8 Forgotten Video Games That Should Be Revived

Once upon a time, the gaming industry was much more of an open free-for-all than it is today, where high development costs and risk averse publishers have combined to create a market that is dominated by long-established franchises such as FIFA and Call Of Duty. Other series new and old do continue to thrive, but the ratio of forgotten franchises to exciting new original creations is heavily weighted towards the former.

Gaming studios are just like Hollywood ones in that they can't resist reviving old properties, always hoping to capitalise on nostalgia. As with films, these can be good or bad, capable of reviving a classic and bringing it into a new era or butchering it and besmirching memories of superior predecessors.

Not every title of yesteryear is subject to this treatment, however. Eight once-great franchises that are long overdue a new iteration are profiled over the next few pages, having been missing in action for several years (direct remakes of older titles notwithstanding). I'm aiming to continue on from my last look at another eight games that have fallen by the wayside.

There are clearly more than enough back burner franchises with substantial fanbases that would benefit from another instalment.

Last Release - Rollcage Stage II (2000)

There have been a number of successful variations on the traditional driving genre throughout the years, ranging from those that focus on specific racing niches to those that throw reality out of the window in favour of a fast-paced and frenzied experience

With two titles released on the Playstation in 1999 and 2000, Rollcage was one such series. Created by Psygnosis, the sorely missed Liverpool-based publisher responsible for both the Wipeout and Destruction Derby games, it enabled frantic racing by allowing players to drive on both walls and ceilings without any gravitational restraints.

The original game was similar to Wipeout in more ways than one - weapons could be used to alter the outcome of races, whilst an electronic soundtrack helmed by an established artist (Fatboy Slim) was utilised to create a fitting ambience.

Rollcage Stage II added to the offerings of its predecessor with demolition-based mode variants. Sadly it wasn't followed by any further titles, though the multiplayer options on the Windows version remain popular for several years.

A Kickstarter campaign was launched for Grip, a spiritual successor to the series, in 2015 but cancelled after it made less than a quarter of its funding goal. An early access version is available on Steam and the official website still mentions more details on a console version due in 2017. Time will tell if it ever sees the light of day...