50. Castlevania: Circle of the Moon
GameBoy Advance (2001)
Konami

Funny story: So when I originally picked the game up back in 2001, I quickly opened it in the car to immediately begin playing... only to find that instead of the game cartridge, there were two packets of Taco Bell hot sauce (game was "brand new" and shrink wrapped). So the game was quickly replaced with an actual cartridge and things went along their merry way. But on a serious note, Castlevania: Circle of the Moon is an important game for me. It was me taking a chance on a game and franchise I wasn't familiar with, and it paid off big time. This gothic action-horror franchise took my imagination to new heights with incredible atmosphere, amazing music, beautiful sprite graphics, a plethora of gruesome monsters to battle, and always-satisfying fast paced action gameplay. I've been hooked ever since, and have become a huge fan of Koji Igarashi's Castlevania titles, playing each and every one. Unfortunately, the franchise is moving on from Iga, but I'll forever be grateful for all those wonderful games.

Hint for #49: An attempt to revitalize a franchise ends up creating a whole new over-the-top action franchise instead.

I say Kid Icarus Uprising :O.

Hint for #49:

The third (and regarded by many [including me!] as the best) game in the series. Out of all the nations one could choose from, I chose the undead forces to destory my enemies and add their skeletons to my ranks. Skeletal dragons were among the most powerful creatures I possessed as well.

And no, it's not that game you're thinking of... it's on the same system though!

I thought of WC3, and then was excited that it's on your list, then disappointed that it was so low, then happy that it wasn't.

Alas no, but that gives me a game to look at that I'd previously not heard of so yay. My clues may apply to too many games so here's another:

The main character's name is similar to a once popular but now discontinued soft drink.

Yeah, I tried to make the hint sounds as much like WarCraft III as possible.

Don't worry, it's (much) higher.

I want to say Persona 3, but that wasn't re-released on PS3.

Are all three versions equally well-regarded?

No, the franchise I'm talking about was created in the 6th gen when a prototype for a new entry in an established 5th gen franchise turned out to be too different to fit in the series.

Same here

I wonder who'll hit it first.