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These legendary video games deserve redemption on modern systems.
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00:00Games from our childhood remind us of a time when life was carefree.
00:04The days of going around a friend's houses after school or on the weekend and spending
00:08hours in hysterics is something every gamer can relate to.
00:11And in an age where games are increasingly expensive, microtransaction driven and often
00:16threadbare on content, these classics remind us of a time when the industry was more straight
00:21forward.
00:22I'm Jess from WhatCulture and here are 10 cult classic video games that deserve a remake.
00:2710.
00:27Bushido Blade
00:28For certain members of the fighting game genre, Bushido Blade was the cool, edgy alternative
00:33pick.
00:34Whilst the majority of people were sinking their teeth into entry after entry in the Street
00:38Fighter or Tekken franchises, those who got to enjoy Bushido on PS1 were probably all
00:43still trying to get to grips with its impressively high skill ceiling.
00:47Even now, 25 years on or so from its original release, it's still a title that feels like
00:52it has its own character.
00:54Bushido Blade has garnered a legendary reputation amongst the community for its realistic
00:58approach, as well as a number of original gameplay features, namely the one-hit finishes, lack
01:04of time limits, and a strategic body damage mechanic.
01:07And yet, the gaming world has been criminally underserved when it comes to the series.
01:11The spin-off Kangoo Master of Bushido on the PS2 remains the last entry to date, though appetite
01:17for the original entry to receive a remastering hasn't evaporated in the years since.
01:22Grindstone's 2021 release, Die by the Blade, threw fresh fuel on the fire with how it invoked
01:28feelings of Bushido, showcasing how Lightweight's innovative 1997 title can still strike true
01:34to this day.
01:35How's it going, everyone?
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01:55Now, back to the video.
01:57Number 9.
01:58Second Sight
01:59Free Radical's Second Sight was released in 2004 and remains one of the most gripping
02:04entries from the 6th generation.
02:06The game follows John Vatick, a psychic man who awakes one day in a medical facility in
02:11Virginia.
02:12Players are tasked with using their abilities to solve puzzles, defeat enemies, and uncover
02:16the truth behind the military's attempted use of psychics.
02:20The combination of stealth mechanics with action-packed psychic elements, non-linear storytelling
02:25and legitimately challenging puzzles, helped make Second Sight one of the most ambitious
02:30titles of its day.
02:31Fans of the game have been salivating at the prospect of a sequel since the game first
02:35dropped, but Codemasters have always been coy on the chances of that ever happening.
02:40The game only sold about a million units during its time on shelves, so it's hard to justify
02:44interest in the series still being there today, at least according to raw data.
02:49With that being said, nearly two decades on from its release, a remake of the original
02:54could be the perfect way of giving hardcore fans something to reward their patience.
02:59Number 8.
02:59The Simpsons Hit and Run Is there a more requested remake in the world
03:03of gaming than The Simpsons Hit and Run?
03:05It was one of those games that everyone who grew up in the early noughties with a PS2 owned,
03:10and the nostalgia it still triggers with gamers has given it serious legacy.
03:14The game has continued to be a popular streaming and speedrunning title, and fans have already
03:19drawn together various mods, modes, and remakes, ranging from updated cutscenes to an interconnected
03:25world map.
03:26What made Hit and Run the perfect video game tie-in was how the developers learned their
03:31lessons from the previous instalment, Road Rage, took the best open world and roleplaying
03:36elements from titles like Grand Theft Auto 3, and worked with the actual Simpsons writers
03:41and cast to perfect a world that truly felt like it was one with the show.
03:46Unfortunately, it's that final point that's made a sequel or remake so hard to get off
03:51the ground.
03:51Disney owns the intellectual property for The Simpsons, Radical Entertainment, which is
03:56now part of Activision, developed the initial game, whilst EA own the rights to the Hit and
04:01Run IP.
04:02Sadly, these copyright issues have been what's held a remake back so far, and they look set
04:07to continue making a remaster unlikely, however much we all might want one.
04:12Number 7.
04:13LEGO RACES
04:14This one is selfishly based purely on nostalgia.
04:17The first two LEGO RACES were released on the fifth and sixth generation of consoles,
04:22and saw players being able to customise their own characters and cars in their bid to become
04:27the greatest racer in the galaxy.
04:29The games featured a number of different open worlds that players could drive around, and
04:33elements of Mario Kart, such as item boxes and local multiplayer modes, came bundled in
04:38for a real party experience.
