Recently I was surprised to find a lost gem on Xbox Live Arcade. Out of nowhere like a shooting star, Neo Geo Battle Coliseum, one of my favorite 2D fighters from the PS2, arrived on XBLA this week. I was overjoyed, and it got me thinking about some of my more unrealistic dreams for XBLA games that I usually don't tantalize myself with.

Well today - I dare. In no particular order, here comes my top picks for Xbox Live Arcade (or PSN, for that matter!)

Odin Sphere

System of Origin: PS2

Why?: As one of the most gorgeous games of all time, Odin Sphere's hand drawn graphics scream to be re-rendered in high definition for all to see. Odin Sphere was a complex and engrossing side scrolling action RPG with a beautiful story. It played like a dream and was simply fantastic. Unfortunately, the game was plagued with slowdown, which hampered its appeal. A re-release could solve this problem and give this well deserving and under appreciated title new lease on life.

Likelihood?: Pretty much zero. The question has been asked and answered by Vanillaware. Though the game is well suited to XBLA in many ways, it also is a pretty enormous game which might pose a problem. I think it's safe to say that the only way to play this game is to snag a PS2 copy.

Jet Force Gemini

System of Origin: Nintendo 64

Why?: Jet Force Gemini was one of the most fun games on N64. It had massive guns and a good balance of collect-a-thon platforming and third person shooting. Gears of War, eat your heart out, because Juno was blasting nasty bugs in third person long before the Cog Soldiers got onto the battlefield. This cartoony romp is backed by tight gameplay. And since the N64 controller hasn't aged well, a new input device would do the game a lot of good. Also added online for the game's fantastic multiplayer? Sold!

Likelihood?: Uh, maybe? 30-40% chance? I mean, it's a Rare game, so why not? The game didn't establish itself in the minds of gamers like Banjo-Kazooie, but it is about time the franchise gets revisited. Rare surprised me with the re-release of Perfect Dark. However, the fact that it hasn't really been hinted at whatsoever doesn't bode well for it's release. I have some hope, but I'm not holding my breath.

Rival Schools

System of Origin: Playstation

Why?: A fun and frantic fighting game, Rival Schools was one of the earliest 3D fighting games in arcades. The Playstation port defines how console ports should be handled, adding an entire disk of meaningful supplementary features, while the first disk contained an almost arcade perfect port (with a few additions). The game was well loved by fans and spawned a sequel on Dreamcast (which never made it to the states, but is heavily downloaded by internet pirates). The game's characters even get their share of nods in more recent Capcom titles (Kyosuke was featured in Capcom vs. SNK 2, and Batsu in Tatsunoko vs. Capcom). A great way to lay down a foundation for a possible sequel, or just make an extra buck, would be re-releasing this game digitally. The graphics would definitely need some cleaning up as they haven't aged well, and hopefully the re-release would be of the superior Playstation version, but I would love to experience Rival Schools all over again.

Likelihood?: Once again I am going to say this is a possible release - but still unlikely. It's never been discussed and Capcom has plenty of other games they can re-release that would make them a lot more money.

Street Fighter III: Third Strike

System of Origin: Dreamcast

Why?: Hailed as the standard for competitive fighting games, this beautifully drawn and elegantly designed fighting game is perfectly balanced. It's easy to learn, yet difficult to master. I honestly think that more than any other game on this list, seeing this game in high definition has the potential to bring me to tears. An upgraded competitive online system like that of Street Fighter IV could reinvigorate the drive of fighting game players the world over to master an admittedly intimidating game.

Likelihood?: Almost zero. While the game is incredible, it was also very polarizing. It abandons all but four of the Street Fighter staple characters and uses a plethora of new mechanics that alienated a lot of long time players. Despite being balanced, nobody can agree on whether Third Strike or one of the many Street Fighter II iterations is the truly definitive Street Fighter experience. Although there are many Dreamcast re-releases on the horizon, Third Strike sold poorly, and this game would confuse and confound newly gained Street Fighter IV fans. Street Fighter III: HD Remix would be a dream come true, but chances are it will just remain a dream.

