10 Games That Would Be Amazing on Oculus

The Oculus is here to stay – and whether you love it or hate it, there are some unique opportunities for the console that would be truly next-level. Whether it’s a new game or an old game, fan-made or a first party release, there are some classic games that would be replaying tons of times with the VR treatment.

When I first saw Resident Evil 4 come out for Oculus, it got me thinking – why not the first Resident Evil (the Gamecube remake)? I remember seeing Zelda for NES getting remade in VR as well, and it only made me think more and more about what else is possible. Here are 10 games that would blow our minds if remade for Oculus:

10. PilotWings (SNES)

More well known to some than others, PilotWings was a game on the SNES that varied from skydiving, piloting, jetpacking, and hanggliding. If I remember correctly, the final level different than the rest of the game – but the minigames from this classic would be amazing on the oculus rift.

My first thought is that I’d be motion sick from all of the quick movements, but it might be something you could get used to after a while – maybe the skydiving wouldn’t have to be as fast as it is in real life – I want to have fun, not puke every time. I’ve seen videos of people doing tight-rope walk style games for Oculus, and while I haven’t played one of those myself, I imagine most of these minigames would give you that feeling, except for piloting a plane.

In the original SNES game (and I’m not a fan of the N64 sequel, it just never clicked for me) you would try to aim your way through different colored rings, or land in a certain spot with little margin for error. I don’t think this would be impossible to replicate on the Oculus, and I will continue to hope that Nintendo starts making some original games or ports for the console.

9. Bionic Commando (NES)

Bionic Commando has one major gameplay mechanic that would transfer amazingly well to the Oculus – the grappling hook. As a kid, it seemed ahead of its time, and it’s what I’d do the most in an otherwise tough and confusing game. You grapple around, loot, and scoot – but the enemies are relentless and it’s not always obvious where you’re supposed to go.

Remade as recently as 2008, it’s been new and improved before (or rearmed, rather) so I don’t think it’s a long shot for a similar kind of game to come out for the Oculus. The platform is perfect for it! But all kinds of things like licensing issues, and the company owning the IP actually developing for Oculus make it a tough going. It would take a large adoption of the Oculus, including a market share for retail games before publishers really consider it.

8. Pokemon Red & Blue (Gameboy)

You know what? I actually want to THROW a pokeball at a pokemon – has this ever been executed well? Here’s the chance, GameFreak – a Pokemon game, even a remaster of Red & Blue would be incredible on the Oculus. Or even, don’t even remake the graphics, I don’t care. Make it look like the NES Zelda port for Oculus. I want to see moves animated, though – seeing it all in first-person would be second to none.

You’ll see the trainer you’re battling against standing next to their pokemon and the pokemon would be scaled to size. I could see this leading to problems like a weedle being able to beat an onix, even though it’s so tiny in comparison (it would need to have a few levels over it, admittedly) – so there are some existential issues GameFreak would have to deal with, but I think both hardcore Pokemon fans and even casual fans would want to play. It would just be so much fun!

The trading aspect too, trading with others online would be great. Legendaries would look amazing in first-person, and the battle with Mewtwo would be nuts. Maybe they should remake the graphics – and add in new generations so there is a lot of variety. Or do separate game releases. It doesn’t matter! I’d have to catch them all!

7. Final Fantasy X (PS2)

Back in the day, FFX was pretty polarizing – hardcore fans thought it was too easy and too linear – thankfully, those fans are in the minority. FFX is basically the grandaddy go-to Final Fantasy entry and became a landmark title, perhaps the most well-known and recognizable entry in the series. I can’t heap enough praise on it – and I was critical of it when I first started playing. But, it won me over, and I still get the urge to give it another playthrough.

That’s why I think it would work so well with the Oculus. There’s already been an HD remaster, and, except for the music (don’t touch the original music, please) it was great! There’s not much left to do besides translating the entire experience into first-person, but maybe that’s not as much of a massive undertaking as it seems. If there’s a company that has enough resources to do it, it’s SquareEnix – hopefully they would be inclined to port a past title in the Final Fantasy series – rather than release one of the online titles on Oculus – they’re just not for me. Plus, Blitzball in first-person? Yes please. Even leave all of the dialogue the same, including that scene with Tidus’ cringey laugh.

6. Halo 2 (Xbox)

I picked Halo 2 instead of Halo because it’s the game I remember playing with friends in 9th grade – meeting up on the weekend to have LAN parties, playing ranked online, it was a fantastic experience – I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

Although it seemed like I played this game mostly online, it had a great campaign, too – and the title as a whole has so much to offer. The variety of weapons, the vehicles, online gameplay modes – team deathmatch, capture the flag, 1v1, 2v2 – I could go on and on. Did I mention the swords?

There are some potential negatives, like 343 Studios making the packing the experience with micro transactions – or playing online and chatting with other players raging out. That’s one thing I remember from playing online back in the day – people got pissed.