04:40The two LEGO RACES games were released before the real explosion in third-party licensed
04:45titles like Star Wars, Indiana Jones and the Marvel Universe, meaning these in-house
04:50gems have sadly been left by the wayside over the years.
04:53Again, it's a real shame given how much fun titles like LEGO RACES gave us back in the
04:58day.
04:58And as stand-alone party games, LEGO RACES still holds up fairly well.
05:02With a little bit of love, remastering a cult classic like this could really land in 2023.
05:07Number 6.
05:08Eternal Darkness Sanity's Requiem
05:10The first ever Nintendo game to receive a mature rating, Eternal Darkness Sanity's
05:15Requiem is a 2002 horror game for the GameCube.
05:19Undoubtedly, what's given Eternal Darkness its incredible legacy is the unique sanity mechanic.
05:25It's something seemingly every other piece of horror media skips over, but in the game,
05:30player sanity is drained by the events they witness.
05:33Nintendo actually patented the feature for the game, with the effects of drained sanity
05:37ranging from strange noises, blood dripping from the walls, imaginary room spawning, and
05:43distorted images meant to resemble errors with the TV or GameCube breaking the fourth wall.
05:49Despite being lauded as one of the most innovative games ever made, the game only sold roughly half
05:54a million copies.
05:55Because of this, sequels and remakes for the game seem to be as cursed as the settings the
06:00game takes place in.
06:01Dennis Dyack, designer of Eternal Darkness, first mentioned a sequel to the game back in
06:052006, but took a huge hit following developer Silicon Knights bankruptcy in 2013.
06:12Nevertheless, Nintendo have continued to renew the patent and trademarks for the game, so
06:16at least we can't rule out this cult classic getting the love it deserves completely.
06:20Number 5, Crash Twinsanity.
06:23By 2004, and after four major entries, the Crash Bandicoot series had gone a bit style.
06:29From the face of the PS1 and one of the most popular video game mascots, there was a consensus
06:34amongst the gaming world that the franchise had begun to play it too safe with the same
06:39sorts of formulas, especially following the release of Wrath of Cortex.
06:43This led to Traveller's Tales completely hitting the refresh button and developing the most
06:47outlandish Crash title to date, Twinsanity.
06:51Twinsanity was the realisation of Mark Cerny's dream for Crash to move into the open world
06:56genre, and featured interesting mechanics that revolved around the Bandicoot and his arch
07:01nemesis Dr Neo Cortex, teaming up for the first time.
07:04It also featured an a cappella only soundtrack that is honestly wasted in such an overlooked
07:10gem.
07:11Development hell and a rushed release meant the game was practically unplayable, with
07:16over 500 bugs existing at launch, which only makes a remake all the more needed.
07:21A quirky and original entry in the Bandicoot franchise, there's so much potential and
07:26existing love out there with Twinsanity that a remake could really capitalise on.
07:30Number 4, Cadillacs and Dinosaurs.
07:33Beat em up games were all the rage back in the 80s, with the likes of Ninja Gaiden, Final
07:38Fight and Golden Axe, all dominating the arcade space.
07:41One title that slipped past most people's attention, however, was Capcom's 1993 arcade
07:46game, Cadillacs and Dinosaurs.
07:49Based on the classic Xenozoic Tales comic book series and inspiring the short-lived animated
07:53series of the same name, Cadillacs and Dinosaurs sees up to three players controlling four different
07:59characters, battling through eight different stages and attempting to evade the hordes of
08:04dinosaurs that flood the screen as the game wears on.
08:06Aside from the outlandish premise of these ripped fighters duking it out alongside these
08:10prehistoric beings, and the nostalgia value that always comes from classic arcade titles
08:15like this, Cadillacs and Dinosaurs has a number of gameplay mechanics that a remastering
08:20could really take advantage of.
08:21Melee weapons and projectiles, such as rocks and explosives, came bundled in with the game,
08:26and the team attacks would be perfect for online or local multiplayer on contemporary systems.
08:31Throw in a remake of the infamous Eat Lead Baby game over scene, and you have the perfect
08:36recipe for a superb homage to one of the arcade era's best-kept secrets.
08:41Number 3.
08:42Gun
08:42Before there was Red Dead Redemption, Neversoft's Gun was the leading light of the western-themed
08:48cowboy-slinging world.
08:49Developed by Neversoft for the sixth generation and as a launch title for the Xbox 360, this
08:55game had a relatively short lifespan in the limelight.
08:58But it still has a stellar legacy with those that picked it up during its heyday.
09:02The game sees players take control of Colton Cole White during the American Old West era.
