Should Games Have Numbered Titles? 

Spider-Man 2 the game, not to be confused with Spider-Man 2 the movie, or Spider-Man 2 the game based on that movie, or Spider-Man 2: Enter Electro which is a sequel to an entirely different game…

The thing I hate the most is when they drop the numbers and leave the title by itself, like doom 2016 and gow 2018. At the very least add a subtitle so we can differentiate between titles.

i like how metroid 3-5 do it, the games have their own titles but in the title screen of the game it says which number metroid game it is, idk it just always felt cool.

Honestly, I'm a bit mixed on numbered titles. On one hand, I'd like a game to be numbered as it makes it easy for one to search it up online for whatever reason. But on the other hand, it does seem a bit daunting sometimes, ESPECIALLY when you take into consideration the chronological order of the games and its numerous spinoffs.

3:35 5:33 Ah, yes, the Kingdom Hearts effect, where Kingdom Hearts III is the 13th mainline title.

Don't forget Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3

I think Yakuza made the right decision to abandon numbers when it did. After Yakuza 7 was so popular, it makes sense that they didn't want RPG fans to feel too much baggage for the previous 7 games. The only issue I have is that it'll take me years to get used to calling it "Like a Dragon" lol.

It works for Street Fighter and for Final Fantasy it's crucial.

Also changing from Regular Numbers to Roman Numeral, and vice versa. Resident Evil 1,2,3,CV, 4,5,6, VII, and VIII Street Fighter II, III, IV, V, and 6

Is NO-ONE gonna mention Angry Birds? Where after LOADS of games with the traditional slingshot gameplay, they decided to make a game in the same style called "Angry Birds 2" What a weird move.

Oh my god he sound like a beer commercial at the end.😂 But instead of drink responsibly, it's "number titles are fine as long as they're used responsibly"😂

If it's random and out if nowhere then no, like Mario Kart 7 for example, like feels so weird to go from something like "Mario Kart wii" to "7" but it can be funny to me sometimes like how a lot of games have "64" or "3Ds"

I wonder if Sega will call that rumored Sonic the Hedgehog 5 exactly as that. I still can’t believe there’s a Toy Story 5, Frozen 3 and Zootopia 2 in the works.

7:04 Persona 5 is actually the sixth Persona game, there are two Persona 2 games🤓

I do think it depends on the type of game. For a fighting game, I think it matters less because most people aren’t thinking: “I gotta play Street Fighter 2 and 3 before I get to 4”. The same could probably be said for racing games, but there can be an effect of making the previous entries seem inferior. I don’t think Sega’s really gonna give that rumored 2D game the number at the end though. Not after 4.

Certain games truly do need numbers or if it doesn't have a number you're going to have to Google what game you need to start out with

“square innix” bit bri’ish sounding there innit bruv

I think it depends on how linked each game is to each other. Like if they’re continuing the story of the last game I’d number it. However, if each game in the series are more stand alone (Mario, Zelda, and Kirby games come to mind) I’d go with a sub title.

Why not just use both. You know, like Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag

Numbered titles seem to be the most efficient straightforward way of conveying "These are the important ones", although of course there are exceptions. I think it's annoying when they don't actually have anything to do with each other or have a confused chronology; if you're numbering the games already, why don't they follow each other in the numbered order you've made?

Complaining about MK1 "thinks it's so cute" when there's literally a lore reason WHY they're doing that lol

The fact is some games do need numbers and some kingstone final fantasy don't need numbers because you get different characters in each final fantasy I know that there's a timeline but it's convoluted to at least for me

I didn’t think a video about titles numbers could be fun but what do you know ?you did it!

In fact, Mega Man 's Japanese title has both numbers and subtitles, so it's easy for Japanese players to remember their main content, I really don't understand why the English titles delete the subtitle.

Anime fighters weirdly enough don't number themselves, but if you've seen the titles, well... They usually go for long convoluted names, which I guess the audience and directors' are into. One of the most intresting one though that has some logic behind it besides lore stuff, is Guilty Gear. First game, GG The Missing Link, then the sequal is called GG X. The sequal to X is called XX and the updated versions have additional bits to the name, the final one being GG X Accent Core Plus R. But all the X games are technically just updated versions of the second game in the series. The third proper instalment continues the use of X, but they call it GG Xrd. This obviously being a play on the word 'third' since it is the third installment. Then the fourth, most recent one, is called GG STRIVE. Now this is both a reference to the story of the game (here, all the characters are striving to be their best self, with some getting happy endings and others developing themselves further), but also it being the fourth game. STRIVE has IV in it, which is roman numerical for 4. So, despite Guilty Gear's naming convention changing with each major instalment, they are still technically following something that indicates which one it is.

