We often take for granted the time and effort that goes into creating video games. From concept to completion, the amount of work it takes to create a game is often staggering. And then there are some games that take it to an entirely different level. These are the games with unbelievably long development cycles, far beyond what we expect from other forms of entertainment. Whether due to delays, technical issues, or production snafus, these games took so long to make that they made headlines when they finally arrived. In this blog post, we’ll look at 10 of the longest-in-development video games in history and how they affected their respective companies when they were finally released.
Super Mario Bros
Super Mario Bros is a classic video game that was released in 1985. The game was developed and published by Nintendo. Super Mario Bros is a side-scrolling platformer where players control Mario as he tries to rescue Princess Toadstool from Bowser. The game has since been ported to many different platforms, including the Game Boy Advance and Wii U.
The original Super Mario Bros took two years to develop. The game’s lead designer, Shigeru Miyamoto, wanted to create a unique gaming experience that would appeal to players of all ages. To achieve this, Miyamoto and his team created innovative gameplay mechanics and level design. They also took inspiration from popular cultures, such as the film “The Goonies”.
Despite its long development time, Super Mario Bros was an instant hit with players and critics alike. It has since gone on to become one of the best-selling video games of all time, with over 40 million copies sold worldwide.
The Legend of Zelda
The Legend of Zelda is one of the most beloved video game franchises of all time. The first game in the series, The Legend of Zelda, was released in 1986 for the Nintendo Entertainment System. It was an instant classic, and over the years has been re-released on multiple platforms.
However, what many fans don’t know is that the original game took an incredibly long time to make. In fact, it took over four years to develop! That’s an incredibly long time for a video game development cycle, especially by today’s standards.
During that four-year development period, the team faced many challenges. The original concept for the game was much different than what eventually shipped. In fact, early versions of the game were more action-based and didn’t even feature Link, the main character!
It wasn’t until later in development that Link was added as a playable character and the focus shifted to exploration and puzzle-solving. This proved to be a much more successful formula and helped set the stage for future games in the series.
While it may have taken a long time to make, The Legend of Zelda is definitely a classic video game that has stood the test of time.
Metroid
The Metroid series is one of Nintendo’s most iconic franchises, yet it took an incredibly long time for the first game to see release. The original Metroid was in development for over five years before finally launching in Japan on August 6, 1986. The game didn’t reach North America until almost a year later, on July 15, 1987.
It’s hard to believe that such a classic game could have taken so long to make, but the development process was apparently plagued by delays and setbacks. In an interview with Time Magazine, former Nintendo president Satoru Iwata revealed that the team struggled to find the right balance between difficulty and fun. They also had trouble nailing down the game’s unique atmosphere.
Despite the lengthy development process, Metroid went on to become a huge success. It spawned a beloved franchise and cemented Nintendo’s place as a leading developer of console games.
Mega Man
It’s hard to believe that the original Mega-Man is now over 30 years old. The franchise’s first entry was released in 1987, and since then there have been dozens of sequels and spin-offs. The most recent game in the series, Mega Man 11, was released in October 2018 – a full 31 years after the original.
While it’s certainly impressive that the Mega Man series has managed to stay relevant for so long, it’s also a bit surprising that it took so long for a new game to be released. Development on Mega Man 11 began way back in 2015, which means it took nearly three years from start to finish. That’s an eternity in the video game industry!
So why did it take so long to make Mega Man 11? According to producer Kazuhiro Tsuchiya, the development team wanted to make sure they got everything right:
“We didn’t want to rush things and end up releasing a subpar product. We wanted to take our time and make sure we delivered a game that fans would love.”
It’s great to see that Capcom was willing to take the time necessary to make a quality product, even if it meant making fans wait a little longer than usual. After all, good things come to those who wait!
Simon’s Quest
It took Konami over four years to develop and release Simon’s Quest, the sequel to the highly successful Castlevania. The game was plagued with production problems from the start. The team working on Simon’s Quest was inexperienced, and the game went through multiple redesigns. The delay in release caused Simon’s Quest to miss the Halloween window, which was considered vital for a game about vampires.
When Simon’s Quest finally launched in Japan in 1987, it was met with a lukewarm reception. Critics praised the game’s atmospheric setting and soundtrack but criticized its confusing gameplay and obtuse puzzles. The North American release of Simon’s Quest fared even worse, as Nintendo of America heavily censored the game before its release. Players were confused by the changes, and sales suffered as a result.
Despite its rocky launch, Simon’s Quest went on to become one of the most influential games in the Castlevania series. It introduced many concepts that would become staples of the series, including non-linear exploration, role-playing elements, and an emphasis on the story. Simon’s Quest is considered one of the earliest examples of an “open world” game, and its success paved the way for subsequent open-world games like Zelda II: The Adventure of Link and Metroid.
Castlevania II: Belmont’s Revenge
Castlevania II: Belmont’s Revenge was released in 1991 for the Game Boy, and it is a direct sequel to the original Castlevania. The game was developed by Konami and published by Ultra Games. The game was met with positive reviews upon release, and it has been praised for its graphics, sound, and gameplay.
The story of Castlevania II: Belmont’s Revenge picks up where the first game left off, with Christopher Belmont defeating Dracula and banishing him back to his castle. However, Dracula has taken control of Christopher’s son, Soleiyu Belmont, and is using him as a vessel to take revenge on Christopher. Christopher must venture back into Dracula’s castle to rescue his son and put an end to Dracula’s reign of terror once and for all.
Castlevania II: Belmont’s Revenge is a side-scrolling action-adventure game that features platforming and combat elements. The player controls Christopher Belmont as he makes his way through 16 stages in order to reach Soleiyu at the top of Dracula’s castle. Along the way, Christopher will encounter a variety of enemies, including bats, ghosts, goblins, skeletons, and zombies. He will also have to platform his way across pits and chasms and solve puzzles in order to progress.
Ninja Gaiden
- Ninja Gaiden was released in 2004, but its development started way back in 2001. The game’s protagonist, Ryu Hayabusa, was originally going to be a completely new character. However, the team decided to use the Ninja Gaiden IP and make Ryu Hayabusa the star of the show.
- The game was initially meant to be a launch title for the Xbox console. However, due to various delays, it ended up being released three years after the console’s launch.
- The game’s development was plagued by a number of issues. The team had to deal with personnel changes, engine problems, and conflicting creative visions.
- Despite all of these problems, Ninja Gaiden was finally released to critical acclaim. It received high scores from major publications and went on to become a best-seller.
- Ninja Gaiden is proof that even the most troubled development process can result in a great game.
Tecmo Bowl
It’s hard to believe that Tecmo Bowl, one of the most beloved and influential football video games of all time, took an unbelievable four years to make. That’s right – the game was in development for four long years before it was finally released in 1987.
During that time, the developers had to overcome a number of challenges, including creating a realistic and enjoyable football gameplay experience on limited hardware resources. In the end, they succeeded in creating a timeless classic that is still enjoyed by gamers today.
Punch-Out!!
It took 18 years for this game to finally see the light of day. That’s right, 18 years. The game was originally set to be released on the Nintendo 64 but was delayed due to development issues. It wasn’t until the Wii that the game was finally released, and even then, it was a bare-bones port of the original NES game.
Conclusion
We hope that this article has helped you gain a better understanding of the amount of time and effort that can go into the development of a video game. While it takes an extremely long time for games to be developed, it’s always worth it in the end when gamers can pick up their controllers and experience something totally new and exciting. We are looking forward to seeing what other amazing titles will come out in the future and how much longer they may take to make!
Also, Read 5 Best Brain Exercise Games To Keep Your Mind Sharp On Android
