Gamers have been buzzing since Sega released its latest investment report in which the company called for a “reutilization of dormant IPs.” Since the company’s console days are well behind them, they’ve been focusing on their biggest properties such as Total War, Persona and lots and lots of Sonic, which is getting a little boring. With the company plainly stating in the report that there will be some “major” properties revived as Sega looks to make a new, non-hedgehog sized dent in the gaming industry, there plenty of games that deserve a fresh, next-generation home. In fact, there’s almost too many to go through.
From massive hits to cult favorites, Sega built up a fantastic library of games of the years. That’s why they continue to do well with PC re-releases and bundle deals. But some games are just overdue. And, with the advent of decent VR, some of these seem like no-brainers.
Virtua Cop
Virtua Cop made you feel like you actually were Dirty Harry, except you were getting pushed around while strapped into a hand truck. Develop an immersive VR game and this will be bought by all the people.
This has already been pulled off on a much smaller scale in VR Worlds‘ London Heist.
Gunstar Heroes
Extremely difficult games have never been more popular than right now, so give us a new Gunstar Heroes, throw some roguelike elements in there, and we got ourselves a stew going. The cherry on top would be some sweet hand-drawn visuals.
Ecco The Dolphin
Journey, Flower, any walking simulator. We’re at a place in gaming’s history where people just want some sort of novel experience, even if it’s short. Ecco is totally doable as a simple and beautiful swimming simulator. The best part of Ecco was exploring and jumping out of the water, so just do that but make it look modern, charge $10 and we good.
ToeJam & Earl
The weirdest duo in gaming are already on the comeback trail thanks to a successful Kickstarter, but damn it, Sega needs to step up and reclaim the title of “Best Absurd Video Game” before Rick & Morty take over gaming (because you know it’s only a matter of time). Not that there’s anything wrong with that. Hell, the revival is coming to us through Adult Swim Games.
Streets of Rage
The side-scrolling beat-em-up is dead, but since Sega wants to play Doc Frankenstein, Streets is one of the most deserving of a lightning bolt to the heart. Imagine playing as Eddie ‘Skate’ Hunter all grown up and fighting for all that’s good and right while fending off ignorant people who think he’s a ripoff of Overwatch‘s Lucio. This is the future I want to live in. Also, destroying phone booth so I can get an apple just seems like something I should be doing in 2017.
Altered Beast
Sega already failed with their AB remake on the PS2, but they got silly with the full 3D. Make this weird, make it nonsensical, make it 2D and let us rise from our graves in peace. Stop trying to reinvent the wheel with simple hits.
Crazy Taxi
Maybe it’s too arcade-y for current gamers, but Crazy Taxi could be revived with a whole “taxis are dead now I drive an Uber/Lyft” subtext, now you have to get fares to their locations on time and you get bonus points for playing music they like and by striking up decent conversation (or none at all). Bonus points if you don’t attack your passenger. Between levels, you can balance your pay with wear and tear on your car and dealing with a 1099 income.
Phantasy Star Online
The beloved action-RPG deserves a comeback. It was a generation’s first experience online, and its rich sci-fi worlds are ripe for a reboot. It’s a medieval world right now in MMOs, and we desperately need a shakeup in that area. Phantasy Star could be what we all need in this time of bland, all Game of Thrones, all the time IP creation. Phantasy Star Online 2 was alright, but fans deserve better.
Golden Axe
Things are too Game of Thrones-y! Oh well! Golden Axe should come back too. There’s a theme to this list, and it’s mostly: We need more beat-em-ups. It doesn’t have to be 2D, but Golden Axe needs to be good. The PS2 remake was okay at best, so hopefully, Sega is going to learn from their previous mass reboots from a decade ago.
Jet Set Radio
Saving possibly the best for last here. We saw how Sunset Overdrive could bring the Radio games into the next-gen, now it’s time for the real thing. Beautiful animations, an awesome soundtrack, and smooth gameplay that embraces rollerbladers as dangerous do-gooders better than even Streets of Rage.
Other cool games that should be rebooted
Panzer Dragoon
Comix Zone
Eternal Champions
Shinobi
Virtua Fighter (to a lesser extent since it’s still somewhat going strong)
After Burner (VR please)
Forgotten Worlds
Kid Chameleon
Ristar
Space Harrier (Also good for VR)
Outrun