in return for money. Then she strikes and invades Spiral Mountain. Forcing Banjo and Kazooie to fight again. This time, she does so by manipulating Gunzel, forcing him into creating all sorts of abnormalities across Banjo's world. First, she has Gunzel transport her to the Isle O'Hags. Where she launches a series of attacks the force all the Jinjo families to run away, and eventually be seperated. At the time, Banjo, Claire, Bottles, and King Jingaling are playing a game on a N64 parody. When Tooty comes in and alerts everyone about what has happened. Having barely escaped herself. Banjo and Kazooie immediately set off to the rescue, and Bottles promises to do all he can to help them. To start, Banjo and Kazooie decide to return to Spiral Mountain to look for possible clues regarding's Grunty's return. But Mumbo arrives and tells them there was an eruption at Mumbo's Mountain, which has turned out to be a dormant volcano. Forcing the shaman to call for the duo's help. The duo eventually arrives. And with Mumbo and Bottle's help they defeat Lalava, a monster Grunty sent to further terrorize the village.

The duo continues to trek Spiral Mountain for jiggies. With Tooty giving information about various jiggies that can be found in the hub world. Banjo and Kazooie also discover the Jinjo and Calico Railroad, the company that owns Chuffy from Tooie, has built a line to Spiral Mountain. Which the duo uses to travel to farther off worlds.

Eventually, the duo track down Gunty on a large mountain near Jinjo village. Where, in her mechanical body, she tries to finish off the duo. But she is eventually destroyed when he robotic body blows up. And Brentilda comes to seal her in a jar which she then dumps into a water filled sinkhole. Everyone celebrates Grunty's defeat. Though in the end, the beautiful Humba Wumba finds the jer Brentilda sealed Grunty in on the shore near her village. Foreshadowing the next game, Banjo-Kazooie: Gruntilda's Ghost.

Worlds
Like the first two games, the game has its main worlds, one hub world, and one starter world. Unlike the first two however, there are a total of thirteen main worlds rather than the nine of the first two. While are also a variety of secret levels that can be discovered in parts of the Isle O' Hags, or Gunty's Lair on Spiral Mountain. Additionally, the hub world and the main worlds have a total of 15 rather than 10 jiggies. Most of the main worlds were originally planned for a gameboy title called "Grunty's Revenge." However, these were instead overhauled as levels for Three-ie

Starter World

• Isle O' Hags
  • Bottle's House
  • Jinjo Vilalige

Hub world

• Spiral Mountain
  • Banjo's old House
  • Gruntilda's Lair

Main Worlds
Like the first two games, the game has its main worlds, one hub world, and one starter world. Unlike the first two however, there are a total of thirteen main worlds rather than the nine of the first two. While are also a variety of secret levels that can be discovered in parts of the Isle O' Hags, or Gunty's Lair on Spiral Mountain. Additionally, the hub world and the main worlds have a total of 15 rather than 10 jiggies. Most of the main worlds were originally planned for a gameboy title called "Grunty's Revenge." However, these were instead overhauled as levels for Three-ie

Starter World

• Isle O' Hags
  • Bottle's House
  • Jinjo Vilalige

Hub world

• Spiral Mountain
  • Banjo's old House
  • Gruntilda's Lair

Main Worlds

• Hotgrass Savannah
  • Transformation: Lion
• Mount Frostbite
  • Transformation: Penguin
• Port Cockeye
  • Transformation: Crab
• Runny Rainforest
  • Transformation: Monkey
• Bullion-Bill Junction
  • Tranformation: Shunting Locomotive
• Prickly Pear Bayou
  • Transformation: Bat
• Weird Windy West
  • Transformation: Human Cowboy
• Fire Eye Island
  • Transformation: Fire Imp
• Column Castle
  • Transformation: Dragon

Production
Early plans were first proposed by Tim Stamper. He originally wanted to remake the first game as co-op multiplayer. With several improvements like better framerates and textures. But several other senior members of Rare objected as they were concerned it would take too long. That said, Stamper's dream was eventually realized. As Banjo Kazooie was eventually remade as Banjo-Kazooie 3D for the 3DS in 2012. As a result of the bickering, a compromise was reached. There would be a new game that featured a few levels from the first game, but the returning levels would have new features added. But it would be also expanded beyond those to have new worlds. One idea that made it in was Mumbo's Mountain becoming a volccano which the duo would have to stop. Another concept that was retooled and implemented in this game was Bottle's revenge. A scrapped multi player mdoe from Tooie. However, this time it was retooled to feature the ghost of Gruntilda's sisters Mingella and Blobbelda. Who a third and fourth player would take control off an possess certain enemies with to try and kill Banjo.

