History Main / VideoGame3DLeap

** It could be considered pragmatic to focus on making a good 3D game first and foremost, rather than trying to completely translate the gameplay of the originals into 3D. (though oddly, [[SuperMarioGalaxy later games are more like the 2D ones in level structure]])

** And the same game is going to have the honor again, with a second upgrade to ''true'' 3D when the 3DS remake is released.

* ''{{Kirby}} 64: The Crystal Shards'' had almost everything rendered in 3D, but kept the gameplay from the rest of the series intact.
* ''StreetFighter IV''. Admittedly fighting games with 3D movement outside of dodging rarely work.
** ''Tatsunoko vs. Capcom'' for CapcomVsWhatever games.

* ''{{Duke Nukem 3D}}'' was outrageously more successful than its two predecessors, becoming massively more violent and with the main character's attitude significantly changing at the same time. (Note that this game still used sprite graphics, but had a 3D world.)

* ''TalesOfSymphonia'' was the first game in the Tales series to use 3D battles, although free-range 3D running didn't come until later with ''TalesOfTheAbyss''.

* ''{{Wolfenstein}}'' series made its leap into 3D in 2001.

* ''TheLegendOfZeldaOcarinaOfTime'' maintained much of the core gameplay as the 2D ''{{Zelda}}'' games (apart from ''The Adventure of Link''), just adding its lock-on system was a great way to get around the infamous CameraScrew in so many of these games.

* The ''MetalGearSolid'' series is something of an odd case, as the original ''MetalGearSolid'' was mostly a presentation update with gameplay virtually identical to ''MetalGear2'' (the second [=MSX2=] game), but each successive sequel added new features that gradually turned it into a total upgrade.

** As a consequence, though it's commonly regarded as an excellent game, it's more of an ActionAdventure[=/=]RPG than a run-n-gun platformer like the main series. The main series DID get an actual [=3D=] installment in the form of ''[=X7=]'', but it hit the PolygonCeiling… [[DisContinuity Hard]].

* When ''{{Fallout}}'' made the leap, the gameplay changed '''a lot.''' What was an isometric turn-based tactical role-playing game became a sandbox FirstPersonShooter with {{RPG}} elements, just like Bethesda's [[TheElderScrolls other big game]]. The new version has been generally well-received, though [[TheyChangedItNowItSucks grouchy oldschool fans might point out]] that it took so long for the 3D ''Fallout 3'' to come out that most people who play it have never played the 2D originals - and indeed, [[InNameOnly there's not a lot of commonality between the two games barring for some key buzz-words]].

* Although ''MetroidPrime'' skipped a generation, it also got loads of acclaim with its leap, keeping the non-linear adventure the series is known for in its change to a first-person perspective.
* The ''MetalGearSolid'' series is something of an odd case, as the original ''MetalGearSolid'' was mostly a presentation update with gameplay virtually identical to ''MetalGear 2'' (the second [=MSX2=] game), but each successive sequel added new features that gradually turned it into a total upgrade.

* ''SuperMario64'' was one of the first, if not the absolute first, game series to make the leap in game consoles. It was widely praised for it, although the gameplay is of a different nature than the 2D games.

-->'''King Tezro of Dotnia''', ''[=~3D Dot Game Heroes~=]''

* ''[=~Pokémon Colosseum~=]'' and ''Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness'' still maintain the classic gameplay and an overhead view, while adding new Shadow Pokémon.
** Likewise in the [[{{Ptitlei015gc004kw4}} main series]]; ''[[{{Ptitle6ta6tjtj}} Diamond]]'' [[{{Ptitle6ta6tjtj}} and]] ''[[{{Ptitle6ta6tjtj}} Pearl]]'' onwards featured [[SpritePolygonMix 3D environments and sprited characters]], with small effects on the overworld gameplay, but the battle system changes were minimal.

* The ''MegaManX'' did this with ''X7''. [[PolygonCeiling Sadly, 'twas not well-received by the fans]].

* ''SpaceInvaders [[http://www.infinitygene.net Infinity Gene]]'' was originally a 2D ShootEmUp released for the [=iPhone=] which takes the ''Space Invaders'' formula and gradually turns it into a modernised shmup. [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VoUvIQiDIY A Playstation Network/Xbox Live Arcade version]] is in the works, and is going to take the concept to its logical conclusion by implementing 3D levels in addition to the 2D levels. Judging from the trailer, it appears that your ship still moves in a horizontal axis in the 3D levels, but it definately allows for more creative boss battles.

* When ''{{Fallout}}'' made the leap, the gameplay changed '''a lot.''' What was an isometric turn-based tactical role-playing game became a sandbox FirstPersonShooter with {{RPG}} elements, just like Bethesda's [[TheElderScrolls other big game]]. The new version has been generally well-received, though [[TheyChangedItNowItSucks grouchy oldschool fans might point out]] that it took so long for the 3D ''Fallout 3'' to come out that most people who play it have never played the 2D originals - and indeed, [[InNameOnly there's not a lot of commonality between the two games barring for some key buzz-words]]. These people are, of course, exaggerating.

* When ''{{Fallout}}'' made the leap, the gameplay changed '''a lot.''' What was a turn-based tactical role-playing game, viewed from a fixed overhead perspective became a sandbox FirstPersonShooter with {{RPG}} elements, just like Bethesda's [[TheElderScrolls other big game]]. The new version has been generally well-received, though [[TheyChangedItNowItSucks grouchy oldschool fans might point out]] that it took so long for the 3D ''Fallout 3'' to come out that most people who play it have never played the 2D originals - and indeed, [[InNameOnly there's not a lot of commonality between the two games barring for some key buzz-words]]. These people are, of course, exaggerating.

* ''PrinceOfPersia'' changed tremendously, accompanied by a total ReBoot. Of course, the first try was an abject failure, ultimately requiring another reboot to get past the PolygonCeiling.

** And the same game is going to herald the upgrade a second time to ''true'' 3D when the 3DS is released.

* Despite going into 3-D, ''WarCraft III'' is still definately a ''WarCraft'' game--though the jump did allow it to supplement its [[FullMotionVideo FMV]] cutscenes with cheaper and more numerous realtime ones.

* ''ProjectSylpheed'' is a ''FreeSpace''-style SimulationGame, unlike its predecessors which were vertical {{shoot em up}}s.