Yeah at one time it was insanely huge and one of the biggest franchises of its time. For example when I was here in Japan the first time 15 years ago, the series was starting to slowly fade but even then there were tons of anime for it, live theater/concert shows and performances by the voice actors in costume (I went to one and it was fantastic), a nice big store for sakura taisen in ikebuko that I went to many times (sadly long gone), and tons of games. But alas the series had run its course by the time sakura taisen v came out. Plus the changes to characters in that game probably didn't help.
But it was insanely huge for a time and it really deserves a comeback. There was a ds game a few years ago but no one seemed to buy it. Other than that there have been the occasional pachislot games. But if they brought it back I think I would be even more happier for that than I was for shenmues return. Heck I'm still bummed we never got that prequel sakura taisen game "kouma" which was announced way back in 2002 at a big sakura taisen announcement event. That game sounded so awesome. Shame as we got pretty much everything else announced at the event that that one was announced, and they announced like 10 or so game, anime, and stage show things at that event. Yet we never heard another word about that game after that day.
Great to see it won the poll. I do hope the series comes back. I just hope they can replicate the style of the first games the most if they ever do bring it back. Those first two games, and 3 as well, are incredable classics!