This era of video games seems to be the era of remakes and remasters (especially from Nintendo). The best thing about the remakes and remasters we’re seeing (like Crash Bandicoot, Spyro, and even news games like New Super Mario Bros. U) is the tidbits of new content that comes along with it.
Personally, I think the best example of this is Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy: so much content was added to this game, and I was all about that. For example, Future Tense is a brand new level that wasn’t in the original trilogy (although it was planned, and had minimal development, but was scraped). This is the kind of stuff that we like to see in remakes, not just rehashing the old stuff. Here’s a handful of games that I personally would love to see receive the remaster treatment:
(Rare, Nintendo)
Diddy Kong Racing
This is probably nostalgia bias speaking for me, but Diddy Kong Racing was the first game I ever personally owned (not to be confused with played! I’m not THAT young). And before you say “But Tyler, they already remade Diddy Kong Racing for the DS!”, I know! However, even with the bonus content they added, it didn’t feel like a true remake. Also, the DS graphics at the time were almost as bad as the Nintendo 64 graphics. I wanna see the fur on Diddy Kong shimmer in the sun.
I digress. Diddy Kong Racing has a charming cast of characters that I feel were lost to time that I would love to see return! Obviously Banjo and Conker can’t be touched (unless Rare was gracious enough to give the rights over), but Timber, Tiptup, Pipsy, and the bunch NEED to make a return. Think about the personality they could add to the Donkey Kong Country series! Outside of characters, the vehicles, tracks, and music were truly what made this game unique. I’d love to see the additional content from Diddy Kong Racing DS make it in, as well (and also some bonus, brand new content)! Seems like a stretch, but let’s make this happen, Nintendo! Chop chop!
(Rockstar Games)
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City
Look. I was the kid that played Vice City even though I wasn’t supposed to, but I really enjoyed two things: stealing cars, and obeying traffic laws. I would literally drive around Vice City for hours stopping at red lights and listening to Flash FM and K-Chat on the radio. I was an odd child.
What really stands out about this game is the setting. Vice City is inspired by Miami, Florida, and really nails the local feel on the head. I should I know. I lived in Florida for five years. But I digress. I would love to revisit the world in HD and follow Tommy Vercetti’s story for real this time. Plus getting the remake treatment opens the doors for additional content, objectives, and areas. Open-world games are huge nowadays, and I’d love to see how big Vice City can get running on today’s engines.
(Square-Enix)
Chrono Trigger
What kind of list would this be if I didn’t include arguably the best JRPG for the SNES? Chrono Trigger and the rest of the Chrono series mysteriously fell off the map in the early 2000’s, never to be seen again (not really, it was ported a couple of times). It’s just so strange to me that such a successful and beloved franchise just never got off the ground after SNES and PlayStation 1’s days were gone. The music was spectacular, the characters were amazing and memorable, the story even more so… All the boxes are checked off, so what’s the deal?
Personally, I am guessing it has to do with Square-Enix’s desire to push for new things, instead of rehashing the old (though we do have a FFVII remake on the way. Eventually). I would love to see the traditional SNES days of top-down “A Link To The Past“-style camera make a comeback in a remake of this game, just to stay true to the original. Nintendo recently made it world with Link’s Awakening, and I think that style can easily translate. Just maybe not as cutesy!
(Nintendo, The Pokemon Company)
Pokemon Snap
Alright here’s the big one. Pokemon Snap was such a hit back in the day, and they can do so much with it now given what technology has been popping up. AR and VR would make the Pokemon Snap experience extremely unique– imagine immersing yourself in the Pokemon world and actually turning around to see none other than Mew! Also, given the addition of the AR camera in Pokemon Go, AR is such an obvious route to take the Pokemon Snap franchise, even if it isn’t a remake.
Of course, AR and VR aside, the gyro controls on the Nintendo Switch would be an awesome alternative for this concept. Nintendo’s done a great job incorporating it into Splatoon 2, so I have no doubt that they could make it work for Pokemon Snap.
