greatest video – From Pokémon Legends: Arceus’ first Pokédex to Red Dead Redemption 2’s 1899 farewell to the Wild West, these prequels prove why going back matters—because they turn “before” into unforgettable momentum.
Players rarely finish a great game and think, “Time to move on.” They think about what came before, how the world got this way, and what choices turned into the story they just lived.
That’s where prequels earn their keep. They don’t just pad lore—they reframe it. And when they’re great, they make the original feel sharper, stranger, and more personal.
At the heart of this list are ten video game prequels ranked for how they play, how they’re built, what they reveal, how much they improve on what came first, and how deeply fans and critics tend to land on them. Here are the games that made “earlier” feel essential.
10. Pokémon Legends: Arceus (2022)
Set hundreds of years before Pokémon Diamond and Pokémon Pearl. Pokémon Legends: Arceus takes place in the Hisui region before it became known as Sinnoh. The player is magically transported to this ancient time and has to complete the first Pokédex while searching for a way back home.
The game reinvents how Pokémon catching works, with that catching mechanic pulled into the center of the experience. The graphics may not match what fans would hope for. but the gameplay and open-world zones are described as wonderful to explore. There are side quests. Pokémon to catch. and areas to travel—plus the prequel framing makes the world’s danger feel immediate. Catching, in this telling, is more immersive and compelling.
9. Batman: Arkham Origins (2013)
Batman: Arkham Origins drops into Batman’s second year. A bounty is placed on his head by the underground mob boss Black Mask, bringing eight bounty hunters and assassins to Gotham City, all chasing the chance to take Batman’s head.
Often treated as a forgotten “black sheep” in the Arkham franchise. it’s still singled out as underrated—and modern fans have reportedly come to appreciate it. The portrayal of early Bruce is a key strength, including a reckless, angry personality that shows up in the gameplay. The first encounter with Joker is also described as a standout that makes Arkham Origins an incredible superhero game that’s often overlooked.
8. Doom: The Dark Ages (2025)
After the 2016 reboot of Doom, the series is described as being at an all-time high. Doom: The Dark Ages—released as a prequel to the 2016 game—tells the story of the medieval origins of the Doom Slayer.
Players wage war against the forces of hell, predating the crusade that comes later in Doom’s original 2016 timeline. As the newest entry on the list, it’s already described as a chaotic prequel that brings more brutal gameplay. The Doom Slayer is given a sword. chainsaw. and shield. making the tone even more metal and “badass. ” while also making the gameplay more visceral. The worldbuilding and lore are credited with painting a better early picture of who the character was.
7. Devil May Cry 3: Dante’s Awakening (2005)
Devil May Cry 3: Dante’s Awakening is described as the origin story of Dante’s demon-hunting career. When Dante begins his business. a tower rises from the ground at the command of Dante’s brother. Vergil. who is hellbent on claiming the immense power of their father.
It keeps the stylish action-frenzy energy of the first two games, while also adding emotional storytelling and grounded moments. The game is praised for turning Dante from a pure badass into a more nuanced character, making him more likable. With an improved combat system, it’s framed as a must-play prequel.
6. The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword (2011)
The Legend of Zelda has multiple prequel games, and this one is argued to be the best. Skyward Sword is set thousands of years before the original, with Link setting off on an adventure to the ground after Princess Zelda is kidnapped.
He must slowly build the Master Sword, the only weapon capable of defeating Demise, the demon lord who threatens to be revived.
Like Batman: Arkham Origins, Skyward Sword is treated as the “ugly duckling” of the franchise. Even so, every Zelda game is called a masterpiece—and Skyward Sword is described as no exception. Motion controls can be annoying, but it’s said to have the best story in the franchise. Its charming aesthetic. quirky side quests. whimsical world. engaging combat. and bosses described as the best in the franchise all play a role.
5. Halo: Reach (2010)
Halo: Reach is presented as a timeless prequel, even as the franchise is said to have fallen off after its earlier run. Players control Noble Six, a new addition to the Spartans, with the end of the Human-Covenant War looming.
Planet Reach is doomed to fall, and the mission is framed around fighting to make sure Cortana is secured and safely escapes the planet.
The game uses the engaging combat and gameplay familiar from Halo’s other entries. but the narrative is what makes it an “incredible new experience.” The tragic inevitability is described as making each moment of desperation more rewarding. When players go on to the other games, Halo: Reach is credited with making those later moments even more fond.
4. Yakuza 0 (2015)
Yakuza 0 is placed as the strongest entry in the Yakuza franchise—specifically as a prequel. Set in 1988, it follows two protagonists.
A young Kazuma Kiryu is framed for murder, while Goro Majima is a disgraced yakuza running a cabaret club. Both are pulled into a massive turf war over a mysterious plot of land.
The game is praised for creating a riveting world filled with bizarre side quests and eccentric characters. There’s also a practical lament: it’s a shame it’s the entry point. because fans won’t experience a better game after it. Witnessing the start of Kiryu’s story and the descent of Majima is described as both magnificent and tragic.
3. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (no date provided in the source)
Hideo Kojima is cited as a legendary game designer known for Metal Gear Solid, called his magnum opus. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater is described as the first chronological game in the Metal Gear Solid franchise.
The story follows Snake’s infiltration of a Soviet jungle at the height of the Cold War. Snake’s former mentor has defected to the Soviet Union, and Snake must assassinate him—or risk a Third World War.
The prequel approach is credited with removing radar systems. which the source says makes stealth gameplay much more tense and immersive. Survival mechanics and managing resources are also said to make the game feel fresh. The story is further praised for shifting foundational lore and establishing core themes that enhance later entries in the franchise.
2. Metroid Prime (2002)
Nintendo is said to have a couple of games on the list. but Metroid Prime is flagged as a prequel that some fans might not have realized. After intercepting a transmission from an isolated planet, Samus travels to stop a group of space pirates. She has to navigate ancient ruins, learn about a lost culture, and find the source of a plague.
The source specifies that Metroid Prime takes place after the original game, but it is also a prequel to Return of Samus—so it qualifies for this list. Samus is described as an iconic video game character, and this title is said to be where her legacy really took off.
Metroid Prime is praised for making a 3D Metroidvania and keeping exploration fun, while ensuring the gameplay doesn’t stop thanks to impressive design.
1. Red Dead Redemption 2 (2018)
If there’s a prequel described as the most obvious pick for “best of all time. ” it’s Red Dead Redemption 2. Set in 1899, it places the Wild West era almost at its end. Arthur Morgan—leader of a cowboy gang—is struggling with this new reality and his own mortality. He goes on one last adventure hoping he can seek redemption in the lawless world.
The first game is called good. but Red Dead Redemption 2 is said to actively make the original better while also being a far superior experience. Its narrative is described as one of the greatest in video game history. and the story is credited with being deeply personal and touching—especially because it recontextualizes the first game. In the end, it’s described as universally beloved and the perfect video game prequel.
video game prequels Pokémon Legends: Arceus Batman: Arkham Origins Doom: The Dark Ages Devil May Cry 3 Skyward Sword Halo Reach Yakuza 0 Metal Gear Solid 3 Metroid Prime Red Dead Redemption 2