Kingdom hearts and Diablo are the first to come to mind. Mostly because the consensus seem to be that the second installment in both of the series are the best. While I think they both lost a lot of what made them special for me.
I like Donkey Kong Country more than the second and third games and even more than the returns games. But here I recognize the more recent installments as being superior and think I enjoy the first title more from nostalgia.
Starcraft is another game that I think lost some of its greatness even if I think the second game handles the different races extremely well I liked the art style, music and sound design of the first game more.
Capcoms JRPG series Breath of Fire feels similar but I like the first installment most. I think it most memorable while later installments are fun but more of the same.
If one only counts the games released in the west the first Fire Emblem released here is the best. I disregard many of later installments because they just aren't like that game.







