History Main / SoftReboot

* ''Film/TheSuicideSquad'' is this to ''Film/SuicideSquad''. The film only reuses four characters from the original movie. One of the original characters dies before the opening credits and another dies at about the midpoint. It follows a new story and new team. The events of the first movie are never mentioned.

* The ''Franchise/TouhouProject'' series has a reboot between the fifth game, ''VideoGame/TouhouKaikidanMysticSquare'', the last game for PC-98 and the sixth game, ''VideoGame/TouhouKoumakyouTheEmbodimentOfScarletDevil'', the first game in the Windows series. From all the characters in the PC-98 era, only four reappear in the Windows era, two of which are the series main characters Reimu and Marisa. The works in the Windows era sometimes reference the PC-98 games, but never in a way that solidifies their canonicity. When asked about this, series creator ZUN merely stated the PC-98 games are "canon until contradicted by a Windows game."

* The various ''Franchise/YuGiOh'' anime spinoffs are designed to tell standalone stories each time, but ''Anime/YuGiOhGX'' and ''Anime/YuGiOh5DS'' at least try to maintain a semblance of continuity. ''GX'' is set as a direct sequel to the original ''Yu-Gi-Oh!'' and features tons of cameos and {{Continuity Nod}}s to the original series while focusing on an entirely new cast, setting, and lore. ''[=5Ds=]'' is set in ''New'' Domino City and is all but stated to be a DistantSequel, with Tetsu Trudge, a very minor one-off character from the original series, becoming an AscendedExtra in ''[=5Ds=]'', but otherwise has nothing to do with ''Yu-Gi-Oh!'' or ''GX'' whatsoever. Starting with ''Anime/YuGiOhZEXAL'', the following anime did away with this aspect entirely and are set in new universes each series, save for ''Anime/YuGiOhGORUSH'', which is a [[spoiler:[[StealthSequel Stealth Prequel]] to ''Anime/YuGiOhSEVENS'']].

* The various ''Franchise/YuGiOh'' anime spinoffs are designed to tell standalone stories each time, but ''Anime/YuGiOhGX'' and ''Anime/YuGiOh5DS'' at least try to maintain a semblance of continuity. ''GX'' is set as a direct sequel to the original ''Yu-Gi-Oh!'' and features tons of cameos and {{Continuity Nod}}s to the original series while focusing on an entirely new cast, setting, and lore. ''[=5Ds=]'' is set in ''New'' Domino City and is all but stated to be a DistantSequel, with Tetsu Trudge, a very minor one-off character from the original series, becoming an AscendedExtra in ''[=5Ds=]'', but otherwise has nothing to do with ''Yu-Gi-Oh!'' or ''GX'' whatsoever. Starting with ''Anime/YuGiOhZEXAL'', the following anime did away with this aspect entirely and are set in new universes each series, save for ''Anime/YuGiOhGORUSH'', which is a [[spoiler:StealthPrequel to ''Anime/YuGiOhSEVENS'']].

* ''VideoGame/DOOM2016'' was marketed as a return-to-form for the ''Franchise/{{Doom}}'' franchise: a lone SpaceMarine fighting TheLegionsOfHell in a MegaCorp facility built on Mars, just like the "classic" 1993 {{Shareware}} trilogy, thus new players could enter and enjoy ''2016'' without ever playing the previous games. However, the appearance of the protagonist with the epitaph "Doom Slayer" and ApocalypticLog information found throughout the game suggests the character is actually the "Doomguy" from the old games, though lore entries in ''2016'' simultaneously conflict with that theory. The ''VideoGame/DOOMEternal'' {{Sequel}} sets the record straight: [[spoiler:the Doom Slayer ''is'' Doomguy, who locked himself in Hell from the ending of ''VideoGame/Doom64'' fighting the demons for an unspecified amount of time. Due to the dimensional nature of Hell, Doomguy wound up in an AlternateUniverse, where Hell follows him to the world of Argent D'Nur. Doomguy fights with the Argenta against Hell and becomes the former's champion, whereby he turns into an EmpoweredBadassNormal that is the Doom Slayer from the Makers. Leading an offensive into Hell, the Slayer is trapped and found by the Union Aerospace Corporation, leading up to the events of ''2016'']].

