What are some series or franchises where you think the first game is the best one?

This could be because there was a noticeable drop off in quality after the first game or the sequels just not capturing what made the original so special?

This could be more common among games that never made it past one sequel as that poor followup likely killed the franchise.

But are there long running series with multiple entries where you still the first game is the best of all.

For me one example is Bayonetta. I played all three Bayonetta games for the first time on the Switch over the last few years. I think the original Bayonetta is great. I thought Bayonetta 2 was so overrated and Bayonetta 3 was just fine. The sequels aren't bad, but I feel the first game was already so over the top and epic that the sequels were grasping at straws in comparison.

Another case is Bioshock. While I know Bioshock Infinite has its fans (and detractors), I think it is clearly established that the original Bioshock is the most beloved. No one could seriously argue that Bioshock 2 is the best entry in that franchise.

Other examples include Viewtiful Joe. The first game is a knockout, but Viewtiful Joe 2 was just okay and the spinoffs nothing special.

Got any examples or hot takes to share?

Oh, this is a fun thread idea.

I feel strongly that nothing has surpassed the original Halo. Later games in the series certainly improved on the multiplayer side of things, but none have topped the campaign in Combat Evolved.

Pokémon Red/Blue, I just love the game.

Jak & Daxter, much prefer the classic whimsical collectathon platformer than the later darker stuff.

I feel like I get this a lot more with old pc games than console games. Stronghold, StarCraft, Myst, Empire Earth, Zoo Tycoon, Cossacks.

Only counting series with 3 games or more:

Parasite Eve, Devil May Cry, Resident Evil (... GameCube remake..), Metal Gear Solid (if we separate MGS from MG MSX), Soul Blade/Edge, Crash Bandicoot (3D wow factor + I enjoyed the higher difficulty), Bioshock, Ninja Gaiden (reboot), Shenmue, Syphon Filter, Gears of War, Crazy Taxi, Silent Hill. Probably a few others.

Doesn't quite count as the same series, but I liked Dreamcast's Metropolis Street Racer more than PGR. MSR is my 1st or 2nd favorite arcade racer of all time.

This was the first series that came to mind. Halo: Combat Evolved has my favorite campaign in the franchise.

Not sure it counts but Ninja Gaiden on the OG Xbox would be another pick for me. 

Nah Bayonetta 2 is the best in the series. 

Anyway.   

Gungrave. Overdose was not as good. GORE is great but the first is still the best. VR game is trash.

Ape Escape.

Blue Dragon. The DS games are just kinda middling where the 360 game is great.

Medevil. 

Crono Trigger. Cross is fine but CT is one of the best games ever made. 

Gunstar Heroes. GBA game is just ok

Guardian Heroes. Again GBA game is just ok.

Legendary Ax. Sequel just sucks. 

Shenmue. First one has a chill atmosphere. Best music. I love Dobuita. I never clicked with II and III outright sucks. 

Crazy Taxi. The sequels are fine but just more of the same. CT1 was novel and has the best OST of the series.

Doom. Modern games are mostly great but there is a reason people still port Doom to everything. It's still amazing. 

Grandia. I love II but 1 just has so much heart. Charm. Maybe the best main theme to any RPG. Great characters.

Klonoa. All the games are good but I feel the first has the most heart.

As of this posting. Okami. Okamiden was ok but nothing amazing. We shall see with Okami 2.

Bioshock
Dead Space
Horizon Zero Dawn
Batman Arkham Asylum
Hollow Knight I guess
Maybe Dragon Age

Those would be my picks. Some of them have great sequels, but the OGs are goated

Bayonetta 2 and Bioshock 2 are both pretty good. Less original but in many ways an improvement over the first games.

Pikmin. Has a clear day limit that is challenging. Forces resource management that is missing from the sequels. Still the best designed game

Xenoblade Chronicles: It has the most memorable setting and the best story/characters, plus it just felt fresh at the time.

FEAR: First game is a badass classic, the sequels were nowhere near as stylish or satisfying.

Crysis: Enjoyed all three, but the first was definitely the most show-stopping and had the most gameplay choice.