Having recently succumbed to the overwhelming nostalgic pressure to buy Final Fantasy VII from the PlayStation Store it got me thinking about (after 38 hours 13 minutes 42 seconds and counting of play time) which games I think deserve to be rejuvenated/remade for today’s audience.
Below are some games that I’d love to see given the remake and/or sequel treatment.
I’d like to emphasise that I’m not suggesting that, like FF7, these games should be re-released in their original form, but rather that they are deserving of an update or sequel that will make them more accessible to the contemporary gamer. In all honesty, I’m not a fan of simple re-releases aimed at a mass audience (a la SEGA’s recent Mega Drive/Genesis re-releases). Game design and technology has moved on, and gamers who hadn’t played the original games – and thus lack those nostalgic/romantic memories of their past gameplay experiences – expect much more from today’s releases. Bionic Commando: Rearmed and Space Invaders Extreme are excellent examples of how classic titles can be made relevant to a modern audience without compromising the elements that made the game fun originally.
Anyway, rant over. On to the games…
Vagrant Story (SquareSoft, 2000)
If Final Fantasy VII hadn’t been such a landmark game in my gaming past then Vagrant Story would probably take the prize as my most beloved RPG of all time. Starting off as a seemingly impenetrable fortress of complicated game mechanics, Vagrant Story is one of those games that grows on you over time and demonstrates that games can be as engrossing, if not more so, than other popular entertainment mediums. Gimme an HD version on XBLA or PSN, or a spruced-up version for the DS (as SquareEnix have done with the Dragon Quest games) and my year would me made.
Rival Schools (Capcom, 1997)
OK, so Capcom have made fighting games that are far superior to Rival Schools but, those other are lacking in one important area; they’re not set in and around the school system. Anything set in a school of some kind (think Persona, Disgaea etc.) is good by me. There’s not a whole lot to get super-excited about in terms of Rival Schools’ gameplay, but the characters and plot outline (what there is of one) are reason enough for Capcom to show a little love and give the series a makeover.
Black (EA, 2006)
The most recent release on this list, Black is one of those games failed to average a 9/10 review score and so was forgotten soon after its release; making the likelihood of a sequel slim at best. It’s a shame because Black is one of the PS2 games I find myself reminiscing about somewhat regularly (sad, I know). Not only was it a fast-paced, high-action, cinematic experience it also boosted some exceptional visuals, particularly its lighting and particle effects. Rumours are still circulating out there that a sequel is still a possibility, but they seem to be based more on hope than fact.
Super Probotector (aka Contra III) (Konami, 1992)
In my eyes Super Probotector (Mega Drive/Genesis version) is probably the finest side-scrolling shooter ever made. The fast, intense gameplay combined with eye-catching (and particularly smooth) visuals and a brilliant soundtrack caused me to fall in the love with the game only a few minutes after inserting the cartridge for the first-time. If any game deserves a Bionic Commando: Rearmed-esque make-over then this is it. It also gets bonus points for allowing you to play as a robot, as opposed to the standard Contra guy who was never high on my favourite gaming characters list.
Smash Court Tennis (Namco, 1996)
This may seem like a bit of an odd choice seeing as how there’s a Smash Court Tennis game on both the 360 and PSP but this choice specifically relates to the original game (released back in 1996 in the UK). Unlike more recent iterations, the first Smash Court sported charming, ultra-cartoony visuals along with intuitive, satisfying gameplay (especially when played with friends in multiplayer). I’m probably alone when I say this but I’m feed up with Mario Tennis hogging the cartoon tennis game spotlight to itself, bring back the original Smash Court style!
Comix Zone (SEGA, 1995)
Much like Rival Schools further up the list, Comix Zone is one of those games which I like to remember more for the concept than the final product, making it a perfect candidate for a remake. I could easily see myself sitting through a new game that tasked me with fighting my way through a comic, panel after panel, as the artist himself. It has to be said though that the main character is going to need a little makeover, as the 80’s style comic book artist look (complete with long ponytail, tiny shades and fingerless-gloves) probably wouldn’t strike a chord with today’s audience (not that it ever did in the 80’s).
Crystalis (SNK, 1990)
Crystalis was a game I first played some years after its initial release, but its effect on me was still overwhelming compared to the vast majority of games I’d played to that point. While a lot of people point to the Legend of Zelda as the greatest of the NES RPGs, Crystalis, for me, took the elements that made Zelda so much fun and improved them to a point where I rarely felt inclined to load Zelda up on the NES again. A new Crystalis is probably not that high on any developers ‘to-do’ list so if you can hunt-down a copy (either the original NES edition or the later Game Boy Colour version) I’d very much recommend you snap it up and take it for a spin.
Freedom Fighters (EA, 2003)
Despite some very positive reviews, Freedom Fighters never experienced the kind of commercial success it truly deserved. The game’s backdrop (a modern-day world in which the Soviet Union has become so powerful as to threaten the peace of the world) is fantastic, and certainly deserving of a continuation. Couple that with a lively, interesting environment as well as crisp, exciting gameplay and you’ve got a game that is not only fun but is also raises the level of expectation for later games in the same genre. Again, like Black, a sequel was said to be on the cards, but nothing concrete has turned up in a long time.
So, there you have it. There were many, many more games I’d have liked to have added to the list but, in the interest of time and word count, the above 8 will have to do for now. I’ll probably revisit this topic again in the future, perhaps concentrating on a specific console or genre.
Hope you enjoyed reading. Comments are always appreciated.
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