* The ''Franchise/FireEmblem'' series has multiple universes, and while direct and [[NonLinearSequel non-linear sequels]] ''do'' exist, there has been an essential "main" timeline (''[[VideoGame/FireEmblemShadowDragonAndTheBladeOfLight Shadow Dragon]]'', ''[[VideoGame/FireEmblemGaiden Gaiden]]'' [[note]]as the title suggests, a GaidenGame to the Archanea games, set on a continent across the sea known as Valentia and featuring a handful of returning characters; its VideoGameRemake, ''Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia'' would [[CanonWelding more conclusively link together]] ''Gaiden'' with Marth's adventures[[/note]], and ''[[VideoGame/FireEmblemMysteryOfTheEmblem Mystery of the Emblem]]'', ''[[VideoGame/FireEmblemGenealogyOfTheHolyWar Genealogy of the Holy War]]'', ''[[VideoGame/FireEmblemThracia776 Thracia 776]]'', and ''VideoGame/FireEmblemAwakening''). Interestingly enough, this has happened twice within that timeline. The Jugdral games (''Genealogy of the Holy War'' and ''Thracia 776'') are set in the distant past of the Archanea ones (''Shadow Dragon'' and ''Mystery of the Emblem''), while ''Awakening'' is set in the distant future. Being set in the distant future allows ''Awakening'' to have a ton of [[CallBack Call-Backs]] and {{Mythology Gag}}s to Archanaea, ''Gaiden'', ''and'' Jugdral all at once, whereas Jugdral's only ties to Archanea are within the lore.
* ''[[VideoGame/GodOfWarPS4 God of War]]'' features an entire new look, feel and mythology with its Norse setting, but it is in no way a ContinuityReboot as it takes place years after the events of ''VideoGame/GodOfWarIII'' and the events of the original games still haunt Kratos to this day.

** ''VideoGame/TheKingOfFighters2003'' served as another one -- once again overhauling the gameplay, this time with the [[TagTeam Multi-Shift]] feature, but also [[PutOnABus dumping]] a lot of then-series mainstays such as [[VideoGame/FatalFury Andy Bogard]] and [[VideoGame/PsychoSoldier Sie Kensou]] alongside having Ash Crimson become the new protagonist as both Kyo and K' were pushed to the sidelines, and introducing a brand new group of villains in Those from the Past. Again, by ''VideoGame/TheKingOfFightersXIII'', most of these changes had been reversed, and the arc itself was far less distanced from the Orochi Saga than the NESTS Chronicles.
** ''VideoGame/TheKingOfFightersXIV'' serves as yet another soft reboot of the series. While, unlike previous attempts, it didn't radically change the gameplay or roster, it did overhaul its presentation; namely, by [[VideoGame3DLeap being the first mainline installment with 3D graphics]]. It also brought in a new protagonist in Shun'ei and a new storyline officially introducing TheMultiverse to its lore. Interestingly, despite being intended as a JumpingOnPoint for newcomers (with the backstory indicating that it's been many years since the last tournament to reflect the SequelGap), ''XIV'' is probably the most continuity-heavy start of a new saga [[VideoGameLongRunners to date]], [[ContinuityLockout requiring knowledge of not only previous entries but entirely different SNK series and IPs in order to fully grasp the story]].

** [[ZigZaggingTrope Zig-Zagged]] by the "Wild Saga": ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaBreathOfTheWild Breath of the Wild]]'' was initially stated to be set in the Zelda timeline ''somewhere'' ([[ContinuitySnarl Zelda continuity is complicated]]), but taking place thousands of years after each potential timeline branch, meaning it could be in any of the three (or they could've even merged together). However, its direct sequel ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTearsOfTheKingdom Tears of the Kingdom]]'' muddles the situation over whether it's a soft or hard continuity reboot, as the game [[spoiler:provides a completely different origin for Ganondorf and the Kingdom of Hyrule as a whole, stating that Hyrule was founded by a union between the [[BenevolentPrecursors Zonai]] and Hylians while Ganondorf became the original Demon King by stealing a Zonai Secret Stone.]]

