Remakes Number 1

Video game remakes seem to come and go in popularity, kind of like movie remakes.

But there are a handful of classic NES titles that deserve a modern remake, or at least a modern update a la Bionic Commando: Rearmed.

The first one I'd like to see is a remake for Guardian Legend, first published by Broderbund way back in 1988. It's an interesting title, because as far as I know, it was the first (and maybe only) game to combine shmup (shoot 'em up) action with an action adventure format like The Legend of Zelda.

In the game, the player takes the form of Earth's guardian, a mysterious woman with the ability to transform into a space fighter. The game is divided up into several dungeons, with the initial level serving as a kind of hub. To access the other levels, the player must acquire special weapons and keys. These are found by defeating mini-bosses and completing the games flying levels, which contain the main bosses. There were a host of special weapons in addition to the main weapon. The special weapons were powered by a kind of currency that could be found lying about or by defeating enemies. The special weapons could be upgraded twice, which made some of them extremely powerful. The main weapon could also be upgraded, as could the player's attack, defense, and hitpoint stats.

It was a fun combination, I thought, though by today's standards the flying sections might be seen as a little dull (at the time Compile was already legendary in the shmup community). And even though there were plenty of weapons, they didn't all have uses, like a Zelda or Metroid game. Still, in a remake those issues can be addressed. What was great about the game was the sense of forboding and adventure. Something had gone horribly wrong with the planet (the big blue thing on the title screen) and the evil there was headed straight for earth. As a kid I remember wondering what had happened to the creatures that created the planet. Why were they shaped like round blue blobs? Why was the Guardian able to use their weapons? And why was she sent, and not an entire armada?

The game touches on all kinds of interesting themes: megadisasters, lost planets, alien technology, and cybernetic organisms to name a few. In addition, I always got the feeling that the Guardian didn't really have a choice in her Guardianship. In the game's ending, she is seen free from her transforming suit of armor, and seems rather relieved. Perhaps I read too much into it as a kid. After all, I'd be relieved if I just saved my home from impending global catastrophe.

At any rate, there are so many nascent ideas in the game that a remake could really be transformed into a stellar experience. There could be interesting research topics like in Metroid Prime that help fill in the back story. Instead of the weapons being used simply for combat, they could have a more useful function like helping to reach other areas, or defeat specific enemies. I have no idea who owns the rights to the game. Broderbund is still around, but I wonder if they retained the rights or sold them to someone else. As usual, the Wikipedia article is only slightly helpful.

Still, I'd love to see a remake, and I'm sure there are plenty of others my age who have fond memories of their quest through Naju. And if it was done well enough, and entirely new generation would be exposed to this rather unique gaming experience. However, if it managed to be a giant crapfest like the 1942 remake, then it would go back into gaming obscurity, probably forever.

And that would be a shame.