With the announcement of Radiant Silvergun for Xbox Live arcade, you could say that anything is possible. Virtual Console, Xbox Live Arcade and PSN all have their fair share of classic re-releases. You could argue that complete remakes are a bad idea or the fact digital distribution is the devil, but I feel these games need a new lease of life in their original form regardless. For better or for worse, these are my choices.
Ninja Cop/Ninja Five-O (GBA)
Released in fairly limited numbers and not making much of a dent in the charts, Ninja Cop plays like Shinobi crossed with Elevator action. Rescuing hostages, taking out terrorists and swinging about like Spiderman, it absolutely kicks ass. The game looks like some kind of nineties throwback, and it plays perfectly on a handheld. Equally playable on a big screen, it's an absolute joy working through every stage, banks, warehouses, airports and then doing it all again in time trial mode. Ninja Cop. Cool name, classic game. Is it too much to ask for a DS/3DS remake?
Earthbound/Mother (SNES, GBA)
Ahhh. I've always been intrigued by the Mother series ever since I laid eyes on it. Complete with a sort of nineties America style, I always thought this RPG parody looked like a beautiful and intriguing game in various screenshots. I hate the fact that Earthbound on the SNES under achieved in the States causing the franchise to be barred from seemingly any further releases in the west. Were you all too busy playing Mortal Kombat at the time?
I've heard about licensing issues in regards to the soundtrack holding Earthbound back from being released here, but having played about half of Mother 3 in Japanese and toying with the absolutely fantastic fan patched translation, these games definitely need a new lease of life. Sort it out Nintendo, a translated Earthbound/Mother compendium for the DS would be fantastic. Give the series the attention it deserves. Stop teasing us with Ness cameos. Do you not want my money? I would buy two copies on day one.
Elevator Action Returns (Arcade/Sega Saturn/Playstation 2)
Sparks truly fly in this game, Elevator Action Returns is a perfect example of how to reinvigorate a franchise. The music, the sound effects, the awesome weapons, I love dropping in and out of this game in MAME. It's all about the little touches, like being able to shoot out lightbulbs and watch people fall down elevator shafts in flames. Released on the Sega Saturn in the nineties, it also appeared on the Taito Legends compilation for Playstation 2. I need to play this game in co-op, a HD XBLA remake however is long over due.
Super Metroid (SNES)
Controversial choice I'm sure, but personally I would like to see this game given a new lick of paint. Zero Mission was a fantastic update of the original NES game, but Hunters while technically impressive and fun in multiplayer, generally left me underwhelmed. With Metroid Dread in limbo, why not polish up Super Metroid making it 2.5D for the 3DS. There I said it.
Policenaughts/Snatcher (PC-98, Sega Saturn, PC Engine, Playstation)
I would absolutely love to lose myself in these two adventure games. Policenaughts seems to display an unbelievable amount of thought and attention to detail, whilst the protagonist in Snatcher reminds me of Deckard from Blade Runner. I wouldn't expect anything less from Hideo Kojima. Consider me sold.
An English translation of Policenaughts was announced for the Saturn but it never saw the light of day. Again I can only commend the effort people took on the fan translation patches for these games, however I would be eternally grateful if both of these titles were re-released on the DS/3DS in English complete with touch screen support. One day…....
Last Blade 2 (Neo Geo/Arcade/Dreamcast)
I've briefly spoken out on the resurrection of the 2D fighter before. Hardcore types would argue that it never went away, but since the release of Street Fighter 4, fighting games have been all the rage. Garou, KOF and Samurai Shodown have all been re-released on XBLA, but Last Blade hasn't had as much love. Shame really as it is one of my favourite weapon based fighting games. I've played it a lot on my trusty AES via multi cart and also in MAME. With an art style to die for and boasting some of the most beautiful 2D graphics I have ever seen, we need more of this swordplay on XBLA.
Balloon Kid (Game Boy)
Balloon Kid is so suited to the Game Boy it hurts. It also features some of the best music in any Game Boy game. Ever. I would very much like to see it on the GB Virtual Console that is currently being planned for the 3DS. Or a straight up remake for the 3DS. Either way I could play Balloon Trip mode for hours.
Metal Gear 2 (MSX, Playstation 2)
In the game, Solid Snake must infiltrate Zanzibarland, a heavily defended territory located in Central Asia, to rescue a kidnapped scientist and destroy the revised Metal Gear D. The game significantly evolved the stealth-based gameplay of its predecessor "in almost every way," introduced a complex storyline dealing with themes such as the nature of warfare and nuclear proliferation, and is considered "one of the best 8 bit games ever made."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metal_Gear_2:_Solid_Snake
If there's one thing I love, it's Metal Gear Solid. After failing miserably at Metal Gear on the NES and thoroughly enjoying Metal Gear Solid on the Game Boy Color, I would love to go back and play the foundations of which the legendary Playstation title is founded on. Released on the Japanese Virtual Console and translated to English on the bonus disc included with Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence (which is becoming expensive) it would be fantastic to be able to download this 8-bit classic in English on the Virtual Console. So there you go.
Happy gaming and thanks for reading,
Tom