* ''VideoGame/MegaMan11'' acts as one for the ''VideoGame/MegaManClassic'' series. The game begins with a DreamSequence showing [[BigBad Doctor Wily]] and [[BigGood Doctor Light's]] initial [[WeUsedToBeFriends falling out]] over the Double Gear system, establishing the series' main conflict for new fans, providing tantalizing new details of the series' {{backstory}} for veteran fans, and setting up the game's new gameplay mechanic for both.
* There are definite signs that ''VideoGame/MegaManX7'' is meant to be this for ''VideoGame/MegaManX''. Though taking place after ''X6'', there's an unknown TimeSkip between that game's near-apocalyptic setting and this game's restored civilizations, previously introduced story elements [[AbortedArc are unceremoniously dropped]] like Dynamo, Isoc, Wily's influence on Zero and the others, and Alia's CharacterDevelopment, Axl is introduced as the YoungerAndHipper alternative to X, the intro stage is a NostalgiaLevel based on ''X1'''s iconic highway, [[ArsonMurderAndJaywalking and there's an overload of]] {{Forced Tutorial}}s. Also, [[BackFromTheDead somehow]], [[HijackedByGanon Sigma returned]].

* ''VideoGame/Persona3'' can be considered this to the ''Franchise/{{Persona}}'' series. ''Persona 3'' was the game that introduced many of the elements that the series would continue to use going forward: the protagonist being a wild card and assigned the Fool Arcana, Igor being in charge of the Velvet Room, [[RelationshipValues Social Links]], and emphasis on the [[SimulationGame day-today school life]] of the protagonists. InUniverse, ''VideoGame/Persona1'' and ''VideoGame/Persona2'' are rarely referenced, leading to ''3'' effectively being the "first" game in the modern ''Persona'' storyline.

* ''VideoGame/SamuraiWarriors'': The fifth title serves as a soft reboot of sorts, focusing on the earlier parts of the era, particularly those regarding [[UsefulNotes/OdaNobunaga Nobunaga]], akin to the first installment of the series. Many characters from previous titles [[PutOnABus were cut from the roster]] and many returning ones had their personalities and story roles drastically changed. Even the series' poster boy, [[UsefulNotes/SanadaYukimura Yukimura Sanada]], is nowhere to be seen because he'd too young at that time.

* The ''VideoGame/{{Soul|Series}}'' series has ''VideoGame/SoulcaliburV'', which [[TimeSkip jumped ahead 17 years]], replaced much of the longstanding cast with successors, and featured a new storyline. In fact, the game's director, Daishi Odashima, originally wanted it to be called ''Soul Edge 2'', in order to mark a new direction for the franchise. Unfortunately for Odashima, [[TheyChangedItNowItSucks said "new direction" did not take with fans at all]]. [[AuthorsSavingThrow As a result]], ''VideoGame/SoulcaliburVI'' [[{{Unreboot}} promptly returned to the original setting]]. [[spoiler:Later plot developments would add wrinkles, however: ''V'' [[ArcWelding still exists]] in [[AlternateContinuity the new timeline]], but is considered by [[MyFutureSelfAndMe both Cassandras]] as a [[CrapsackWorld horrific]] BadFuture that [[SetRightWhatOnceWentWrong cannot come to pass]]. Unsurprising, as in that timeline, her sister Sophitia is dead, Pyrrha becomes a new host for Soul Edge and [[TautologicalTemplar Pat]][[NominalHero rok]][[UngratefulBastard los]] [[TheScrappy exists]].]]
* ''VideoGame/StarOcean'' essentially did this with [[VideoGame/StarOceanTillTheEndOfTime the third game]], then became NonLinearSequel after that. The first two games (plus the spin-off) in the series take place within the span of 25-30 years, everything after that is either in the distant future or, in the case of ''VideoGame/StarOceanTheLastHope'', in the distant past.

* ''VideoGame/YakuzaLikeADragon'' is one to the ''VideoGame/{{Yakuza}}'' series at large. For the first time since ''VideoGame/Yakuza4'', it introduces a completely new cast of playable characters, complete with a new protagonist in Ichiban Kasuga, as Kazuma Kiryu's journey had reached its end in ''VideoGame/Yakuza6''. It also introduces a new setting, as a majority of the game is now set in the Isezaki Ijincho district of Yokohama instead of the Kamurocho district of Tokyo, as was series tradition since the [[VideoGame/Yakuza1 original game]]. Furthermore, whereas the previous installments in the series were open-district [[BeatEmUp Beat 'em Ups]], this one is a [[TurnBasedCombat Turn-Based]] [[EasternRPG JRPG]] (while still maintaining the open-district nature of the previous titles) akin to ''Franchise/DragonQuest'' or ''Franchise/{{Persona}}''. The subtitle being a translation of the series name in Japanese would also allow Sega to ease international players into its use when they dropped ''Yakuza'' as a franchise title going forward with the eighth game, further distinguishing Kasuga's games as a new beginning.

* ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVIIRemake'' is this for ''The Franchise/{{Compilation|OfFinalFantasyVII}} of VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII'', keeping the ''Compilation'' lore in BroadStrokes but including only minimal appearances from ''Compilation'' characters, and using appearances for the characters based on combining their ''Compilation'' looks with their classic appearances. There's also a lot of RevisitingTheRoots and CharacterRerailment, with characters who had been [[{{Flanderization}} reduced to one major character trait]] in spin-offs reappearing here as well-rounded and complex individuals. The ValuesDissonance of both the original and the ''Compilation'' has also been re-examined: the game excises the insensitive racism, sexism and homophobia of the original, but also the sympathetic Shinra portrayal in the ''Compilation'', in favour of focusing on the need for radical political change and the dignity of the communities of people in Midgar living in Shinra's shadow. At least, such ''appears'' to be the case [[TheEndingChangesEverything up until]] the game's TwistEnding, where it turns out that [[spoiler: ''Remake'' is actually a StealthSequel to the original game via AlternateTimeline, with several characters now having precognition of future ([[TimeyWimeyBall past?]]) events, while Sephiroth--who may or may not be a post-''[[Anime/FinalFantasyVIIAdventChildren Advent Children]]'' Sephiroth--is actively working to prevent the course of history from playing out like it did in 1997]].

* ''Franchise/TheKingOfFighters'' is prone to doing so when a new story arc begins:
** Creator/{{SNK}} went into ''VideoGame/TheKingOfFighters99'' completely overhauling the bread and butter of the formula that had dominated the series up until then - former protagonist Kyo Kusanagi was relegated to a LivingMacguffin as K' took his place, the 3-on-3 fights was boosted to 4-on-4 with the [[AssistCharacter Striker system]], and the mystical Orochi was replaced as the main antagonistic force by the more sci-fi NESTS. It didn't quite work out, and by ''VideoGame/TheKingOfFighters2002'' most of the old Orochi Saga staples and characters had came back.
** ''VideoGame/TheKingOfFighters2003'' served as another one - once again uphauling the gameplay, this time with the [[TagTeam Multi-Shift]] feature, but dumping a lot of then-series mainstays such as [[VideoGame/FatalFury Andy Bogard]] and [[VideoGame/PsychoSoldier Sie Kensou]] alongside having Ash Crimson become the new protagonist as both Kyo and K' were pushed to the sidelines, and introducing a brand new group of villains in Those from the Past. Again, by ''VideoGame/TheKingOfFightersXIII'' most of these changes had been reversed.
** Yet again, ''VideoGame/TheKingOfFightersXIV'' serves as a soft reboot of the series -- while unlike previous attempts it didn't radically change the gameplay or roster, it did overhaul its presentation; namely, by [[VideoGame3DLeap being the first mainline installment with 3D graphics]]. It also brought in a new protagonist in Shun'ei and a new storyline officially introducing TheMultiverse to its lore.

** Season 7 onward did this with the introduction of Poof, as changes include NegativeContinuity becoming more apparent, various recurring characters [[ChuckCunninghamSyndrome disappearing from the setting]], [[spoiler:"Timmy's Secret Wish" infamously justifying a [[ComicBookTime Floating Timeline]]]], and Timmy's future from the ending to ''WesternAnimation/ChannelChasers'' outright ignored in favor of a different future depicted in three live-action movies.

* The various ''Franchise/YuGiOh'' anime spinoffs are designed to tell standalone stories each time, but ''Anime/YuGiOhGX'' and ''Anime/YuGiOh5DS'' at least try to maintain a semblance of continuity. ''GX'' is set as a direct sequel to the original ''Yu-Gi-Oh!'' and features tons of cameos and {{Continuity Nod}}s to the original series while focusing on an entirely new cast, setting, and lore. ''[=5Ds=]'' is set in ''New'' Domino City and is all but stated to be a DistantSequel, with Tetsu Trudge, a very minor one-off character from the original series, becoming an AscendedExtra in ''[=5Ds=]'', but otherwise has nothing to do with ''Yu-Gi-Oh!'' or ''GX'' whatsoever. Starting with ''Anime/YuGiOhZEXAL'', the following anime did away with this aspect entirely and are set in new universes each series, save for ''Anime/YuGiOhGORUSH'', which is a DistantSequel to the series immediately preceding it, ''Anime/YuGiOhSEVENS''.