 

[Duke Andrew of Dank]

In addition, most Paper Mario fan games could qualify under this. But I'd like to give mention to these.

Melody of the guardians.
The Celestial Clock

 

[Hammerbolt]

Star Wars: Droids (2018) - using this simulator, build your very own, Star Wars-based, droid. Choose every section from hundreds of options: basic chassis, mode of movement, class, basic operating syste, extra software (legal or ilegal), addons, etc. Drive/roll/fly out of the factory and try to become independent... or fail and be recycled.

 

[Duke Andrew of Dank]

Why doesn't anyone like my newest post?

Ah, well. I'll just start again soon.

 

[Duke Andrew of Dank]

Some of these games are ones that could hypothetically made. But for the sake of seeing them be certain, I'm putting them here.

Anyways, here's the new big dump.

Donkey Kong Racing (2002)
Platform: Gamecube
Developer: Rareware

The direst sequel to Diddy Kong Racing, this game takes place a few months after the events of that game. DK and Diddy are playing with their friends on the beach. When Taj the Elephant Genie arrives, claiming there is a big set of racing tournaments that are supposed to determine the fastest racing animals in the world. As such, DK and Diddy are joined by Edison, Banjo, Dixie Kong, Conker, and many other allies. Only to find it was a trap from Wizpig for all of them and the must escape by racing.

After Nintendo and Sony's gaming division merged in 2000, Nintendo expanded their stake in rare to 65%. They had previously expanded their stake in the British developer in 1997, but now felt like a good time to secure them once and for all. This was Rare's first title for the Nintendo-Sony Empire's Gamecube console. As such, it would be a tough act to follow, with not even The Dreamers, Banjo-Kazooie, Conker, Dick 2, or the new Kameo competing.

Team Ultimate (2013)
Platform: Uz (WiiU IOTL)
Developer: Rareware

Rare's attempt to cash in on the MCU lead to this game. Starring Diddy Kong, Krystal, Banjo, Edison, Kameo and Conker in a superhero team in the vein of The avengers, as they try to bring down Wizpig as he grows more powerful by using Donkey Kong. This eventually confirms the Mario franchise and most of Rare's IPs to be in the same universe..

 

[Hammerbolt]

Earth Vs The Flying Saucers - 2018, Arts of the Eletronic

Turn-based strategy game. The player can either lead the alien fleet to conquer and/or wipe out the humans, or lead combined UN forces to protect the planet. Each side has 5 levels of diferent tactics and technologies.

 

[KuboCaskett]

To celebrate the recent news of Metal Slug crossing over with World War Toons, a PSVR game, I had taken it upon myself to make some sort of counterpart in my Metal Slug TL (though it's more akin to Team Fortress 2 in some cases):

Toontarian Wars

Developer: Orino Games
Platform: Gamizumi (TTL's PS4 at the lower end)
Released: 1997

A cartoony FPS game (very) loosely set in the Totalitarian Wars (WWII and III) that allows players to play as the Allies/UN, Axis, or Comitern and can be played in either VR or not in VR. While the gameplay is judged to be at least decent, it has become a cult classic for its zany characters, sense of humor, and a source of comnet (TTL's internet) alt-memes, with its supporting lasting well into the 2020's despite an improved version appearing in the 2010's (before the civil war killed off the infrastructure that supported the games).

