What Is Predecessor Game? Simple Explanation

What is Predecessor Game?

Have you ever wondered what comes before something else? In the world of video games, we often talk about “predecessor games.” It’s a simple idea, but it’s also super important. A predecessor game is basically the game that came before a newer game, kind of like an older sibling. It’s the game that paved the way, the one that gave birth to the game we’re playing now. Think of it like this: if you’re enjoying a delicious slice of cake, the predecessor could be the recipe for that cake or the first cake the baker ever made.

Why are Predecessor Games Important?

Predecessor games are like the building blocks of gaming history. They teach us about how games have changed over time and how they’ve gotten better. They’re also important for a bunch of other reasons, so let’s explore those:

Understanding Game Evolution

Imagine trying to build a skyscraper without ever building a small house first. It would be pretty hard, right? Well, it’s the same with games. Predecessor games show us the first steps game developers took. They show us what worked, what didn’t, and how developers improved their designs. We can see how game controls, story lines, graphics, and even music got to where they are today. By looking at predecessor games, we can see how the gaming experience has improved so much. The old games show how developers learnt from their mistakes.

The Foundation for New Ideas

Many games we play today have borrowed ideas from predecessor games. These older games often introduce us to new kinds of characters, special powers, unique game worlds, and even completely new game play styles. New game designers might take elements from older games, and make them even better or change them in cool and inventive ways. This process helps to keep games interesting and fresh.

Historical Perspective

Predecessor games aren’t just fun to play; they also give us a peek into the past. They show us what technologies were available at the time they were created. Games from the 1980s look much different from games made in 2020’s, not only in terms of their appearance but also in the way they are played. They provide a timeline of how game creation has changed. By playing older games, we’re taking a trip through video game history. It’s like seeing old photos of your family, they show how things have changed.

Appreciating Current Games

Sometimes we might complain about how a game isn’t perfect. But playing predecessor games can help us appreciate all the work that goes into game development. When you see how simple or basic the predecessor games are compared to the new games, you realize how much effort goes into making new games great. Predecessor games give us a yardstick to measure the changes and advancement in games. They can help us appreciate the game design, graphics, sound, and technology in our current games.

How to Identify a Predecessor Game

Figuring out a predecessor game is usually pretty easy. Here are some simple ways to find them:

• Series Names: Many games come in a series with names like Final Fantasy, The Legend of Zelda, or Super Mario Bros. If you see a game with a number in its name, the one with the lower number is usually the predecessor. For instance, Super Mario Bros. 2 is the predecessor to Super Mario Bros. 3.
• Release Dates: Generally, games that come out earlier are the predecessors to games that come out later. You can usually find a game’s release date online through a simple search. So, if one game was released in 2010 and another was released in 2015, the one from 2010 is the predecessor.
• Game Credits: Sometimes, the game itself might tell you. The credits might mention earlier games that influenced it.
• Online Communities: Fan communities on websites and forums often talk about predecessor games. If you’re not sure, they can point you in the right direction. People are often eager to discuss how games have changed in the past.
• Online Resources: Websites dedicated to video game history can also help you find out which games came before.

Types of Predecessor Games

Predecessor games come in many forms. They can be part of a large series of games or just individual games that influenced what came after them. Here are a few examples.

Direct Sequels

These are the most common. Think of Super Mario Bros. and Super Mario Bros. 2 or The Legend of Zelda and The Legend of Zelda II. These games have direct story and gameplay connections.

Spiritual Predecessors

Sometimes a game might influence another game without being part of the same series. This is called a spiritual predecessor. Castlevania games influenced the development of Metroid, as both focus on exploration and combat in a large map. So Castlevania could be called a spiritual predecessor to Metroid.

Genre Defining Predecessors

These are the games that helped to create a specific type of game, like role-playing games or first-person shooters. Doom is a good example of a genre-defining predecessor game. It was one of the first real first-person shooter games and has influenced many other games in that style. These games establish the ground rules for a specific type of gameplay.

Technological Predecessors

These are the games that showcased new technology at their time. For example, Pong was an early video game which showed what home gaming could be and therefore paved the way for games that came after it. In many cases, technological advancements in one game open the doors for the next generation of games.

Predecessor Games in Different Genres

Let’s take a look at how predecessor games appear in different kinds of games:

Platformers

Platformer games are usually about jumping and running through different levels. Donkey Kong was an early platformer and a predecessor to Super Mario Bros., which made the genre a lot more popular.

