10,000 games

[Warewolf]

The day before I posted this, I saw a curious compilation in a local Wal-
Mart - 30,000 games(!) for $20. As a purchaser of the publisher's
(VivaMedia) last two compilations of '10,000 games' (One of them being
'Crown Jewels'), I can tell you for a fact that there is a *lot* of
padding involved. Each of the 'games' was a seperate game level or
version (ie you'd get 3000 'games' or sessions in the Sokoban-clone,
'Crystal Mazes') and the overall packages were as cheap looking as you
would expect. (ie the jigsaw puzzles had their fair share of jagged
edges) 9_9

Still, as I was trying out each title, I could see the *potential* of
such a package - 10,000 of the finest action, adventure and role-playing
games, among other types, that anyone could ever make and, even if it
couldn't be sold for the $20 asking price, it could provide the first
time computer user as well as the jaded expert with examples of what the
medium was capable of. (and maybe rekindle some nostalgia as well)

For the rest of this post, I'll be listing games that I think VivaMedia,
eGames and other independent publishers should study for their next
'shovelware' compilation. If you are still awake by the end of this
post, you are welcome to critique its entries and encouraged to suggest
your own. It will go a long way to improving the industries at large.

So, without further ado, here are my entries

[ACTION]

Pac-Man

This legendary game has had its share of clones and (un)official sequels
- some of them adding to the formula (ie the dancing fruit in Ms. Pac-
Man, the 'weakened' energizers in Pac-Man Plus) while others reinvented
it (ie Pac-Man Arranged, Pac In Time; Pac-Man Worlds, Champ Pac-Em).
What I'd like to see, along with another 'accurate clone' of the original
(preferably with a maze editor and the ability to choose one's character
and what 'gimmicks' they start with like weakened energizers and even the
'Pac-Boost') is another 'Arrangement'.

Donkey Kong

Although it has had it's share of remakes (Donkey Kong II, Donkey Kong
'94 on the GameBoy, ChampKong, Aldo's Adventure) I'd like to see this
game get an editor as well. Even if Mario couldn't perform gymnatsic
flips or butt-stomp the barrels, being able to guide him through 4-6
screens filled with elevators, conveyor belts and falling sand could warm
the cockles of a retro fan's heart. If the builder of this remake is
able to include features from (or even improve) classics like 'Sammy
Lightfoot', 'Hard Hat Mack' and 'Jumpman', all the better.

Space Invaders

Even after numerous sequels and clones (ie the Galaxian/Galaga series,
Majestic Twelve; Gyruss, Wavy Navy) the killing of invading aliens never
gets old. In fact, one could almost use these viewpoints in a 'real-time
strategy game' of sorts - You could defend different planets Invaders-
style with a tank while other in your alliance took down reinforcements
in Galaga-esque battles off planet. One could even call in
reinforcements for a Defender/Stargate/Choplifter-esque 'fireworks
display but I'm getting a little ahead of myself. ^_^;

With the right powerups and invader types in the remake, you could
rekindle (if not fan the flames of) the players' inner alien hunter for
years to come.

Breakout/Arkanoid

With every incarnation of this classic 'ball-hits-wall' franchise
(remember DX-Ball? LBreakout? Off The Wall? How about the current
Ricochet series?) there are new brick types and wall designs to demolish
and newer ways to ensure their destruction. If one is able to keep the
classic game play while adding new

Dig Dug

Gaming has come a long way since this classic hit the scene - we've seen
games like Boulder Dash and Mr. Do (along with their numerous clones)
improve on their forefathers almost exponentially. If one is unable to
see