History VideoGame / DeathJr

* UpdatedRerelease: The last release from the franchise was a Platform/{{Wii}} port of ''Root of Evil,'' which featured improved graphics, more intuitive controls and more voice lines for the characters, the last of which making the game feel more tightly plotted.

Originally an action game by [[Creator/DigitalEclipse Backbone Entertainment]] released for the UsefulNotes/PlayStationPortable, ''Death Jr.'' was intended to branch out into its own massive, media-branching franchise, with the first adaptation being a graphic novel written by Gary Whitta, and illustrated by Ted Naifeh. While the video game received mixed reviews (the general consensus is that it delivers in the action department, but doesn't really take advantage of its universe to convey an interesting plot), the graphic novel was very well-reviewed, boggling to those people who barely even knew the game exists. Both the game and graphic novels received sequels, many an arguable improvement from their predecessors, although they didn't come close to pushing the series into the mass-franchise the creators had hoped. Perhaps out of realization that the PSP wasn't a big success, the series abandoned its original exclusive deals with Creator/{{Sony}}, and began to appear on Creator/{{Nintendo}} platforms. Unfortunately, when Backbone Entertainment was bought by [[Creator/BandaiNamcoEntertainment Namco]] soon afterward, it seemed to force the franchise into limbo, but hopefully not forever.

* ''Death Jr. II: Root of Evil'' -- The sequel. [[AscendedExtra made Pandora a playable character]]. Originally for the PSP; later ported to the UsefulNotes/{{Wii}} with improved graphics and motion controls.
* ''Death Jr. and the Science Fair of Doom'' -- Released for the DS.

* CameraScrew: The camera isn't the most cooperative mechanic, mostly as a result of being on a system without a second analogue stick. This was a reoccurring criticism for both the first game and ''Root of Evil''.

* IKnowMortalKombat: Pandora claims to have learned martial arts from playing ''StreetFighter''. As such, she's given names to her moves and frequently calls them out.

* AllTheWorldsAreAStage: In the first game, at least.

Originally an action game by Backbone Entertainment released for the UsefulNotes/PlaystationPortable, ''Death Jr.'' was intended to branch out into its own massive, media-branching franchise, with the first adaptation being a graphic novel written by Gary Whitta, and illustrated by Ted Naifeh. While the video game recieved mixed reviews (the general consensus is that it delivers in the action department, but doesn't really take advantage of its universe to convey an interesting plot), the graphic novel was very well-reviewed, boggling to those people who barely even knew the game exists. Both the game and graphic novels recieved sequels, many an arguable improvement from their predecessors, although they didn't come close to pushing the series into the mass-franchise the creators had hoped. Perhaps out of realization that the PSP wasn't a big success, the series abandoned its original exclusive deals with Creator/{{Sony}}, and began to appear on Creator/{{Nintendo}} platforms. Unfortunately, when Backbone Entertainment was bought by [[Creator/BandaiNamcoEntertainment Namco]] soon afterward, it seemed to force the franchise into limbo, but hopefully not forever.

* PerkyGoth: Pandora qualifies; Stigmartha... not so much.

* SequelDifficultyDrop: ''Root of Evil'' is much more forgiving than the first game, replacing the lives with a fairly forgiving checkpoint system among other quality of life improvements. The Wii port makes things even easier by featuring motion-controlled aiming.

* ''Death Jr.'' -- The first game and the beginning of the series. For the PSP.

* ''Death Jr. and the Science Fair of Doom'' -- For the DS.

* BlackComedy not the only type in the series, but a bit of an issue in Volume One, with a rather macabre RunningGag about DJ's cat dying.

* CameraScrew: The camera isn't the most cooperative, mostly as a result of being on a system without a second analogue stick. This was a reoccurring criticism for both the first game and ''Root of Evil''.

* DarkIsNotEvil: Death, Death Jr, and their friends...although the Seep is still a JerkAss.

* TheGrimReaper: And his wife and son.

* PerkyGoth: Pandora qualifies; Stigmartha...not so much.