The 411 Games Top 5 04.06.09: Week Six - The Remix Edition...Now in HD

Posted by Todd Vote on 04.06.2009

HD remix is seeming to become all the rage lately with Capcom announcing that they are not done remixing the classics. With that in mind the 411 Games staff bring you their top 5 games the want to see remixed... in HD.

Welcome back to the Top Five. Last week was the biggest week yet in my time at the head of the Top 5, both in writer participation, and in reader comments. So thanks for that., and as always let us know what you think down at the bottom. We thrive on feedback of all kinds.

I have one more thing I want to address before we get going. There was a commenter that called into question a couple of us writers placing MK over Street Fighter on our lists... Then he *GASP* said that there was no way MK should be placed above SF on any list of any kind.... Well here, read for yourself.

man i know its all opinion but sill, some of you can actually straight faced give mk the spot over sf, and scorpion would get his ass handed to him easy by any sf fighter, mk 2 and trilogy r the only ones that get passes, but lets get real mk is not even close to being close to being as great as sf

Posted By: nic (Guest) on March 30, 2009 at 04:12 PM

So I just wanted to point out one more time that there is a reason the Games top five is done a bit differently than it is in other zones. We are not out to create definitive lists. To do that would require a lot more than 5 people each week, and a hell of a lot more time compiling lists than I am really willing to spend. The other top 5 guys do a great job at that, and I commend them for having the patience to do so. Our lists, here in the game zone top 5, are all about having a bit of fun and giving people something to read that maybe helps them get through another mundane Monday. Our lists are just that, our favorites. If you disagree, by all means let us know, as Nic did here. Anyways, I just wanted to point out one last time that these lists are not, nor will they ever be, the be all end all list of any given topic.

Now to the rest of you, be sure to bookmark 411mania.com, or if better yet, make this your home page. What better way to start your day than with a healthy dose of pop culture? Go ahead, bookmark it.. We will wait for ya.... Go ahead... Ashish will love you for it...













This week we are taking a look at games that we want to see get remixed in HD, very similar to what was done with Street Fighter II. Before we get started, I have to thank Armando for this weeks topic, we have all heard the word from Capcom that they were nowhere near finished with HD remixes, and Armando thought it would be a good topic to cover. the majority of us agreed and here we are. 411mania.com presents the Top 5 Games edition.... Remixed! You will all be happy to know that the MK glitch has been fixed, so there will be no exploiting of the 1000 points. There will also be less pictures this week due to increased participation. So just get used to that...

First up we have the new writer from 411 games. Alexandra discusses gamer widows in this weeks Reality Check

Alexandra Pusateri

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Grand Theft Auto 2 - This game was the shit. I had the PC version and I wouldn't mind seeing it r-r-r-remixed with better graphics -- because really, do all carjackers wear green shirts?

Target Terror - I'm afraid if I don't put Target Terror on my list, Salmela will kidnap me and throw me into the basement that everyone's been warning me about. (Oh, the joys of being fresh meat.)
I've been to the basement... It's not all that. Here is 50 points. Maybe if you give them to Mark he will give you a pass

5.Zombies Ate My Neighbors - This game opened my eyes to zombies, mummies, and saving my neighbors. It was the only game I was aware of that saved people by touching them -- with your body. In theory, that sounds hot. In 16-bit, not so much.

4.Lemmings - It'd be nice to see Lemmings remade into an aesthetically pleasing game, even if the original wasn't all that bad. 3D Lemmings didn't count. That game sucked.

3.Contra III - Contra III's already good-looking and there's really no complaints here, but I'd just love to see how far they would take it with a HD remix. Does Contra 4 count? Maybe -- if they ported it to the 360 Arcade. And changed the story to match Contra III. Plus, why is Contra 4 not Contra IV?
Contra 4 is not Contra IV because Konami hates Roman numerals. Look at MGS for further proof. No Roman numerals to speak of. 30 points for uncovering the industries biggest conspiracy

2.SimAnt - SimAnt was so ridiculously confusing. The box was so freaking huge, and no wonder! It had to house a giant manual! Maybe if there was a HD remix of it, the controls would be a bit more simple. I mean, this is the game that spawned the greatest-selling PC game of all time, The Sims. It deserves something.

