One-Hit Wonders

September 25, 4:29 PMLA Video Game ExaminerKenneth Wesley

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Today is One-Hit Wonder Day, (is there an actual committee of adults who decides on these things?). Like music and movies, the video game industry is full of titles that wows the critics and gamers alike, only to disappear as quickly as it appeared.  Unlike those other mediums, these video games hits are actually worthwhile and created something genuinely fun. Here's my five picks for games that need to dazzle for just one more game. And I'm only using games from the past generation of consoles because there's still a good chance that some of the one-hit wonders of this generation may see a sequel.

GUN, Neversoft (PS2, GC, XB, 360, PC): The creators of the 'Tony Hawk' franchise went somewhere different with 'sandbox' genre that many other developers did not: the Wild West. Boasting incredible production values, a setting rarely used for video games, and solid gameplay, GUN was a solid hit for Activision. And while rumors and speculation have pointed to a sequel, this is one solid action that Activision needs to get on immediately.

Sin & Punishment: Successor of the Earth, Treasure (Nintendo 64, Wii Virtual Console): Anyone who's ever played Super Smash Bros. Brawl can learn one thing about Nintendo: They know how to tease and torture their fans (just announce the new 'Kid Icarus, please?). The biggest tease was in the form of Saki, the main protagonist from this N64 cult classic, with its bizarre, but excellent control scheme). This represented not only and huge collaboration between Nintendo and cult developers Treasure (Gunstar Heroes, Ikaruga), it was one of the most startling and mature works Nintendo's ever been involved with. The Virtual Console release (it was never released in Amercia) wasn't enough: this game deserves a sequel.

Billy Hatcher & The Giant Egg, Sega/Sonic Team (GC): This wasn't an only a unique platform, with it's egg-based gameplay. It represented the Sega of old: a completely new stab at time-tested genre...that was actually good. The Sonic franchise has been hit or miss with it's increasingly gimmicky gameplay. This game had a solid premise with even better execution-a rarity for Sega games since going multiplatform.

Blazing Lazers, Hudson (TG-16, Virtual Console): I love the 2D-shooters and this is one of the best ever made: fast gameplay, incredible weapons, and a forgiving power up and scoring system that made beating this game possible. Best of all, in wasn't bogged down with one of the flaws on 2D gaming: level memorization. While this was an off-shoot of the Star Soldier series, this game was much superior and a sequel would rock on any console or handheld today.

Jet Set Radio Future, Sega/Smilebit (Xbox): While a remake of the Dreamcast classic, this is one of Sega's best games made (and that says a lot from their DC days). Visually striking, it seemed like everything came together for this tagging and tricking game, which was one of the best uses of the cel-shaded graphics craze. It still looks great five years later from its original release. Great music, great controls, and great characters: Now is a great time to bring this game back for one more go around.