A few weeks ago I wrote a blog post predicting that Nintendo would release HD Remakes of their past games on the Wii U. This post will explore which games I would most like to see given this treatment. Among them are the best of Nintendo's past two generations, timeless games that deserve a reintroduction to the modern era.
The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker
Many scoffed at Wind Waker's cell-shaded art style when it was revealed, christening it condescendingly as "Cel-da." These critics have since been soundly silenced. Wind Waker's expressive graphics, bright colors and creative designs are, in my humble opinion, the pinnacle of Nintendo's artistic vision. One benefit of using a minimalistic art style is that it ages exceptionally well and HD or not, Wind Waker's visuals remain pleasing to the eyes. With that said, HD screenshots of the game taken with the Dolphin Emulator, prove that everything looks better in HD. Wind Waker in high-def jumps out with lush bright colors and sharp character and environmental models.
Must. Resist. Urge to play Wind Waker... Gah! I can't do it!
Wind Waker is already one of my favorite games of all time, and I'd gladly replay it over and over on the Wii U, a system that was seemingly designed for Wind Waker's unique features. One of these is the Tingle Tuner, which made used of Nintendo's Game Boy Advance - GameCube connection cables. Players used the Tingle Tuner to find hidden secrets and solve puzzles. Nintendo's innovative GamePad controller, with its prominent touch screen, would perfectly emulate and enhance this feature.
The most exciting possibility surrounding the announcement of a Wind Waker remake would be whether Nintendo would implement the dungeons that were originally cut from the game. Longtime Zelda director Eiji Aonuma said in an interview with Nintendo Power back in 2007 that he'd love to do a remake of the Wind Waker. With Nintendo's foray into HD gaming and its recent interest in rereleasing Zelda games; it might be only a matter of time before he does.
Metroid Prime, Metroid Prime 2: Echoes, and Metroid Prime 3: Corruption
Another GameCube game that still holds up graphically is Metroid Prime. Somehow Retro Studios was able to succeed in creating a realistic graphical style that has resisted aging in the face of exponential graphical advances. Even its third sequel, Metroid Prime 3: Corruption for the graphically underpowered Wii, was able to impress critics in an HD era. Despite this, Prime and its sequels in HD is a tantalizing propitiation. While Metroid Prime has already been rereleased a number of times, surely one more time wouldn't hurt? Metroid Prime would undoubtedly benefit from the Wii U's Gamepad screen. The most practical use would be to display Prime's convoluted 3D map and display information from the game's robust scanning database.
Remember when I said everything looks better in HD? Maybe not this thing...
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
Of all the games on this list, Twilight Princess would probably benefit the most from an HD paint job. Nintendo settled on a realistic graphical style when developing it and it has aged poorly in comparison with the company's usual cartoony visuals. Its textures were dated the day it was first released and its models appear grainy and pixilated on modern TVs. While Twilight Princess is probably my least favorite 3D Zelda, I feel it still deserves a HD makeover that allows its art style to truly shine.
The colors of the rainbow according to Twilight Princess's: a little green, a little brown, and a little gray.
Super Smash Bros Melee
Super Smash Bros Melee built upon the concept of the first Smash Bros to create the most popular title in the Game Cube's library. Even with the release of Super Smash Bros Brawl on the Nintendo Wii, Melee retains a following that prefers its faster paced gameplay. Furthermore, Melee is a hugely nostalgic game for me personally. All of this points towards the sense behind giving the game an HD Remake.
All that Ice Climber can't be good for your cholesterol levels, Kirby.
More important than improving the game's graphics, online multiplayer is the greatest thing a Melee remake could accomplish. Melee could also use a retooling of its boring menus and balancing of its character roster (Fox and Marth destroy everyone).