1.Tuff E Nuff - I think the kid across the street when I was younger was one of the 20 people that owned this game. It was a Street Fighter clone and all the characters were ripoffs from other fighters. It wasn't like it was bad, it was just pointless to get this game when you could just buy Street Fighter. I guess if you wanted to be uncool, you could buy this shoddy copycat. And the story's just awful. But you know what? Give it a HD remix to compete with Street Fighter, so Capcom will officially have a get-out-of-jail-free card for the rest of Street Fighter's run: "Hey, at least it wasn't as bad as Tuff E Nuff."
Street Fighter will receive no get out of jail free cards from the Top 5. But here is another 25 points for trying.

Next up we have the man that brings us Games Only A Mother could love, Mark Salmela.

Mark Salmela

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

Streets of Rage 2 - With the exception of my number 5 choice Streets of Rage is the best beat-em-up ever. And I am a man who loves his beat-em-ups. Streets of Rage 1 and 2 are absolutely amazing, and Streets of Rage 3 is also awesome *although a step below the first 2*. I would settle for an HD remix of any of the Streets of Rage games, but 2 seems the most likely *apparently Sega likes 2 the best*. I'm also talking a full blown HD Remix, and not that muddy HD overlay that was in Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection. That sucked.

Grand Theft Auto: Vice City - I know the game isn't very old, but it is far and away the best GTA ever made. If Rockstar used the GTA4 engine to remake GTA Vice City *with all of the racial slurs of the uncensored version*, I would buy it at full retail price no problem. GTA3 was pretty good, but Vice City took everything from 3 and made it better. Sadly San Andreas and all of the future GTA games have failed to live up to the standard set by Vice City *including Vice City Stories for PSP*.
Yes, please! 20 points

5.) Guardian Heroes - I'm really surprised at how much Castle Crashers totally ripped off Guardian Heroes. Hell, some elements were just completely ripped off and re-skinned. Castle Crashers is an awesome game, but it pales in comparison to Guardian Heroes on the Sega Saturn. The Newgrounds art style is charming for a little while, but I far prefer Guardian Heroes *although Guardian Heroes does overdue the anime style*. 4 player co-op over XBLA and/or PSN with HD graphics and an improved framerate would make for the greatest beat-em-up ever. Yes, better than Streets of Rage 2.

4.) Target Terror - You're god damned right Target Terror deserves the HD remix. The Wii just doesn't do the system justice. I get chills at the thought of HD blood and body parts flying across the screen at me. I don't care if it uses the PS3's Guncom 3 or if Raw Thrills has to make a gun just for Target Terror, I will buy it. Oh and Todd, no amount of points could do Target Terror justice. We all know this column is biased against good games anyways *except MK*.
I have seen the light... finally. And target terror still only gets you 20 points. But if it makes you feel any better, I also have a light gun game in my list.

3.) Marvel vs Capcom 2 - I own Tatsunoko vs Capcom, and I want to state right now that it's not very good. The characters are nowhere near as awesome as MVC2's characters, there's not very many of them in TVC, and 2 on 2 fighting isn't as cool as 3 on 3 fighting. Who knows if we'll ever get a MVC3, and who knows if they'll recapture the magic of MVC2 if they do. MVC2 HD Remix would be perfect for the PSN and XBLA *but I'd far prefer the PS3 d-pad*, and I would play it until my hand is one giant blister.
I think we would be safe in assuming this may be Capcom's next HD Remix? Anyone agree? 10 points.

2.) Sonic the Hedgehog 2 - Sonic the Hedgehog 2 was the first game I ever played. For years it was also the best game I'd ever played. Why Sega is so stupid that they are not pulling a MegaMan 9 with Sonic is beyond me. I have a hypothesis going that Sega actually hates money *and my childhood*, but that's a different story for a different day. There is an online project going on here where fellow Sonic lovers are trying to remake Sonic 2 in HD. But sadly they seem to be progressing at a very slow rate, so who knows when that'll come out *plus it's only for PC*. Sega, we need a Sonic 2 HD Remix of awesomeness!


It's so close yet so far away.

1.) Mortal Kombat Trilogy - That's right Mortal Kombat Trilogy is number one on my list for the third week in a row. As I stated last week Mortal Kombat Trilogy is the king of fighting games, and it begs for the HD treatment. I'm sure Midway has all of the footage of the digitized actors laying around somewhere, how hard could it be to re-upload them in HD quality? Mortal Kombat Trilogy is the perfect fighter, and it doesn't need any changes to the gameplay *well maybe fix the bug with Stryker's Knight Stick*. I would gladly pay $400 if need be to get Mortal Kombat Trilogy HD Remix.
You're not getting a 1000 points Mark... But I got to admit an HD remixed MK would be sweet, 20 points.

