There are a handful of games that elicit positive memories when mentioned around those who grew up playing them. Even decades after their retail shelf lives, these are the games that remain relevant through the force of nostalgia alone. In 2021 people are still playing Goldeneye through carefully crafted mods. Large communities of people still gather to catch up with old friends on Runescape servers, while two of the most recent blockbusters were overhauls of Resident Evil 2 and 3.
Developers are learning that tapping into childhood memories is an easy path to commercial success, but not all developers are willing to take the proverbial plunge. Both Sony and Nintendo, for example, have barely scratched the surface when it comes to making their massive catalogs of games available to consumers.
Their hesitation is understandable. Not all games from decades ago will perform well on the market. But at least one company, Bioware, has a game that, if remade, would almost certainly activate legions of built-in fans. Knights of the Old Republic’s fandom has only grown in the years since its initial release, and the title is ready for an overhaul. If you don’t believe me, just take a look at the success of games that take a page out of KOTOR’s book.
