Thursday, March 17, 2011

I'm a bit horrified by BurgerTime HD

When it was revealed a few weeks ago that an HD revamp of the arcade classic, BurgerTime, would soon be released (digitally) for the PS3, Xbox 360 and Wii, I was intrigued. After all, the Data East-developed original was one of my favorite games as a kid, and I still play both the arcade and Famicom/NES versions with some regularity.

Anyway, as I just said, initially I was intrigued by this so-called BurgerTime HD, which is being developed by Monkey Paw Games. After seeing it action, however, it probably would be more accurate to describe my feelings as horrified.



My main beef with what's displayed in the video above is the game's setting. Why does it appear to be set in space? Granted, it's difficult to image an acceptable setting for a game in which players are tasked with assembling giant hamburgers, but surely the developers could ape the original's "burger factory" theme a bit more closely?

Despite my overall lack of interest in this title at the moment, I'm still planning to keep an eye on it between now and whenever it's released. Who knows, maybe the final product will be far more appetizing than what's shown in this teaser?

13 comments:

Viewtiful_Justin said...

God, I hope so. This is atrocious. Robb's gonna be SO disappointed. This is one of his favorite arcade games, and it looks like they took everything charming about it and sent it away.

Marcus said...

Hmm, I was under the impression that the circular spacey maps were multiplayer only, but I suppose there's nothing to imply either way.

If this is how the entire game is though it makes me sad because Burger Time is such an excellent game. You know what, I never really imagined a backdrop for the game to take place in, but space doesn't really make so much sense. Honestly, it was easier to imagine that the burger cook was on drugs or something which was why there were giant pickles wandering around.

These remakes make me sad sometimes... Like, the new Yars Revenge bothers me too. It doesn't seem to have much relation to the original game aside from shooting. And why on earth would you change a bug alien race into some anime chick insect hybrid? Is this really how we have to sell things these days? :(

Bryan Ochalla said...

Marcus: I sure hope you're right. The article I read didn't say one way or another if this map was only for multiplayer or if it was for singleplayer, too. Fingers crossed that it's multiplayer only -- or that there are multiple maps.

Still, there's definitely something lacking in both the action and visuals here. Although the spiral map seems cool at first glance, it seems to make the gameplay less focused -- and stressful -- than it was in the original. Also, the enemies -- what I can see of them, at least -- seem to lack character.

I guess we'll see how it turns out. At this point, though, my level of interest is quite low.

Bryan Ochalla said...

Oh, and one more thing, Marcus: I agree with you 100% when it comes to some of these modern-day remakes. Why do they always have to be so soulless?

Bryan Ochalla said...

Justin: You hit the nail on the head when you described "it looks like they took everything charming about it and sent it away." Ugh.

Oh, well, at least it's easy enough to play the arcade original and the NES version these days :)

Viewtiful_Justin said...

Yup. And we play them often! Our little local arcade's got some true gems, and that's one of them.

Bryan Ochalla said...

Oh, you are *lucky* to have such a great arcade near you! I'm jealous :)

Viewtiful_Justin said...

It's the first place I'd take you if you ever came this way. Tabletop Asteroids game, Ms. Pac Man, Tetris arcade game, and plenty more.

Bryan Ochalla said...

Well, I'll certainly let you know if I'm ever planning to be in the area. I never pass up a chance to play Ms. Pac-Man in a real arcade.

Zigfried said...

Haha, I never expected this. I think I'll pass, but I'll still watch its development with amusement.

Bryan Ochalla said...

Yeah, it's probably not something I'll be interested in when it's finally finished, Zigfried, but I'll enjoy reading about it in the meantime :)

Linnea said...

Horrified is the least you'll get watching this. Man, I'm not even a fan of BurgerTime (just because I haven't played it) but I get mad just watching the video. It's all so flashy and doesn not at all catch the spririts from the old. As remakes are supposed to do, at least in my opinion.

Have you seen the terrible, terrible remake of Rainbow Islands? How could they do this?! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUm_H312Fxo

Bryan Ochalla said...

Yeah, it definitely seems to lack the spirit of the original, Linnea -- at least in this video.

Oh, and yes, I've definitely seen that terrible remake of Rainbow Islands. I prefer to imagine that it doesn't exist. I'm not so fond of the Bubble Bobble remake either, although at least that one *tries* to recall the original (sadly, it fails).