History WhatCouldHaveBeen / VideoGamesGToM

* ''Gotham By Gaslight'' by Fracture 1 was going to be a game about Batman fighting Jack the Ripper. The game was cancelled in 2010.

** An {{Expy}} of Bert from ''Series/SesameStreet'' named Tomichin was planned to appear in ''VideoGame/MarvelVsCapcomClashOfTheSuperHeroes'' as a JokeCharacter.

*** Other characters who were considered but ultimately discarded include Comicbook/SpiderWoman (whose flight and electrical attacks made her too similar to Trish), Comicbook/CloakAndDagger (with Cloak acting similar to a Stand from ''Manga/JojosBizarreAdventure''), Comicbook/{{Psylocke}}, Spiral, Comicbook/SquirrelGirl and Multiple Man.

* After ''VideoGame/MarvelNemesisRiseOfTheImperfects'', [[Creator/ElectronicArts EA Chicago]] began work on a new fighting game tentatively titled ''Marvel''. The game would have had fully-interactive open world environments that could be damaged, with Comicbook/SpiderMan, Comicbook/TheIncredibleHulk, Comicbook/{{Wolverine}}, Comicbook/CaptainAmerica, Comicbook/DoctorDoom, [[Comicbook/JeanGrey Phoenix]], [[Comicbook/TheMightyThor Thor]] and the Juggernaut planned as playable combatants. The voice cast would have included David Faustino as Spider-Man, Gregg Henry as Wolverine and Creator/SteveBlum as Captain America. ''Marvel'' was cancelled after EA closed its Chicago division and ended its license with Marvel Entertainment.

* ''VideoGame/MarvelVsCapcom3'':
** Comicbook/BlackPanther, Comicbook/{{Blade}} and Comicbook/DoctorOctopus were all scheduled to appear early on, but ended up being excluded. The first two due to worries that they'd be too similar to other characters from a gameplay perspective (specifically, Comicbook/{{Taskmaster}} and Comicbook/{{Deadpool}}), and the third because it turned out that his robotic tentacles were very difficult to implement in the game's fighting system.
** According to Frank Tieri, Comicbook/MilesMorales was strongly considered for the ''Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3'' update, but time constraints (Miles' first official appearance was published only a few months prior to the game's release) made it impossible.

* After ''VideoGame/MarvelNemesisRiseOfTheImperfects'', [[Creator/ElectronicArts EA Chicago]] began work on a new fighting game tentatively titled ''Marvel''. The game would have had interactive open world environments that could be interacted with and damaged, with Comicbook/SpiderMan, Comicbook/TheIncredibleHulk, Comicbook/{{Wolverine}}, Comicbook/CaptainAmerica, Comicbook/DoctorDoom, [[Comicbook/JeanGrey Phoenix]], [[Comicbook/TheMightyThor Thor]] and the Juggernaut planned as playable combatants. The voice cast would have included David Faustino as Spider-Man, Gregg Henry as Wolverine and Creator/SteveBlum as Captain America. ''Marvel'' was cancelled after EA closed its Chicago division and ended its license with Marvel Entertainment.

* ''VideoGame/MarvelVsCapcom3: Fate of Two Worlds''
** Comicbook/BlackPanther, Comicbook/DoctorOctopus, and Comicbook/{{Blade}} were all scheduled to appear, but various issues prevented this. It was decided that Black Panther and Blade would be too similar to Comicbook/{{Taskmaster}} and Comicbook/{{Deadpool}} from a gameplay perspective, while Doc Ock's tentacles proved to be very difficult to incorporate into the game's fighting system.
** According to Frank Tieri, Comicbook/MilesMorales was strongly considered for the ''Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3'' update, but time constraints (Miles' first official appearance was published only a few mont's prior to the game's release) made it impossible.

* Early on in development for ''VideoGame/MarvelVsCapcom3: Fate of Two Worlds'', Comicbook/BlackPanther, Comicbook/DoctorOctopus, and Comicbook/{{Blade}} were all scheduled to appear, but the characters were cut for one reason or another.

* After ''VideoGame/MarvelNemesisRiseOfTheImperfects'', [[Creator/ElectronicArts EA Chicago]] began work on a new fighting game tentatively titled ''Marvel''. The game would have had interactive open world environments that could be interacted with and damaged, with Comicbook/SpiderMan, Comicbook/TheIncredibleHulk, Comicbook/{{Wolverine}}, Comicbook/CaptainAmerica, Comicbook/DoctorDoom, [[Comicbook/JeanGrey Phoenix]], [[Comicbook/TheMightyThor Thor]] and the Juggernaut planned as playable combatants. The voice cast would have included David Faustino as Spider-Man, Gregg Henry as Wolverine and Creator/StevenBlum as Captain America. ''Marvel'' was cancelled after EA closed its Chicago division and ended its license with Marvel Entertainment.

