Hopefully.

I mean, the signs are pretty obvious. With downloadable content on almost all current-gen consoles, older and more arcade-ish style games seem to be in demand. The X-Box Live Arcade, for instance, provides shoppers with an extensive list of arcade classics, from Street Fighter II to Super Contra. Along with this, an assortment of shooters such as Ikaruga and Galaga Legions have found their way onto the digital game store. Sony’s PSN is following suit, granting gamers the opportunity to pick up some classic PSOne titles such as Street Fighter Alpha, R-Types, and even that rare gem Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. And let’s not forget the Wii, filling its tiny memory unit with dozens of legendary titles like Mega Man, The Legend of Zelda, and even some more obscure titles such as Treasure’s Sin and Punishment. Many of these games are cross-platform as well. Castlevania: SotN is one such title, alongside the Hi-Def remakes of 1942 and Bionic Commando.

And of course, nobody can ignore the long-anticipated release of Mega Man 9. With MM9 the developers are sticking true to their NES roots, giving the game retro-style visuals, a blippy soundtrack, and even some graphical glitches just like the ones from the golden age of the NES. It’s pretty crazy to think people are actually looking forward to the intentionally flawed graphics.

So what does this mean, exactly? Well, it does show promise for fans of classic and arcade style games. A good 2D shooter is hard to find these days (games like Raiden III come to mind, but are quick to fall off many a gamer’s radar). Many shmups fans find themselves rooting through the libraries of older game consoles to get their fix. But what about that one title that’s just impossible to find? Ikaruga, for instance, typically sells for at least 40 dollars used, and that’s just the GameCube version (new/sealed copies sell for much more). For a measly 800 Microsoft points, anyone with an internet connection can pick up one of the best shmups of all time. Not a bad deal, eh?

Sure, there is always the drawback of not having an actual hard-copy of the game, but in some cases downloadable releases really just make more sense. No fear of scratched discs. No fear of losing a copy to that friend who swore you could trust him. It’s always there to play (or for another download if it’s ever deleted). Of course, one can never deny the charm of having the actual game itself; as a collector, I understand this all too well. Still, look at the success of iTunes and the alleged success of Amazon’s Kindle (I do wonder how that’s going). It’s really hard to beat the convenience of having a library of games quite literally at one’s fingertips.

On top of it all, this allows developers to use their budget more efficiently, not having to account for the cost of printing thousands of copies that may or may not sell. It’s a much safer way to market, and it allows developers to focus their monies on their games more than manufacturing them. This tends to reduce the cost for gamers too – though buying a new game is easier (and more tempting) than ever, presenting a danger to wallets everywhere.

As for me, I personally predict a comeback. I’m anxiously awaiting the day where 2D shooters, fighters, and classic platformers once again line the shelves of gaming stores, even if said stores are strictly digital. It’s better than nothing.

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