Explore the Fascinating Origins of 10 Big Video Games That Were Supposed to Be Completely Different

Video games have come a long way since their humble beginnings in the late 1970s. What started out as 8-bit pixelated images on a screen has evolved into an immersive 3D virtual reality experience. But while the technology has changed, the stories behind these beloved video games remain just as fascinating.

Today, we’re going to take a look at the origins of 10 popular video games that were supposed to be completely different than what we know them as today. From Mario to Final Fantasy, you’ll be amazed to learn how some of your favorite games were almost unrecognizable from their original designs.

1. Super Mario Bros.

The game that started it all for Nintendo was actually meant to be much more than the classic platformer we know and love. Originally, creator Shigeru Miyamoto had envisioned Super Mario Bros. as a sci-fi shooter game, with Mario piloting a spaceship through various galaxies. However, this idea was scrapped due to the limited technology of the time.

2. The Legend of Zelda

The Legend of Zelda is one of the most iconic video game franchises of all time. But did you know that the original design was vastly different? Creator Shigeru Miyamoto had originally intended the game to be a role-playing adventure game, where players would wander around a large open world and complete quests. This idea was eventually scrapped in favor of a top-down action-adventure game.

3. Sonic the Hedgehog

Sonic the Hedgehog is an iconic character that’s been around since 1991. But before he was the blue blur we know and love, he was almost an entirely different character. Sega originally planned for Sonic to be an armadillo named “Mister Needlemouse”, who would roll up into a ball and bounce off enemies. Thankfully, they decided to go with the faster and more recognizable hedgehog design instead.

4. Street Fighter

The Street Fighter franchise is one of the longest-running fighting game series in history. But the original design was much different than what we know today. Originally, the game was meant to be a first-person shooter, with the player controlling a tank and shooting at other tanks in order to win. Eventually, this concept was scrapped in favor of the 2D fighting game we know today.

5. Mortal Kombat

Mortal Kombat is one of the most successful fighting game franchises of all time. But before it was a bloody battle between martial artists, it was almost a completely different game. The original design was actually a fantasy RPG, where players would explore dungeons and fight monsters in turn-based combat. This idea was eventually scrapped in favor of the more violent and visceral fighting game we know today.

6. Final Fantasy

Final Fantasy is one of the most popular RPGs of all time. But the original design was far removed from the epic adventures we know and love today. Originally, the game was meant to be a space-themed shooter, where players would fly around in a spaceship and shoot aliens. This idea was eventually scrapped in favor of the medieval-style fantasy RPG we know today.

7. Resident Evil

Resident Evil is one of the most influential horror games of all time. But before it was a zombie-filled survival horror game, it was almost a totally different game. Originally, the game was meant to be a horror-themed board game, where players would move around a board and collect items in order to win. This idea was eventually scrapped in favor of the more interactive video game we know today.

8. Grand Theft Auto

Grand Theft Auto is one of the most popular and controversial video game franchises of all time. But before it was a crime-filled open-world sandbox game, it was almost a completely different game. The original design was actually a racing game, where players would race against each other in exotic locations. This idea was eventually scrapped in favor of the more violent and open-ended sandbox game we know today.

9. Halo

Halo is one of the most popular first-person shooter franchises of all time. But before it was a science-fiction shooter, it was almost a completely different game. The original design was actually a real-time strategy game, where players would command armies of aliens in a war against humans. This idea was eventually scrapped in favor of the more action-oriented shooter we know today.

10. Pokémon

Pokémon is one of the most beloved franchises of all time. But before it was a monster-catching adventure game, it was almost a completely different game. The original design was actually a pet simulator, where players would raise and care for virtual pets. This idea was eventually scrapped in favor of the more strategic and competitive monster-catching game we know today.

As you can see, some of the biggest and most beloved video games of all time were almost completely different than what we know them as today. It’s amazing to think of all the possibilities that could have been if the creators had gone with their original designs. But thankfully, they chose the path that led us to the games we know and love today.