Retro video game enthusiasts are in for a treat this holiday season: Looking for a cheap way to boost sales and raise brand awareness, many of today’s top gaming companies are turning to classic games as a modern source of fun. Dozens of remakes, reboots and updates of popular series are all in the offing, no matter whether you grew up with an Atari 2600, Super Nintendo, arcade joystick or IBM PC-compatible keyboard in hand. Our recent column for CNN, titled Classic Video Game Series Making a Comeback outlines a number of the most high-profile new releases for 2010, including Donkey Kong Country Returns, James Bond: GoldenEye 007, NBA Jam, Splatterhouse and Fallout: New Vegas.
Still, it’s just the tip of the proverbial iceberg, with online downloadable remakes of Contra, Rush’N Attack, and Bionic Commando planned for release on digital distribution services like Xbox Live and PlayStation Network shortly as well, and other retail outings such as Castlevania: Lords of Shadow and Tron: Evolution soon in the offing too. You know it’s officially on and popping when even Atari is bringing back nostalgic favorites like Haunted House (rumor has it lots of other updates of classic childhood favorites from its back catalogue may also be planned). With 2011 also bringing a major series reworking and update for titles like Mortal Kombat as well, you know what they say: The more things change, the more they play the same.
Loading ...
Scott Steinberg is the CEO of video game consulting firm TechSavvy Global, and founder of GameExec magazine and Game Industry TV. Hailed as a top technology and video game expert by dozens of publications from USA Today to Forbes and NPR, he’s covered the field for 400+ outlets from Playboy to Rolling Stone. A frequent on-air analyst for networks like ABC, CBS, NBC and CNN, he’s also the author of Video Game Marketing and PR.