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Proceed?
Lots of people could keep in mind Advance Wars sequence as a flash within the pan, coming out of nowhere on the Gameboy Advance after which dying out just a few years afterward the DS. However in Japan, the Wars sequence was certainly one of Nintendo’s longest operating, prolific franchises, beginning on the Famicom earlier than spreading its army may to the Gameboy, Tremendous Famicom, GameCube, and the Wii.
For folk who had been following the franchise for the 20 years as much as its abrupt conclusion, listening to that Clever Programs had no “clear concept” on the way forward for the franchise felt like the top of an period. Likewise, for longtime followers, this month’s Advance Wars: Re-Boot Camp remakes from WayForward has much more weight to it when you understand how a lot strife this sequence has been by.
The factor is although, when Days of Smash capped off the Advance Wars sequence (or ruined it, relying on who you ask), there wasn’t a giant announcement or second of closure that got here with it. When new video games are proven for the primary time, advertising and marketing makes a giant deal of it it. When outdated video games energy down for the final time, they usually simply fade away, like a former finest good friend that you simply used to go shoe buying with, however haven’t seen for years. The longer you go with out texting or calling them, the bizarre it feels to hit them up out of the blue, so that you simply don’t.
However what when you did name that good friend once more, a decade or extra after you final deliberate to, and truly took that journey to Skechers. Would the footwear nonetheless match? Will your time aside show to have made you roughly suitable buddies? Listed here are just a few video games I’d like to see name once more, simply so we might discover out.
Pitfall!
Earlier than Mario reinvented the style along with his Tremendous sport from 1986, the largest identify in side-scrolling platformers was undoubtedly Pitfall Harry. In actual fact, many credit score 1981’s Pitfall! on the Atari 260 for being the primary sport to popularize the style on house consoles, and its sequel may be seen as one of many progenitor of the sort of large, interconnected map design that makes the Metroidvania style what it’s right this moment. The Activision traditional even obtained its personal cartoon present.
Even after Mario stole Harry’s thunder, Pitfall! hung in there for years, with later video games on the SNES, Genesis, PS1, PS2, Gameboy Advance, Xbox, Wii, and as just lately 2012, an autorunner for cellular. If Indiana Jones could make a comeback in 2023, there’s no cause Harry couldn’t do the identical.
Picture credit score Fortunate Kat and Sony Photos
Q*bert
Birdo will be the most well-known snorkel-nosed creature in gaming right this moment, however for a time, that title undoubtedly belonged to 1982’s Q*Bert. And it’s not like he’s a complete unknown right this moment, although that’s obtained extra to do along with his appearances in movies like Wreck-It Ralph and Pixels than any of his fashionable video games. The latter film even implies that Josh Gad had intercourse with him and, apparently, obtained him pregnant.
Fortunately, Q*Bert’s precise video games managed to procreate in a way more dignified style, seeing a brand new launch each 5-10 years all the best way up till (you guessed it) a cellular reboot in 2019. But it surely’s been far too lengthy since this foul-mouthed little weirdo hopped onto computer systems and consoles.
Picture credit score Koei Tecmo
Rygar
Enjoyable truth, within the authentic Japanese model of Rygar, the principle character is just often called “The Legendary Warrior”, whereas the final boss, a large lion man, is known as Ligar, which was mistranslated to Rygar within the localization course of. If the sequence had managed to stay round, I’m certain that trivia can be as nicely is aware of as Tremendous Mario 2‘s begin as Doki Doki Panic, or how Pac-Man would have been referred to as Puckman if Namco wasn’t afraid that sassy vandals would flip that “P” into an “F”.
However as a substitute, Rygar has largely forgotten in recent times, regardless of a vastly profitable arcade sport in 1986, its a number of ports, a reimaging on the NES in 1987, a PS2 reboot in 2006, and improve port of that reboot for Wii in 2009. If Kratos can develop into gaming’s most critically acclaimed cranky dad, I see no cause why Rygar couldn’t develop into a drained Greek motion man of comparable adoration within the close to future.