09:07Players are able to roam across cities and badlands, encountering various colourful characters, and
09:12featuring a unique patience meter that's drained as players disrupt the communities they
09:17meet.
09:18Gun was lauded upon release for its faithfulness to this point in history, with the cast of veteran
09:23actors helping the game win many Editor's Choice and Game of the Year awards.
09:27Fans and critics alike cried out for a sequel, and while that sadly never came about, a remake
09:33would be the perfect way of rekindling the love for this cult classic.
09:37Number 2.
09:38The Neverhood
09:38With flashy titles like Ocarina of Time and Super Mario 64 showcasing the heights gaming
09:44could be pushed to, classic point-and-click titles of old were being made obsolete by the
09:481990s.
09:50However, as gamers got to grips with their new games in 1996, a little-known gem was
09:55released as the genre's last hurrah.
09:57Released on Windows by Dreamworks, The Neverhood is a claymation point-and-click puzzle game
10:02that sees players take control of Claymen.
10:05The first professional stop-motion production using digital cameras ever, The Neverhood is
10:10entirely made up of claymation, and has further developed a cult following for its adult themes,
10:15impressive difficulty, and an assortment of wacky visuals and soundtracks.
10:19Ultimately, it's a game whose originality still stands out nearly 13 years on from its
10:24initial release.
10:25In 2011, some of the game's developers were able to negotiate the rights to the game,
10:30and various ports across PC and mobiles have followed in the years since.
10:34However, despite the PS1 getting a port in 1998, official remakes have been non-existent,
10:40which is a real shame for a game that still clearly boasts a hefty cult following.
10:45Number 1 Sonic Unleashed Sonic Frontiers might be lapping up the
10:49acclaim today, but it was 2008's Unleashed that had to drag the series up from the dirt
10:54and set it back on the right path.
10:56The Sonic franchise had stumbled its way across the late 90s and early 2000s, however the big
11:02blockbuster that was Sonic 06 almost saw Sega dig an early grave for their most popular
11:06mascot and tip him in.
11:08Unleashed was the first main entry in the series following that disaster, and whilst it isn't
11:13without some quirks that prevented it from being totally revered, there's still so
11:17much to love about the game.
11:19Utilizing the new hedgehog engine, Unleashed showcased some genuinely impressive and exhilarating
11:24daytime levels, vibrant hubs and levels based on real-world locations, backed by perhaps
11:29the best soundtrack the series has produced.
11:32The nighttime werehog stages were a step too far for some, but the game has so much
11:36charm and nostalgia behind it.
11:38There's a serious cult following of Sonic fans today, all of whom would love to see
11:42Unleashed ironed out and polished for the modern day.
11:45Video game remakes have become one of the most popular trends in the industry.
11:49From Resident Evil 4 to Super Mario RPG, publishers have taken old favourites and rebuilt them for
11:54a new generation of players, and who can blame them as the combination of IP recognition
11:59and an established fanbase turns these titles into money-making machines.
12:03But while it's been great seeing these classics receive new life, there are other video games
12:07that deserve this treatment as well.
12:09These titles are not the obvious picks, but the remake treatment could finally get them
12:12the wider recognition they deserve.
12:15I'm Sy, this is WhatCulture, and here are 9 more cult classic video games that deserve a remake.
12:219 The Incredible Hulk Ultimate Destruction The Incredible Hulk is an IP ripe for successful
12:27video games.
12:28With his brute strength and near indestructible physique, this character has the potential
12:32to have a great title due to the incredible feats he's capable of.
12:36And in 2005, The Incredible Hulk Ultimate Destruction was proof of the hero's promise
12:40in the gaming industry, and showed players how fun the Green Goliath could play.
12:44Taking cues from the highly successful Spider-Man 2 game, developers' radical entertainment
12:48for the title character in an open-world environment.
12:51A big standout from Ultimate Destruction was the character's moveset, which all came from
12:55the comics.
12:56The Hulk could use cars and lampposts as makeshift weapons, while at the same time perform variations
13:00of smashing attacks.
13:02And despite being a PS2-era title, players could commit all kinds of destruction, from wrecking
13:06vehicles to even levelling buildings down to the ground.
13:09With gameplay ideas like that, you can see why an Ultimate Destruction remake is such an interesting
13:13prospect.
13:14The game's environmental destruction would surely be a visual spectacle on modern consoles
13:18while refining the Hulk's already impressive moveset.
13:218.
13:22Fallout
13:23The Fallout games have become one of the most popular RPGs out there thanks to Bethesda making
13:27the series mainstream since Fallout 3.
