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2011 saw the ending of many popular trilogies (in fact, it’s harder to think of a game released last year that didn’t have a 3 after its name) and while some franchises will continue with new settings and characters, there is a gaping quota of sequels to be filled. And if I know anything about popular culture, it’s that things that were popular once can be dug up and reanimated Frankenstein-style like it was something brand new.
So to help out the industry and keep this trend alive, I take a look at some long forgotten heroes of gaming past who have been left to gather dust. Somewhere in their history they glimmered like interactive stars and whatever their grievances, they deserve a second chance to capture a new audience. I mean, they remade The Karate Kid, right?
1. Earthworm Jim
Back in the 90’s an intrepid earthworm named Jim graced the SNES and Mega Drive in a unique and rather difficult platformer. Coiled within his super suit, Jim ventured through a completely nonsensical plot (honestly, that image only makes sense if you’ve finished the game) filled with juvenile humour and “groovy” space crow races.
Both Earthworm Jim and Earthworm Jim 2 were standouts, but unfortunately the series lost its momentum after the terminally delayed Earthworm Jim 3D for the Nintendo 64. Released three years after its initial announcement, it arrived as a subpar clone of its other excellent contemporaries like Super Mario 64 and Banjo-Kazooie.
Jim succumbed to unfortunate circumstances and a game hasn’t been made since. If there were any more deserving for a fresh start, it’s Jim.
2. Bubsy
How many times does it take for a bobcat sprinting headlong into a wall to get old? My younger self never found out that answer, but not for a lack of trying.
Bubsy was another colourful platformer of yesteryear, and one of the hardest. Yet its challenge was just half the appeal. Playing Bubsy was like taking control of a Saturday morning cartoon character.
He was hyperactive, had plenty of one liners and shared the same bizarre fashion ideals as some of his animated friends. I still don’t understand why it’s OK to go pants-less if you're wearing a shirt.
Also, dying was hilarious. Falls from great heights squished Bubsy into a pancake, and on occasion he would walk off like an accordion. He shattered into pieces, melted into a sludgy orange puddle and whooshed across the screen like a freed balloon when touching a sharp object. Despite its difficulty, it was really hard to get angry at the malleable feline when it was so damn funny to watch him die.
Like his earth crawling friend before him, Bubsy was a victim of terrible sequels, but the magic of the first game needs to be recaptured again.
3. Time Lord
No, this isn’t a Doctor Who tie-in. Time Lord was an old gem on the NES which sees the player taking control of the eponymous character tasked with preventing an alien invasion through different periods of human history. Not an original premise for ... well, anything, but Time Lord was a standout adventure on the NES (one of Banjo-Kazoozie creator Rare’s early games, in fact) and the concept has potential.
A heroic voyage through the wormhole has limitless scenarios. Time Lord took gamers to England in the 1200’s, the trenches in World War 2 and the good old Wild West, but there’s no need to adhere to those constraints. Why not transmogrify to the days of the Holy Roman Empire, or the vast battlefields of ancient China?
As long as Rare is involved, a continuation of Time Lord could be a fantastic experience indeed.
4. Buck Bumble
The first and perhaps only cyborg bee was an early generation release for the Nintendo 64 placing the character in an insectoid war that threatened the very safety of the garden! Buck Bumble combined smooth flying controls with an addictive third person shooter, the likes of which hasn’t been fully realised (Dark Void came close, but didn’t get the cigar.)
An updated release of good old Buck with tighter controls to seamlessly switch from ground to air battles would definitely coerce my coy dollars from leaving my wallet.
5. Space Station Silicon Valley
This is probably the closest my young self ever got to playing an Animorphs inspired video game, but with a kooky style all of its own. A DMA Design creation (the predecessor of GTA’s Rockstar North), Space Station Silicon Valley involved taking control of a de-shelled robot named EVO and plugging into the various robotic fauna that infested the artificial world.
Each animal had a specific ability that allowed the players to progress through the puzzle platformer. Rocket firing dogs, floating sheep, heli-rabbits, ski clad huskies, cannon camels ... you can’t make up stuff like that.
Novelty and variety came together for an unforgettable time. Rockstar, make a sequel! Please?
What do you think? What are some awesome games from the past that deserve new life?
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