Slashdot Mirror
Neglected Classic Games That Deserve Remakes?
Thanks to GameSpot for its feature discussing neglected videogames that nonetheless deserve remakes. The "games that may have been forgotten but were at least pretty well known in their day" include Roadwar 2000 ("[an] innovative adventure set in the ruins of American civilization"), Biomotor Unitron ("an exceptional game... [that] had the poor luck of being released on the profoundly underappreciated NeoGeo Pocket Color in 1999"), and Xenophobe ("a lighthearted and memorable arcade game... [that] takes itself less seriously than the average alien shoot-'em-up.")
I was greatly disappointed when Duke Nukem got redone as 3D but Commander Keen
didn't. Keen was a much better game than Nukem in almost every respect and
had a lot more vertical action, which would have made for a lot of interesting
possibilities in a 3D version -- platforms up above your head and all that
would make the game play like more than just another Doom clone, as you'd
have to be alert to things going on above (and below) you. Plus, the light,
cartooney spirit of Keen is something the FPS world could really use; I mean,
aren't you tired of seeing skulls and blood all the time? Wouldn't it be nice
to see some weird slugs and neon green slime for a change?
Plus, it would probably be the first FPS to include a pogo stick with
exaggerated bounce. Bonus points if you also get to fly the Beans-with-Bacon
rocketship.
I don't buy a lot of games, but I think I'd buy Keen3D, if it were done well.
Cut that out, or I will ship you to Norilsk in a box.
Qix was indeed a great game. However, I wouldn't really call it neglected. It had a pretty good following back in the day. Moreover, I can't imagine how they could remake it without totally destroying it. I'd imagine that one of the requirements would be that it's 3D, and this would probably end up making it looking way cheesy. With games like Qix and Tempest -- where their simplicity is part of their beauty -- it's probably best to play the originals though MAME...
I know god exists. I read it on the internet, so it must be true.
The most worring thing, is that the Bitmap Brothers site hasnt been updated since May 1st, 2003. However they mention "Speedball Arena" there as being in production.
After a quick look around, it looks like theyre converting the recent Namco title "Kill.Switch" for PC, so they dont appear to be totally dead... which is nice.
Looks like I wont be seeing Gods or Magic Pockets on GBA for a while... damn.
As much as like the idea of remaking classic games. Why dont we try and concentrate on innovating new ones? The Article says that remakes are good because they excite consumers with "names" they already know.
Thing with remakes, what we a really looking for is good gameplay back in the day it was far more important to have good gameplay than have great graphics. It was often the case that some games had great graphics but dire gameplay, other games had excellent gameplay but dodgy graphics. Those that got the balance just right were hits.
As far as remakes go though, a new Populous game would be much appreciated. And I also wish that David Braben would get the new Elite out the door. And has anyone ever done a Spy Vs Spy for the next generation ?
nicki..
Electronic Music Made Using Linux http://soundcloud.com/polyp
I'd like to see Paradroid remade. I spent many hours playing that game. It would make a pretty FPS. Take over another robot and be able to use their weapons, be kinda neat to also use thier sensors.
If Mr. Edison had thought smarter he wouldn't sweat as much. --Nikola Tesla
Darn this no 'edit button' crap. But yeah, Paperboy. Sure, why not. With nifty Max Payne-ish 'bullet-time' so you can hit those front door steps without slowing down! And it doesn't even have to be Paperboy. Just call it Special Delivery and you've got a little more room to work around with. Start as a paper boy, go on to small parcel delivery, or if you choose the darker path, drugs, or even Mafia involvement! It's genius!
:D
You're a delivery boy in a decent sized consistent city, delivering parcels from place to place while doing other mini-adventures along the way. You can't miss with this!
Jeffool.
What about M.U.L.E.. I can still hear the game music in my head on quiet nights. Mule Midi version here