Dream on: Remake Proposals for a New Generation

Too much have we focused on the big-ticket items (e.g., MGS, Final Fantasy, Gears of War, the PS3 and Wii Launch lineups). But this holiday, when the gaming world takes a short break from all the craziness in the industry, I could find the room to step back, and remember a time when the industry wasn’t so crazy or fast-paced. There were many good games then, as they are here now.

It doesn’t hurt to dream, especially on Christmas. So in the spirit of the season, I’m going to reach back into my box of old games, pick out a few of my favorites, and wonder how and why these games would be so good on a next-gen console (or a PSP or DS). You, too, have your own favorites – come join the discussion below (or call me a stupid n00b for thinking a game like that is so good on next-gen; frankly, my dear, I don’t give a darn, ’cause it’s Christmas!).

Who knows? Perhaps word of this shall reach the publisher concerned. Maybe they might agree. And maybe we’ll see some good-old games reborn anew in this generation – and it will certainly be a Happy New Year next year for merry old souls.

First-person Adventure Games (e.g., Myst and Return to Zork) – Console

Fine, the FPA genre ain’t for everyone – it’s tedious puzzle-after-puzzle to solve. But for those who grew up with Zork and Myst, the Wii is the perfect platform to revisit those good old days. Especially given all the interactivity you could do with the Wiimote and Nunchuck, as proven by them raving rabbids, this could prove to be the reinvigoration of the genre.

Besides, they made Myst for the PSP, why not the Wii?

Theme Hospital– Console

Dude! Don’t tell us you didn’t see this coming! This – and its original dev, Bullfrog – is one of the classics in god sims. This was nutty (and British) medicine at its finest and funniest, as you built a hospital from the rubble up and stuffed it with the queerest of the quacks! Hey, if you can do The Sims in the Wii, you certainly can manage Theme Hospital, too. Speaking of which – EA owns the IP now, right?

Did we just say “EA”? There’s another Electronic Arts classic (and more!) that’s worth bringing back from the grave – er, past. Full article.

Too much have we focused on the big-ticket items (e.g., MGS, Final Fantasy, Gears of War, the PS3 and Wii Launch lineups). But this holiday, when the gaming world takes a short break from all the craziness in the industry, I could find the room to step back, and remember a time when the industry wasn’t so crazy or fast-paced. There were many good games then, as they are here now.

It doesn’t hurt to dream, especially on Christmas. So in the spirit of the season, I’m going to reach back into my box of old games, pick out a few of my favorites, and wonder how and why these games would be so good on a next-gen console (or a PSP or DS). You, too, have your own favorites – come join the discussion below (or call me a stupid n00b for thinking a game like that is so good on next-gen; frankly, my dear, I don’t give a darn, ’cause it’s Christmas!).

Who knows? Perhaps word of this shall reach the publisher concerned. Maybe they might agree. And maybe we’ll see some good-old games reborn anew in this generation – and it will certainly be a Happy New Year next year for merry old souls.

First-person Adventure Games (e.g., Myst and Return to Zork) – Console

Fine, the FPA genre ain’t for everyone – it’s tedious puzzle-after-puzzle to solve. But for those who grew up with Zork and Myst, the Wii is the perfect platform to revisit those good old days. Especially given all the interactivity you could do with the Wiimote and Nunchuck, as proven by them raving rabbids, this could prove to be the reinvigoration of the genre.

Besides, they made Myst for the PSP, why not the Wii?

Theme Hospital– Console

Dude! Don’t tell us you didn’t see this coming! This – and its original dev, Bullfrog – is one of the classics in god sims. This was nutty (and British) medicine at its finest and funniest, as you built a hospital from the rubble up and stuffed it with the queerest of the quacks! Hey, if you can do The Sims in the Wii, you certainly can manage Theme Hospital, too. Speaking of which – EA owns the IP now, right?

The STRIKE Series (Desert to Nuclear) – Console and Portable

After what turned out to be an admittedly… shoddy year for Electronic Arts, they could probably do worse than bring back one of the console classics that helped put EA on the map in the first place. Know what? Make that “can’t do better” – the Strike series was one of the best-known military-themed shooters of the 16 and 32-bit era, arguably the Ace Combat of its heyday (except in choppers, not in fighters). And if you’re going to release Desert and Jungle on the PSP, why not toss in Urban, too? And while you’re at it, EA, bring Soviet and Nuclear to the PSOne emu. And maybe even bring back the series altogether with a whole new title for next-gen.

Either that… or don’t complain if the homebrewers pick up on this first.

The Koei Simulation Series – Console and Portable

I Miss 16-Bit Koei (TM). I think the first Kessen on the PS2 was the last “true” strategy sim from their strategy series. Ever since then, you could see the influence of Dynasty Warriors in their recent “strategy-lite” series. But I miss the days when the wars moved at a leisurely pace, where you commanded armies of the Mongol Horde (Genghis Khan), the American Revolution (Liberty or Death!), or even your airline’s marketing department (Aerobiz), one turn at a time. Hey, Advance Wars and Field Commander proved that one-turn-at-a-time doesn’t suck if you do it right.

Koei, don’t just think about re-releasing those SNES/Genesis titles to the VC. Why not try remaking them altogether for a new generation? Take them portable! Take them next-gen!

Dropship: United Peace Force – PS3

Okay, this is a bit more recent, but 2002 in gaming years is like… medieval. The title was a PS2 title – so you should be able to play it off the PS3 once it’s back-compatted. But I think it deserves a PS3 update. Why?

If you don’t know what Dropship is, it’s a flight sim game where the planes are all VTOL – vertical take-off and landing. There are moments when you will control the plane in hover mode, much like the Harrier or V22, to pick up troops or pick off tanks – and in free flight mode, where it acts like any other airplane. The SIXAXIS controller’s motion-sensitivity is perfectly suited for VTOL flight – moving the controller as though it were the Dropship you’re moving. This title might even demonstrate the SIXAXIS’ full potential better than Warhawk or Ace Combat, precisely because of the dynamics of VTOL flight.

This is a good game that sadly did not see its full potential achieved on the PS2 because of limited power and admittedly cumbersome controls. The expanse of power and control in the PS3 should be the perfect field for Dropship to run around and play in, presuming SCEE is interested in bringing the title to this generation – and SCEA is interested in bringing the game to the US.

Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego? – Console

First, why, and second, why the Wii? First: come on, games have also been educational long before politicians and pundits complained about “game rot”. Games like the Carmen Sandiego series were proof that the line was bunkum long before the line was even spewed. Plus with the main series being centered on geography (aside from a side track to world history, among others), it was a very interesting way for young kids to go out and see (and learn) more of the world. Hey, because education is very important (TM).

Now, why the Wii? It fits well with Nintendo’s drive to market the console as a kid-friendly console and to non-gamers. The deal cuts favorably to the Wii in about a hundred different ways with those two criteria. You could even integrate online multiplayer competitions through online multiplay – race to catch the b****… er, Carmen.