E.T. for the Atari 2600 is generally considered the worst video game of all time. The main issue was that production was rushed, and the game turned from a fun tie-in with the movie where you got to go on adventures as the world's most famous alien into a game where that alien falls into holes. A lot. But if a good team was put behind it, E.T. could still be a viable franchise. It just needs to be remade in a way that includes an actual plotand gameplay, and absolutely anything at all other than falling into holes. Although falling into a land fill in New Mexico might be a neat Easter egg for fans.
Sometimes looked as a punch line, Michael Jackson's Moonwalker for the Sega Genesis was a simple side-scrolling adventure game where players play as Michael Jackson and use dance magic to beat EvilSpaceRobot Joe Pesci. That should be enough of an explanation, but especially after Michael Jackson's death, there is clearly a huge audience for this kind of game. The game was made in the late '80s, when technology didn't really allow for integration of dance, music and video games. Seeing pixel Michael dance to 8-bit "Another Part of Me" is cute. A Dance Dance Revolution style board where players got to dance and watch virtual Michael match them to FLAC quality recordings is an undertaking worthy of the King of Pop.
Dr. Mario is Tetris with a picture of Mario wearing a stethoscope in the corner. However, given the success and versatility of the Mario franchise, and the success of the more recent Trauma Center franchise, Dr. Mario could be something else entirely. Imagine a patient getting rushed into a hospital, they are coding, nurses are yelling left and right, who can save this man? It's-a me! Dr. Mario!
Bomberman is a cheery man looking to save his planet from disaster with a unique skill: he has the ability to synthesize bombs out of thin air. The issue with Bomberman is that, like many video game characters of the '80s, he never interacted with the real world. With the success of Call of Duty-styled real-combat games, Bomberman could make an explosive comeback, bringing his old school flair and bombastic abilities to the battleground. Any kind of scenario where Bomberman aids the government in a war scenario, or simply starts to deal with real life issues, could be just as successful. Or just include him as DLC in almost any war game.
It's amazing this one hasn't happened yet. The very silly early '90s game featured two teenage friends attempting to kill a bunch of zombies. Given the success of The Walking Dead and other zombie related media, it seems like a no brainer to bring this one back. The game also included silly references to other horror tropes, and ridiculous weaponry inspired by said tropes, proving it could only grow in popularity with time. A tie in with Saw or a Cabin in the Woods sort of scenario could be totally viable and make for a very creative game.
Ehrgeiz was a relatively simple PlayStation two person fighting game made notable for featuring the cast of Final Fantasy VII alongside original fighters. Since Final Fantasy VII is being remade, it almost seems obvious. The remake could also address some of the problems fans had with the original. The controls were often too complicated, and the mini-games distracted from the main point of the game. With years of reflection, the developers could take what workedand perhaps even add more Final Fantasy characters, and make it work like a more traditional fighting game. It's amazing this isn't on the level of Super Smash Brothers, and its quite possible it would be with a few tweaks.
A sequel would be more than enough for this one, but true fans understand why a full on remake of Banjo-Kazooie could be amazing. The platforming game was one of the first to really show off the capabilities of the Nintendo 64 controller. Banjo and Kazooie's many movements and attacks were more complex than having the right item equipped and hitting the right button. With the Wii-mote and other updated controllers, the duo could have even more interesting abilities, which might be harderor more funfor gamers to pull off. Also, the game is known for having one of the greatest soundtracks and most creative voice acting in video game history, and an update on either of those would be equally enjoyable.
Released in 2004, The Bard's Tale was essentially a parody of video games, and RPG's in particular. The game was known for skewering tropes such as animals having money and treasures, and people apparently being okay with sword wielding teenagers wandering into their houses. These cliché concepts still exist in virtually every RPG, proving the parody may not have been biting enough. With another 11 years of videogames having been made, countless more clichés have been created as well, and all of them are ready to be parodied.
The cool and stylish Jet Set Radio let players play as a Japanese teenager interested in skateboard culture and gang life. The game also received a great deal of praise for its innovative cel-shaded graphics, and usage of music that furthered the storyline and connected with youths playing the game. The modern Jet Set Radio would simply need more up-to-date references and music. The style of the game could remain the same, although maybe it could have a little bit more edge to it given the interests of a modern gamer.
Considered one of the greatest underrated games of all time, copies of Suikoden II sell for hundreds of dollars to this day. The Suikoden franchise has more or less hit a halt, but the second installment's epic story and relatable characters still bring fans back each year. The issues the remake would focus on are cut scenes, of which the original game only had two or three, and voice acting. With over 108 characters, and that's just the good guys, the voice acting on a game like this could take years, but fans would definitely appreciate seeing and hearing what their favorite characters sound like with a third dimension.
The latest movie pretty much killed fan interest in continuing the saga, but if one looks back at the last successful addition to the franchise, they might find there is indeed room for continuation. The Fate of Atlantis was a touch-and-click adventure game, which is something that doesn't really exist anymore. Updated graphics and gameplay capabilities made it all but irrelevant. Therefore, if LucasArt took the last story that workedand combined it with modern game play in a more single player adventure game style, the Indiana Jones franchise could be alive and well yet again. Just don't add any DLC about aliens; that might upset some people.
Mario Is Missing! is an educational game where players played as Luigi, wandering through Bowser's magic library place looking for Mario. The original game was a fun and simple way for children to learn a little bit about history, while also playing as Mario's brotherand beating up Bowser. It's a very simple concept, but one that should exist more and more with time. Virtually every character kids like could have a successful educational game attached to it, and Mario has a history of starting video game trends, so this is the place to start.
E.V.O.: Search For Eden had an intensely high concept, arguably a genius concept for a game, but it simply couldn't pull it off. Players travel throughout the history of the Earth, evolving and changing the main character as time would dictate. Unfortunately, the gameplay came off as tedious, and the graphics simply were not good. However, with modern technologyand a team who understands how to better pull off this intensely original story, the game could be as epic as its plot implies.
Let's not joke around about what the real point of this game and why it needs a remake. Let's just say it: volleyballs in games simply never looked "real." Beaches had existed in video games since their inception, but they just never looked "right." The technical aspects of the game were all solid, most reviewers claiming the volleyball mechanics were actually much more fun and exciting than expected, but the game still got some hate for its graphics. They just didn't make the sand realistic enough. Maybe its time for an upgrade.
The "first video game" is always due for an upgrade. My suggestion is just get rid of the controllers altogether. Instead, players would receive two paddles and a small ball. It wouldn't require a TV, but it would require a table to plug into. Or maybe I'm describing table tennis.