DLC can be a polarizing thing. Some folks love it, others hate it. While I think there’s definitely room for improvement in its current form, it does have its advantages. When done right, it can breathe new life into long-forgotten franchises. Take Harmonix, which recently resurrected Rock Band 3 with two new downloadable tracks, leading some to speculate the series could be making a return. That got me thinking about other titles I’d like to see rise from the ashes via DLC.
Here are ten of my personal favorites.
Star Wars Galaxies
I personally know two people who met the love of their lives and got married on a server far far away, who now live happily ever after just three towns over from me. While I always loved Galaxies , I’m not crazy about its successor, The Old Republic . I know there is zero chance we’ll ever see a return of Galaxies , but if the designers could somehow work some better original trilogy DLC into the current iteration, perhaps orphaned folks like me could once again find a home.
Need for Speed: Most Wanted
This is by far my favorite racing game ever. I know this is a lofty claim considering there have been no shortage of racers over the years, but I can’t think of a single pick I enjoyed more (although Mario Kart on SNES is close). Even though this game has been remade recently, the original still stands out. An infusion of new tracks, missions and customized cars would be awesome, as I wouldn’t hesitate to slide behind the wheel of this baby again.
WWE 2K14
This might seem like a strange pick considering it’s a fairly recent title that still has sequels being churned out (all with updated DLC). I’ve been a fan of the Smackdown series for over a decade, and up until recently I’ve bought the latest release each year. WWE 2K14 was unique in that it focused on all the classic WrestleMania pay-per-views and packed the roster with Legends (which is a huge draw for me). If they would simply flesh out the remaining ‘80s superstars with a dash of 1990s content thrown in for flavor, I’d truly never need to buy another wrestling game again. And that’s the bottom line.
Mortal Kombat II
If you know me, then you’re aware of my obsession with this franchise. I credit this series as a defining moment in my journey into the world of gaming, specifically Mortal Kombat II . The first time I saw the crowd gathered around this cabinet at the arcade I was hooked. It’s had its hooks in me ever since. This 2D release is still my favorite to this day, despite all the next-gen 3D polygons of subsequent sequels. However, there is room for the new school as well. I’d love to see a Mortal Kombat Trilogy 2 of sorts, incorporating some of the later fighters in sprite-based form, all bundled up in a cheap digital download.
The Simpsons: Road Rage
If you’re a fan of both The Simpsons and GTA , then believe me when I tell you Road Rage is a game you MUST play. This was a weekend rental for me which quickly morphed into an obsession. This title packs in virtually every Simpsons reference you can think of, some of which you have to go on a hunt to find, but it is SO worth it. Since then, a ton of twists and turns have transpired in the Simpsons universe, (like the movie’s dome incident, for example) which would make for great DLC fodder.
NBA Street
In what many consider to be the spiritual successor to the uber-popular NBA JAM , the Street series was obscenely fun, to say the least. Its off the wall dunks and smooth player animations succeeded in drawing in non-sports fans like myself. I became so enthralled that at one point I almost joined a pick-up basketball league. Almost.
If EA could somehow introduce an add-on of likeness depicting licensed NBA players from today (like Homecourt did with Jordan and others), this could quickly become a “shut up and take my money” type scenario.
Alien vs. Predator
This is another one of those hits that has received several sequels and remakes since its initial launch. Yet for me, nothing has ever truly recaptured the original feel. This was the FPS that changed everything in my world, educating me on just how fun this genre could be. It’s currently available on Steam, so what better opportunity to start rolling out new maps, weapons and game modes? Hell, even without new DLC, I recommend you run and download it as soon as you finish reading this article!
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
I’m going to say something that may just result in an angry mob of internet trolls marching to my house and burning it down with torches. What sacrilege do I speak of? Just this: I’m not a huge fan of Majora’s Mask . Even though it was the sequel to Ocarina , it just strayed too far from what I loved about the first Zelda adventure on the N64. I don’t know about you, but I’d love to take our time-hoping adventures past the walls of Hyrule Field. I’ve often wondered what lies just beyond the gate. Nintendo should let us find out, and soon.
Batman: Arkham Origins
As I sit and await my next Batman fix like a junkie going through withdrawals (damn you Rockstready for delaying Arkham Knight ), I find myself looking to the past in the hope I’ll find anything at all I might have overlooked. Arkham City is tapped out, but I do expect Origins had a few more miles left on the tires. The Initiation and Cold, Cold Heart DLC packs were ok, but there is still tons of ground left to cover between when Origins ends and Arkham Asylum begins. I know there’s no way W.B. Montreal would dare drop DLC this close to Rocksteady’s release of Arkham Knight , so we’ll have to chalk this up to a missed opportunity.
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City
Even though I truly appreciate the strides Rockstar was able to achieve with the launch of Grand Theft Auto V , it’s still not my favorite GTA game of all time. For me, nothing has been able to recapture the magic of what Vice City brought to the table. I’m not sure if it’s due to the time period, the setting or a combination of several x-factors that melded to form a perfect storm, but this one still holds a special place in my heart (and made my list of titles I simply couldn’t put down ). How exciting would it be to make a return trek to those neon-soaked streets? Perhaps a standalone expansion could be set in the modern day…and on next-gen consoles, no doubt.
Is there a game which shaped your gaming experience which you’d love to see brought back via DLC? If so, what did you have in mind? Let us know in the comments section below or via our official Facebook page. Be sure to give details such as what maps, characters or game modes you feel would aid in its return. Don’t forget to use your imagination and be creative!