Picture Credit score Epyx
California Video games
For no matter cause, the idea of California was vastly well-liked within the Nineteen Eighties 90s. A state of limitless summer season, all the time relaxed, barely airheaded, and residential to numerous film stars and musical artists, was a spot the place folks all over the world dreamed of every day. Motion pictures like Quick Instances At Ridgemont Excessive, Valley Lady, Invoice and Ted’s Wonderful Journey, had been the essence of cool again then, and doing the “California voice” was a straightforward social gathering trick for even the poorest of impressionists. Famed Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Michelangelo could not have come speak like such a radical dude, and Tremendous Mario World could not have its secret Gnarly and Tubular bonus ranges, if it weren’t for all that California fever.
The primary sport to truly capitalize on that development was California Video games, a sports activities sport assortment that featured a few of gaming’s earliest cracks at browsing, skateboarding, and “hacky sacking”. They even licensed Louie Louie (or is it Wild Factor? Is there a distinction?) for the title display screen music. Developed by Epyx and launched for the Apple II and Commodore 64 in 1987, the sport grew to become an enormous hit, garnering a sequel and a number of console ports. It was even a pack-in title for the Atari Lynx, the high-powered, ill-fated handheld that went head-to-head towards the Sport Boy and Tetris again in 1989. That battle didn’t go nicely for Staff California, however the affect of California Video games can nonetheless be seen right this moment in titles like Skatebird and the Tony Hawk sequence. I’m assured {that a} full-throated sequel for cellular and consoles might put the golden state again on prime.
Ninja Gaiden
The Ninja Gaiden sequence really began in arcades earlier than changing into one of many first motion video games on the NES to wow gamers with wonderful cinema-style cutscenes. After a short pause by the N64/PS1/Saturn period, it returned in a giant approach on the Xbox with a self-titled reboot, headed by Staff Ninja, which scored a DS spin-off and a few direct sequels.
The reboot trilogy was just lately rereleased for contemporary platforms in 2021, however there hasn’t been an all-new sport within the franchise since Ninja Gaiden Z: Yaiba, the ill-fated spin-off from 2014. If I had my druthers, the staff behind Katana Zero would purchase the rights and produce Ryu again for an additional comeback assault, however that’s in all probability only a pipe dream.
Picture credit score Hudson/NEC
Bonk
In Japan, Bonk was referred to as PC Genjin (Japanese translation: “PC-Caveman”), and he was the mascot for the PC Engine, the preferred house console in his house nation all through 1988. Beating each Nintendo and Sega on the similar time was no small feat, and Bonk is likely one of the few cartoon mascots to drag it off. Sadly for him, the PC Engine did not develop into a global hit when it launched worldwide in 1989 below the still-hard-to-type Turbografx-16 model.
However nonetheless, Bonk managed to survive the console he was born on, with sequels, spin-offs, and ports for Gameboy, NES, SNES, PS2, GameCube, and cellular. I’m one of many few who obtained to play his 2010 Wii title, Brink of Extinction, earlier than it was canceled. Little did I do know that was the final I’d see of the little man till his authentic video games had been launched on the Turbografx-16 Mini in 2020. I’m 100% assured that in the fitting fingers, folks all around the world (however particularly in Japan) would eat up a brand new Bonk sport prefer it was a six-foot-tall hunk of meat.
Picture credit score Capcom
Closing Struggle
There was a time when each main arcade within the nation was house to a Closing Struggle machine. Whereas the Renegade and Double Dragon video games had been among the many first belt-scrolling beat ’em ups ever made, 1989’s Closing Struggle was the franchise that introduced it to the following degree. Its giant, well-animated characters, a number of playable characters and particular strikes, and basic degree of depth arise even right this moment.
There have been two SNES sequels that continued the unique story, the Saturday Evening Slam Masters spin-offs, a Japan-only combating sport for the Saturn, and a reboot for the PS2 in 2012. However the one Closing Struggle illustration we’ve seen since is in traditional rereleases, like 2010’s Double Influence port, and within the rosters of newer Road Fighter titles. With Streets of Rage, River Metropolis, and even the Ninja Turtles making fashionable hits from their traditional beat ’em up system, there’s no cause that Closing Struggle couldn’t make a comeback with an all-new title.
