There was a time when the 2D platformer genre was more than just a subtle entry in the gaming industry like it is now, but rather, it was one of the main genres for many systems such as the NES, Genesis, SNES, and TG-16. But with the major changes in modern hardware, people wanted more things out of their gaming consoles such as more immersive graphics, realistic sound effect, and fully orchestrated soundtracks.

Fast-forward to the state of gaming today. We have consoles that resemble high-end PCs as opposed to the gaming consoles that we used to play on. They are armed with exceptional graphics and sound processing for the best experience that anyone can have with a current generation console. But with these major leaps in technology, people have adjusted to games that almost resemble movies, complete with cinematic sequences and voice acting. So with all of this neat technology and multi-million dollar budgets, why is it that 2D gaming has become a small niche in the gaming world?

The main reason that most companies will not release a 2D style game is money. People will just look at it and push it off to the side because it lacks the graphical pull of the new games that offer better graphics. Sure, some companies will fund and release a nice 2D platformer once in awhile (for a handheld system see: Dracula X PSP and the Metroidvania games on the DS), but it is really hard to find a good game for these new consoles that don't resemble a first person shooter in a grey and brown post-apocalyptic future, but those are few and far between all of the other stuff that gets released.

So what about the retro remakes and their possible resurgence on the modern consoles? My guess is about as good as anyone else's but I believe that if all the buzz around Mega Man 9 is any indication, then we may actually see some new 2D games this generation if it is successful. Publishers will realize that there is an audience for these kinds of old-school styled games and will actually fund them. Just thinking about a new Castlevania in the vein of Symphony of the Night, but in HD and completely new level designs just makes me hope that developers and publishers alike will see that the future of gaming isn't just a shade of brown viewed through the eyes of a marine, but rather, a colorful world where all you need is a jump button (or in the case of Bionic Commando ReArmed, a bionic claw arm) and a crazy arsenal of weapons to save the world.