 

[Duke Andrew of Dank]

"I think what makes Super Mario Ultra 2 so great is just Prince Cream, Peach's brother. Cream was a very compelling character. He was a psychic, which meant he could touch someone or something and get a vision of their personal history. Hey, if the Koopa Troop hadn't taken Cream first, I think the story would have been over sooner."
-SuperMarioT, What Makes Mario Ultra 2 the Best

"Cream is actually one of the reasons I made this a top 15 as opposed to a top 10, especially since this list includes characters from across the franchise. The idea of a kid with strong psychic powers is what makes him so unique in the world of Mario. It's just too bad we don't see him as often as the other heavily marketed characters. Especially since I think it would have been fun to have a game focusing on all his psychic powers."
-Nathaniel Bandy, Top 15 Super Mario characters

"Does someone wants to hurt you?"
"Yes."
-Catherine Cavadini as Princess Peach and Eli Marienthal as Prince Cream, Super Mario Ultra 2

"We were going to use this star on the tree. But since you found the angel we normally use, you can have it instead."
-Father Patrick in unspoken dialogue in Freezyton Village, Super Mario Ultra 2

"Where is everyone, Mama?"
"Everything is empty."
"I don't know, sweeties. What do you think, Honey?"
"I guess this isn't a busier time of day. I read the map and it said it's open about now."
-Tara Charendoff as Harry, Grey DeLisle as Jerry, Russi Taylor as Toadette, and Wayne Allwine as Toad, Super Mario Ultra 2

"Do you really think I'd just let him warn your pathetic princess that we were coming? Imagine if we came, and they had a bunch of tanks with them!"
-Michael Bell as Kamek, Super Mario Ultra 2

Super Mario Ultra 2 (1999)
Release Date: July 14, 1999
Platform: Nintendo-Sony Playstation
Developer: Nintendo EAD

A direct sequel to Super Mario Ultra, this game differs from its predecessor in certain ways. One is the use of many traditional Mario power-ups, especially the fire flower, in the place of kicks and punches. Second, the worlds are a bit larger and harder. Third, the hub world has more secret levels, which usually are hinted at by Cream or the Toad Twins Harry and Jerry.

Most of the courses are ones from several levels that were originally made for Mario Ultra, but then cut out. In these courses, new missions include a game of hide-and-seek with Toad's sons, following Peach's brother Cream to entrances to 2D platforming sections he alone knows about, or riding on Yoshi in races. Each world has has at least ones boss. Typically a Koopaling but also at times another sort of enemy. Plus the obligatory Bowser fights at about at the 1/3 point.

Gameplay
The Wing, Metal, and Invisibility caps returns from Mario Ultra. As do several items from the 2D games, namely the Fire Flower, Ice Flower, Invincibility Star, Frog Suit, and Tanooki Suit. The Fire Flower is usually used to burn up obstacles or light fires, and replaces Mario's punch attack when he uses it. The Ice Flower is similar to the fire flower, but Mario can then pick up a frozen enemy and throw it in one direction. The Tanooki suit mainly acts as a way for Mario and Luigi to disable tougher enemies before jumping on them. The Frog suit lets them swim faster and more agilely.

Levels
The levels here are mainly those of OTL's famous fan game Super Mario 64: Last Impact, but with each having one boss mission, and the star count being grown to 10, which was allowed by virtue of having the knowledge of how far the Playstation's technology could be flogged. These new missions include boss fights, encounters with the Toads, and 2D sections unearthed by Cream.

Much like Peach's Castle in the first Ultra, Port Able is divided in five areas where all the levels are accessed.

Town Park

• Wildlife Valley: The same level from OTL's Last Impact. Though here there are some missions where Mario first uses the fire flower to help set a fire in some homes. The boss here is Larry Koopa.
• Feezyton Village: A village that has been preparing for Christmas. Among other chores, you must help the church pastor, Father Patrick, with parts for a nativity scene. Or help decorate the tree. Notably, Father Patrick's model is modified from the Happy Mask Salesman in the Playstation Zelda titles (Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask).
• Stonesnake Shatters: The same level as OTL, with more emphasis on a jetpack called Jetty. Jetty eventually evolves into FLUDD from Super Mario Sunshine. The boss is the same dragon thing as OTL.
• Super Sweet Sugarland: At level accessed through the oven of a café. Yoshi is ridden a lot here and many missions involve him eating the food. The boss here is Lemmy, who throws pie at you as they are thrown back with the Raccoon Leaf.

First major boss: You put up against Boom-Boom.

