10 Most Wanted HD Collections We'd Pay To Play

Metal Gear Solid HD Collection is out in the UK this week, and as you can see from our Metal Gear Solid HD Collection Review, it really is a cut above most repackaged bundles. 

But what makes an HD trilogy great? Is it the game themselves, the quality of HD treatment, bonus extras, or something else? We answer these questions and more while looking at other series that deserve the HD collection treatment.

Check out the list below and let us know what HD collections you would like to see in future.

10. Oddworld: Abe’s Oddysee & Exoddus

Following release of the rather superb Oddworld: Stranger’s Wrath on PSN, it would be an absolute delight to see the first two Oddworld games given the same treatment as an HD double pack.

Why they should be resurrected

Both Abe’s Oddysee and Abe’s Exoddus are superb platform puzzlers that truly stand the test of time, not to mention delivering stunning art and a highly stylised world. If you haven't tried them before, get on PSN and download the PSone originals. Seriously like, now. 

Aside from being two of the most imaginative games conceived on PSone, the Abe collection is everything you want from a good game. It’s entertaining, funny, challenging, and slick, as well as boasting a clear identity and fresh ideas. 

Ignoring the fact that Abe’s Exoddus sees the titular lead character possessing clouds of his own flatulence – which was very much in style circa 1998 – the Oddworld Inhabitants series delivers a dark, engaging world, and it’s one we’d be more than happy to revisit all over again.

9. Parasite Eve  

That this outstanding action RPG from Square-Enix never saw a release in Europe is nothing short of criminal. Instead all we got was Parasite Eve 2, a sequel that paled in comparison to the original.

No, what we want is the glorious original ramped up in full HD, and it simply has to happen.

Why it should be resurrected

Parasite Eve starts with New York City cop Aya Brea sitting in an opera house full of civilians – civilians who randomly start bursting into flames and turning into mutated abominations without warning.

It’s then up to Aya to explore the ravaged city streets in search of answers, and a cure to the mutations before the whole populace turns into slime. Combat used a superb move and attack radial that forced you to think strategically about each battle.

Using firearms, mutant powers and a ton of forward thinking, every battle was utterly engrossing, not to mention taking place around some stunning scenes of a ruined New York City. The cut scenes were also gorgeous, and as such, Parasite Eve is well deserving of an HD release.

8. Metal Gear Acid & Metal Gear Acid 2

Following up the release of Metal Gear Solid: HD Collection with an HD compendium of both Metal Gear Acid games would be a superb move for Konami. These incredible PSP strategy titles would be right at home on PSN, XBLA or touch devices like iPad. Make us happy Kojima!

Why they should be resurrected

When you think ‘Metal Gear’, turn-based card games don’t instantly spring to mind, but Metal Gear Acid proved that the series could work as a strategy title. Players could equip decks of collectible cards to characters to equip weapons, gadgets and perform a variety of moves.

As Metal Gear Acid doesn’t follow the series continuity, it gave Kojima Productions full reign to deliver a cracking new story, and to include wonderfully drawn collectible cards that depicted characters and elements from across the entire series.

This resulted in what can only be described as the ultimate in Metal Gear fan service. If you like the series, you will absolutely love everything that the Metal Gear Acid games have to offer. We really hope this one happens.

7. Jet Set Radio & Jet Set Radio Future

Fans of Sega’s rollerblading, graffiti tagging Jet Set Radio series have been crying out for a re-release for some time now, and we absolutely don’t blame them. An HD collection would give Sega a license to print money basically.

Why they should be resurrected

The Jet Set Radio series oozes cool, and the colourful cel-shaded visuals would look absolutely stunning in HD. It was one of those series that – if you told a friend you hadn’t played it before – they would reel in disgust and show off about how they also owned a copy of Rez. 

Everything from the artistic world, slick gameplay and cutting edge soundtrack helped elevate Jet Set Radio as a must-own game for Dreamcast owners, and the sequel Jet Set Radio Future garnered a cult following on Xbox. 

With the Tony Hawk series suffering popularity face plant, and other extreme sports franchises all but faded into obscurity, the timing feels right for Jet Set Radio to return and show the also-rans how it’s done. 

6. Shenmue & Shenmue 2

Yu Suzuki’s revenge epic Shenmue is an expected entry to this list. Many gamers consider it to be one of the greatest games ever made, and although the elusive third instalment might never see the light of day, the first two are well worth revisiting.

Why they should be resurrected

Because they are generally good games, and although the industry has improved upon and surpassed what Shenmue achieved in 2000, there are few games that can hold so many separate parts together as such a cohesive whole. Plus those collectible gacha balls are still awesome. 

An HD makeover would truly make Shenmue’s world sing, and at a time when open world, liberating experiences like Skyrim are all the rage, it makes sense to give people the freedom to explore Yokosuka and Dobuita at their leisure. 