** The original plot was supposed to have all been set up by [[spoiler:the aforementioned FBI agent]], utilizing a prediction machine called "Miss Jacob", whose probability of a correct prediction rose after each successful prediction; as such he would be manipulating the appearances of the Heaven Smiles and the [=Killer7=]'s reactions to them, getting greater and greater probabilities from "Miss Jacob", in an attempt to force something called the "Last Shot Smile" into existence, so he could kill it and [[NoOntologicalInertia eradicate the Heaven Smiles entirely]]. The supplementary ''Hand in killer7'' material is still based on this version of the story, which is [[MindScrew part of what makes the final game so confusing]].

** In ''Future'', Hayashi was originally going to use a katana. [[http://jsrf-inside.blogspot.co.uk/2011/02/yeah-this-is-dj-professor-k-baby.html second picture]]
* Interestingly not for ''VideoGame/JoJosBizarreAdventureAllStarBattle'' itself, but a case from the manga being adapted in the game. If Fugo is pitted against the other main characters of Part 5 the special conversations play out as if the dropped plot point of Fugo being a spy for the Boss had actually happened.

* ''VideoGame/KameoElementsOfPower'' was originally planned for the UsefulNotes/{{Nintendo 64}}, [[UsefulNotes/NintendoGameCube Game Cube]] and [[UsefulNotes/{{Xbox}} Xbox]] before making it to the UsefulNotes/{{Xbox 360}}.

** The original plot was supposed to have all been set up by [[spoiler:the aforementioned FBI agent]], utilizing a prediction machine called "Miss Jacob" whose probability of a correct prediction rose after each successful prediction; as such he would be manipulating the appearances of the Heaven Smiles and the [=Killer7=]'s reactions to them in an attempt to force something called the "Last Shot Smile" into existence, so he could kill it and [[NoOntologicalInertia eradicate the Heaven Smiles entirely]]. The supplementary ''Hand in killer7'' material is still based on this version of the story, which is part of what makes the final game [[MindScrew so confusing]].

* [[http://www.50yearsofkimba.com/videogamestory.html There were plans for making video games of]] ''Manga/KimbaTheWhiteLion'', one for the UsefulNotes/NintendoEntertainmentSystem and another for the UsefulNotes/{{Nintendo 64}}, but both attempts ended up as VaporWare.

** Another Iori, a concept for a new Iori costume featuring him wearing a black leather trenchcoat and red bell bottom pants, was cut early from KoF 2000. He was eventually made into his own MUGEN character. He's badass because he can access his Orochi mode at will.

** Adel was supposed to be a girl originally, which is why his full name is Adelheid (“Heidi.”)

** According to Tetsuya Nomura in a [[NoExportForYou Japan-only book]], Axel was originally supposed to die in the Prologue of ''VideoGame/KingdomHeartsII''. However, his popularity [[SavedByTheFans with both fans]] and the staff caused him to stick around for most of the game [[BreakoutCharacter and beyond.]] Additionally, he stated that his original idea for a weapon that became the Keyblade didn't start as a key, but something more like ''[[ChainsawGood a chainsaw]]'', but that got an ExecutiveVeto. Also, at the same time that weapon design was there, Sora was originally designed as a [[http://vignette4.wikia.nocookie.net/lostmedia/images/d/de/Lion-Sora-Chainsaw.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20150910020651 lion-type character,]] reminiscent of [[Characters/FinalFantasyIX Zidane]].

** Also, the ''VideoGame/KingdomHeartsII Final Mix Ultimania'' (Japanese guidebook), shows that Nomura originally planned for the final boss fights to be a lot different than how they turned out: Xemnas, after absorbing power from Kingdom Hearts, was to meld into a [[http://vignette1.wikia.nocookie.net/kingdomhearts/images/2/24/Xemnas-_King_Concept_(Art)_KHII.png/revision/latest?cb=20091013074740 giant Transformer-esque creature]] and, upon defeat, transform into a more distorted [[http://vignette2.wikia.nocookie.net/kingdomhearts/images/2/2a/Xemnas-_Kentauros_Concept_(Art)_KHII.png/revision/latest?cb=20091013075330 version.]] This idea was nixed and instead we got the dragon-fortress/armored Xemnas and black-and-white coat Xemnas battles.
** ''Franchise/FinalFantasy'' characters like [[Characters/FinalFantasyX Rikku]] and [[Characters/FinalFantasyVII Vincent]] were also supposed to be in the first game (the former taking Yuffie's role, and the latter taking Cloud's, explaining the alterations to Yuffie and Cloud's costumes in the first game), along with ''Franchise/FinalFantasy'' summons like Bahamut. Also, [[Characters/FinalFantasyVIII Irvine]] was also set to appear, but was replaced by [[Characters/FinalFantasyX Wakka]].