Waterfront

• Sunset Islet: The beach level from OTL's Last Impact. Here, the Fire Flower mission is replaced with the introduction of the Ice Flower. Which Mario first uses to help a put-upon snack bar worker. The boss is Morton Jr.
• Big Beast’s Belly: The boss is Ludwig, who is causing stomach pains for the beast.
• Crystal Caves: The same Last Impact level from OTL.
• Sky High Islands: Mostly the same as OTL

Commercial Center

• Agent Alleyways: A crime and spy themed level. Where Mario first uses the invisibility cap and takes on a mob boss in a fight.
• Melty Molten Mountains: Largely the same as OTL's Last Impact level.
• Bouncy Shroom Valley: Here, Mario first finds the metal cap so he won't have to bounce all over the place. The boss here is a big bad bird.
• Dusky Doomed Dale: The Tanooki Suit is used a lot, mainly in the fight with Kamek.

Special Boss Battle 2: You fight Pom-Pom

Industrial Front

• Abandoned Outpost: The same level as OTL's Last Impact. The boss here is Iggy who has a laser gun.
• Calico Junction: A large train yard based on the Union Pacific's steam engine facility in Cheyenne, and the Norfolk and Western Roanoke Shops. Mario accesses it when the engineer of the train he rode in on offers him a free ride to the level. Here, Mario uses the fire flower to start the fires of all the steam trains in the roundhouse. Mario also uses the Tanooki Suit to apply the manual brakes on a runaway train.
• Harried Honey Hive: The boss here is Wendy Koopa.
• Gamble Game Galley: The boss is a large robot who has gone haywire.

Third major boss: All three kinds of Bros. Hammer, Fire, and Boomerang.

Town Square

• Colossal Circuit: The same as OTL with the obligatory 3 additional stars. The boss is again the same.
• Livid Surreal Dream: Again, mostly the same as OTL. But with twists like Ice Flowers giving you Fire powers and vice versa.
• The Spacelands: Same as OTL's Rainbow Road Level but with less of a rainbow motif.
• Queasy Cliffs: A levels based on Andean Mountains where Mario must travel across bridges or first use the wing cap in a race with a dragon. The boss here is Roy.

Final Boss: Bowser and Kamek together.

Also, the Secret Levels from OTL's Last Impact are featured.

Plot
The story focuses on Mario and Luigi going to join Peach, her brother Prince Cream and father King Henry, Toad's family: him, his wife Toadette, and twins, and Yoshi on a trip to a resort town called Port Able. When they arrive however, the place is almost abandoned. Cream, who has strong psychic powers, deduces that the Koopa Troop is nearby, and planning to attack. As such, Mario and Luigi immediately set to work on trying to stop Bowser by going through the numerous worlds...
They are able to take care of many parts of the world. But a while in, Cream is abducted by Kamek, knowing that Cream could try and telepathically warn them when Bowser kidnaps Peach, whereas Henry as been temporarily immobilized. Peach tries to save Cream and almost succeeds, but is forced to give up and rely on the Marios. Mario and Luigi continue to fight on with the Toad family and Yoshi's help. Eventually reaching Bowser and defeating him, Kamek, and the Koopalings. Bowser and Kamek lose hilariously, Cream is saved, and the entire groups begins their well-earned rest.

Development
A direct sequel to Super Mario Ultra was planned immediately after its success. In July 1996 Nintendo insiders stated that Miyamoto was assembling a team to work on a Super Mario Ultra sequel, consisting mostly of developers who had worked on the original Super Mario Ultra. Miyamoto mentioned at E3's 1997 convention that he was "just getting started" on the project. But due to work on The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Miyamoto chose to appoint his protege Yoshiaki Koizumi as the lead so Miyamoto could work on other things.

The original idea for Prince Cream began when someone proposed the idea of Toad having a pair of twins who could telepathically communicate with each other and their peers. This in turn also stemmed from Yoshi having a larger role, where he would have even talked often. However, Miyamoto felt that this would make more sense if the character was a relative of a more important character, specifically suggesting the princess as said relative.

Cream's design was mainly based of that of Kid Link in the Legend of Zelda's Playstation titles. But then in his sketches of the character, Koizumi gave him orange hair, rounder ears, a smaller more button-like nose, and an all around cuter design. His outfit originally was fairly similar in design to Disney's Pinocchio. But this was eventually changed to a light blue polo shirt, demin jeans, a ruby bracelet, and a silver version of Peach's crown. The idea of him being a psychic came from when they were developing his persona. The original Cream was more akin to the cheeky and mischevious Huey, Dewey, and Louie for Disney Duck fame. But Koizumi felt this made him too unlikable, and having recently seen the 1998 film Ringu, suggested that they make him a child psychic like Yoichi Asakawa, the psychic child of the main characters in said film. The rest as they say is history.

