Capcom, founded in the early 1980s, stands out among gaming giants as a relatively young company. Despite its youth, Capcom has established a reputation as a leading developer and publisher in the gaming industry, maintaining a strong presence for over four decades.
Throughout its history, Capcom has delivered numerous titles across both arcade platforms and home consoles. However, many beloved games from its past have struggled to return in modern gaming trends, often appearing only as fleeting cameos or within nostalgic collections.
A full remake could be the key for these classic titles to regain their stature and re-enter Capcom’s lineup of flagship games. Here are ten Capcom games that would greatly benefit from a modern remake.
10 Dino Crisis
Put That RE Engine to Work
Crafted by Resident Evil’s director Shinji Mikami, Dino Crisis offers a thrilling survival-horror experience featuring dinosaurs instead of the traditional zombies. Though its premise may seem whimsical, this title garnered enough acclaim to support two sequels.
Since its last outing in 2003, Dino Crisis has remained largely dormant, with no remasters or new releases in sight. An ambitious fan project is currently attempting a remake using Unreal Engine 5, showcasing the continued enthusiasm around this franchise. Given Capcom’s success with the Resident Evil remakes, a revival of Dino Crisis utilizing the robust RE Engine could resonate well with gamers eager for high-definition dinosaur encounters.
9 Darkstalkers
We All Still Like Morrigan, Capcom
Premiering in arcades in 1994, Darkstalkers quickly became one of Capcom’s most popular fighting franchises, showcasing a unique ensemble of monsters and spirits. The series was so compelling it rivaled even Street Fighter. However, since 1997, without any new entries, Darkstalkers has faded from the mainstream spotlight.
The ongoing popularity of characters like Morrigan and Felicia, who continue to appear in crossover games, highlights a persistent fanbase. With the recent revitalization of Street Fighter 6, it would be thrilling to see Darkstalkers get a similar treatment—enhanced graphics and voice acting could lead to a fresh embrace of its iconic roster.
8 Power Stone
The Party Fighting Cult Classic
Power Stone, introduced exclusively for the SEGA Dreamcast, redefined fighting games by allowing players to battle in dynamic arenas filled with interactive objects and weapons, as well as the unique Power Stones.
Though it received only one sequel, its potential remains unexploited in today’s gaming landscape, highlighted by recent titles like Party Animals that cater to the party fighting genre. A remake of Power Stone could attract both multiplayer enthusiasts and streamers eager for a nostalgic revival of its beloved transformations.
7 Viewtiful Joe
It’s the Perfect Time for It
As one of the flagship titles from Capcom’s Clover Studio, Viewtiful Joe pays homage to tokusatsu hero shows, particularly the Kamen Rider series. It stands alongside Hideki Kamiya’s unofficial “hero trilogy” that includes Wonderful 101 and the unreleased Project GG.
Despite Joe’s frequent appearances in crossover titles, he hasn’t been featured in a new game since 2005, following releases that failed to impress. The recent announcement of a sequel to Okami and the resurrection of Clover Studio underlines the potential for Viewtiful Joe to make a comeback, especially with the growing western audience for tokusatsu themes.
6 Captain Commando
Capcom’s Other Mascot
In the 1990s, during Capcom’s expansion into western markets, the company attempted to create a new mascot known as Captain Commando, or “CapCom.” After his debut in a sidescrolling beat ‘em up in 1991, Cap once again faded into the abyss of crossover games.
A potential revival could reimagine Captain Commando either as a classic beat ‘em up, leveraging current demand for the genre, or evolve into a modern character-action title akin to Devil May Cry. With Mega Man stepping back, this could be the perfect opportunity for Cap to reclaim his spotlight.
5 Mega Man Legends
He’s Still on the Moon!
Another long-awaited revival is Mega Man Legends, a beloved spin-off released in 1997 that focused on exploration and engaging 3D combat while featuring an endearing cast of characters.
Since the cancellation of Mega Man Legends 3, fans have been left wondering about the fate of the series, as the titular character remains stranded on the moon at the end of the sequel. A remake could not only reignite interest in the franchise but also pave the way for a definitive conclusion to the story while offering captivating gameplay filled with exploration.
4 God Hand
Embrace the Weirdness
God Hand, another creation of Clover Studio, is a unique and eccentric title that combines wild martial arts action with over-the-top humor. Despite its challenging gameplay, it has garnered a passionate cult following.
A remake could tap into the growing popularity of unconventional action games like Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance and Bayonetta. While it’s a niche product, the current market’s willingness to embrace bizarre and unique gameplay suggests that God Hand could find a welcoming audience once again.
3 Red Earth
A Hybrid Fighting Game/RPG
Released as a unique arcade fighting game in 1996, Red Earth featured not only player versus player combat but also an incredible adventure mode where characters took on giant bosses and evolved through experience.
With few updates aside from a few nods and collections, Red Earth is overdue for revival. A remake could enhance its gameplay by introducing a roguelite progression system, enriching the arcade experience while allowing players to witness character growth and dynamic play styles.
2 Dark Void
Everything’s Better with Jetpacks
Dark Void, released in 2010, emerged from a collaboration between Capcom and Airtight Games. While it initially resembled many conventional shooters of its time, it distinguished itself with an innovative hover and jetpack combat system.
If Capcom still holds the rights to this title, a fresh remake could reimagine Dark Void with revamped gameplay mechanics and visuals, steering clear of multiplayer pitfalls reminiscent of EA’s Anthem to focus on a pure single-player experience.
1 Maximo: Ghosts to Glory
The Ghosts ‘n Goblins Spin-Off Time Forgot
Maximo: Ghosts to Glory, launched in 2002 as a spin-off of the iconic Ghost ‘n Goblins series, was known for its punishing difficulty and strict revival mechanics. Players needed to manage their armor hits carefully and navigate the challenges laid out by the Grim Reaper.
With the successful remake of the original Ghosts ‘n Goblins in 2021, continuing the trend with Maximo could attract both veterans of the franchise and new players, especially if the mechanics are refined a bit to cater to modern gaming sensibilities.
Leave a Reply