With news that Capcom will launching more of their titles on the AppStore, we look into our crystal ball and conjure up five games we think they will bring to our beloved iPhone.
Street Fighter 2
Of all the head-to-head beat’em-ups out there, one seems to be the closest to most gamers hearts. Originally released in arcades in 1992, Street fighter 2 was an instant hit. Much to the delight of most pre-pubesent teens at the time, it eventually ended up on home consoles with it’s release on SNES and Megadrive (Genesis) in many different forms, including ‘Turbo’ and ‘Super’ versions. Since then it’s still a staple of most retro gamers and appears on pretty much all gaming platforms out there, including download form on the Wii, 360 and PS3. The reason we think it will appear on iPhone is that not only is it one of Capcom’s most famous IPs, but it has also appeared in mobile form for a wealth of handsets. And while it has had a mixed reception in miniature, mainly down to cramped screens and awkward controls, we think it would fare far better on the iPhone… particularly in the audio/visual department (the recently released HD remix would be a welcome choice). Quite how they will pull off the six button layout is another matter, but that’s one for Capcom’s game boffins.
1942
Released way back in 1984, the game saw you taking control of the pacific skies in your trusty P-38 to take down the Japanese fleet. You have three planes at your disposal and, rather generously, unlimited firepower, and must survive wave upon wave of enemy fighters, warships and more. Again it’s now available on a multitude of formats and we think with the right care and attention it could soar again on iPhone. However, with the critical success of the Gameloft’s 1942-esque Siberian Strike, could the original WW2 shoot’em classic take back the crown, or would it be lost in a flooded market of wannabes?
Pheonix Wright: Ace Attorney
The court-room-drama game, where you play as attorney-at-law ‘Pheonix Wright’, was first released for Game Boy Advance in 2001. But it’s the DS version we are most interested in seeing come over to iPhone. Re-released in 2005, it featured touch screen and microphone support as well as new content, and allowed you to get more involved in the action through the use of touch based evidence-building missions (such as luminol spray and finger printing), and witness cross examinations where you can verbally object to the prosecution’s findings. With it’s casual gamer appeal, we think Ace attorney could be a strong contender for an iPhone release.
Ghosts ‘n Goblins
The favourite of many a platforming fan, Ghosts ‘n Goblins has you playing as Arthur, a Knight on a quest to save Princess Prin Prin (how original!!!). Considered by most to be too hard by platforming standards, the game sees you battling the undead across seemingly endless levels. The highlight of the game are the many powerups available through upgrades to your weapons and suit of armour. Get struck once though and you are stripped to your defenceless undies, struck again and it’s back to the beginning of that level. Ghost ‘n Goblins recently had a rebirth on PSP with ‘Ultimate’, a visually upgraded version that also allowed you to start where you died, allowing many fans of the original to finally complete the game.
Bionic Commando
Another platformer but with a twist. Instead of simply running, jumping and taking out the bad guys, in Bionic Commando your hero is fitted with a bionic ability that allows you to extend your arm and use it as a grappling hook. This sees you swinging from platform to platform and navigating obstacles that the levels through your way. The game was originally released in 1987, but has since been given a full 3D overhaul on the 360 and PS3. However, it’s the recent Re-armed version of the sidescrolling platformer that appeared on XBox Live and PSN that we think would work best on iPhone. Re-armed still retains the classic sidescrolling/platforming action, but with a 2.5D graphics upgrade as well as new levels, weapon types and co-op play.
Do you think we are right with our selection? Please leave your own predictions in the comment section below, and be sure to swing by the poll on the front page to choose your favourite from our top five.
