California Games for Wii
Along with Impossible Mission.
Remember Epyx Games, the publisher behind ancient classics such as California Games and Impossible Mission? Well, Epyx is set for a comeback - and its old franchises are returning, too.
That's because London-based publisher System 3 has secured the rights to the Epyx's game library, according to US website Gamespot.
Under the Epyx name, System 3 is set to release a PSP and DS version of Impossible Mission next January, with a new California Games title coming for both handhelds in May. Even more excitingly, Wii versions are slated to arrive some three weeks after their handheld counterparts.
"The way the controllers work and the whole idea of it actually works a lot better than if it's on the PS3 or 360," System 3's Mark Cale told Gamespot.
They'll be remakes of the original games, but don't expect any fancy 3D nonsense. "You gotta keep the gameplay mechanics the same or else it ceases to be the original game and you're only using the game brand to sell games," Cale said wisely.
Otherwise, you see, "It ceases to be Impossible Mission or California Games or what have you... What we're doing is we're incorporating the original gameplay and mechanics, and bringing the gameplay up to date."
Which means while Impossible Mission will feature old skool character animations and in-game text, you can expect better looking environments and a selection of new characters, including a lady operative an an android. Kale also revealed that California Games will include unlockable versions of Winter Games and Summer Games.
At the moment, there are no plans to include the original versions with the updated titles. But that's something System 3 will think about, Cale said, if they have enough time.
System 3 is also planning to release a remake of the Last Ninja trilogy, which first appeared on the Commodore 64, on PSP and DS next April. You can expect the familiar isometric viewpoint to return, but there will be plenty more screens.
System 3 is set to reveal more details of the games at the Leipzig Game Conference next week - which, by a happy coincidence, we're going to. More news soon, then.