Reception
Ultra 2 is considered on the best Mario games ever made. Especially compared to its predecessor. Particular points of praise included the triumphant return of iconic Mario elements liek the Fire Flower and Koopalings. As well as have an uncharacteristically compelling plot, which was mainly penned by Yoshiaki Koizumi.

Super Mario Ultra 2 sold 16 million copies. Roughly 50% more than its predecessor. Placing it as the all time best selling Nintendo Playstaion game.

Prince Cream is to this day a fan favorite. Many people praised the spectacle of a psychic character in the Mario franchise. As well as Eli Marienthal's voice work as the character, which captured his childish innocence and surprisingly deep characterization.

 

[connorCD]

I figured that I could give my idea of a released version of Project Dream and an alternate version of Banjo-Kazooie.

Isle of Dreams
Developer: RareWare
Publisher: Nintendo
Console: Ultra Nintendo Entertainment System (OTL N64)
Launch Date: May 20th, 1997

Info and Plot: Isle of Dreams was released in 1997 as a single-player RPG style video game for the UNES by Rare. It follows a teenage boy named Edison who lives in a village of humans on the Sunflower Sands island. In the beginning of the game, Edison is confronted by an old man named Cockeye in his hut just outside of the village. Cockeye tells of the time when he was a member of a pirate crew led by Captain Blackeye. After an event involving the sacking of another village however, Cockeye left the crew and lives a quiet life on Sunflower Sands. Now, news broke out to Cockeye that Blackeye has now retrieved a gemstone known as "the Dream Stone." According to legend, once every 1000 years, the Gemstone reaches its full power and can grant any wish the user desires. As expected from your average villain, Blackeye's wish is to rule the world under his own image. Due to Cockeye's old age, he sends Edison and his Dog, Dinger, to sail the oceans to defeat Blackeye and save the world.

Gameplay: The gameplay for Isle of Dreams shares a somewhat similar status to the original SNES and N64 versions in OTL with some major changes. Most notably, the open-world gameplay. Not only is it more polished than what we got, but it takes some more traditional elements from other RPGs and uses them for its own use, such as Buildings you can go into and Enemies that spawn in place that immediately chase you as soon as you make eye contact. There are also segments where you can play as Dinger in order to reach more difficult places to go to as Edison, such as small caves and areas covered in darkness.

Characters: While Edison was already implied to be a courageous and daring character, Dinger is more cowardice and this is often shown is several cutscenes and even in overworld gameplay. There is also Cockeye, who is more grumpy and slow, but does care for Edison and tries to help him whenever he needs it. Blackeye is more or less a more villainous version of his version in BK. Now, we have 2 more major characters to mention. First is Madaleine. Madaleine is Edison's love interest and helps Edison by giving him magic-themed weapons such as Wands, Potions, Spells and more. The other major character is Banjo the Bear. Made to be Edison's Best Friend (aside from Dinger, of course) and sometimes rival. Banjo helps Edison by giving him food to help increase his HP and stamina. These two characters made a big impact of the story despite only being NPCs, Especially Banjo, who we will bring up in a moment.

Banjo's Quest
Developer: RareWare
Publisher: Nintendo
Console: Ultra Nintendo
Launch Date: August 21th, 1998

Info and Plot: Banjo's Quest was released more than a year after IOD as a 3D Platformer related spin-off of the aforementioned title. Instead of Edison, you play as his friend/rival, Banjo the Bear. In the game, Banjo's sister Tootie gets kidnapped by the Witch, Gruntilda, who plans on experimenting on Tootie in an attempt to make herself beautiful. Throughout the game, you collect various items such as honeycombs, Jigsaw puzzle pieces called Jiggies, rescue small critters called Jinjos, and much more.

Gameplay: The gameplay of this version of the game plays very similarly to the original BK games with one main exception: Kazooie is completely absent from the game due to her instead being a minor character in Isle of Dreams. Because of this, many of the attacks Kazooie uses are either altered for Banjo's specific use or are just removed altogether. Other changes include the alteration of specific levels and characters, the removal of Blackeye as he is already the main villain of IOD, and more. This game was also known to be Rare's first game to feature full voice acting, with Banjo being voiced by Rare veteran, Chris Sutherland.

