These games really need to be remade

Oh how we raved about the then-hyper-realistic graphics of “FIFA 2000” at the time: the fluid movements of the midfielders, the smooth tricks of the forwards, and the goalkeeping saves that didn’t look completely over the top. Yet if we were to show our offspring the game today, the most gracious reaction we might get would be a mocking smile, accompanied perhaps by the unspoken thought, “Was this Stone Age game really state of the art once?” Why so? The reason is clear: youngsters these days are familiar with “FIFA 20”. There are also games for which no follow-up version ever appeared, however. And they are what this article is about – pro gamers (➜ Read more: Racing games: 10 tips from a pro), experts and staff members here at bmw.com tell us about the most formative games of their childhood and youth. And why they would be particularly pleased to hear a remake of their favorite game was in the offing.

My choice for a remake would be “Hyper Dyne Side Arms” from 1986. It was a side-scrolling shoot-’em-up arcade game developed by Capcom. Why would I love to see a new version? Because it was the first game I played as a kid. It used to cost just 50 cents at the arcade. It wasn’t particularly popular when it was launched, but it actually had a co-op mode on it, even then. I can still remember arguing with a friend about that game, because we had to work together. And that also applied if you wanted to beat the boss, which was always the biggest challenge. That two-player mode is another reason I’d like to see a new version of the game, because playing together is just the most fun!

If I had one wish left, I’d like a remake of “Diddy Kong Racing” (1997) for the Nintendo Switch. As fantastic as “Mario Kart” was, “Diddy Kong Racing” was definitely the better of the two kart racing games on the Nintendo 64. With its impressive story mode, overworld and hidden secrets, the game is a completely underrated classic. That’s why “Diddy Kong Racing” would be worth reviving in top, HD quality for the enjoyment of old and hopefully also new fans as well.

For anyone who doesn’t already know, “Grand Prix Legends” from 1998 was an absolute game-changer in terms of realism when it came to driving physics and graphics. I’d never seen anything like it in a racing game up to that point. It really did feel a bit like going back in time when you found yourself speeding around the original Nordschleife section of the Nürburgring track in a 1967 Formula 1 race car. It’s incredibly demanding, but also satisfying when you post a clean lap. The game was a little ahead of its time, but a remake would definitely make waves in the sim racing scene today (➜ Read more: Perfectly equipped for sim racing). Incidentally, even today there’s an active modding scene that still develops updates and mods for “Grand Prix Legends”. If a game still has such a loyal fanbase 20 years after it was released, it definitely deserves a remake!

One game that impressed me most at an early age was “Black & White” by Lionhead Studios (2001). Suddenly, here was this game that broke all the existing conventions and, with its complete freedom of action, created a completely new framework for telling stories. What’s more, it had this wonderfully over-the-top black humor, two ludicrous advisers in the form of an angel and a devil and, time and again, moments that made you think about good and evil. For me, it was a perfect example of how games can be more than just pure entertainment, and how they can also have something to say, in a creative way, in the political, cultural and public discourse.

Autor: Nils Arnold; Illustrations: Carolin Wabra