13:29And while it's great to see the franchise flourish and reach a wider audience, it's
13:33a shame that the older titles have been overlooked by new fans.
13:36The isometric Fallout games may be crude by today's standards, but they contain some of
13:40the best narratives in the series, even topping the newer entries.
13:43From the quest to save Vault 13, fighting the master and encountering citizens from the
13:47wasteland such as Harold and Marcus, Fallout 1 and 2 have countless iconic moments.
13:52The games also offer players the freedom to do whatever they want from low intelligence
13:56characters having special dialogue to the famous Navarro run from Fallout 2.
14:00Of course the biggest drawback these days for younger players is the isometric presentation
14:04which understandably can be off-putting.
14:06And so a remake can take cues from the modern Fallout games with its combat and exploration
14:11while modernising the older games' beloved narratives.
14:14By having the best of both worlds, fans may be able to experience two great Fallout entries
14:18and see why these stories still hold up today.
14:217.
14:22Concrete Jungle
14:24The Predator franchise has been part of numerous video games such as Alien vs Predator, Mortal
14:28Kombat 10 and Ghost Recon, yet despite this the character has barely had solo games.
14:33With an iconic design and countless memorable weapons, you'd think that video game publishers
14:37would seize the opportunity to make a great Predator game.
14:40Enter 2005's Predator Concrete Jungle.
14:43The game has everything fans could want, from an explorable map, weapons like the wrist blades
14:48and plasma caster, and even performing spine rips and skinning your prey.
14:52Playing the title felt like you really were the Predator as you tore down enemies and bosses
14:56in the streets of a futuristic city.
14:58Concrete Jungle was even written by comic legend Grant Morrison himself and features numerous
15:03easter eggs like Predator skins from the previous movies to encountering the Xenomorphs.
15:07It wasn't perfect, however, as the lack of a checkpoint system and the mission design
15:11could feel clunky, but these minor gripes could be fixed with a remake.
15:14Someone needs to take the overall concept of this game and put it on modern platforms,
15:18giving us an open-world Predator game where players can kill all the worthy prey they want
15:22to take as trophies.
15:246.
15:24Brutal Legend
15:26Successful new IPs can be a rarity in the video game industry, as most releases often
15:30consist of sequels or remasters.
15:32In 2009, Brutal Legend was a new video game property, one that stood out from the crowd
15:37with its presentation and love for the heavy metal genre.
15:40It had everything a metalhead wants from a killer soundtrack, references for the hardcore
15:43fans and even Jack Black as the protagonist.
15:46What made the game really unique as well was its dueling gameplay styles, which consisted
15:50of third-person action and real-time strategy.
15:53For the former, the player was thrust into environments where they could slash their way
15:56through with the broadaxe named The Separator.
15:59For the latter, on the other hand, stage battles involved RTS missions where you had to protect
16:02your stage while at the same time attacking an enemy's.
16:05Brutal Legend received positive reviews from critics, though players found the blend of
16:09two genres a bit bewildering and it wasn't helped by EA's terrible marketing.
16:13But with the game gaining a cult following since, a Brutal Legend remake would rectify the
16:17problems it had upon release.
16:18Now that fans know what to expect, it might do better a second time around.
16:235.
16:23Jade Empire
16:24One of BioWare's lesser-known RPGs is 2005's Jade Empire.
16:29The title stood out from the market as it was a role-playing game inspired by Chinese
16:32mythology, a departure from most medieval fantasy settings in the genre.
16:36But despite this, the game sold below expectations.
16:39It's a pity because Jade Empire is an overlooked gaming experience that deserves more love.
16:44The first BioWare title to have real-time combat, the player has a variety of fighting
16:48styles to choose from such as the basic Leaping Tiger and the slow but powerful White Demon.
16:53The protagonist, the Spirit Monk, can also perform magic-based attacks and recruit a colourful
16:58cast of party members.
16:59Much like Knights of the Old Republic and Mass Effect, Jade Empire also has a morality system
17:04where the player has to choose between the open palm and the closed fist.
17:07But really, the big appeal of the game was allowing players to star in their own martial
17:11arts adventure and choosing whatever outcome they desired.
17:14With its fun gameplay and likeable characters, the game would benefit from a remake that would
17:18expand every aspect.
17:19Revamped controls and upgrade systems could rival beat-em-ups like the Yakuza games, while
17:23it could be great to see the return of characters such as Silk Fox and Death's Hand in stunning
17:284K graphics.
17:304.
17:30Mortal Kombat Shaolin Monks
17:32The Mortal Kombat franchise always had trouble when it came to spin-offs.
