When it comes to classic video games, its tough to find one that hasn't been redone as an Xbox Live/PSN download, part of a compilation disc release or something similar. Does this devalue the original games, which were lovingly crafted to be something to cherish for years, or provide the younger generation with some much needed history on the life of videogames? Like how Doom and Quake remain pinnacles of a genre beset by multiple Call of Duty clones?

As an owner and frequent player of a burgeoning collection of vintage video games (Megadrive, SNES, N64 etc), I find much more satisfaction pulling out my dusty copy of Lemmings, plugging into my Mega Drive and playing in classic 16 bit (in fact, Lemmings might even be 8 bit I'm not sure). I'd rather do that than download a shinier version that sits as a virtual copy. Downloads have no value in my eyes, it's a program rather than a game.

However I'm glad that some games are kept alive with HD remakes. I recently read about the upcoming remake of Oddworld: Abe's Oddysee fin HD, which I'm totally stoked about as the original was one of my favourites. The rebirth of 2D Sonic in Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episodes 1&2 is a refreshing improvement. As long as these remakes have merit, and are not just a simple cash in on a cherished childhood memory, then they have their place.

Call me old fashioned though, I'll keep my cartridge collection dust free and well used

It appears that Q4 2010 is going to be dominated by the old school. Yeah, we've got new Halo, and another CoD DLC, but the main draws for me this year have been reboots of my most beloved franchises. New 2D Sonic? I've been waiting 15 years for that. New Donkey Kong platformer? Since DK64, Donkey Kong has been distracted by playing the drums and playing a side role in every Mario sports game thats arrived. No good. The Kong is a platformer pure and simple, and Donkey Kong Country Returns looks to be exactly what older gamers have been waiting for.

A reboot of Goldeneye and a new Kirby game ensures that the Wii should be top of the pile come January with regards to excellent new games and innovations. Goldeneye was a classic, and don't surprised that Wii sales go up on its release. Kirby's new adventure is classic Nintendo; take a beloved, established character and create something brilliantly original and yet totally familiar. It reminds me of the first time I saw Paper Mario for the first time.

I finally completed Assassin's Creed II last night after about a month's worth of solid play. It's such a wonderful game that Brotherhood will have a lot to do to be better. The ending is much more satisfying than that of the first AC, and Ezio Auditore is a much more accessible and likeable character than Altair was. And it's always satisfying to get 100 gamer points too!

Man, possibly the second biggest announcement Nintendo made this E3 so far, after the return of icon Donkey Kong to the platforming world, the remake of Goldeneye looks to be stunning. But Daniel Craig instead of Pierce Brosnan? Admittedly it keeps it up to date, but at least Activision, please include an un-lockable Pierce for story mode. It just wouldn't be the same without him. Hopefully we'll see returns for Alec Trevelyan and Xenia Onatopp, maybe even Natalya and Boris. But only so we can do the old 'proximity mine on the window trick' in the Archives to blow her up in the cut scene...