The only downside is that it would trigger a new wave of anticipation for a Shenmue 3 announcement, which is something that still seems unlikely. It’s a shame of course, but we can still be thankful for the first two games. Things only get bigger and better when Ryo reaches Hong Kong in Shenmue 2.

5. Resident Evil Gamecube Remake

Resident Evil 6 is out this year. There’s no better time to tart up Capcom’s Gamecube remake of the PSone original and give gamers the chance to experience the start of the series all over again. 

Why it should be resurrected

Well, it has Barry Burton in it for starters. Aright, so the bearded buffoon isn’t the only reason to retread the Resident Evil remake, but it’s a start.

Barry aside, the quality of Capcom’s remake was truly astounding, with grim visuals, a chilling atmosphere and a ton of new content that improved on the original in almost every way.

Taking Resident Evil into HD would really underline the Capcom’s stellar work. After all, remaking one of the most revered PSone games of all time was never going to be easy, but somehow it came off without a hitch.

Plus, it would give anyone who hasn’t owned a Gamecube to experience the origins of the series first hand, as well as drinking in all of the new areas, puzzles and characters exclusive to the remake. We’d definitely be up for entering the world of survival horror once again.

4. Panzer Dragoon Saga

Another Sega entry here, this time, the impeccable Panzer Dragoon Saga. While it received a piddling print run, Sega’s open world RPG shooter received monumental critical acclaim, but criminally, not a lot of people were able to play it. HD release please!

Why it should be resurrected

As we mentioned, Panzer Dragoon Saga only had a limited print run. As little as 30,000 copies were shipped in the West, with prices for copies on eBay currently spiralling to unreasonable highs. 

An HD release would help people enjoy this superb game without taking out a bank loan first. It’s a harrowing tale of a post apocalyptic world teeming with monstrous beasts and warring human factions.

In the middle of it all are a young boy called Edge and his dragon. The duo must free-roam around the vicious world and engage enemies in some incredibly tight and engrossing turn-based combat. 

Panzer Dragoon Saga is up there with the best classic RPG games every conceived, and an HD release would make a lot of people very happy indeed.

3. Grim Fandango & Day of the Tentacle

Two classic Lucasarts point and click adventures well deserving of an HD release, Grim Fandango and Day of the Tentacle need little introduction for seasoned point and click fans.

Why they should be resurrected

Both Grim Fandango and Day of the Tentacle represent point and click games at their very finest, and during a time where the genre hit various degrees of quality with each release, an HD repack of both games would show the world how it's done properly.

Both games also boast superb visuals and a wicked art style that was synonymous with every Lucasarts point and click title of the 90s and early 2000s. Grim Fandango nailed the noir tone perfectly, while Day of the Tentacle carried on the cool cartoon vibe started in predecessor Maniac Mansion.

Ultimately, both games are still held in the highest regard by fans today, and it feels almost criminal that neither game has enjoyed a resurgence since they first launched. We’re quietly hoping that so someone, somewhere is working on bringing them back some day.

2. Okami

In terms or artistic styling and flair, Okami really knocked it out of the park. Developer Clover Studios might have borrowed a few mechanics from The Legend of Zelda series, but the developer put a timeless spin on the formula to create something truly special indeed.

Why it should be resurrected

Okami is another sad case of a game that received glittering praise at launch, yet very few people actually took the time to buy and enjoy it. It’s a crying shame because if you are a Zelda fan, playing Okami should be considered mandatory. 

Clover’s artistic vision was ahead of its time in Okami. While the adventures of Amaterasu and Issun took the player to some incredibly vivid painted worlds that looked incredible on both PS2 and Wii hardware, the game world would look much better with a lick of HD gloss.

But seriously, if you like Zelda or any similar game, you will adore Okami. Launching Okami as an HD release in digital form would hopefully help it achieve the sales figures it deserved the first time around. As they say, third time’s the charm, right?

1. The Onimusha Trilogy

It’s almost criminal that Capcom hasn’t revisited the Onimusha series since Onimusha 3 came to pass – of course, we’re choosing to forget about the middling fourth instalment that we won’t name here. The games were awesome then and they’re still awesome today. 

Why they should be resurrected Onimusha is essentially Resident Evil with demons and samurais. That should be justification enough for anyone really, but we need to delve a little deeper for arguments sake. 

All three Onimusha games looked great at the time, and although they look a bit dated on PS2 today, the art style throws up some truly vivid settings that would really benefit from an HD touch up. Although we’re not sure that any amount of upscaling would rectify Jean Reno’s unwavering scowl. Cheer up Jean.

Massively playable, the Onimusha series was rammed full of insane sword combos, devastating magic attacks, hulking demonic monstrosities to slay, tons of levelling up to do and stunning static backdrops that put Resident Evil to shame. We’re still baffled by Onimusha’s absence in the current generation and we miss it deeply.