The worst case of skipping a number is in Metal Gear. Peace Walker is by all means a mainline game, and is essential to understanding what the hell is happening at the beginning of MGSV. But, no, it’s a PSP game, so it gets no number.

Early Final Fantasy numberings were also annoying for other regions. Final Fantasy II in the United States is Final Fantasy IV, whereas Final Fantasy VII was the first Final Fantasy game released in Europe.

Persona is one series that so far has been incredibly consistent with its use of numbers. Each number connotates a certain setting, group of characters, and soundtrack, so they can make several games with that same number and you still no what to expect. There also aren't any unnumbered oddities (unless you count Trinity Soul, but nobody does). They're also numbered chronologically.

i think if the story isnt self contained it should have chapter or episode in the title e.g. half life 2 episode 1. numbered games that cant be played on their own are kinda weird.

Lmao DDR is *WILD* they really said, "Y'all think your titles are confusing? Watch this"

I much prefer games sequels being numbered and when remakes of games have a word added to them of their names to distinguish them from the original so we don't have to write gamename (date) it just makes easier and clearer

To be fair, Tetris 99 is not about being a numbered title for the hell of it like '64', so if give that a pass, it's like its meaningful subtitle. The issue lies with the other numbered titles, if they weren't numbered it wouldn't be an issue for 99

It's important to note that pop'n music did not stop at 20 - they just *stopped* counting at 20. At the least, their naming scheme hasn't changed drastically in the 7 versions following Fantasia.

Final Fantasy pissed me off when they called their first online game Final Fantasy XI instead of just Final Fantasy Online or something similar that delineated it from the main series of single player games in the series. Then they did it again with Final Fantasy XIV. That shoulda just been Final Fantasy Online II. The real Final Fantasy XI should been XII and the real Final Fantasy XIV should be coming out for the PS5 in a couple weeks. Like, imagine if they'd called Mystic Quest "Final Fantasy V", or if they'd called Final Fantasy Tactics "Final Fantasy VIII". Imagine if the Star Wars Holiday Special had been called "Star Wars 2: A Newer Hope!" Honestly, maybe they sholda done that, who knows.

Dude, let me play Final Fantasy 37.

Or you like Star Wars Dark Forces Firt game: Star Wars Dark Forces Second game: Star Wars Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II Third game: Star Wars Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast Fourth game: Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy Totally not confusing at all

Its always better to play a game in release order hence the numbered titles than it is to play in chronological order, can you imagine the brain fatigue and exhaustion you would go through going from MGS 5 to MGS 2 on a ps2? makes no sense really. Look at tomb raider, i was gifted all the tomb raider games but haven't played any cuz wtf is the order? Rise OTTR, Shadow OTTR and Tomb raider, no numbers, no direction. Why should i have to look up what order to play a game when i can just go 1-2-3

Why not, flex ff16 on them, do you have 16 games example franchise? 😂

I think the most egregious offenders are definitely the games that make sequels to existing titles (looking at you Final Fantasy XIII 1-3)

Haha number titles looks at kingdom hearts

I think if nothing else, Kingdom Hearts has at least accomplished to prove that not numbered titles have the potential to be way more daunting (and headache inducing) than a title with a high number. Did anyone else get a migraine, trying to figure out what those titles even mean, or was it just me?

One of my favorite number titles is probably _Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age_ just because of how wacky it is to someone unfamiliar with the series like myself. I know the XI means it’s the 11th game in the main line series (I think), the subtitle is just a descriptor of the game, but have no idea why there’s just a random “S” in their

Nobody calls God of war (2018) God of war, its become mandatory to add a 4 to it

And then you have Street Fighter, where you basically have like 10 games called Street Fighter 2

Nobody: Kingdom Hearts: Kingdom Hearts Birth by Dream 3.8 358/2 years Beginning Chapter Epilogue Dream Drop Sleep 3d

I always wanted to Play FF, but i always got bored and lazy when i saw the numbers, same for Persona series

Surprisee you didnt bring up the fast and furious movies

funny mentioning mario galaxy when there is mario galaxy 2

Was literally waiting for him to mention Mortal Kombat “1”. The whole numbering thing was on my mind the whole of last week because of it’s announcement.

