Series where with each new game you can't play the older games?

Excluding sports games. Are there just games with each new entry the previous entries become difficult for you to go back to?

I feel this way about Smash Bros. Each new game has a new roster. new trophies with the exception of Brawl(game sucks) better gameplay and visuals. Not to mention online communities move to the new game and even for those who liked to Brawl the online service is gone. The only reason is to pop in Melee is to see that great menu and hear that great menu music.


After Saints Row III the first 2 games just became unplayable.


Same with Sonic Racing Transformed. First game just can't back to except the way to unlock things I liked better.

I still like smash 64.

One game I would find it extremely hard to go back to is Driver. I used to love that game back in the day, it's like a really primitive GTA, but it ran like ass on the PS1 and had tank-like driving controls and man did it get monotonous. I thought it was the greatest thing back then, but now it's like why put myself through that? Those kinds of games have improved tenfold, not just in the series, but in the genre.

While I don't think any game is completely unplayable, there is some that is hard to get into and time to get used to how they were.
It usually is games that I only played the newer versions of then tried to play the older ones. Like Tomb Raider the reboot games are easy to play, the ps1 one's are kinda hard to get into for me.

On the contrary, there are some series that I don't like new entries from.

Gran Turismo, I prefer ps1 and ps2 entries (especially the very first one on ps1 because nostalgia). I can't play new ones, I get bored.
Tekken - T3 and TTT1 were the best, since them the series lost its finesse. The same gameplay is still there but new games are too much flash and zazz, almost like King of Fighters developers went to Namco and made these new Tekken games. Also Tekken 3 home arranged soundtrack is still way above any other Tekken soundtrack.
Resident Evil is finally back on track with RE7. It was one of my favorite series during PS1 era, but I never liked Code Veronica, RE4, 5, 6 and numerous spin offs. I'm glad, RE7 is so awesome, and RE2 Remake looks awesome too.

The absolute worst offender is Command & Conquer. RA2 was the last good one, since then the series is soulless crap.

I'd agree there a quite a few series that have gone downhill and it's hard to get into the newer ones, but there are certainly some exceptions. I still enjoy playing the original Forza/Forza 2, but there are a handful of "realistic" racers that are hard to go back to with more modern options. Arcade racers tend to hold up better over time.

Sonic?
Haha, I jest.


I can't really think of anything that fits the criteria personally.

Mario Kart is one of the few video game franchises that have gotten better over time, in my opinion. Not sure if I would call any of the games unplayable since I have all of them in my collection and still boot up the older titles from time to time, but I do enjoy the recent installments more. Highlights include character roster growth, vehicle customization options, online communities, and significantly improved controls.

Mario Kart Wii is my favorite, even after Nintendo revoked its online features. Ah, the memories...