Rare Classic Games That Should Come to XBLA & VC

[racketboy]

What rare, but very popular games can you think of that publishers would be stupid not to release on either the XBox Live Arcade or Virtual Console?

Obviously, with so many people out there that are willing to pay big money just to play the game (or will mod the console just to play it), you would think that re-issuing it for a affordable download would be a no-brainer.

Anyway, here are my choices off the top of my head...
Sin and Punishment: Successor to the Earth (N64)
Panzer Dragoon Saga (Saturn)
Mother/Earthbound Trilogy (NES/SNES/GBA)
Radiant Silvergun (Saturn)
Shining Force III (Saturn)
Guardian Heroes (Saturn)
Bangai-O (N64/Dreamcast)
Ikaruga (Dreamcast/Gamecube)
Rez (PS2/Dreamcast)
Chrono Trigger (SNES)
Snatcher (Sega CD)

[Yackom]

I think Rez is a perfect example of how online distribution could make the game work. It had disappointing ps2 sales, but as soon as it went out of print people started fighting for it. So the people who are willing to pay for it have no choice but to go out and buy a used copy and get gouged or pirate it, neither of which benefit the developer.

At least that was what it was like a while ago a second check on Ebay shows there are tons of the copy of the game selling for 25 or so. None the less I think developers like Sega could really benefit from games that can't survive against other titles on the store shelfs but will do just fine online.

[fastbilly1]

Ok some are not that popular, but in the crowds I usually frequent they are, so off of the top of my head:
Rez - like previously mentioned
Clockwork Knight 1&2 - Saturn
Baku Baku - Saturn/SMS/Gamegear/Arcade - Saturn being the best version
Body Harvest - N64
Space Station Silicon Valley - N64
SCUMM/GRiM engine games - PC - They are easily some of the best crafted games of all time.
Sabrewulf - GBA
All of the Ultra Play the Game Speccy games - Spectrum ZX
Kings Quest - PC/NES/SNES
Dragons Lair - Most everything disc based - Ok its fairly common but I seem to be on an adventure game click here.
D&D Shadows over Mystara - CPS-2 (Arcade)/Saturn - easily one of the best 4 player brawlers.
Xmen 6 player - Arcade - It just had to be said.
And finally Car Battler Joe - GBA - it is the less known of the list, though some may say Sabrewulf, but they are two of the best GBA games. Alittle weak on the story side but it made up for it with alot of heart and an awesome multiplayer. Online multiplayer (through emulators) only made it that much better.

Ok I strayed a little from the initial idea, but all I would rebuy. Even if I already am in the talks for a couple of the arcade games...Xmen might be joining me in my office soon, if this deal goes through.

[amodaus]

I'd acctually love to see a chrono trigger remake. But not a 3D project like the resurrection project, just an extremely beautiful 2D remake as if it was made for the saturn or any of the current gen (or last gen really) systems. Maybe for an extra you can unlock schala or cyrus for new game plus, that would have all the fans on the net foaming at the mouth.

But anyway, back to topic.
I definitely would like to see guardian heroes
Ninja 5-O for the gba was great but no one really knew about it, same with Lady Sai for the gba.

But what i would REALLY like to see from on-line distribution, is the distribution of JAPANESE only releases here in the US and Europe. They don't have to translate it if they don't want to but only is its nessesary to generate sales (for example, translating a Dragon quest game would be essentail for sales, otherwise no would know what the hell is going on, but translating Castlevania: Rondo of Blood would hardely be nessesary gameplay wise). Similarly Sin and punishment would need almost no localization, so it WOULD make sense if they released it on the virtual console here, but that doesn't look like its going to happen.

[Omerta]

I loved the hell out of Chu Chu Rocket, but never thought it should have been a full priced game. It would be perfect for a download and online multiplayer.

[racketboy]

OK -- I think you guys are missing the point of my question.
PRICE is what I was mainly concerned about.

Most of the games you guys listed are pretty cheap.