As gaming has evolved, many genres that started in the pixelated 2D style that many players remember has been replaced with 3D graphics. These changes could take the franchise away from its retro feel, though some players would argue that it was best to bring many of these titles to the 3D.
With so many well-known titles making this leap from generation to generation, it’s impossible to name them all. While these franchises are by far the ones that transferred the best of its flat 2D world to the paradises of the 3D where it has retained its fan base.
10 Ninja Gaiden
The original Ninja Gaiden first released as a hack-and-slash platformer title on the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1988, where it was well received by both Japanese and the rest of the world. Although many players complained about the difficulty, the game was a huge success.
It remained a 2D title until 2004, when it was released under the same name Ninja Gaiden on Xbox with 3D graphics. While not as good as a hit in Japan, this 3D title, based on the originals, fared superbly in the United States, where it has continued its success ever since.
9 fire emblem
This tactical fantasy role-playing game has managed not only to evolve from its 2D pixel graphics, but also to implement it in its recent games. Fans of the series would know that the original games could only be played top-down in a pixelated world.
The title has kept some of its pixel sprites while implementing 3D graphics as in Fire Emblem Three Houses where the player could roam freely through the academy in their students taught in. While also fighting between units to witness.
8 Grand Theft Auto
Many players from Grand Theft Auto 5 would be shocked to learn that this action packed franchise first started with 2D graphics and was also played in a very different way. In the original GTA players would control their player from a top-down view that, while selling well, was criticized for its difficult controls.
The title then moved the camera from over the shoulder to a third-person view, fleshing out the cities for players to explore. Switch to 3D during Grand Theft Auto 3 made the title even more popular without returning to its 2D itineraries any time soon.
Even titles as successful as metal gear started its success through 2D graphics. This military title was known for how it popularized the stealth genre in 1987, where players would control Solid Snake as he tried to infiltrate a base to destroy the war machine called Metal Gear.
Since then, series creator Hideo Kojima has led the evolution from a simple retro title to an award-winning franchise that has not only shifted into 3D, but also expanded across genres.
6 demise
The original demise title bridges a gap between 2D and 3D as the first-person shooter itself is a 2D game generated to look 3D. Many of the enemies are two-dimensional shapes that can only be seen from the front. This in itself was incredibly advanced for its time and earned the praise of the recently released Wolfenstein 3D at the time.
Eventually the title got an official 3D release for players to enjoy, eventually leading to the creation of Eternal doom with its incredibly intense and gory gameplay with many hoping for another.
5 The Legend of Zelda
A classic like the Legend of Zelda has managed to stay afloat for many generations on countless Nintendo platforms. This has only been possible by not only continuing the story, but also adapting it, not only artistically but also by switching to a 3D-generated world.
In recent years, this popularity has increased with the establishment of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild where players were given the freedom to explore a huge open world in full 3D as their favorite blond-haired protagonist, hoping to save the world.
4 Final Fantasy
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Likewise, for the success of titles like The Legend of Zelda, Final Fantasy has numerous games available for players to try, with over fourteen different games available. Although it has changed both platform and graphics, the way it plays has remained the same for most of the franchise, for the enjoyment of many players.
Since the original and the creation of 3D versions of the franchise, Final Fantasy has also continued to make enhanced remakes of some of its classics, either improving their already 3D graphics or bringing to light their older 2D titles.
3 pokemon
Until the 3DS, the original pokemon series stayed in its position of 2D graphics, allowing players to explore a world of tiny creatures to catch and fight in a cute art style. Nintendo finally decided to experiment with the release of this console, which will allow the player to see the world from a different angle while creating Pokemon x and y.
Since then, the games have continued to follow this 3D style and have even attempted to recreate old copies of the title, such as Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire in this new and improved graphic style.
2 Mortal Kombat
Even the fighting genre has seen the time changes with the popular title Mortal Kombat received a revamp in design through the use of 3D graphics. The once-popular arcade game gradually evolved to be easy to play on home consoles, until it finally got its own 3D graphics to put these consoles to the test.
However, Mortal Kombat 4 was perhaps the last title to get an arcade release, but the first of its kind to feature 3D graphics. Since then, the details of not only the characters but also the beloved atrocities have improved with this change.
1 Mario Bros.
It wouldn’t surprise any player that one of the most successful series in gaming was thankfully helped by the transition from 2D to 3D. The original Mario Bros. is almost unrecognizable compared to what the franchise looks like now.
With the original platformer being transformed into the 3D as well as the other games like Mario Kart join the ranks. Many players agree that Mario and his friends owe the power of 3D graphics to their long reign, as it now resembles other technological means to rule.
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