Everyone’s on a retro buzz lately and there are a plethora of games that are getting remade in HD so that a the new generation of gamers can experience them. And so the ones who played them originally can relive the memories and discover new things. Some of the great HD remakes we’re seeing released soon are Final Fantasty X, GoldenEye 007, Halo: Combat Evolved, and what is widely considered one of the greatest games on the PS2, Shadow of the Colossus. Some of these HD remakes have received simple up-conversions to 1080p, other have been graphically rebuilt from the ground up. Some of the greatest gems of consoles past have yet to be polished and brought back to glory. Here’s a list of the top 10 games that need to have HD remakes, preferably with the graphics completely rebuilt.
METAL GEAR SOLID
(originally on PlayStation)
Metal Gear Solid 2, 3, and Peace Walker are all receiving HD remakes, why not the original, the game that was the series’ breakout? Metal Gear Solid was very innovative back when it was released back in 1998. In all of it’s 2-disc glory, Metal Gear Solid was (and still is) a masterpiece. Who could ever forget struggling against Psycho Mantis, only to learn that you had to put your memory card in slot 2? Or trying to reach Sniper Wolf after she shoot Meryl? This game was epic, and even received a slight upgrade on the GameCube as Metal Gear Solid: Twin Snakes, but it truly deserves to be relived in glorious 1080p.
POKÉMON YELLOW
(originally on GameBoy)
There was Red and Blue, and then there was Yellow. Pokémon Yellow that is. Quite possibly the most popular GameBoy game of all time, and not to mention the highest-selling (if you don’t count Tetris, since it was a pack-in). Poké-mania was at it’s peak when this game was released in 1999. Featuring top-down gameplay that was reminiscent of the classic Zelda games, this game brought it all to the table; Action, adventure, RPG elements, and hundreds of hours of fun. This game was HUGE, even for it’s 4-megabit cartridge.
Remakes of this game are popular downloads on Little Big Planet 2 and definitely show the potential this game has if given the HD polish. This game is still very playable though, even on an old GameBoy. Just imagine catching all 151 Pokémon with modernized graphics and presentation.
ZELDA: OCARINA OF TIME
(originally on Nintendo 64)
Heralded as one of the best games of all time, Ocarina of Time is gaming at it’s very best. Not to mention the Zelda series at it’s best. This game was given perfect scores from lots of critics, and showed that even the Nintendo 64 could have fantastic games, being behind the PlayStation in technology with cartridges. The game was recently given a 3D upgrade on the 3Ds, but even that wasn’t enough to satisfy the hunger of Zelda fans, or fans of this game. Hopefully one day, maybe on the Wii U, this game will be given one more moment in the spotlight.
HALO 2
(originally on Xbox)
With the upcoming HD remake of Halo: Combat Evolved (dubbed Anniversary), it’s no question that people are going to want Halo 2. This game was untouchable on the Xbox, and was the most played on Xbox LIVE for a number of years straight. The thing I’m disappointed about is that they’re including all of the power-ups in Combat Evolved Anniversary, which was one of my biggest dislikes about Reach. Keep it simple and just bring us the Halo 2 we all loved and enjoyed, plus Forge.
KILLER INSTINCT: GOLD
(originally on Arcade)
Killer Instinct is another one of those fighting franchises that blew up in the 1990s after the Mortal Kombat phenomenon broke loose. Winning several awards, being critically acclaimed, and loved by fighting game fans worldwide, Killer Instinct: Gold is a classic that needs to see the light of day again. Rare has said they would like to work on the series again, but other than being brought up every now and then, nothing’s come out about a new Killer Instinct. Maybe to hold us fans over until you can figure something out, give us a nice HD remake of Gold? I’m sure it would sell like hot cakes.
SUPER MARIO 64
(originally on Nintendo 64)
Ahh, Super Mario 64, the game that took our breath away the moment we played it and single-handedly sold millions of Nintendo 64 consoles worldwide. The video game icon, Mario, in 3D for the first time ever and back for what was his biggest adventure yet. Super Mario 64 is considered one of the best Mario games ever and the highest selling game on the N64 (11 million copies), this game broke down the barriers and showed us what 3D gameplay was all about. The game is still widely played even to this day. If there’s any video game out there that deserves the HD remake treatment, this is it. Fans have even gone as far as re-texturing the game themselves. Just imagine playing Super Mario 64 with the graphics of Super Mario Galaxy 2 or better. Please, Nintendo, make this happen on the Wii U. No gimmicks or anything fancey done to involve that fancy controller, just give Super Mario 64 a visual upgrade and call it a day. That’s all we need. It’s the least you can do after selling us the Super Mario All-Stars rom on a DVD for $30. (Super Mario Bros. 25th Anniversary, anyone?)
