You know a game franchise I was really into? Megaman.
I've played games in the original series, X series, Legends series, and Zero series. My favorite MM games are from the original, X, and Legends series.
Nowadays, anything Megaman-related doesn't pique my interest anymore. I'm happily content replaying Megaman 3 on my NES emulator, Megaman X3 on my SNES emulator, and Megaman Legends 2 on my PS2 forever. Those games are the best.
I did like the Zero series, but not as much as the original, X, and Legends series. I was never interested in the Battle Network series, and the two current series hold no interest over me.
But man, MM3 is my favorite old NES game of all time. I said it. I like MM3 more than Super Mario bros. 3, Castlevania 3, the NES Zeldas, and River City Ransom. Despite running on such antiquated hardware, MM3 to this day remains a phenomenal example of what 2D platformers should aspire to. It's challenging but not too much, it has the best soundtrack in NES history, the Rush Jet is more useful in this game than in later games, and of course, Protoman. Sure, most hardcore gamers say MM2 is the best, and while MM2 has the most fun weapons in the series, MM3 is the better overall game.
Which brings us to MMX3. Much harder than most other MM games, but also much more fun than any other X game. The levels are large and well-designed, the upgrades are cool, the music gets you amped, and X even swears once. ("Damn! It's a dead end!") Because of its difficulty, no one but the most hardcore loves X3, but its way better than the X games that came after it. Most say the first X game is best, and if X3 weren't so awesome, I'd agree. But readers, I am god-like on 2D platformers, and I have beaten X3 numerous times. However, Sigma is a bitch in that game.
And then Megaman Legends 2. One of the few PS1-exclusives I love, L2 is like L1, but with better controls, a better story, and more stuff to do. The cutscenes were really well done in this game, and I daresay L2 is even more epic than most other PS1 games. (Barring FF9, of course.) Oh, also, the Bonnes. If you played the Legends games, you know who I'm talking about. Is there anybody out there who doesn't love the Bonnes and the Servbots? Anybody? Anybody? Guess not.
But it seems like the Megaman name hasn't been totally awesome since L2. And that came out like, 8 years ago I think? Yeah man, what's with all these game series losing their luster over the years? The last good Mario game I played was the GBA Superstars RPG, the last good Sonic game I played was Sonic Adventure (the first one.) for the Dreamcast, the last good Castlevania game I played was Symphony of the Night, and . . . I liked Super Metroid more than Metroid Prime. And now Megaman seems to have "jumped the shark." Oh man. I guess now would be a good time to whistle Protoman's theme . . .
P.S. Speaking of Legends, do you know who my favorite character in MML was? Answer: Tron Bonne. And do you know why? "Oh dear GAWD! You think she's cute!?" Yes. Very much so. Before I was going nuts over Yukari-chan and Arche Klaine, I was going nuts over Miss Tron. True story.