Next we have a first timer here in the Top 5. The man who brings the always awesome Gamer Girlfriend, and of course, What If?

Greg Bruno

5.Super Ghouls and Ghosts - Who cares if no one can ever beat the game? It's as much fun as you can have running around a graveyard in your underwear...or is it? I'll have to ask Mark Salmela.
I remember the days of games that were impossible to beat. It' would be nice to have that challenge back in HD remix form. 15 points

4.Monsters In My Pocket - I loved this game on the original NES and would kill to play it remixed. It was so cool to run around as a miniature Dracula or Frankenstein. Hey Nintendo, bring this to the Wii!

3.Donkey Kong Jr. - Again, another one of those games I will never be able to beat in my life, but it's fun just the same. If it were updated with better graphics, this could be an amazing remake on the Wii.
I'm not sure how this would work out, the premise seems kind of simple to go all out HD remix on it. But it's an interesting choice to say the least, 20 points

2.Little Nemo: Adventures in Dreamland - OK that may not be the exact title, but you know what I'm talking about. The train level. I hated the fucking train level. But if this game has taught us anything, it's that eating strange candy will turn you into a frog and you will have horrific nightmares. Let's remix this for a new generation, shall we?

1.Cool Spot - If you kids don't remember this one, get to it. 7up had a mascot who was essentially a red spot with sunglasses, arms and legs. Genius. Then they gave him his own video game. Double genius. Get this remixed and to my Xbox Live Arcade as soon as possible!!!
COOL SPOT! Cool Spot was the man, 30 points.

Joining us next this week is the returning Armando. Armando is the one that suggested this kick ass topic for this weeks column, and you can also find his review of MLB '09: The Show here

Armando Rodriguez



5. WWF No Mercy: Oh yeah! The rumored Virtual Console update never panned out, but THQ would be wise to remix No Mercy with an all new cast and HD-enabled graphics. I would pay $50 if need be! I bet it would be better than anything THQ can do with Smackdown vs Raw. As long as the AKI engine is kept intact, I will be happy.
I wonder if THQ realizes how much money is to be made from this potential remix? Most seem to be willing to pay $50, and I am willing to give 20 points.

4. Final Fantasy VII: I don't need a full remake. Just the same game with added content, HD-enabled graphics (face it, the PSOne's blocky graphics are WAY outdated) and Dolby Digital sound. In my opinion (and I know I will unleash a pack of wild fanboys out for blood) there have been better RPG's both, before and after FFVII. However, none of them had the crossover appeal FFVII did, making non-RPG players into diehards and selling PSOne's like hotcakes. I guarantee that if Sony secures a remixed version exclusively for the PS3, the system would start selling, high price point or not!

3. Sonic the Hedgehog 3: Sega, you have two options with Sonic. Either, you kill him off entirely, or you return the series to 2D. That is the only way to stop the mass ocean of crappy Sonic titles. What better way to re-launch the series in 2D than by taking the best of the 2D Sonics and releasing it with remixed graphics and sound?

2. Mortal Kombat Trilogy: 1,000 bonus points or not, MK Trilogy deserves an updated release. I have enjoyed all MK titles to some degree, but none as much as Trilogy. Be it the huge number of characters, the many different types of finishing moves or the pure bloodthirsty goodness, MK Trilogy had something that kept me coming back for more. An updated release with HD graphics and Online Play would be a Godsend.
MK is not worth a thousand points, but the cool factor is there for a MK remix. 20 points

1. Marvel vs Capcom 2: I remember spending quarters like crazy for this game at the arcade. However, I am not willing to pay $80-100 for a PS2 disc, so I am eagerly awaiting a re-release. If they take the approach of the Street Fighter Turbo HD release, that is updated graphics and sound with online play, and price it at $20-25, I will be all over that like Mark Salmela is over Target Terror.

Up next is Mr. Cheese bandit himself, be sure to check his review of Resistance for the PSP, ladies and gentlemen, El Bandito de Queso, James McGee

James McGee

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Castlevania II: Simon's Quest - Now that the series is pretty much defined by Metroid-style design, its time for 'Vania's original experiment with non-linear gaming to get a second chance.
Busting torches for items in hi-def? NICE! 10 points

5. Little Nemo: The Dream Master - Nemo was using animals as power-ups right around the same time that Mario got the idea (though Nemo did it with more variety and originality…oh yeah, I went there). Combine the neat abilities with a surreal look and great level design (minus the misfire of the final boss fight), and Little Nemo is one of the greatest lost games of any generation. If Capcom could work some of their HD magic and introduce it to a whole new audience, I'd be just tickled.

