Microsoft
(Oh God, why?)
Conker
Last Installment: Conker: Live and Reloaded
System: Xbox
Release: 2005
Chances of Revival: Moderate
Considering how awesome all Conker games have ever been, it’s a huge shock that Microsoft hasn’t used this franchise to its potential. They’ve tasked Rare with developing stupid Kinect games and making avatars for Xbox Live while the talented development team could be working on the likes of Conker and so much more. Hopefully, realizing that they have a horrible first party lineup, Microsoft will release Conker games on the Xbox 720 next gen.
Perfect Dark
Last Installment: Perfect Dark Zero
System: Xbox 360
Release: 2005
Chances of Revival: Good
Given that Microsoft is a huge sucker for all shooters, it’s a huge surprise that there’s only been one Perfect Dark game under the ownership of MS. I mean, Perfect Dark was one of the pioneers of the console first person shooter genre. Microsoft could do so many awesome things with the franchise, market it to the masses, and most importantly, build their first party. I’m hoping that Microsoft will bring this franchise back next gen, probably even as a launch title for the Xbox 720.
Project Gotham Racing
Last Installment: Project Gotham Racing 4
System: Xbox 360
Release: 2007
Chances of Revival: Low
With Bizzare Creations shut down, the chances of Project Gotham Racing returning have gone down severely. Microsoft could have Turn 10 work on the franchise, but that would be redundant. They already have Forza Motorsport catering to the market that PGR aims to please. However, there might still be hope. Rumours about a PGR 5 have been circulating for a long time, and if and when MS ever realizes that it need to develop its first party, reviving PGR would be a very logical choice.
Lost Odyssey
Last Installment: Lost Odyssey
System: Xbox 360
Release: 2008
Chances of Revival: Minimal
Lost Odyssey has to be one of the best JRPGs of the generation, and Microsoft had such a good opportunity to build a great RPG franchise and appeal to the hardcore market with something other than shooters. But no- they released one game and then screwed the franchise over, never to even think about it, ever again. Some rumours regarding a second Lost Odyssey game surfaced a few years back, but they ultimately turned out to be false. There’s practically no hope of Microsoft returning to this wonderful IP, but one can always hope, right?
