History Main / SophomoreSlump

* MegamanStarForce 2 was poorly received, probably due to discarding most of the first game's stellar themes. It also had much less nuanced VillainsOfTheWeek (From sympathetic individuals possessed by manipulative beings in the first game to already evil villains who fuse with almost mindless BloodKnight entities in the second}. The easily broken battle system probably didn't help either. The third game was better-received, but doesn't seem to have been enough to save the series.

* Similar to ''Code Geass'', the second season of ''Gundam00'' was also considered a waste of potential by many.

* The first half of ''Code Geass'' R2 was pretty much a rehash of many elements of season 1, going so far as to have Lelouch reuse plots in suspiciously similar circumstances. It was purposely done this way to appeal to the new audiences in R2's new time slot.

* The second series of ''Series/DoctorWho'' wasn't bad, but it was one of the most uneven. It gave us a few wonderful episodes like "The Girl in the Fireplace," and "School Reunion" but also had some of the show's bigger clunkers, like "Fear Her" and "Love & Monsters".

* ''Anime/{{Pokemon}}'', if one counts Kanto/Orange Islands as the first series and Johto as the second. The Johto arc was more or less a total rehash of the first, except with even more {{Filler}} and SuspiciouslySimilarSubstitute Pokémon on Ash's team that just didn't live up in power, personality, or appeal to the ones he PutOnABus after the Orange Islands. Of course, the Orange Islands arc itself arguably has its own problems.

* The first season of ''Series/{{Glee}}'' had a relatively succinct plot arc, which helped make it the runaway hit Fox was banking on. Season 2 suffered some meandering story lines, which alienated many fans.
** Though season 3 was arguably ''even worse'' than season 2.

* ''[[SuperMarioBrosTheLostLevels Super Mario Bros 2]]'', the Japanese version, was a NintendoHard MissionPackSequel of the first game that went unreleased outside of Japan. ''VideoGame/SuperMarioBros2'', the US version, was well-received but a DolledUpInstallment barely playing like other titles. ''VideoGame/SuperMarioBros3'', however, was a worldwide success.
** The phenomenon repeated itself with the 3D ''Marios.'' ''VideoGame/SuperMario64'' was universally beloved. ''VideoGame/SuperMarioSunshine'' was [[LoveItOrHateIt much more divisive]], stripping away the franchise's most [[MascotMook iconic]] [[PowerUp features]] and adding [[ScrappyMechanic some very un-Mario gameplay elements]]. ''VideoGame/SuperMarioGalaxy'' and its sequel represent a serious return to form.

** Not to mention the crappiest InventoryManagementPuzzle ever.

* ''VideoGame/{{Metroid}} II: Return of Samus'' suffered this due to gameplay changes.
** ''VideoGame/MetroidPrime 2: Echoes'' is considered a bit of a slump for the ''Prime'' trilogy. While it's generally agreed to be a good game, the [[NintendoHard brutal difficulty]], key collection, and ammo system tend to draw ire. It's also criticized for having many of the same upgrades and weapons as the original, with the only really new upgrades being the Seeker Launcher, Screw Attack, and the Echo Visor.

* ''Film/TempleOfDoom'' was this in the original ''Franchise/IndianaJones'' trilogy, with some fans finding it less memorable than ''Raiders'', not having the fun or heart of ''Last Crusade'' and just being generally mean-spirited, squicky and not in style with the other films.

-->''Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine.''

-->''Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine.''\\
--'''''[[Literature/TheFourGospels John 2:10]]'''''

** To a lesser extent, ''Metroid Prime 2: Echoes'' is this to the MetroidPrime Trilogy. It's accused of being a MissionPackSequel that haven't much more innovations outside the space jump and the missil seeker. The Key hunting and ammo mechanics were also contested.

* Kevin Smith's much-loved first film, ''{{Film/Clerks}}'', was followed up by the much-maligned ''{{Film/Mallrats}}'', which remains the weakest entry in his View-Askewniverse series.

* PinkFloyd's first album, The Piper at the Gates of Dawn, is often regarded as a masterpiece of psychedelic rock. Their second album, A Saucerful of Secrets, is generally dismissed as an inferior imitation at best, partially [[TheBandMinusTheFace due to the departure of Syd Barrett]].

* Also works with books. ''HarryPotter and the Chamber of Secrets'' doesn't exactly have many new elements. Well, not many non-ChekhovsGun elements, at least.

* The second series of ''Series/DoctorWho'' wasn't bad, but it was one of the most uneven. It gave us a few wonderful episodes like "The Girl in the Fireplace," and "School Reunion" but also had some of the show's bigger clunkers, like "Fear Her."

* ''PrinceOfPersia: Warrior Within'' is considered by just about everyone to be an example of DarkerAndEdgier GoneHorriblyWrong. ''The Two Thrones'' goes so far as to {{Retcon}} the Prince's behavior in that game into being a ''curse''.

* ''DesperateHousewives'' had a decline in quality after season one. Some people say it return to its premises in season three.
* ''SeriesVeronicaMars'' season two made a major error by splitting up the SuperCouple and the mystery was paced very poorly after the subtle yet steady clue-building of season one. It was later VindicatedByHistory and considered to be nearly as good as the first season, but it was too late: the initial negative reaction led to ExecutiveMeddling for season three, leading to short, rather predictable mysteries rather than the season-long epics of the first two, and ultimately causing its cancellation.

* ''VeronicaMars'' season two made a major error by splitting up the SuperCouple and the mystery was paced very poorly after the subtle yet steady clue-building of season one. It was later VindicatedByHistory and considered to be nearly as good as the first season, but it was too late: the initial negative reaction led to ExecutiveMeddling for season three, leading to short, rather predictable mysteries rather than the season-long epics of the first two, and ultimately causing [[TooGoodToLast its cancellation.]]
* ''FridayNightLights'' had a number of implausible developments in its second season (including a murder perpetrated by two of the main characters) that did not fit at all with the realistic, muted tone of the show. The move to cable in the third season helped it to return to its previous feel.

* Season 3 of ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'' was generally not as well-received as the prior two. Since it was only half the length of an average season (likely to hit the 65-episode syndication minimum), its problem episodes - which, naturally, vary depending on who you ask - tend to stick out more. Almost a full third of the episodes therein have been a point of contention for at least some fans.