4.Actraiser - I remember playing this one for the first time and having a huge epiphany: Games don't have to be just platformers or just strategy oriented or just…well, anything! The best titles are often those that blend multiple genres, and this game from Enix (pre Square) was a beautiful mash-up of action and city-building that is in desperate need of a proper, updated sequel. In lieu of that, I'll take a fancy remake.

3.Ducktales - You can't count on much in this crazy world, but you could always be sure of one thing in the 8-bit era: if a game was made by Capcom, and it was based on Disney characters, it was going to be awesome. You could really substitute any of Capcom's Disney titles here. Ducktales just happens to be my favorite of the lot. Other than cell-shading the graphics and adding in some animated cut-scenes, you could leave this one as it was and it would still rock.
Let's call this the unexpected suprise of the week. Didn't see it coming, but it could work. 30 points

2.Final Fantasy VI - Cloud who? Final Fantasy VII is fine, don't get me wrong, but its predecessor (numbered with a ‘III' when it first appeared here in the States) is the superior title, hands-down. The story was richer and more moving, the roster bigger, and Kefka was the video-game answer to the Joker (and a hell of a lot more compelling than Sephiroth's whiny ass). With FFVII-mania runnin' wild the past decade or so, the chances of ever seeing this one remade are slim, but a fanboy can dream…
IF MK gets you automatic, I am contemplating whether or not any mention of an RPG should get you deducted points...Nah, 10 points for ya sir.

1.Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse - My all-time favorite game of the NES era, you could tell that Konami was pushing the technology as far as they could with this one. The branching pathways and character-switching (Grant DeNasty FTW!) were brilliant for the time, but it always bothered me that you could only have one spirit partner at a time. Sounds like a good place to start for the HD Remix. Instead of using the standard power-ups from other 'Vania titles, why not use the abilities of every character to access different areas of the Castle? This one is well regarded by fans, and features the first in-game appearance of Symphony of the Night's protagonist Alucard, so maybe there's hope of seeing this one get an update.
What about the first Castlevania?

Next up we have another new face here to the games Top 5, he writes for the wrestling zone, as well as our fine little zone here, you can check out Brace for Impact each week in the wrestling zone, its awesome!

Chris "Spectral Force 3 RULES" Lansdell
I usually don't give points for creative names, but a dig at Salms has got to be worth 10 points just don't let it happen again.

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Combat (Atari) - What? It remains one of the few old classics that hasn't been completely updated, rewritten and ruined a dozen times, and the idea of duelling biplanes in glorious HD tickles me like pink feathers tickle Salmella on a Friday night at Remington Steel's.
I smell a top 5 Rap battle a brewin... Salms vs. Lansdellicious & Bruno. 5 points

Mike Tyson's Punch Out! (Nintendo) - Unless I'm very wrong (which is a strong possibility), we haven't had a new Punch Out since the SNES. Now there's no way we can use Tyson again, but find some big-name boxer, pretty it up and BINGO!

5. Killer Instinct (SNES/Arcade): NOT KI Gold, which sucked. The original KI, preferably the arcade version with the shadow effects and the echo on the announcer going "ULTRAAAAAAAA COMBOOOOOOOO!". Many a 50 pence piece was spent in this game between games of Lazer Tag in the winter of...95? Probably. Clean up the bugs, make it gorgeous, and remind us why KI was once considered the next Mortal Kombat. By me, at least.
YES YES YES!! 20 points, this would be awesome. But as everytime it is mentioned, who owns the game? Is it Nintendo? Is it Rare? Who can do this one?

4. WWF No Mercy (N64): Perhaps no wrestling game has ever been as loved as No Mercy. Many consider it the finest one ever made, and it's hard to argue. Why this hasn't made it to XBLA/PSN/whatever they call the Wii version is anyone's guess, but I for one would be buying this the second it became available. Problem is that a mere remix wouldn't be enough, as the roster is horribly out of date and all WWF references would need to be changed.
THQ, are you seeing this?

3. Knights of the Round (arcade): Best. Arcade game. Ever. Level-ups, power-ups, varied enemies, non-boring hack-and-slash action...it even looked amazing for its time. Given today's popularity of multiplayer games, what better time to release this online with prettier visuals? Unfortunately, and this will hurt my next selection, the scrolling beat-em-up has fallen out of favour recently.