Picture credit score Capcom
Breath of Fireplace
If I’m being actual, this entire checklist might have been crammed with Capcom video games. Whereas Konami deserted the Castlevania, Metallic Gear, and Silent Hill franchises for a short while, as of 2023, they’ve introduced and unannounced plans for all three of them. Capcom, however, let Bionic Commando, Strider, Darkstalkers, Viewtiful Joe, Mega Man X, and possibly most egregiously, the Breath of Fireplace sequence simply burn out with no regret.
We’ve not less than seen cameos from all of the video games on that checklist in numerous Capcom releases over time… apart from Breath of Fireplace. For no matter cause, Capcom doesn’t need something to do with their one ubiquitous RPG sequence anymore. Breath of Fireplace VI was a Japan-only Home windows/cellular title launched in 2016. Earlier than that, the final globally launched sport within the sequence was Breath of Fireplace: Dragon Quarter for the PS2 in 2002. The sequence simply celebrated its thirtieth anniversary, with copious fan artwork and different remembrances getting a great deal of reward throughout social media.
One can think about that an Octopath Traveller-style Breath of Fireplace VII for consoles can be equally nicely obtained.
Picture credit score Sony Pc Leisure
Ape Escape
Sony’s abandonment of Ape Escape speaks to their bigger rejection of all their sillier mascots. Within the PS1 period, the PlayStation’s prime first-party tiles had been video games like Leaping Flash, PaRappa the Rapper, and Ape Escape, the rambunctious motion platformer about utilizing twin analog controls to catch apes with numerous devices. For my cash, it’s probably the greatest video games of the era, and holds up higher than Tremendous Mario 64 or Banjo Kazooie.
The sequence lived on with sequels on the PS2, spin-offs for the PSP, and PS3, and crossovers within the likes of Metallic Gear Strong, Ratchet & Clank, and most just lately, the PS5 unique Astro’s Playroom. That latter title is the precise sort of B-Funds title that I believe AAA builders ought to make extra of, and taking Ape Escape again to consoles with a equally themed title would be sure you be a worthy funding by Sony Leisure Group.
Picture credit score Nintendo
Rhythm Heaven
I used to be the primary to interrupt the information that the Rhythm Heaven sequence had “died”, and whereas Nintendo later debunked that declare, the timeline speaks for itself. The final all-new Rhythm Heaven title, Rhythm Heaven Fever, was launched in 2011, and the final official title within the franchise — the largely best hits title Rhythm Heaven Megamix — was launched on 3DS in 2015. Eight years with out information isn’t eternally by trade requirements, however it’s a very long time for this specific franchise, which used to see new video games each two to 4 years.
There are a number of the explanation why Rhythm Heaven could also be gone for good, however there are simply as many the explanation why Nintendo ought to carry it again. The music producer who pitched the idea to Nintendo within the first place needs it to occur. Video games impressed by Rhythm Heaven, like Melatonin, and the upcoming Rift of the Necrodancer, have been fast to search out giant and constant audiences. Likewise, resale copies of previous Rhythm Heaven video games have just lately soared in worth. It’s not unusual to search out copies of Fever going for $100-$150 on Amazon or eBay.
The sequence was large in Japan however, regardless of Beyonce’s endorsement, it by no means obtained large elsewhere. However on this age of memes and TikTok-length gameplay trailers spreading like wildfire, it may very well be that Rhythm Heaven‘s ascension to the highest is but to come back.
Jonathan Holmes
Destructoid Contributor – Jonathan Holmes has been a media star for the reason that Highway Guidelines days, and spends his time overlaying oddities and indies for Destructoid, with over a decade of trade expertise
“The place do desires finish and actuality start? Videogames, I suppose.”- Gainax, FLCL Vol. 1
“The seashore, the bushes, even the clouds within the sky… all the things is construct from little tiny items of stuff. Identical to in a Gameboy sport… a pleasant tight little world… and all its inhabitants… made out of little constructing blocks… Why cannot these little pixels be the constructing blocks for love..? For loss… for understanding”- James Kochalka, Reinventing Every thing half 1
“I’m wondering if James Kolchalka has performed Mom 3 but?” Jonathan Holmes
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