Quote:While this console generation has brought the gaming community a number of innovations that have improved the way we play in almost every conceivable way, it has also had its share of drawbacks - one downside being the massive budget required to produce a top-tier retail offering. This reality has lead many publishers to divert resources toward proven franchises that can be safely released annually. The worst of these offenders have put their credibility and long-term viability at risk by flooding the market at every opportunity. The following list represents a group of franchises that are dangerously close to reaching that point of no return, and are listed in alphabetical order.

Full Story: Top Ten: Hopefully Hiatus-Bound Franchises

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Am I missing something? You referred to more than 7 Mario Kart games being sold commerically, but as far as I can tell, that's all there ever has been (excluding the two arcade games). Super Mario Kart, Mario Kart 64, Mario Kart: Super Circuit, Mario Kart: Double Dash, Mario Kart DS, Mario Kart Wii and, Mario Kart 7. Are there any games I've missed out? o.O

Besides that slight issue, this is a nice list. I'd hate to see games like Assassin's Creed and Ratchet and Clank to become stale.

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Twitter! @ContheTwit

Come visit my 48-hour Kingdom Hearts II charity marathon! Starting 19th December 2011, 1PM GMT!

Superb feature, Jordan! This was a great read, indeed. And I think we can all agree that no matter how great a franchise is, hiatus is essential every now and again. Even my beloved Kingdom Hearts needs a break from all these spinoffs if it means restoring the franchise to its former glory.

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(March 10, 2011 08:09:41 PM)Darryl Wrote:  Grammar Nazi: Aaron (15 Votes)

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I hear too much about Angry Birds these days too. That franchise needs to take a break, haha.

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Nice article, definitely a good read. My only real beefs though is Mario Kart and Final Fantasy.

It's my opinion that Mario Kart is in no way overdone. Nintendo has kept it strictly one per console. Over almost 20 years, that comes out to an average of only one every 2.8 years. With each installment they make a great product that is fun to play for all ages and especially for family/friend gatherings. It's not like other franchises that release one a year, or multiple spin offs. It's solid, it's warranted, and it's good stuff.

@Corndog: You are correct, SNES, N64, GBA, GC, DS, Wii, 3DS, and 2 Arcades.

When it comes to Final Fantasy, my only fear is that another hiatus would bring us further from the core features of the franchise we first fell in love with. The last time we had a big gap it resulted in many core elements being removed to what we have now. I'm too afraid the next big gap will result in us having a FPS Final Fantasy 15 or something...

Aside from those 2, I agree with the rest.

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To be honest, I'm not sure of the exact number of Mario Karts... But I will say it at least feels like they've been making the same game for about two decades and ten or so iterations worth. Maybe that's just me

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(January 22, 2012 03:05:36 AM)Jordan Wrote:  To be honest, I'm not sure of the exact number of Mario Karts... But I will say it at least feels like they've been making the same game for about two decades and ten or so iterations worth. Maybe that's just me

But Mario Kart is awesome anyway, so that's not necessarily a bad thing.

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Twitter! @ContheTwit

Come visit my 48-hour Kingdom Hearts II charity marathon! Starting 19th December 2011, 1PM GMT!

Halo? It's taken them over ten years to get to the number 4. The MegaTen/Persona and all their offshoots/ spinoff games come out more frequently than that, as well as Tales and Monster Hunter.

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I think we're forgetting about Halo Wars, Halo: ODST and Halo Reach.

Monster Hunter? Really? Maybe in Japan, but out here it takes Capcom forever to release them.

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Okay, fine! Final Fantasy does deserve a break! But not too long.

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-Jared