Top 5 Old PC Games that need a Reboot
Published on Saturday, March 13 2010

Back in the mid 80’s to early 90’s it was time where my afternoons where filled with sports, and my nights and weekends where full of spaceships, monsters, and heroes.  There are many games from this era I still look back on with a longing to play them again.  Sadly most of the games on the list below can no longer be played on PC’s.

Recently I have been thinking about what games from the past would make great reboots.  If the right company and people get a hold of these properties these games could be major franchises.  Most of these games can only be done on the PC and I am sorry to say if they are ported to consoles that would be horrible. I have included a link to each game's Wikipedia page if you are looking for more information on each game

5. Space Quest -  I know what all of you are saying.  This is a comedy game from Sierra and was never meant to be taken seriously. To me this is a perfect blend of three genres: Action/Adventure/Comedy.  There are very few games to me that infused comedy with the action/adventure and this is one of them.  I think with just a graphics face lift and a tweak here and there to the story this could be a smash hit.  There are very few adult comedy games today, and I think this could be the time to bring a game like this out.  They actually released this game recently that was able to be played on the XP systems.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Quest

 

4. X-COM:  UFO Defense – This is one of the most unique games to me in the history of gaming.  The gameplay here was amazing.  Combining board-gaming type techniques in ground combat with Civ type gameplay where you build bases, intercept UFO’s, and research technology.  This game recently was released on Steam with it’s sequels.  The sequels never lived up to the original.  After playing the original game I was blown away by how much I still loved it.  This game stands the test of time and would be enjoyed I think by RTS and Simulations fans.  If this is remade whoever does it, please “DO NOT TOUCH THE GAMEPLAY!”  You can add to the length of the game and the amount and types of enemies, but keep the gameplay the same.  Keep the ground combat in an isometric view, update the graphics, and don’t add to much to the sound.  The game was creepier when they had no voices.  If all these things are taken into consideration this game could spawn a new franchise.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X-COM:_UFO_Defense

 

3. Wing Commander – This series to me is one of the best series ever made. It is sad that most people remember this as the bad Freddie Prince Jr Sci-Fi movie.  Please do not let that impair your judgement of the game. These are some of the best PC games of all time to me. Whoever is chosen to remake this series needs to be a fan and treat the property with respect.  The characters have all been flushed out and when something happens to them on a mission you really want to do everything you can to save them.  For example,  there is someone that will always die at a critical point in the game. When the game first came out I did not know that so I kept trying to save him.  I must have spent hours trying to save a wingman not realizing the game is killing him on purpose. Back in it’s day this was the major franchise and everyone lined up at the gaming stores when it was released.  Now when you mention it people laugh. Damn that Freddie Prince Jr.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wing_Commander_(video_game)

 

 

2. Star Control – Here is what I believe (besides the next game) to be the biggest potential not only for the game, but for a movie as well.  I would recommend using Star Control 2 for the story.  Star Control 1 was very old and the plot was not as refined.  Star Control 3 was way out there but still fun.  Star Control 2 to me even to this day is a master piece of a game for both story and gameplay.  The other reason I love this game is because a lot of the alien species are not humanoid. I mean the concept of species Spheres of influence to this day inspires me and want to see this put into practice in Sci-Fi TV and movies.  Also the size of the game and exploration aspect to this day is unequaled in Sci-Fi gaming.  How the story and the mysteries unfold is also unmatched into today’s gaming world.  If planned correctly this re-make in my mind could be one of the greatest games ever made. Imagine the CG cut scenes when speaking to alien races and the 2d/3d ship fighting sequences could be gorgeous.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Control_II

 

1. Tie Fighter/X-Wing –  The ultimate Star Wars games.  The veritable albatrose hanging around the neck of Lucas Arts. This was in my eyes the perfect Star Wars game.  You felt a part of the Star Wars universe like I have never felt before (excluding KOTR). You basically start out as a new recruit for the Rebels (X-Wing) or the Empire (Tie Fighter) and the story takes place just before the original trilogy and just after.  Both games have you flying several different types of ships throughout the game. The missions connection to the story make this game one of the best. With help from Bioware this game could be ground breaking in bringing back space combat as a genre. Looking at the amount of games and projects in front of Lucas Arts I have no hope that this is going to be remade any time soon. We can still hope though can’t we?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Wars:_X-Wing 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Wars:_TIE_Fighter