Characters: We have already talked about Banjo (Who is still the same Bear we all know and love in personality), so we might as well talk about the two other major characters, Tootie and Gruntilda. Tootie is Banjo's younger sister who plays the flute and serves as the main victim of Gruntilda's plans. Unfortunately, She isn't given as much character development compared to Banjo and Gruntilda until later installments of the series. Then there's Gruntilda (Nicknamed Grunty in-game), a Witch who wishes to become a beautiful woman by kidnapping Tootie and experimenting on her with the help of her assistants. Gruntilda was originally a Giant in IOD, but this idea was scrapped when the whole "giants aesthetic" was removed. Gruntilda has a personality similar to Blackeye while having her own character traits.

Both Isle of Dreams and Banjo's Quest were both major success in critique and in sales, considered to be killer apps for the UNES and would later spawn future installments, including sequels to both games for the then upcoming Gamecube and so on, as well as remakes for the Revolution (OTL Nintendo Wii).

 

[WotanArgead]

Resident Evil 4 (Biohazard 4)
Developer: Capcom
Publisher: Capcom
Console: GameCube
Launch Date: 2004

Info and Plot: Resident Evil 4 - the fourth part of the cult game series in the genre of Survival horror, dedicated to the fight against monsters created using bioengineering. The main hero of this part is Leon Scott Kennedy, who was also the game character of the second part. After the events in Raccoon City, Leon began working for the US intelligence services. On the instructions of the government, he is sent to the European headquarters of the Umbrella Corporation, where he is looking for evidence of a new series of expatriates. In an unexpected way, the Headquarters is transformed into a house with ghosts, and Leon is attacked by Living Dolls, medieval armor, and a mysterious dead man with a hook instead of a palm. Later, he realizes that he is infected with the "progenitor" virus.

Gameplay: Unlike previous games in the series, the game did not focus on skirmishes with hungry mutants, but on the madness of the main character. Part of the gameplay takes place in memories and hallucinations, marked by a bluish tinge and swaying camera. Various mechanics have also been added, such as a shoulder-level camera for guidance in battles and a choice of branches of dialogue. The game was able to maintain the nonlinearity characteristic of the first part of the game. The ending also depends on some moments of passing. The game became a cult in the fan community, and critics noted the “bolder story compared to the previous parts” and pointed out new possibilities for the genre.

 

[Duke Andrew of Dank]

I hope @Nivek and @CountDVB notice my Mario 128 idea.

 

[Ashley Pomeroy]

Gran Turismo 5 / HD (2007), developed by Polys and published by Sony.

In our world GT5 wasn't released until 2010, which was something of a disaster for Sony because it was widely expected to be the PlayStation 3's killer launch app. It was announced in 2005 for launch in 2007 but development bogged down - the team planned to upgrade GT4 for the PS3 and PlayStation Portable while simultaneously working on GT5 in the background, but the three projects essentially cancelled each other out. The PS3 launched in 2006 but faced unexpectedly strong competition from the XBox 360, which was cheaper, easier to develop for, and had an equally good range of games. Gran Turismo was the PlayStation's flagship exclusive title and the lack of a GT game for the PS3 hurt sales.

When it finally game out it was mostly terrific, but it threw Gran Turismo's development schedule off track. GT6 was launched right at the end of the PS3's life and sold far fewer copies. The only GT game for the PS4 so far is essentially an online-only title with fewer features than its predecessors. Meanwhile the Forza games for the XBox achieved parity and nowadays GT is no longer the class leading console racing game.

I've played GT5 and in my opinion it's a classic example of "perfect is the enemy of good". Parts of it look incredible for an eight-year-old PS3 game; other parts look unfinished. My hunch is that in the absence of strong leadership the developers would have continued to work on the game forever a la Plan 9 from Bell Labs or Project Xanadu.

I've always wondered what would have happened if Polys had been given a kick up the bottom and told by Sony to release GT5 no less than eighteen months after the debut of the PlayStation 3. The result would be a smaller, simpler game - essentially GT4 with high-poly models and textures - that would have given the console a sales boost at a crucial time. GT6 would have come out around 2011 or so and helped ease the console into retirement. At that point the growing sophistication of Forza wouldn't have escaped the development team and we might nowadays have a hypothetical single-player GT7 for the PS4 that might challenge Forza.