* ''[[VideoGame/LegoAdaptationGame LEGO Star Wars]]'' was originally supposed to have a Wheelbike chase in Episode 3, a level for Zam Wessel, but they were cut due to not being to able properly program them. Zam finally made her ''LEGO Star Wars'' debut in ''The Complete Saga'', but the Wheelbike chase never resurfaced, probably not to throw off the "one-vehicle level" balance.

* When they went out of business, Looking Glass Studios -- makers of ''VideoGame/{{Thief}}'', ''VideoGame/UltimaUnderworld'', the original ''VideoGame/SystemShock'', and many other such games -- was working on a game called [[http://www.ttlg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=46265 Deep Cover,]] a spy-themed stealth thriller game spanning the length of the cold war.

* ''Film/MadMax'': The SNES/Genesis game ''Outlander'', by Mindscape, was going to be based on ''The Road Warrior'', until Mindscape lost the ''Mad Max'' license. The developer Melbourne House cancelled an N64 port and planned sequel to [=DethKarz=], and began working on ''Mad Max: Asylum'', a game set years after ''Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome'', but Melbourne House was denied the ''Mad Max'' license.

** An interview with [=GamePro=] had the director of God of War III reveal how the directors of GOW I and II (David Jaffe and Cory Balrog respectively) would have ended the franchise. The latter would have Kratos become [[TheGrimReaper Death]] while the former would have Kratos set his sights on the Norse pantheon after slaughtering the Greek one.
*** Jaffe's idea is possibly the inspiration for the Semi-Reboot Sequel, the [[GodOfWarPS4 PS4's God of War]] where it features an Older Kratos in a Norse setting with his Young son.

** The original plot was supposed to have all been set up by [[spoiler:the aforementioned FBI agent]], manipulating the appearances of the Heaven Smiles and the [=Killer7=]'s reactions to them in an attempt to force something called the "Last Shot Smile" into existence so he could kill it and eradicate the Heaven Smiles entirely. The supplementary ''Hand in killer7'' material is still based on this version of the story, which is part of what makes the final game [[MindScrew so confusing]].

* ''VideoGame/{{Killer7}}'':

** The original plot was supposed to have all been set up by [[spoiler:the aforementioned FBI agent]], manipulating the appearances of the Heaven Smiles and the Killer7's reactions to them in an attempt to force something called the "Last Shot Smile" into existence so he could kill it and eradicate the Heaven Smiles entirely. The supplementary ''Hand in killer7'' material is still based on this version of the story, which is part of what makes the final game [[MindScrew so confusing]].

** In the original plot for ''VideoGame/HaloCombatEvolved'', Cortana was to go mad with power and try to use Halo to take over the galaxy.
** The original game started development internally as a real time strategy game (essentially ''VideoGame/{{Myth}}'' [[RecycledInSpace Recycled]] [[AC:[[RecycledInSpace IN SPACE]]]],) but by the time it was publicly announced, it had become a third-person shooter with vast and seamless open environments, a WideOpenSandbox campaign set in a persistent world, and a far stronger emphasis on vehicle combat and CoOpMultiplayer with dozens of players; also, it was to be a simultaneous Mac and Windows release. The RTS concept eventually became ''VideoGame/HaloWars''. It was also stated, by Bungie, that the game was originally going to contain twenty-five missions rather than the ten that were shipped. One has to wonder why the ''Halo'' series as a whole was cut down so much.
** There would have been dinosaur-like wildlife wandering the surface of Halo - you can see a few in the preview screenshots.
** The flashlight was originally meant to be an [[GunAccessories accessory]], only useable if the player had the Assault Rifle or Shotgun equipped. This was changed to be a helmet-mounted flashlight, though late enough in development that the light still changes direction with your weapon when reloading or [[PistolWhipping smacking Covenant in the face with it]].
** ''VideoGame/{{Halo 2}}''. was going to feature the Covenant Ship (there wasn't supposed to be a bomb aboard the Cairo, Master Chief was originally going to jump off the Cairo, obliterate all the Covenant inside the their capital ship and a new Covenant species which would have served as a boss battle, then take control of a Wraith and destroy the core of the ship), Sentinal Wall (mentioned in the ''Making of Halo 2''), and the final few levels at the end of the game that would have gotten the Master Chief through Truth's ship and back on Earth. The player was also supposed to be able to control the drop pods in the beginning of Delta Halo, and there was supposed to be a large battle between the Master Chief and the hundreds of recently reanimated Arbiters in High Charity (including several new Flood forms that were ultimately cut). Oh, and to top it all off, Bungie confessed that ''Halo 2'' and ''3'' were [[TwoPartTrilogy supposed to be one game]], which makes plausible explanation as to why ''VideoGame/{{Halo 3}}'' was so short. Imagine what ''Halo 2'' could have been if Bungie hadn't messed up during development (they basically wasted half of their allotted time creating a graphics and game engine that could never have been implemented on the Xbox hardware). And the first level of the game was to have been a massive Zero G area with warthogs and several different areas which would have functioned as a way to get Master Chief off the Cairo.

