By: Kevin Larrabee

Xbox Live Arcade, the PlayStation Network, and now Wii Ware are home to some of the greatest classic games from our past. Many of them have been rejuvenated with online co-op, online leader boards and HD graphics. Although there have been some great additions to the respective services, here are ten more games we need to see on XBLA, PSN, and Wii Ware.

1. Marvel Vs Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes

The best fighting game of all time. Yeah, I said it. “Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes (MvC2),” was originally released in the arcades, then soon ported to the Sega Dreamcast and was also later posted to the PlayStation 2 and Xbox. MvC2 featured an extensive cast from the Capcom and Marvel universes. There are a total of 56 playable characters from Akuma to Zangief. Each player selected three fighters for the match, this allowed for some great strategy. My old roommate and I would spend hours playing the game on the Dreamcast, literally until we developed blisters and couldn’t play anymore. I don’t know what Capcom is waiting for to bring this to XBLA and PSN. With the PS2 and Xbox versions of the game going for $60 or more at used game stores and on Ebay, there is clearly a demand for this game. Just imagine what HD graphics and online play could do for it. It would get more play from me than Call of Duty 4.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-MarHk64UR0[/youtube]
2. Konami 4-Player Arcade Games (The Simpson/ X-MEN/ Sunset Riders)

In the early 90’s Konami released hit after hit in the arcade that caused a national shortage of quarters in kids’ pockets. From the Simpsons to X-MEN to Sunset Riders, Konami perfected the 4-player arcade game. We already have the Konami Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles arcade game up on XBLA, so why haven’t we seen the Simpsons beat-um up? In the Simpsons’ arcade game you got to play as Homer, Marge, Bart, or Lisa. Each of the characters had his/her own unique strengths and weaknesses. The same could be said for the characters in X-MEN and Sunset Riders. These games are perfect for these services, mainly because the consoles support 4-players and you could do online multiplayer with XBLA and PSN. Nintendo might get the SNES port of Sunset Riders on the Virtual Console, but with the rate at which games are being released right now, don’t hold your breath.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmcuZUNkLFc[/youtube]

3. San Francisco Rush 2049

Here we have another game that was popular in arcades around the United States. Rush 2049 was released in the arcades in 2000 and is the third game in the San Francisco Rush trilogy. Later in 2000, Midway ported the arcade game to the Nintendo 64 and the superior console version on the Sega Dreamcast. Rush 2049 was special because of the inventive course design, shortcuts, high-flying jumps and fast paced arcade action. In the arcade there were 2-4 cabinets set up for multiplayer action, but only 2-player action was available on the home versions. I dream of 6-8 player online races with HD graphics and online leader boards. Just the thought of this makes me want to send Midway daily e-mails until they port this to XBLA and PSN. Trust me, the game still holds up. I still pop it in the Dreamcast once in a while.

4. Sonic CD

We saw Sonic the Hedgehog come to XBLA and the Virtual Console in the past year, but what we really need to see is the best 2D Sonic game, Sonic CD. Not many people got to play Sonic CD because you needed to buy a $299 add-on for your Sega Genesis/ Master System. Sonic CD was recently ported to the Gamecube and PlayStation 2 in the Sonic Gems Collection, but why isn’t it on XBLA, PSN or Nintendo’s Virtual Console? There are so many gamers who love Sonic games, but never got to play the premier Sonic title ever released. Sonic CD had silky smooth graphics, innovative level design and the best music in the series. Nothing needs to be added to this game. Sega just needs to make a good clean port so we can open our wallets and let them grab as much cash as they feel is fair. Just do it Sega!

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5LN6p_UvJ4[/youtube]

5. MERCS

I got my first taste of MERCS on the Sega Genesis. MERCS was like Contra, but with better animation and new and more interesting gameplay. The boss battles were epic in size and intensity. MERCS gave gamers an authentic arcade experience on the Genesis and an action packed shooting game that rivaled what Nintendo had with Contra. MERCS was released in 1991 and was a sequel to Commando, although no one knew or cared. The co-op play was where MERCS shone. Without it the game becomes much less enjoyable. Nintendo, get this on Virtual Console ASAP, thats an order!

6. Quake 3 Arena

One of the best selling PC games, Quake 3, is currently being rebuilt to run in game-players’ Internet browsers for free online and has already been seen on console ports on the Dreamcast and PlayStation 2. Rumors popped up a few months ago that Quake 3 might be ported to the Xbox 360’s XBLA after its name showed up on an ESRB ratings list but we have heard nothing since. Quake 3 was known for its fast run-and-gun multiplayer experience, wire range of weapons and tournament play. Quake 3 could be a huge seller on XBLA and PSN because the game its still as enjoyable as the day it was released in 1999. Allow gamers to play together in death match and CTF matches online and I will be happy to drop up to $15 (1200 Microsoft Points) on this one.

7. Game Shows (Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy, Family Feud)

What has happened to all of the game show-based video games lately? I wish we could have online game show games where you can compete with friends and random people on game shows like Jeopardy, Family Feud and Wheel of Fortune. The games could be set up as a subscription model where you pay a monthly fee and get new questions and games every week. There is already a free version of the Family Feud online. Why not make some money off it by putting it on the console’s online services?

8. Battlezone

There hasn’t been a good tank action game since Battle Tanx on the Nintendo 64 and of course, Battlezone was the original in 1980. Battlezone was so good that the US Army used a modified version to train its soldiers. I dare you to play some Battlezone today and not feel the tension when opposing tanks fire at you. I don’t want redone graphics. I want the textures simply redone in HD and online play. Is that too much to ask?

9. Board Games (Monopoly and Scrabble)

I grew up on Monopoly. I played the crap out of the NES version of the game, and I owned three versions of the game on the PC. Now I want one more on XBLA and PSN. Encore Software holds the rights to the Monopoly license, and it looks like it will just be staying on the PC. The one downfall of the Monopoly and Scrabble games is the AI. Your computer opponents didn’t act like humans, and it is near impossible to find someone who will play a complete game of monopoly or scrabble. Online play with friends would make these games sell through the roof. Moreover, this would be a great way for Microsoft and Sony to reach out to the “casual gamers.” Win-win guys, now do it.

10. Old Pinball Machines

I don’t know if this is possible, but here is the idea that I have. A developer makes a pinball game engine that is set up to allow themes from the best pinball machines of the 80s and 90s. Remember The Addams Family, Terminator 2 or The Simpsons pinball machines? Wouldn’t it be great to play those machines on the 360 or PS3 using the triggers and HD graphics? Midway has most of the rights to the best tables so it would make sense for them to take on the task. The best part about this idea is the possibilities for downloadable content. Say 250 Microsoft points (or about $3) per machine theme? There is money to be made here. Let’s see if Midway can put the resources together to make this happen.

Wait and See

If we want to see these games make it to our favorite online service, we must let the companies know what we want. That means contacting Microsoft’s (majornelson), Sony and Nintendo’s community teams and voicing your opinion. We must also e-mail the creators of the various intellectual properties, since they’ll be the ones to make the actual games.Have any games you want to see on XBLA/PSNWii Ware? If so post them in the comments.