Here’s a working example a YouTuber made playing Halo 2 in VR!

5. Fallout 2 (PC)

Fallout 2 is the definitive game of the series. I will only budge a little bit for Fallout: New Vegas, but keep Fallout 3 and Fallout 4 – they’re boring. I said it! Even though it’s more likely for Fallout 4 to receive an Oculus release before Fallout 2, the original sequel will always hold a special place in my heart.

It’s just pure fun. You can do so many different builds with your main character – and if you don’t like how he turns out, just start over and do it all again, but differently. I don’t remember how many times I started new games – sometimes even right after losing an important battle out of frustration – and other times because I’ve found a new weapon that I wanted to use. You know, like the laser gatling?

The quests in the game were fresh and still feel fresh. There are not a lot of run and fetch quests. Branching paths, ethical choices, and so many sidekicks to befriend – or just blow everything up. You can really do it all. And the game would translate so well on the Oculus. Take my word for it – or go play the original, you won’t be disappointed!

4. The Elder Scrolls: Morrowind (PC)

Yeah, yeah Skyrim is available on the Oculus. Big whoop, wanna fight about it? The thing about Skyrim is, it’s boring. You can do everything in one playthrough. To that extent, you can become the master of more than one guild in Morrowind, but it’s going to take some time. And there are certain factions you can’t be members of, if you’re friends with another. Morrowind is the more interesting, more immersive experience, hands down.

If Bethesda had any sense, any at all, they would start working immediately on a port of Morrowind for the Oculus. I’ll admit, it’s probably not going to happen – and I’m salty about it.

Here’s an example of a fan-made mod this YouTuber tested out! I think the menus would have to be reworked…I’m squinting already.

3. Metal Gear Solid (PS1)

This game has already been remade – on the gamecube as Metal Gear Solid: Twin Snakes – which was a great game! But could you imagine playing through some of the boss battles in first person, avoiding enemy fire using your body to dodge, and true first-person aiming? Not only that, if there was a way to incorporate the VR perspective during cutscenes, I think it’d easily be a contender for game of the year. And no, I’m not kidding! Oh, also, crawling through vents. Hiding in a cardboard box – all in VR? Crazy! Knocking on walls and tricking guards? Okay, I’ll stop – but just imagine it.

2. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (N64)

Arguably one of the greatest video games of all time – The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time would be one of the greatest VR games ever released, if Nintendo would take the time to make it. It would have to be a first-party release, which doesn’t seem to be likely for Nintendo to take the time and make (although they released LoZ: OoT on Nintendo Switch recently – and it doesn’t perform well at all). Nintendo does tend to show a lot of love to previously released titles, especially when compared to Sony and Microsoft, so maybe there’s a slim chance. Maybe even if they released their own VR console down the road.

There has been a fan-made LoZ: OoT Oculus release, but the framerate isn’t good and the controls are basically still N64 controls. Still, it’s progress! But there is a long way to go. Consider sneaking around Hyrule Castle, dodging boulders on Mt. Doom (okay, that might be a little annoying), fishing in game, shooting arrows, and boss battles all in glorious VR. Pulling out the Master Sword with your own hands? Good grief!

1. Dark Souls (Xbox 360/PS3)

Already remastered once for PC, PS4 and Xbox One – Dark Souls my personal favorite video game of all time. Dark Souls 2 and Dark Souls 3 I consider classics as well. To me, From Software can do no wrong! I’m excited to see what they can do with The Elden Ring coming out later this year. But, if the original (or remastered) Dark Souls was fully remade for VR, I can honestly say I’d do a playthrough of every class, using each different type of weapon and every type of magic. Not only would it be super difficult, especially when doing NG+, but I’m not sure how the rolling mechanic would work in VR. Which means I’d probably get toasted by most bosses. Even still, a fan release can be found on YouTube. But we need an official release!

Online gameplay would be a lot more personal, especially when you get invaded and ganked – and man, the boss battles would be beyond epic. Even if you’re familiar with boss attack patterns, it would be so bewildering to try and keep up with them. Huge bosses like the Gaping Dragon and Seath The Scaleless would be crazy impressive, but even frustrating battles like the Cappa Demon would be way more intense.

I think it would be a lot more satisfying to sneak through areas and take out enemies with throwing knives and bows – stealth would pay off quite a bit more, I think players would be much more inclined to take their time. Falling to your death would not be fun – it would make you queasy (depending on how motion sick you get) and areas like Sen’s Fortress would be nauseating and super stressful.

While there are already some fan projects putting a first-person VR perspective on games like Dark Souls 3, I think it would take some attention to detail to really make Dark Souls work in VR and on the Oculus – but it would be amazing.

Were there any games that would be amazing in VR that we missed? Let us know in the comments below!