Role-Playing Games (RPGs)

RPGs allow the players to explore, fight, and develop their characters, often with a very detailed story to play through. Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest are great examples. Early versions of these games greatly influenced later versions.

Shooters

Shooters are all about action and aiming with guns. The early Wolfenstein games and Doom games laid the groundwork for popular games like Halo and Call of Duty.

Sports Games

Even sports games have predecessors. Early games like Pong and old games like Tecmo Bowl laid the foundation for today’s realistic sports games like FIFA or Madden NFL series.

Puzzle Games

Puzzle games challenge players to solve problems, like arranging blocks or matching colors. Tetris and Pac-Man were very influential puzzle games that inspired lots of other puzzle games later on.

A Detailed Look at a Specific Example

Let’s dig a little deeper with one example: The Legend of Zelda series.

The Legend of Zelda (1986)

The very first Legend of Zelda game, released in 1986 on the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), is a classic. It introduced the world to Link, Zelda, and Ganon, and also introduced a world that was fun to explore. It had many different locations, dungeons, items, and puzzles. It was also unique at the time because it allowed the player to explore freely. It wasn’t a purely linear experience.

The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (1991)

Released on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) in 1991, A Link to the Past improved upon many ideas that the first Zelda game introduced. It improved the graphics and added new concepts like an alternate world, known as the Dark World. Many consider this game one of the best of the series and also one of the best video games ever made. It gave a big boost to the series and showed what was possible in game design. This is an obvious successor to the first game but also a predecessor to all other Zelda games that came after it.

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (1998)

Released on the Nintendo 64 in 1998, Ocarina of Time took the series into 3D. This game is seen by many as a ground-breaking game. The game’s combat system, puzzle design, world-building, and story influenced countless other action and adventure games. It took many core concepts from the earlier games and gave them a completely new look in 3D graphics. It made many new things possible for the future of the series. It was clearly inspired by its predecessors and also became the predecessor for other games within the Zelda series and beyond.

How These Games Connect

If you look at the Legend of Zelda series, you can see how each game is building on the game that came before it. All of the games have the same basic idea, which is to explore, solve puzzles, and fight evil. But with each new game, new ideas and new features are added, taking the series to greater heights. The predecessor games gave game developers the foundation to make the new ones. This also shows how an older game can give its ideas to not just the next game but all the games after it in the series.

Why Study Predecessor Games?

Knowing about predecessor games gives us a deeper appreciation of video game development. It’s not just about playing games; it’s about understanding the history and craft behind them. It’s like being a detective looking at clues to understand how a story developed.

• Appreciation of Innovation: You get to see how developers came up with new ideas and how technology got better over time. You’ll see where the great ideas came from and how they changed over time.
• Understanding Game Design: You get an idea of how games are created, from simple ideas to complicated game systems.
• Connecting with Gaming History: You become a part of the wider community of gamers who understand gaming history.
• More Fun: Playing older games, even the simple ones, can be fun because you can see the roots of the games you are playing today.

Where Can You Play Predecessor Games?

Finding older predecessor games is easier than it might sound. Here are a few ways to play them:

• Emulators: These are software programs that allow you to play games on your computer. You can find emulators for many old consoles like the NES, SNES, and others.
• Retro Consoles: Some companies are making miniature versions of older consoles like the NES Classic and SNES Classic, with older games already built in.
• Online Archives: Some websites have archives of older games that you can play directly on your browser.
• Used Games: You can find original older game consoles and cartridges at used game stores or online marketplaces.

A Word of Caution

While playing predecessor games is fun, keep in mind that they can be difficult. The graphics and controls might not be as good as the games of today. They may also be frustratingly difficult for new players, because games have become easier to play as the years have gone by. Some older games can also have glitches or bugs that were never fixed. But still, the reward is in seeing how games grew and evolved into what they are today.

Predecessor games are really important. They aren’t just old games; they are the very foundation that video game history is built upon. They show how ideas are born, how technologies develop, and how our favorite games have evolved into the games we play now. So next time you play a game, think about the game that came before it and appreciate how far gaming has come. These games carry important lessons in game development and can help us understand our present games so much better. They give us a fun journey through time and remind us how far the gaming world has advanced. Whether you are a casual gamer or a serious gamer, learning about predecessor games will make you appreciate video games even more.