Phantom Crash/SLAI

System of Origin: Xbox/PS2

Why?: Phantom Crash and its spiritual successor SLAI are fast paced mech combat games that offer a wide range of customization and a cool cyberpunk aesthetic. The games were definitely under appreciated when they were released, and blow any competitors (coughArmoredCorecough) out of the water. Hell, even the graphics hold up pretty well. Just slap a high definition coat of paint on and you'd be good to go.

Likelihood?: Doubtful. The games were simply not popular. I am sure Genki has no reason to believe they'd do any better this time around.

Panzer Dragoon Saga

System of Origin: Sega Saturn

Why?: While I have never actually played this game, Panzer Dragoon Saga is hailed as one of the best RPGs ever made. Despite this, the game is extremely rare, and serves as one of the holy grails for game collectors anywhere. So why should Sega re-release this on XBLA? Because I want to play it, and so does everyone else. It's re-release seems like a no-brainer.

Likelihood?: Impossible. Despite the foolproof success of a re-release of this game, the Sega Saturn has some of the most unique infrastructure for a home console. That is why you rarely see its games re-released anywhere, and it's why you'll never see a re-release of Panzer Dragoon Saga. The only option is a full remake, and that certainly isn't going to happen.

Xenogears

System of Origin: Playstation

Why?: Now, this game wasn't hailed as the best RPG ever by many, but I can assure you that it is. Xenogears has an innovative combat system, beautiful graphics, and probably the best story in a video game ever. In high definition it would look incredible, and a new generation of gamers deserve to play this masterpiece. For any RPG fan, Xenogears is essential.

Likelihood?: Although I don't see any big hangups involved in releasing this game over XBLA, it's size is discouraging. Likewise precedent is equally so. How many full RPGs do you see getting the fond treatment of an upgraded re-release for XBLA or PSN? A straight port through the PSN's Playstation Originals service is much more likely. While I would be happy with that, this is a game that deserves to be lavishly upgraded.

Team Fortress 2

System of Origin: Xbox 360/PC

Why?: "Now wait a minute, here!" you might be thinking. "This game is already on 360!!!". Yeah, that's true. But it's time for Valve to re-negotiate their contract. An XBLA re-release of this game would serve as a great way to get the MASSIVE overhauls that have occurred in the PC space for TF2 that were denied to 360 players. The fact that it was done with Portal sets a precedent for this kind of thing. I wouldn't mind paying another 15 dollars to get the current version of TF2 on my 360. It could also reinvigorate the competitive play for the 360 version.

Likelihood?: Honestly, I doubt Valve has even thought of this. And everyone who wants to play the current version of TF2 is most likely already doing so on their PCs. While Portal WAS re-released with additional content, Portal is also a pop-culture phenomenon. TF2 is not. So you should probably download Steam.

Phantasy Star Online

System of Origin: Dreamcast

Why?: Because I want it. And I want it to be free-to-play. That's why.

Likelihood?: Absolutely zero. Won't happen. I mean, first of all, everybody but me hates this game. And if that isn't enough of a reason, incurring server cost for launching a free-to-play version of an dated critical and commercial failure would be downright stupid. This game will never be on XBLA, and I don't blame Sega.

GodHand

System of Origin: PS2

Why?: Released at the end of the Playstation 2's life cycle, GodHand is the beautiful swansong of the now defunct Clover studios. Though Clover alum have gone on to fame and fortune with Platinum games and Bayonetta (and enjoyed many past successes before their commercial dud, GodHand) GodHand represents a very similar development strategy to Bayonetta and is almost a more rewarding game. GodHand has the same outrageous story, over the top action, and harsh difficulty, but offers a great deal of depth in the way special moves can be upgraded and changed. Throughout the game, Gene's fighting **** changes a great deal.

Likelihood?: Unlikely, but as always, almost anything is possible. A GodHand re-release might be in poor taste, due to Capcom milking the hard work of employees that they fired, but I can't say that it wouldn't be a success. Bayonetta is popular, and using that popularity to catapult a GodHand re-release into the limelight would be a shrewd business move. It may have been met with a lukewarm response on PS2, but the system was on it's way out at the time. I think the current attitude of gamers would be very receptive to a game like GodHand.

While most of my picks are pretty unlikely, I didn't write this list to alert the public of forthcoming titles. These are games I think would be well suited to the XBLA service, and well deserving of another run through the public eye.