17:361997's Mythology Sub-Zero received a cold reception, while 2000's Special Forces is often considered
17:42an all-time low.
17:44But finally, the series would get a great spin-off with the release of Mortal Kombat Shaolin
17:48Monks, which was a success both critically and financially.
17:51This beat-em-up adventure game retells the story of Mortal Kombat 2 and focuses on Liu Kang
17:56and Kung Lao.
17:57It also expands on character relationships, as well as fleshing out the scenarios that
18:00occur during the events of the game.
18:02Most importantly, Shaolin Monks features great gameplay, with both playable characters having
18:06a distinct moveset.
18:08Liu Kang and Kung Lao's moves have all been translated perfectly into the adventure plane,
18:12while the game retains the series penchant for some bloody fatalities and even brutalities.
18:17Yet, despite the game's success and plans to make a follow-up to Shaolin Monks, Mortal
18:21Kombat has never returned to the adventure genre.
18:24Remake of this game would be a great way to test the waters on whether or not players
18:27are willing to have another MK experiment outside of the fighting game sphere.
18:32With brand new graphics and an up-to-date combat system, a Shaolin Monks remake would be
18:35a win-win for both WB Games and the MK fanbase.
18:403.
18:40Red Dead Revolver
18:42Red Dead Redemption is one of Rockstar's biggest IPs, second only to the Grand Theft Auto
18:46games.
18:47But not a lot of players know that RDR was the second game in the series, with the original
18:51being released during the PS2 era.
18:54Red Dead Revolver was released in 2004 as a linear third-person shooter, where as Red
18:59Harlow you can take down bounties and enemies, as well as use the Deadeye.
19:03Nowadays, the game is far simpler and more straightforward compared to the other Red Dead games, but its
19:07western action and its storyline would all set the tone for the subsequent entries.
19:12But as the game has been forgotten over time, a remake could really introduce Red Harlow
19:16and his quest for vengeance to newer gamers.
19:18The title could take the open-world aspect of the newer games and the plethora of side
19:22missions while refining the third-person shooting that made Red Dead Revolver so fun to play.
19:272.
19:28Alpha Protocol
19:28A spy-themed RPG has always been an interesting idea for a video game, and Alpha Protocol was
19:34the title to answer that call.
19:36Developed by Obsidian Entertainment, players were put in the shoes of Michael Thornton and performed
19:40missions where there could be different outcomes.
19:42For example, sparing the life of an international terrorist led to scenarios where he could aid
19:46the player in a future mission.
19:47But a big problem of the game was its unfinished state, as Sega pressured the developers to hit
19:51a certain release date.
19:53The result led to a buggy mess and lacklustre combat, especially compared to other RPGs around
19:58the same time, like Mass Effect 2.
20:00Hacking missions were reduced to simple puzzles, and the graphics suffered from numerous pop-ins.
20:05But issues aside, gamers appreciated the well-written story and how every choice through a playthrough
20:09indeed mattered, as different variations could alter the game's ending.
20:13Though Sega cancelled the series, and Obsidian eventually moved on, a remake of Alpha Protocol
20:18still sounds like a good idea.
20:20Even in the years since its release, we haven't seen that many spy-themed video games, let alone
20:24spy-themed RPGs, so there's still a hole in the market for Alpha Protocol to fit into.
20:301.
20:31Sonic the Hedgehog
20:33Believe it or not, Sonic the Hedgehog 2006 has become a cult classic throughout the years.
20:38But how can a game responsible for dragging the blue blur's name down to the ground achieve
20:42such status after all this time?
20:44Sonic 06 suffered from a troubled production and was released in an unfinished state.
20:48This resulted in numerous issues that you're no doubt fully aware of, as every video game
20:52critic, including us, has pointed them out time and time again.
20:55But the title's reputation would improve considerably with the release of the fan remake called
20:59Sonic P-06.
21:01The game fixes all of the technical issues from the 2006 disaster but retains the level
21:05design and core gameplay loop.
21:07The result has fans realising that without the blemishes that plagued the game, Sonic
21:1006 is actually pretty decent, boasting an expansive level design and some of the most thrilling
21:15set pieces in the series, now that they work.
21:17Remaking Sonic 06 then would be a great idea, especially with Sonic P-06 already laying the
21:22groundwork on what to do.
21:23Successfully reviving one of the worst games of all time could lead to one of the greatest
21:27redemptions in video game history.
21:29Yes it would be a risk but Sega, think of the headlines.
21:32All right.
21:32We'll see you there today.
21:32I'm just a good idea.
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