Video Games' Greatest Rivalries

by Kyle Hilliard on Aug 13, 2012 at 09:30 AM

Sometimes video game franchises are kind of similar. It can’t be avoided. Sometimes, those games inspire conflict and people take sides. Sometimes, a feature is written that arbitrarily decides a winner. It could be a matter of sales, a clear case of objective quality, or my own personable preference. Feel free to take issue with any of the declared winners below in our comment section!

Prototype vs. Infamous

Both games star superheroes with exceptional climbing and jumping abilities, both games are open-world, and both released in 2009. The two games inspired comparison for obvious reasons and before the two even released, people were taking sides.

Winner: Infamous
This one could, perhaps, be considered on a case by case basis. Some people prefer the insanity that is Protoype, while others, like myself, prefer the story-focused comic-book turned into a video game trappings of Infamous. The latter just feels like a much more polished game.

FIFA vs. Pro Evolution Soccer

FIFA comes from EA Sports, and Pro Evolution Soccer comes from a publisher that is not EA Sports, so it will always be the perpetual underdog. It doesn’t have the full roster of licensed teams, but many consider it a technically better game that hardcore soccer fans appreciate. FIFA, on the other hand, has all the licenses for all the teams, and the backing of EA Sports’ deep monetary pockets.

Winner: FIFA
FIFA has become synonymous with soccer video games. In the same way people don’t realize that Band-Aid and Kleenex are actually brand names and not definitions for adhesive bandages and soft tissue, FIFA has just become how people refer to soccer video games.

Marvel: Ultimate Alliance vs. Justice League Heroes

Marvel and DC are always butting heads for one reason or another. This year it was The Avengers and Dark Knight Rises, but back in 2006, it was Marvel Ultimate Alliance and Justice League Heroes. Both featured a large cast of recognizable superheroes, and both offered co-op beat ‘em up RPG action. The two games released seven days apart with JLH getting out of the gate first. Turns out JLH’s lead time just gave everyone the opportunity to get a really bad taste in their mouths, which could only be rinsed out by Marvel Ultimate Alliance.

Winner: Marvel Ultimate Alliance
Marvel spawned a sequel. Justice League Heroes did not.

Madden vs. ESPN NFL 2K

There was a time when there was more than one football game option. The year was 2005, when Madden truly realized that it was not alone in the NFL universe. ESPN NFL 2K5 released with a price-point of $19.99, and many people considered it to be the better game.

Winner: Madden
Electronic Arts freaked out when the competition got too rough and picked up exclusivity rights to make NFL games. Since then, it’s been all Madden, all the time. Things are looking up, though.

World of Warcraft vs. Everquest II

You are probably too young to remember, but there was a time before World of Warcraft ruled the real world. It was a simpler time. We didn’t have iPhones, and the Internet was slightly slower. World of Warcraft may have shown just how huge a massively multiplayer online role-playing game could be, but Everquest was the game that started it all. Both had been in beta for quite some time, but the official release dates were only 15 days apart.

Winner: World of Warcraft
I am asking this question without the slightest hint of irony: Is anyone still playing Everquest II?

Too Human vs. Mass Effect

Too Human and Mass Effect were released about nine months apart, but both games had a lot of long-term hype leading up to their releases, especially Too Human. Both games were science fiction in nature, promising deep narratives that would span across multiple games. One of these games delivered on this promise. The other was called Too Human.

Winner: Mass Effect
Too Human ended up being a disaster, both critically and financially. Mass Effect is one the biggest series of this generation.

Check out the rest of our rivalries on page two.

Call of Duty vs. Battlefield

Both Call of Duty and Battlefield have been trendsetters in the shooter world for years. The conflict between the games came to a head last year when Battlefield 3 and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 released only two weeks apart. Both reviewed well, and both sold enough copies to inspire sequels.

Winner: Call of Duty
Battlefield has a devoted fan base, but Call of Duty is still the best-selling series in the history of the universe. Call of Duty needs to start watching its back, though. “There’s a storm coming, Mr. Duty”, said Ms. Battlefield. “Sounds like you’re looking forward to it,” said Mr. Duty. “I’m adaptable,” responded Anne Hathaway.

Guitar Hero vs. Rock Band

Guitar Hero and Rock Band are like a pair of estranged relatives who had a falling out. The developers behind Rock Band were the ones who created Guitar Hero, but their baby got away from them, so they created a new more powerful baby with more instruments. The two games led a back-and-forth feud that went on for a few years while buyers consumed as many instrument-based rhythm games as they could before realizing they had eaten way too much.

Winner: Rock Band
After Rock Band released, Guitar Hero always seemed to be playing catch-up. Today, Guitar Hero is taking a break after its annualization, but Rock Band continues to release new tracks with high frequency.

Street Fighter vs. Mortal Kombat

Growing up in the Super Nintendo era, asking the question, “Mortal Kombat or Street Fighter?” was one that was presented shortly after introduction. It said a lot about who you were as a child. Do you prefer the mechanics-focused Street Fighter with its cartoonish visuals, or the realistic, hyper-violent action of Mortal Kombat?

Winner: Street Fighter
This one is a close call. Both series dropped off for a little while, but both came back with high praise from everyone involved. The two games appeal to different kinds of fighting fans, and they have each found their spot within the genre. That being said, the hardest of the hardcore tend to side with Street Fighter, and I tend to trust them because they can beat me up – virtually.

Half-Life 2 vs. Doom 3

Half-Life 2 and Doom 3 released three months apart in 2004. Both were sequels to incredibly popular shooter franchises that had mostly stayed quiet for the previous decade. There was a lot of excitement for both games, and both were well received. One, however, is still discussed on the Internet on a daily basis.

Winner: Half-Life 2
Let’s take a poll. How many people are clamoring for Half-Life 3? Okay, looks like it’s the entirely of the Internet. How many people are clamoring for Doom 4?

Forza vs. Gran Turismo

Gran Turismo belongs to Sony, and Forza belongs to Microsoft, so the two franchises will likely never have the chance to go head-to-head, but that doesn’t mean people won’t talk about which is better.

Winner: Gran Turismo
Gran Turismo has been around since 1998, so it is certainly the veteran. In about 15 years, there have been five Gran Turismo games (6 if you want to count Gran Turismo 5: Prologue). In less than half that time, there have been four Forza games with a fifth on the way for this year. Gran Turismo is about to get lapped, but that doesn't mean that realistic car sim enthusiasts don't prefer it.

Mario vs. Sonic

More important than the Street Fighter versus Mortal Kombat question, is this always pertinent, never outdated question: Mario or Sonic? Even though the two are starting to get along, participating together in the Olympic games and beating each other up in Super Smash Bros., there will always be a bitter rivalry between the two. They may try to put aside their differences, but Mario can never fully forgive Sonic for his “Nintendon’t” smear campaign of the nineties.