This is what I've been saying: BACK TO BASICS. This is why I'm glad that Castle of Illusion is being re-released. I haven't been this excited for a game since .... GAMES were released.

I swear they might as well remaster older titles. I know this is crazy but if they REMASTER (not remake - REMASTER) FINAL FANTASY VIII in HD I'd so buy it DAY ONE. Higher res rendered backgrounds, HD masters of CGI clips, whole game expanded for widescreen viewing. I guess there'll be a little remake involve but ONLY GAMEPLAY GRAPHICS. There doesn't have to be dialogue because it's essentially the SAME GAME, just with enhanced graphics.

I think it's time to think a little backwards with past games that are actually games and re-release them to today's HD standards.

Welp, time to move time backwards and play *drumroll* "R-r-r-r-R-RAAYMAN!!!" (1996). I swear Ps1 the last generation when I actually PLAYED games. More than half the time I'm on PS3 is playing CTR, Crash Bandicoot, Jumping Flash Tomb Raider (1) and maybe its sequel, etc. More than half the things I buy on PSN are PS1 games I've never played before and man are they fun. I was going to say its just nostalgia when the real reason I go back to them is because they're more FUN. Not to deny some titles today that have incredible visuals of course. Just stressing the point of the fun factor, even if games have "bad graphics" that many of us survived then and even now.

And to quote from a kid this generation that played the classic Tomb Raider (1996): "The graphics are so minecraft but it's so fun!"

Call me crazy but I think remastering more older titles might gain them some lost bucks. Feel free to disagree but I know I'd put my money down on a remastered (NOT REMAKE - reMASTERED) version of FFVIII. Other than graphical upgrades, upgraded soundtrack (I doubt they'll re-orchestrate the whole thing so just give it a digital upgrade), expanded widescreen FMVs/CGI clips and higher-res pre-rendered backgrounds, EVERYTHING from the game be kept the SAME. I already own FFVIII on 4 PS1 discs and even considered buying the PSN version. Then I thought to myself, why buy a game you already have? Unless it's remastered, I know I'd put my money down on this if this were to happen.

Well all I know is that I'd buy it if it weren't for the scary price tag. I've already settled on only buying games 'til they hit $19.99 or below. I got many games for great deals or prices (game of the year editions for $15). I could careless about the red greatest hits cover as long as I get where my money's worth. That said, I'm doing the same for Tomb Raider. And because Tomb Raider is like any other game rolled out with DLC, I'll wait a year and a few months for the right price and deal.

Welp, I'm good, considering I won't be getting this game a year+ later. That's assuming they'll release some sort of "Game of the Year" edition (or whatever it'll be called), packed with all the DLC released by then. Then wait a few more months 'til it hits a Black Friday/after-Christmas sale of $19.99. Crazy? I know. But video games are darn expensive and I don't have the crazy money for its day-one release.

I've invested almost $150 with Uncharted 3 ALONE. The soundtrack, limited edition hard-cover guidebook, the game [collector's edition], plus the not-so-worthy Fortune Hunter DLC membership - never doing that again. I'll probably pick up Tomb Raider's limited edition guide book and soundtrack for now though.