After the biggest shakeup in Microsoft's Xbox division and the next generation of consoles on the horizon, it's time we take a good, hard look at some of the best IPs that Microsoft has access to but refuses to do anything about for whatever reason. From platformers to great JRPGs to fun rhythm games, you name it, they probably have it, but chose to sit on the gold mine all these years.
The new era of Xbox could have a lot of potential if Microsoft plays its cards right, but we can't say that's guaranteed, given its current track record across the board. However, it's fun to speculate what might come back and surprise fans around the world, as some of the IPs they have access to will make a lot of people happy if they do something with them. Yes, even a remake/remaster will do the trick for most of these entries!
Viva Piñata
Starting us off, we have Rare's quirky and vibrant Viva Piñata, which takes Rare's quirky, beloved charm and expertly blends it with a life-simulation game filled with chaotic scenes, bizarre lifepaths and more. This series rules, and this has always been the case, but there hasn't been a new entry since 2008. Yes, let that sink in for a moment; It's been nearly two decades since we've had something new from Viva Piñata.
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Yes, Rare isn't what it used to be, but we'd still take a new entry in this beloved series from them in a heartbeat, as long as it still has its wonderfully unique art style and quirkiness. The Xbox brand as a whole is slowly losing its identity, and something as playful and recognizable would help restore it, don't you think?
Cruel story
Next up is Double Fine's Brutal Legend, arguably one of the best real-time strategy action-adventure games of its generation, which hasn't received a follow-up since its release in 2009. Microsoft has owned Double Fine for a long time, and while they should continue to make their unique and diverse mini-series, we'll give them some love back for today's title.
For lack of a better term, this match rocked from start to finish, and to see it back up in any capacity would be beyond exciting. Give us a new entry, a remake, or even a next-gen remaster. whatever please Brütal Legend is loved by many for a reason, and they'll be ready to throw their wallets at the screen the moment something new happens with this IP. We include!
Crimson Skies
Do you remember the era of great arcade flight games? Do you remember how sick the Crimson Sky series was? It's been a long time since we've fully closed in on an engaging and rewarding arcade flight game that now has a functional and responsive online mode. Look, we get it, this genre won't move units or make Xbox the number one brand, but it will bring OGs back on board who remember a simpler time.
We need more arcade games in general, and this would be a great step in the right direction, as everything has been either too sweaty or over-focused on realism or competitive elements. What if we want to sit back, pass through the air, and shoot our friends for a few hours of the night? Please, Microsoft, bring back Crimson Skies!
Guitar Hero
Speaking of arcadey things that need to come back, we desperately need a new Guitar Hero, and since Microsoft now owns ABK, they need to do some magic, especially now that Fortnite is axing its Fortnite Festival mode. Sure, the equipment will make it more expensive, especially in today's economic climate, but we'll risk it all and then some just to play our favorite tunes.
Guitar Hero, when done right, can still be very important, especially if you're going after a specific audience. However, bringing this franchise back in any way, shape, or form will make us excited, as there are so many bands that we have yet to see make their way into these beloved games. Just bring back the classic guitar layout, please?
Banjo-Kazooie
We've been screaming at the top of our lungs for the return of Banjo-Kazooie for a long time now, and we hope they're finally listening, because it's been a long time since we've seen our favorite bear and bird wandering around strange sub-worlds and collecting notes, jiggies and jinzos. In fact, the last installment took place in 2008, with the installment of Nuts and Bolts, and we refuse to believe how this iconic series ends.
Banjo-Kazooie needs to make its triumphant return, even if it gets a trilogy-remake like Spiro or Crash. It has been in high demand for several years now, only to be met with rumored returns to finally amount to a nutburger. This franchise is special to many people, as they probably grew up playing Banjo-Kazooie and Tooie for hours, collecting everything the game had to offer!
The Lost Odyssey
For our final pick, we were left with no choice but Lost Odyssey, one of the best JRPGs of the generation that, despite its universal acclaim, never received any kind of sequel or spinoff. We understand that a direct sequel made by the same directors and crew is unlikely, but that doesn't mean we can't see a full-blown remake that makes this masterpiece even brighter than it already is.
Imagine this stellar title running at a silky smooth framerate with re-recorded voice-overs, cool animations, and stunning visuals, all with 4K and HDR support. oh god The game still holds up to this day and is a must play if you somehow missed it when it was released and are a fan of the genre. And, if Xbox brought it back into the limelight, it would absolutely crush it today, as it also inspired last year's GOTY Clair Obscure: Expedition 33!
Killer Instinct
Finally, we have Killer Instinct, a fighting game series that needs to come back now more than ever, as the genre is finally gaining momentum and bringing in new players left, right and center. The reboot in 2013 was ahead of its time, but unfortunately the console was discontinued that Microsoft did everything in its power to make sure no one bought it, which is a huge bummer.
If Killer Instinct came back today, we guarantee it would be bigger and better than ever, and that's mainly because of the explosion of fighting games over the past handful of years thanks to Guilty Gear Strive, Street Fighter 6, and even Tekken 8, despite all its problems. Killer Instinct deserves another shot, and pairing it with the new age of Xbox would be perfect for it!
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