2. Double Dragon 3 (NES): I have some seriously fond memories of this game. Particularly Ranzou and his sword, as we would shout "SLICE! SLICE!" in boss battles when using him. Hey, I was 12. The double cyclone kick, the super uppercut, the fastball special...there was ntohing bad about this game. The best thing about NES games is that an HD remix would feel like a completely different game with scarcely any gameplay changes. Hell, I'd even spring for a sequel.
The Double Dragon series would be awesome in HD remix form, 10 points

1. Bushido Blade (PSX): The most original fighter ever made, sadly damaged by the sequel, and since abandoned. The large and detailed stages certainly cry out for the HD treatment, and being able to see that weak point and watch the wounds explode more vividly is a selling point for sure.To summarise: stabbing someone in the head with a kitana and winning in 4 seconds: Good. Stabbing someone in the head with a high definition kitana and watching high definition blood splattering on the beautifully rendered tatami and winning in 4 seconds: BETTER.

Alright, next we have the Sidious to my Vader... The guy who writes Working Title. Click that link to watch Jordan Williams argue with...himself..

Jordan Williams

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Smash TV - Imagine this sumbitch with 16 directions and four player co-op.

BOOM It was Doom mixed with Bomberman. I don't know if anyone else ever made this game but I remember long days with it on my old ass Macintosh

5.Vectorman - When Vectorman was released back on the Sega I loved the shit out of it. When Vectorman 2 was released I loved the shit out of it even harder, if they could somehow managed to make an HD Remix of this game with some cleaner (and more 3D) graphics or something I would be a happy motherfucker.
HD balls. Hey, What about that game Ballz? Who remembers that? 15 points for yellow balls in HD

4.Bushido Blade - Two words. Fuck Honor. Ever wished you could just kill your opponent even before they finished thier openiing taunts? Well BB let you do that and I was SO happy it did. Not to mention you had some of the most beautiful(for the time) levels which are just BEGGING to be rendered with todays graphics and capabilities. Although I can imagine online being just one long match of "Who can be the bigger asshole".

3.Pilotwings (64) - If you played this game, then you know it is the ultimate "Chill out" game. Sure, at some of the harder levels hang gliding can be a bit of a chore and trying to get all of the special rings is annoying, but you can't tell me that you wouldn't like to slap on Bird Mode and just fly over a beautifully rendered 3D enviorment and just relax.
How about just a new Pilot Wing? Would that be a start?10 points

2.Road Rash - Extreme G is considered by many to be the spirtatual successor to Road Rash, but I still want my old school biker gang style of bike racing. There was talk of a remake/reboot coming out last year but it was never confirmed, but if there is a time to bring Road Rash back I think it is the right FUCKING now. Not to mention the last game (64) was actually pretty damned decent and featured some pretty awesome music. C'mon, EA you can do it.
Another great choice... but again, if not an HD remix, how about a new game in the series? 20 points

1.Dungeons & Dragons: Shadow over Mystara - This is by far, the best and DEEPEST arcade game I have ever played. It had actual plot, equipable weapons, WONDERFUL four player co-op, the ability to name characters and level them up, job classes, spells, skills, alternate paths, and in-game shops. This game played like a bonafide console game yet it was an ARCADE game, you put quarters in it to play and it was one of the few games where it felt like you were truly getting your money's worth when you slammed another coin into it to continue your adventures. Despite the graphics still being pretty good today (they are about GBA/Nintendo DS quality sprites) an HD remix would only make this game look better and the ability to take advantage of online co-op would make this an instant classic on any console. I honestly don't know why this game hasn't been re-released up until now, it's probably one of the best games no one has ever heard of. If you have a soul, Capcom. RE-RELEASE THIS GAME NOW.

Finally, for your Wrestlemania hangover, and just for a little fun, I found this video on youtube the other day and it cracked me up. I give you Luigi singing Randy Ortons theme song, it is interesting how well it all matches up...



Alright, that brings us to a close this week. Our winner this week is the new girl Alexandra. She weighed in with a whoppin 105 points to snatch victory from the veterans this week. Congrats.

Now readers, remember to leave your list in the comments, and if you have any suggestions for the column shoot me an email, or leave that below as well. Be sure to come back next week when we explore useless video game characters.

You can also follow us on Twitter via www.twitter.com/411Games.