There was this nifty game called New Super Mario Bros. Wii that came out a couple years ago, perhaps you’ve heard of it, right? It sold over 25 million copies, is the fastest-selling single-system game in history, remains one of the best-selling video games ever, and virtually proved to the entire world that 2-D gaming is not only still alive and could remain prevalent, but can also push a gajillion copies with the right effort and right marketing.
The recipe was simple: mix nostalgia with some new-school gaming, and throw in some multi-player mayhem. Mario Bros. Wii was by no means a complicated work of art—--it moved and breathed like previous Mario games without the envelope-pushing. So…with all that being said, where in earth is the 2-D revolution? Super Mario busted open the doors for some serious competitors and copycats. Smash Brothers is being copied, so why not 2-D gaming?
2-D Mega Man for the big screen, where are you?
2-D Castlevania sequel, where are you?
2-D Final Fight HD part 3, where are you?
2-D Metroid, where are you? And nobody DARE say Metroid: Other M.....
2-D Double Dragon HD, where are you? 2-D Ghouls n’ Ghosts HD, where are you?
Gaming industry, the mobile phones and IPods are cutting into your sales because of your inability to see the potential in bringing all the 80s/90s classic to a new generation. 2-D games are not as complex to make as others, and lets add the extensive improvement in technology and hardware in recent years. No excuse. Now get to work.
Seriously, Mega Man HD has not happened yet, this is
ridiculous.
The 2D Revolution is here. It's just not the major developers who are on the top of this. It's the indy game makers, offering these games at the many digital game marketplaces, that are really at the forefront of the 2D revolution you're looking for. Games like bit.trip, Super Meatboy, Limbo, Lost in Shadow, World of Goo, Angry Birds, and Cut the Rope and a million more. Yes, a lot of these games are mobile games. A lot of these games are also console games that you can buy on the Wii Ware Store, Xbox Live Arcade, PSN, or Steam.
ReplyDeleteThere are also some major developers in this genre, however. Look at Sega with Sonic 4 and to some extent Sonic Generations. Or Nintendo with New Super Mario Bros and New Super Mario Land. Sure, they're not bringing back all of the franchises that you want, but that may never happen. Besides, who needs more sequels?
I prefer originality, new game play mechanics, and interesting concepts that you won't find in the tried-and-true franchises like Mario. The 2D revolution is here, you just have to look beyond the game makers you used to love to find them. Embrace the independent game makers that truly deserve the recognition for some really great and innovative 2D games.