* ''VideoGame/MegaMan11'' acts as one for the ''VideoGame/MegaManClassic'' series. The game begins with a DreamSequence showing [[BigBad Doctor Wily]] and [[BigGood Doctor Light's]] initial [[WeUsedToBeFriends falling out]] over the Double Gear system, establishing the series' main confict for new fans, providing tantalizing new details of the series' {{backstory}} for veteran fans, and setting up the game's new gameplay mechanic for both.

* ''VideoGame/SuperMario64'' served as this for the ''Franchise/SuperMarioBros'' franchise, especially in the West, where it marks the point at which the Western canon (Mario being a plumber from Brooklyn, the name "Princess Toadstool", and so on) was brought into line with the Japanese canon.
* ''VideoGame/SuperMarioBros1'' was itself one of these. The game is a large departure from prior ''Mario'' games, which had shown urban-themed environments in comparison to SMB's fantasy kingdom. It also introduced new sets of characters, including a new antagonist. It could have been a completely new series were it not for the return of Mario and Luigi.

* ''VideoGame/{{Contra}} 3: The Alien Wars'' is basically a remake of ''Contra'' with updated graphics and new mechanics. The final BossRush of the game is even a compilation of several bosses from the first two games.

* SuperTitle64Advance games did this a lot:
** ''VideoGame/SuperMetroid'' continues the continuity of the first two games, but is essentially a remake of ''VideoGame/{{Metroid|1}}'', taking place on the same planet, with roughly the same plot and the same boss enemies, with a few new surprises.
** ''VideoGame/{{Contra}} 3: The Alien Wars'' is basically a remake of ''Contra'' with updated graphics and new mechanics. The final BossRush of the game is even a compilation of several bosses from the first two games.

* ''VideoGame/Pikmin4'' does not start off as a continuation of ''Pikmin 3'' but instead features an alternate retelling of the first Pikmin game as the prolouge. The biggest difference is that not only did Captain Olimar enlist the Pikmin to help him find the 30 parts of his space ship, but he also befriended a green "space dog" which he named Moss. In addition to that, he ends up not making it off the planet but not before sending an S.O.S signal that kicks off the actual game.

* ''VideoGame/{{Fallout|1}}'' and ''VideoGame/Fallout2'' were isometric turn-based [=RPGs=] both set in post-apocalyptic UsefulNotes/{{California}} and tended to be focused primarily on the issue of survival in a world after nuclear war. ''VideoGame/Fallout3'', ''VideoGame/FalloutNewVegas'', and ''VideoGame/Fallout4'' are set significantly later, have more focus on the RetroUniverse setting and indications that the pre-Great War era was, in some senses, a CrapsackWorld, and instead of showing people just trying to eke out an existence show civilization rebuilding with the major conflicts not being simple survival but what type of societies will emerge. In addition, ''3'' abandoned the turn-based combat system and isometric perspective in favor of an FPS with RPG elements, with future games following suit. ''VideoGame/Fallout76'' does however revisit the post-apocalyptic survival themes of ''1'' and ''2''.

* The ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'' [[Anime/PokemonTheSeries anime]] has done this three times.

** The following season, ''[[Anime/PokemonJourneysTheSeries Pokémon Journeys]]'', takes this the furthest; instead of traversing the [[VideoGame/PokemonSwordAndShield Galar region]], Ash spends most of his time in Kanto and travels to every region instead as a research assistant, revisiting past friends along the way.

* After [[VisualNovel/DanganronpaTriggerHappyHavoc two]] [[VisualNovel/Danganronpa2GoodbyeDespair games]] and [[Anime/DanganRonpa3 an anime]] set in the same universe, ''VisualNovel/DanganronpaV3KillingHarmony'' is set in an alternate universe with a new cast of characters. In a twist, [[spoiler:the pre-reboot games still exist in the new timeline... ''as works of fiction'']].