Actually persona 5 is the 6th game in the series :P

Just because there is number on the title dasn't mean the don't able to have subtitles

1:37 FNaF is a great example of this the timeline is even confusing as-well

But the thing is the dance dance games you can play whatever you want to you're not really connected they're just making the games and adding different names it doesn't matter what you play in the dance dance games so essentially you can play in the game and it doesn't matter

Numbered sequels are proven to sell more copies. Resident Evil 3 > Code Veronica. Despite RE3 being tons of recycled content and a far smaller budget. RE3 was a side story, and Code: Veronica was supposed to be the real Resident Evil 3, with no more numbers going forward. Well, CE underwhelmed on all consoles: Dreamcast, PS2, and GameCube. Tragic because it's peak Resident Evil.

Dropping the number and adding the year ironically adds more numbers

The Ys series (fantastic set of games and all short too) uses numbers but they aren't in chronological order. The newest game (Ys X) is the third in the adventures. Each of them are separate adventures tho even if connected. Can be played on their own

I do appreciate scenarios like DMC5 having a safety net when DMC:DMC fell off that cliff.

I get what you're saying with some games do need numbers like prototype 1 and 2 that is a perfect example if they didn't have numbers how would you know what game to start out with

1:38 The "Ys" series is such a mess regarding this problem.

I like the fact Goat Simulator 3 has a 3 on its title despite the fact there was never a Goat Simulator 2.

dude when u were explaining the DDR shit, i got so mad i almost down voted the vid, but then i remembered ur just the messenger and I upvoted instead LOL! Fr tho that typa shit gets me so mad man - great vid btw!

I think it's a case-by-case basis

RPGs should not be numbered unless their plot arc requires to have played previous entries. The Atelier series do it perfectly.

I'm not too sure about Final Fantasy VII being where it started getting popular… i thought it was pretty popular starting when Nintendo in the US(even Dragon Quest/Warrior) published and gave them out for subscribing to their Nintendo Power magazine! 🤔🤔🤔🤔 But I DID start with those, so I'm not sure because I also haven't actually PLAYED Final Fantasy VII yet! The original OR the many spinoffs or whatever! I also stopped playing Final Fantasy after X-2 because XI required(for the original PS2 anyway) the Internet adapter AND a HDD!! Which I never got because the system stopped working…

Numbered titles for series like Persona and Final Fantasy are essential in my opinion. Despite the main series being numbered entries, they’re just entirely new stories that (with the exception of Persona 2 IS & EP, and maybe some of the FF games; haven’t played many of them) can be played without needing any context of prior games. I tried coming up with subtitles for FFXVI and they just don’t fit the final fantasy series.

Sometimes I think they should maybe use 0 sometimes, good thing that Yakuza 0 wasn’t called Yakuza 6 seeing it’s the 6th mainline game

When I think about franchises that have numbered titles, I can immediately tell which game or movie is which based of a number alone. But when it comes to fucking "Revenge, Ressurection, Origin" and other dumbass names like this, it becomes much harder, plus it's harder to remember their order of release. edit: people that watch/play in the chronological order, are the biggest fart sniffers in the universe.

I can’t help but sometimes feel weirded out by the inevitable issue with numbering games, numbering the first one may come across as kinda awkward and presumtuous (especially if you’re not even sure the game is going to get a sequel), but at the same time, not numbering it will just lead to people calling it [name] 1, despite it usually never actually being the official name, just so people don’t get it confused with the series as a whole (occasionally, rereleases of the first game will officially put that “1” in the title, which I find… interesting) Ideally for me, each game, including the first one would have a unique subtitle, which is exactly what Fire Emblem does, but fans seem to insist on numbering them anyway, even including remakes of older games as brand new “numbered entries” (although The Blazing Blade being localized to remove the subtitle entirely, as well as Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light’s DS remake being named just “Shadow Dragon” is also very strange to me imo)

Super Mario kart Mario kart 64 Mario kart super circuit Mario kart double dash Mario kart ds Mario kart Wii Mario kart 7 Mario kart 8 Mario kart 8 deluxe

At least we won’t have to worry about Square dropping Roman Numerals

I have problems with sequels having numbers. Sonic 1, Sonic 2,Sonic 3 and knuckles, Sonic Mania and Sonic 06. I am mad

I think it should be simple: Numbered sequels only if the story requires the first game. Metal Gear Solid should be numbered. Mario Kart shouldn't. I can't play Final Fantasy 16, I need to go through 1-15 first

I like how the Tales series works. They use "Tales of" to designate the series, then one to two words like "Destiny" or "the Abyss" for each different game with the rare number to show a direct sequel to a previous game like "Destiny 2" (in Japan, at least, because the Destiny 2 we got in the US was actually Eternia and they changed the name for myriad reasons and used the number to add brand recognition then they made an ACTUAL ToD2 that was never release in English and that's still a problem when talking to retro gamers...). It's good to denote that it's a game with certain aspects to it, even with changes, so you at least know "this is a Tale game." Meanwhile, FF16 is so different from FF1 or FF11 that they really shouldn't have even used the numbers, I think. FF16 could have been named anything else, but they used the brand name for easy recognition alone.

