Forgotten game franchises

This is a short list of five game franchises that can best be described as "left in the past." They've not seen a new game in decades, nor have they seen so much as a re-release on a budget collection of games. They yet seem forgotten, or live in infamy. Let's get started.

1- Gex

Gex was a simple, average platformer with one outstanding gimmick: its main character, Gex, was constantly spouting one-liners. Some of these were authentically funny, while others required knowledge of then-current pop culture to really come across. The series' first game (a 2D platformer) was released on the Panasonic 3DO, already spelling doom, only to then be ported to other game consoles at a time when 2D gaming was considered old hat, and 3D gaming was the craze. The second and third games in the series were far better received, but there hasn't been a new game since 1999. Gex used to be the mascot for Crystal Dynamics, but then he got the boot in 2003. These days, younger gamers might know Gex from Videgamedunkey's videos referencing the series.

Does it deserve a comeback? I'm afraid that would be a hard sell. A game mascot that refuses to shut up and has a line for nearly every action, from beating enemies to getting collectibles? And if you take that out, all you're left with is an average platformer! Nah, I don't see Gex making any comebacks.

2- Syphon Filter

Syphon Filter mixed gun-toting gameplay with a FANTASTIC story that left gamers at the edge of their seats... for the PS1 era. The PS2/PSP era games focused instead on amping up the action, turning the series into yet ANOTHER Third Person Shooter (in an era where such games were already becoming common place). But the original PS1 trilogy, ESPECIALLY Syphon Filter 2, remain a GREAT series of games. Of course, we're talking about the PS1 era, so some things haven't aged so well; particularly, the way the character models are animated, some of the voice acting leaves much to be desired, and that's not even getting into the stereotypical accents some of the characters had...

Does it deserve a comeback? I'd argue AT LEAST Syphon Filter 2 deserves an HD remake.

3- Space Quest

You might have heard of King's Quest, one of the most celebrated Point-and-Click franchises of all time. Well, Space Quest plays similarly, but it has a classic Space Opera setting instead of a Fantasy one. You play as Roger Wilco, a space janitor who gets into various adventures in space, mostly against his will. It's a fun, challenging series that sadly doesn't get a lot of talk these days. The reason for this may be that Point-and-Click Adventure games are a niche genre relegated to PC gaming, or it may be that the series is simply overshadowed by King's Quest. But that said, this is STILL a fun series.

Does it deserve a comeback? I think asking for a new game in the series is a bit of a tall order, seeing as there hasn't been one since 1995. That said, there yet remains a fanbase for the series that have remade the games using more modern interfaces. Perhaps an official remake might be possible in the future!

4- Croc

Croc is the type of game you get when a company sees a large number of competitors do exceptionally well, so they decide to get a slice of that action. This small series of two games can best be described with that popular meme "We have X at home." The first game in the series, titled Croc: Legend of the Gobos, was a competently made 3D platformer that had the misfortune of being outshined by the Crash Bandicoot series AND Spyro the Dragon, to make no mention of Super Mario 64. The second game was released unfinished, which is NEVER good. 

Does it deserve a comeback? Nope, not even close! Croc is just a paint-by-the-numbers 3D Platformer collectathon, released during an era where those were EVERYWHERE! It's not even Top 10 best PS1 3D Platformers material! Let's leave this franchise where it belongs: in the past!