STAR WARS EPISODE I: RACER
(originally on Arcade)
This game was unique to any other Star Wars game in that it was a racing game, based off the pod-race in The Phantom Menace. It may not be the greatest racing game of all time, but it was memorable and provided lots of fun for Star Wars fans and racing game fans alike. Even the version released on the Sega Dreamcast in 2000 looked a bit weak. If they spent a little more time on this game, it could have been something really special. But alas, we’re stuck a game that was definitely memorable, but the potential was definitely not reached. That’s where the HD remake comes in. Seriously, with the pod-race scene in Episode I being made in 1998, I’m certain that today’s graphics could rival that if given proper treatment. Would it cost LucasArt some money? Yes. Would it be worth it? Yes! Especially if they added online multiplayer. Star Wars Episode I: Racer bleeds potential. Just do us one favor, George? Leave Jake Lloyd out.
SUPER MARIO ALL-STARS + SUPER MARIO WORLD
(originally on Super Nintendo)
Another Mario title, I know, but if there’s any game out there that deserves the HD remake treatment, this is it. For those who don’t know, both Super Mario All-Stars and Super Mario World were packs-ins, both included with the Super Nintendo at one point. In 1994, to reduce the manufacturing costs, they decided to combine the two into one cartridge, labeled Super Mario All-Stars + Super Mario World. Imagine playing this with updated graphics like the New Super Mario Bros. in 1080p on the Wii U? I can see it in my mind, people lining up around the block to buy this game. People were stoked about the crappy Super Mario All-Stars: 25th Anniversary Edition. Please, Nintendo, do this for us!
STAR FOX 64
(originally on Nintendo 64)
Without a doubt, Star Fox 64 is a classic. Loved by fans, praised by critics, and is often listed on many “greatest games of all-time lists,” including the Guinness Book of World Records. The Star Fox series was very much responsible for making air-combat games popular. The most important thing though, this game was loads of fun, and even more if you had friends to play with. “Do a barrel roll!”
DOOM 3
(originally on PC)
To be blunt, if it weren’t for the Doom series, there would be no Call of Cuty, no Halo, no Resistance. The original Doom popularized first-person shooters and was one of the first games to feature the type intricate 3D design, and was a milestone in the world not only video games. DOOM 3 was no different, as it pushed the original Xbox to it’s limits and showed that it was a graphical powerhouse compared to the PlayStation 2, which was the dominant console of the last generation. It was also very nice ad transitioning from video to gameplay almost seamlessly. Besides, who doesn’t wanna have the crap scared out of them in HD?
CASTLEVANIA: SYMPHONY OF THE NIGHT
(originally on PlayStation)
Just the name brings a feeling of glee to old school gamers like myself. The Castlevania series is just good old side-scroller fun, and Symphony of the Night built upon that by adding a few RPG-like elements and straying away from the traditional “levels” that were the foundation of many games’ progression. It’s quite a feat to be considered one of the PlayStation’s best games, being a system of which it’s library consisted almost entirely of games with a 3D playing field, and also being released somewhat early-on in the console’s lifespan.
SONIC THE HEDGEHOG
(originally on Sega Genesis)
Sonic, at one time, was on his way to becoming as big of an icon as Mario. The mascot for Sega’s 16-bit system, Sonic broke out with a fast-paced fury, spawning a whole series of games that are still being made today. Of course, many Sonic fans have been very disappointed with the games the past decade or so. Sega tried to breathe new life into the series with the release of Sonic 4: Episode 1, but many fans complained that the games physics were too different, and thus changed the pacing of the gameplay entirely in comparison to the 16-bit games. Thus, thus would be a perfect candidate. Leave the physics entirely unchanged and just update the graphics. It would please a lot of Sonic fans.
STREETS OF RAGE
(originally on Sega Genesis)
One of the most famous beat-’em-up games of all-time, Streets of Rage was one of the standouts on the Genesis. Not only for it’s gameplay, but also for it’s awesome soundtrack. The menu music is iconic in the world of video game soundtracks. It was a simple formula that left a lasting impression on it’s players. The Streets of Rage series is very deserving of another moment in the limelight. Maybe give the game a sort of 2.5D look like Street Fighter IV, and a revamped soundtrack that remains faithful to the original. The only thing I would ask is that they have the option to revert to the original soundtrack.
Do you have a game you would like to see get the HD remake treatment? Let us know in the comments below and describe what you see in you mind.