If a game is a sequel I think it's better to be numbered. If it's something that can be played standalone or a different setting then non-numbered can work well. The amount of people asking if they need to play Final Fantasy I-XV before XVI is common. The answer is no, but the numbers usually tell people otherwise. And a lot of people's first FF was VII back in the day were let down and upset when VIII was not a direct sequel. And the amount of people who ask do they need to play A Plague Tale Innocence before A Plague Tale Requiem is common as well. Requiem is a direct sequel, but having no numbers doesn't tell the person that and may lead to them thinking they can play it by itself.

My problem with Final Fantasy's numbering system is that it makes it hard to remember any of the games or what makes them unique. When I think of Mario Odyssey or Mario Sunshine, they feel unique and like different games. But how the hell is anyone supposed to remember the difference between Final Fantasy, IV, XII, XIV, VIII, or any of the other games? As an outsider to the series, it makes them all look the same, and makes the good ones like VII feel less significant. Using roman numerals doesn't help either.

Early gang

Final Fantasy screwed up by numbering the MMOs when it already had unnumbered spinoffs. Kingdom Hearts screwed up all the way back at Chain of Memories where it was treated like it didn't matter that much at release when 2 picks up as a direct sequel to it and references its events frequently. Kingdom Hearts 3 is just an egregious continuation of that release strategy with 4 and an eighth games across 4 systems and an online multiplayer game all of which seem to matter more to the story than the 2 numbered games. I think in general numbering mainline games is the right thing to do. It makes it easier to play them in order of release and distinguish the important games from the side games. I do agree that it can make it hard to distinguish between games with no subtitle though.

7:05 Persona 5 is the sixth in the series lol. The irony

Um akshually persona 5 is technically the 6th game in the series 🤓

If you play metal gear solid it's essential to play every single game even though the story is convoluted but too kind of understand that you have to play every single game just like Kingdom hearts

I remember as a young kid when I knew nothing about Mario and how many games there are in the series, I thought Super Mario 64 was the 64th mainline mario game 💀

Resident Evil is the master, where crucial plot details are explained in spin off games.

Not to be that guy but.... while you were talking about DDR, you forgot to mention DDR EXTREME 2. I also love DDR :)

It does help you keep track of them a hell of a lot easier.

Honestly i think that a game doesn't need to have a number to be the sequel and a subtle can works for example Rayman Hoodlums' Revenge is Rayman 4 and Puyo Puyo Sun is Puyo Puyo 3 but sometimes game removes their number if the first game wasn't released in a place like for example Earthbound who's Mother 2 in Japan and Sonic Drift 2 who literally dropped the 2 when it was released in US cause Sonic Drift 1 wasn't there

Imagine Minecraft 2 🤮🤢

3:53 Is that not a big Roman numeral 5?

As early as I was a pre-teen, I actually already found it intuitive to see games (and movies) use numbers for major entries and subtitles for spin-offs or "lesser titles." Final Fantasy made it pretty clear early on also that chronology isn't really dictated by the numbers too. That said, I can fucks with both naming conventions, even if they're not consistent. Mixing and matching and innovation is art's quintessence. Besides, it's so easy to look up things on the internet if you wanna know where to start in a game series.

Fans: No worries, we'll name it ourselves *Resident Evil VILLage aka Resident Evil 8*

Long running franchises that used numbers in their sequels from the start can’t just simply ditch it for future sequels to come because it’s a staple such as ones from Capcom, Konami, Square, and Enix to name a few. It was just be confusing at that point and it wouldn’t look like a mainline game anymore

Rune Factory is a series that is really consistent with its numbered titles

didn't even bring up the elder scrolls, smh

I've liked the video just because I also like DDR

Thank you for acknowledging the existence of IIDX and pop'n.

Yes just as long as you don’t do shit like CoD where you repeat the number and the subtitle so now we have two modern warfare 2’s that are completely different games.

I love DDR, too.

Honestly, I think Final Fantasy XVI sounds kind of weird considering due to its roman numerals, XV looks pretty cool, but XVI for me doesn't. I wonder if SNK will name their next King of Fighters KoF XVI

2:32 you mean the sfa trilogy right?

short answer YES

I sure do love Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. It's leagues better than Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2.