Game needing a sequel: Yoshi’s Island
Original game format: SNES
Why it needs a sequel: Okay, so it’s already had a couple, but we still think there’s a lot more potential in this one. Yoshi’s Island was one of the best games on the SNES, and such a ranking on that particular console automatically makes it one of the best games ever. Its first follow-up, Yoshi’s Story on the N64, was an overly easy, stripped-down reworking that didn’t have half the class of the original, either in visual flair or game design. And Yoshi’s Island DS, while very, very good indeed, was a little closer to an enhanced remake than what we have in mind.
While we’re averse to the attitude that everything modern has to be in 3D, we can’t help dreaming of the delights of a polygonal trip around Yoshi’s Island. The new YI-inspired level in Super Smash Bros. Brawl is almost impossibly beautiful to look at, and is a tantalizing glimpse of the crayon-drawn art style really working in 3D that we just can’t help drooling over (Seriously, we keep ruining our keyboards. It’s embarrassing).
What we want from a sequel: A 3D Yoshi’s Island on the Wii. We want a similar control system to Super Mario Galaxy, but with the Wii remote used to control a targeting reticule for throwing eggs and locking onto enemies in order to give them a good tongue lashing. Keep everything hand-drawn and fuzzy looking and keep the level structure fairly linear so that the tense, baby-sitting mission structure doesn’t lose focus.
And despite the near-lethal levels of cuteness that would be on display in the game, its difficulty shouldn’t be toned down. Yoshi’s Island looked like a story book but it was bitch hard and loved to kick the player’s arse, and its 3D sequel should hold the same respepectable challenge.
C’mon Nintendo. You know this would be a great surprise killer app that would secure that brilliant 2008 that Smash Bros. and Mario Kart already look to be setting up. Make it. Make it now!