* ''VideoGame/GodOfWar'':

** ''Halo 3''. Guardian Level. Ripping out its eye and killing it with it. Yes, The Guardians, [[CutscenePowerToTheMax Really Killed By Us]]. ''The Art of Halo 3'' also showed a weapon that later became ''VideoGame/HaloReach'''s DMR, meant to replace the Battle Rifle.

* The game "Kirby's Dream Course" for the SNES was originally going to be a unique golf game called "Special Tee Shot". Halfway through development it was re-tooled into a Kirby game, but the original was completed and released in Japan on the Sattelaview addon for the Super Famicom.
* ''VideoGame/KirbysEpicYarn'' was originally going to star Prince Fluff and be called "Prince Fluff's Adventure" until the development team added Kirby in the starring role midway through development because they thought the game would not sell as is.

** According to Tetsuya Nomura in a [[NoExportForYou Japan-only book]], Axel was originally supposed to die in the Prologue of ''VideoGame/KingdomHeartsII''. However, his popularity [[SavedByTheFans with both fans]] and the staff caused him to stick around for most of the game [[BreakoutCharacter and beyond.]] Additionally, he stated that his original idea for a weapon that became the Keyblade didn't start as a key, but something more like ''[[ChainsawGood a chainsaw]]'', but that got an ExecutiveVeto. Also, at the same time that weapon design was there, Sora was originally designed as a [[http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/kingdomhearts/images/d/de/Lion-Sora-Chainsaw.jpg lion-type character,]] reminiscent of [[Characters/FinalFantasyIX Zidane]].

** Also, the ''VideoGame/KingdomHeartsII Final Mix Ultimania'' (Japanese guidebook), shows that Nomura originally planned for the final boss fights to be a lot different than how they turned out: Xemnas, after absorbing power from Kingdom Hearts, was to meld into a [[http://kingdomhearts.wikia.com/wiki/File:King.png giant Transformer-esque creature]] and, upon defeat, transform into a more distorted [[http://kingdomhearts.wikia.com/wiki/File:Kentauros.png version.]] This idea was nixed and instead we got the dragon-fortress/armored Xemnas and black-and-white coat Xemnas battles.

* At one point, the original ''VideoGame/GrandTheftAutoClassic'' was conceived as a [[http://www.gamepro.com/article/features/215761/creating-his-living-world-in-a-box/ Sim-esque open sandbox world]] that had the player interacting with '''dinosaurs''' that walk around the streets of a city. Later on in development, the game was called "Race N' Chase", and allowed players to take the role of a good guy catching criminals.

** According to footage in [[http://gameads.gamepressure.com/tv_game_commercial.asp?ID=602 this commercial for the old Xbox,]] in an early build of ''Jet Set Radio Future'', Yoyo had a smaller health capacity and was able to hold more than 30 spray cans (notice how the spray can icon does not turn green).

** At one point, [[http://img706.imageshack.us/img706/5894/barockcrush.jpg these guys]], Baroque and Crash, were meant to be Mega Man and Rush's rival, but they were heavily reworked into, you guessed it: Bass and Treble.

** The game went through several different ideas that were scrapped prior to its release. Chief among these were its transfer from the SNES (where it was first announced for) to the Nintendo 64. Aside from a host of DummiedOut mission objectives and modes, the game was originally intended to be an on-rails shooter (in the style of ''VirtuaCop''), and several levels (like Frigate and Silo) were designed with this style in mind - which also explains why they are so linear. Remnants of a planned "Casino" level also exist in the game code (with items like sticky cameras, playing cards and chips), suggesting that there were plans to have a casino-themed stealth level in the game. There was also a planned HD port of the game for the Xbox 360. The only problem was that Microsoft, Activision and Nintendo couldn't work out the licensing rights for the game. The worst part, though? ''[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXWls4S_qu8&feature=player_embedded#! The port was already finished]]''. There was also a plan for a Xbox remake that was canned.

* ''Mr. Bill's Neighborhood'' for the Atari 2600 would had been ''Series/MrBill'''s first video game if it was released. Yet, this game was 100% complete and ready to be released but was cancelled due to Data Age couldn't afford to pay the licensing fees after their license game Journey Escape's poor critical reception.

* ''Mr. Bill's Neighborhood'' for the Atari 2600 would had been ''Series/MrBill'''s first video game if it was released. Yet, this game was 100% complete and ready to be released but sadly no prototypes or roms were known to exist.