Capcom Bringing Back Old IPs: Exploring the Revival of Legacy Franchises
Capcom is officially focusing on re-activating legacy IPs that haven't seen a recent release. Discover what franchises could be next after Onimusha's massive return.
You will find very few video game companies in the world that have built up as impressive and diverse a portfolio of intellectual properties and legendary franchises as Capcom. From the undisputed kings of the survival horror genre with Resident Evil to the competitive fighting game dominance of Street Fighter and the beloved platforming of Mega Man, the list of iconic titles goes on and on. However, if you dig deeper into the publisher’s history, you might uncover one or two forgotten, dormant IPs that Capcom is finally bringing back into the modern gaming spotlight.
The absolute best part about Capcom’s current strategy is that you never know exactly what is coming next. A stellar 2026 has already showcased an incredible array of releases and reveals. We have experienced some of the best Resident Evil content of all time, alongside a highly anticipated remake announcement for Resident Evil: Code Veronica. Furthermore, the company successfully introduced a new IP with a fantastic future in Pragmata, while orchestrating the triumphant return of the classic samurai action series, Onimusha. Frankly, Capcom could not swing and miss if it tried right now, which is exactly why it is so exciting to hear that the development team wants to revive even more classic IPs from their extensive back catalog.
Recently, Onimusha: Way of the Sword hit a massive milestone by achieving 1 million sales on its launch day alone, pushing the total franchise sales well over the 10 million units mark. While the exact internal projections Capcom had for this relaunch remain unknown, the sheer volume of early sales clearly demonstrates that players are overwhelmingly happy to have Onimusha back.
In a corporate statement addressing the phenomenal sales figures for this latest release, an incredibly interesting line regarding the company’s future strategy has been picked up by industry observers and fans alike.
According to Capcom, the publisher is looking well beyond its current active roster: “In addition to regularly releasing major new titles each year, Capcom is focusing on re-activating IPs that haven’t had a new title launch recently”. The statement elaborates that the company is actively working to “further maximize corporate value by leveraging its rich library of content, including this title”.
Exploring Capcom’s Rich Library of Content and Future Potential
This specific focus on re-activating IPs that haven’t seen a new title launch recently is music to the ears of retro gaming fans and those who grew up during the golden eras of the PlayStation 1 and PlayStation 2. Capcom’s renewed focus on these legacy IPs actually stems from a broader strategic need to maintain their incredible momentum and elevate more of their historical hits to “core IP” status.
While it is thrilling to see their ongoing support for major juggernauts like Monster Hunter and Resident Evil, tapping into the nostalgia and proven gameplay formulas of their older titles offers an excellent avenue for sustainable growth. Alarm bells of excitement are already ringing across the internet as fans speculate on which franchises will get the modern treatment next. News broke previously that Capcom aims to establish new projects and expand the user base for series like Devil May Cry, Mega Man, and Ace Attorney.
However, if we probe even further into the vault, the possibilities become nearly endless. For instance, survival horror enthusiasts have been aggressively demanding a modern engine treatment for Dino Crisis for years. A revival of that dinosaur-themed nightmare utilizing the impressive RE Engine could easily mirror the critical and commercial success of recent Resident Evil remakes. Other fans are pointing out that a game like Dead Rising 4 was released way back in 2016, and even Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite came out in 2017, making them prime candidates for a fresh installment or a complete series reboot.
The discussion does not stop there. When looking at Capcom’s vast history, gamers are also passionately advocating for the return of unique properties such as Lost Planet, the stylish side-scrolling action of Viewtiful Joe, or even the classic turn-based role-playing mechanics of the Breath of Fire series. The publisher has published a remarkably long list of genre-defining games over the past few decades, giving them an almost unfair advantage when it comes to source material.
Ultimately, there is massive potential for a whole host of returning Capcom IPs, and the main beneficiary of this strategic shift is clearly the global gaming community. The Japanese gaming giant has been releasing hit after hit, effectively transitioning from insane development cycles and lulls to delivering a banger catalog every single year. With targets of hitting 100 million annual game sales and maintaining high operating profit growth, leaning on their legendary back catalog is both a brilliant business decision and a massive win for players worldwide.
As we look toward upcoming industry showcases and gaming events over the next couple of years, the anticipation of seeing a beloved childhood classic faithfully restored or entirely reimagined will keep Capcom at the absolute center of the video game industry conversation.
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