Topic: Why do we have the sequals first?

It's starting to bug me how we seem to always get sequels to games on VC before getting the first one. For example, we have Super C and Contra 3, but not the original Contra. I've been thinking about buying Breath of Fire, but I can only find the 2nd one. Why do they do this? It's not like they'll get more money if they release the sequels first.

License issues perhaps? I know Breath of Fire 1 was published by Square, so that may be a factor for that one.

I think part of it just has to do wth sales - releasing the games everyone wants first, then releasing the older and less refined games later.

And yet, Super Castlevania IV came prior to I, II, and III; with no licensing issues. Strange!