** Done out of necessity in Gen III. Due to technical limitations, you couldn't transfer any Pokémon from the first two generation, cleanly cutting off the Game Boy and Game Boy Color games from the rest of the main series, which has allowed players to [[OldSaveBonus bring Pokémon from previous generations into newer ones]] (e.g., you can transfer that Mawile you caught back in 2003 into an entry released [[VideoGame/PokemonSwordAndShield over fifteen years later]]). While these games have seen remakes, as well as later re-releases, that allow you to transfer those Mons into future entries, any Pokémon you caught on an original copy of ''[[VideoGame/PokemonRedAndBlue Pokémon Red, Blue, Yellow,]] [[VideoGame/PokemonGoldAndSilver Gold, Silver, or Crystal]]'' are forever stuck there. It also defined what a new generation meant for the series going forward, since it was set in an entirely new region that was disconnected from the previous ones in both geography and story, save for some minor {{Continutity Nod}}s and cameos. This was in contrast to [[VideoGame/PokemonGoldAndSilver Generation II]], which, while introducing new Pokémon and game mechanics as a new generation should, had much more continuity with Generation I, with its region being right next to the one from Gen I, the latter of which could even be visited in the post game, and its story picking up several plot threads from Gen I as well. Generation III and onwards would make much cleaner breaks from prior gens with more standalone regions and stories.

** ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaBreathOfTheWild Breath of the Wild]]'' is set in the Zelda timeline ''somewhere'' ([[ContinuitySnarl Zelda continuity is complicated]]), but takes place thousands of years after each potential timeline branch, meaning it could be in any of the three (or they could've even merged together). This allows the series to keep many staples intact while completely overhauling the gameplay formula and providing a blank slate for the story to build off of without needing to fit into a specific timeline.

** Done out of necessity in Gen III. Due to technical limitations, you couldn't transfer any Pokémon from the first two generation, cleanly cutting off the Game Boy and Game Boy Color games from the rest of the main series, which has allowed players to [[OldSaveBonus bring Pokémon from previous generations into newer ones]] (e.g., you can transfer that Mawile you caught back in 2003 into an entry released [[VideoGame/PokemonSwordAndShield over fifteen years later]]). While these games have seen remakes, as well as later re-releases, that allow you to transfer those Mons into future entries, any Pokémon you caught on an original copy of ''[[VideoGame/PokemonRedAndBlue Pokémon Red, Blue, Yellow,]] [[VideoGame/PokemonGoldAndSilver Gold, Silver, or Crystal]]'' are forever stuck there.

* ''Franchise/TheKingOfFighters'':

** ''VideoGame/TheKingOfFighters2003'' served as another one - once again uphauling the gameplay, this time with the [[TagTeam Multi-Shift]] feature, but dumping a lot of then-series mainstays such as [[VideoGame/FatalFury Andy Bogard]] and [[VideoGame/PsychoSoldier Sie Kensou]] alongside having Ash Crimson become the new protagonist as both Kyo and K' were pushed to the sidelines, and introducing a brand new group of villains in Those from the Past. Again, by ''XIII'' most of these changes had been reversed.

** "Giant Sized X-Men #1" was probably one of the most important soft reboots in comic history, [[PutOnABus getting rid of most of the original team]] so it can focus on new main characters, and beginning the franchise's future of having tons of characters.

* The seventh and final season of ''WesternAnimation/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles2003'', ''Back to the Sewers'', takes the Turtles back to their time, but aside from having the Turtles face some of their RoguesGallery from previous seasons, doesn't continue off of many previously lingering plots and characters. It also tweaks the internal chronology of the series somewhat to allow for the Cyber Shredder, that season's BigBad, to exist.

* The 2019 ''VideoGame/SamuraiShodown'' [[AvertedTrope is a reboot in name only]]. The game still follows [[Timeline/SamuraiShodown the existing timeline]], specifically taking place between the events of ''V'' and the original ''[=SamSho=]''. This, in fact, makes the 2019 entry currently the ''[[NonLinearSequel second]]'' installment chronologically.

* ''VideoGame/PuyoPuyo'' went through this shortly after Creator/{{Compile}} lost the series to Creator/{{Sega}} for good. ''VideoGame/PuyoPuyoFever'', Sega's first major entry in the series, established an all-new setting and all-new characters. The only links to Compile's games are [[TheArtifact original protagonists Arle and Carbuncle]] thanks to an inadvertent dimensional warp; even then, Arle isn't given any more prominence than the minor characters while Carbuncle is a BonusBoss. Starting with ''VideoGame/PuyoPuyo15thAnniversary'', the series slowly reintroduced characters from the older games and gave Arle more prominence, but with varying levels of changes applied to fit with the rest of Sega's characters.