History IconicSequelCharacter / VideoGames

** The Makyrs, an angelic-styled faction, were not introduced until ''Eternal'', but are some of the most notable additions. Similarly, the infamous Marauder enemy also debuted here.
** The [[PlayingWithFire fire-casting]], [[CombatMedic enemy-reviving]] Arch-Vile was also not introduced until ''Doom II''.
** The [[BigBad Icon of Sin]] is one of the most iconic villains in the series, but it wasn't introduced until the second game.

* VideoGame/GodOfWar: Atreus, Kratos' son, and arguably the most recognizable character besides his father (especially if only counting characters that aren't from existing mythology) did not appear until VideoGame/GodOfWarPS4, the eighth game in the series, releasing a whole 13 years after the original.

* ''Franchise/MortalKombat'' has had many of these through its history. Shao Kahn, Kuai Liang and Kitana might be among the most notable; Kahn became the main villain of the entire franchise; Kitana later ended up appearing in [[Film/MortalKombatTheMovie the first film]] (based on the first game's events), even though she debuted in [[VideoGame/MortalKombatII II ]][[note]]Though her appearance in the film can also be considered something of a DevelopmentGag in that the prototype character that would become Kitana, then known as "Kitsune", [[WhatCouldHaveBeen was to be in the game as a NPC]] who was the daughter of Shang Lao (named [[EvilSorcerer Shang Tsung]] in the final product).[[/note]]; and not only did Kuai Liang debut in the second game [[LegacyCharacter but he isn't even the original Sub-Zero]] yet has become the main holder of that moniker for most of the games. [[note]]( Plus you've got Jax, Mileena, Baraka, and Kung Lao. There's also Quan Chi, Shinnok and Tanya from ''[[VideoGame/MortalKombat4 4]]'' onward (though the former two officially made their debut in the earlier ''[[VideoGame/MortalKombatMythologiesSubZero Mythologies]]'' alongside Sareena, with Quan Chi actually being a CanonImmigrant from [[WesternAnimation/MortalKombatDefendersOfTheRealm Defenders Of The Realm]]). Kenshi and Frost had to wait until [[VideoGame/MortalKombatDeadlyAlliance Deadly Alliance]].

** Doctor Nefarious came about in the third game, ''VideoGame/RatchetAndClankUpYourArsenal'', yet he's since become the series' most recognizable villain and the de facto archnemesis of our titular duo, becoming the most recurrent villain in the franchise and even being made playable in ''VideoGame/RatchetAndClankAll4One'' along with the title duo and series mainstay Captain Qwark.
*** They even retconned a pre-robotised Nefarious into the [[VideoGame/RatchetAndClank2016 2016 reimagining of the first game]] as a supporting villain and final boss.

*** Compared to the above examples, HUNK is a lesser example but still a fan favorite, only appearing in "The 4th Survivor" bonus mode for Resident Evil 2, he has ascended to becoming a minor BreakoutMookCharacter in the story and a repeat character in the bonus modes of most of the Resident Evil titles, he even [[ADayInTheLimelight gets his own title]] in ''VideoGame/ResidentEvilOperationRaccoonCity''

** Doctor Nefarious came about in the third game, ''VideoGame/RatchetAndClankUpYourArsenal'', yet he's since become the series' most recognizable villain, even being made playable in ''VideoGame/RatchetAndClankAll4One'' along with the title duo and series mainstay Captain Qwark.

* GodOfWar: Atreus, Kratos' son, and arguably the most recognizable character besides his father (especially if only counting characters that aren't from existing mythology) did not appear until GodOfWarPS4, the eighth game in the series, releasing a whole 13 years after the original.

* ''VideoGame/GuiltyGear'': Bridget, who is the most recognizable character in the series, didn't make her debut until ''VideoGame/GuiltyGearXX'', roughly 5 years into the franchise. She also did not make her return until 2022, as downloadable content for ''VideoGame/GuiltyGearStrive''.