Good 2D to 3D conversions

[Graham Humphrey]

I think it's time to redress the balance slightly

Personally I'd go for Super Mario 64 and Mario Kart 64 as great examples of how to do a 2D game in 3D. (Although I know not everyone will agree )

Also, I really liked that Populous game on the PS1. And Micro Machines V3 was very cool.

Any more?

[Mick_AKA]

Duke Nukem 3D (although I did love the old series)
Final Fantasy VII (first of the FF games in 3D, and damn it was good)

Also have to defend Worms 3D, it's shit single player but playing multiplayer on the GameCube with 4 of you is easilly some of the best fun I've had on a console.

[s2325]

Earthworm Jim 3D, Tower of the Ancients (Columns in 3D),

[musashi5150]

Grand Theft Auto 3 was pretty incredible for me when it came out compared to previous versions

[Graham Humphrey]

Originally Posted by Mick_AKA

Final Fantasy VII (first of the FF games in 3D, and damn it was good)

Somehow forgot all about that - one of the very few RPGs I've played and the only one I finished.

Another one I forgot - Outrun 2 (and Outrun 2006), totally brilliant.

[DamienD]

Originally Posted by Graham Humphrey

Another one I forgot - Outrun 2 (and Outrun 2006), totally brilliant.

Most definely

After playing it on the arcades I had to purchase an Xbox for this a few years back

[Steve]

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time

[Retro-Nerd]

Out 2006 is pure fun, what an awesome 3D conversion.

For Final Fantasy in 3D:

I like only part IX, the other 3D games has nothing of the real Final Fantasy charm, boring stuff.

[Unch]

I think there are 3 types of successful 2D to 3D conversion. One where the game undergoes radical changes to the overall experience, but also retains the qualities that made the originals special. The second is where game was orginally attempting to emulate 3D gameplay using 2D methods. The last is where the game plays the same as before, except that the game assets are converted into 3D.

For example, Mario64 and Zelda:OOT are both completely unlike their 2D predecessors. With both those games, 3D offered new possibilities and a new experience.

MarioKart 64 on the other hand doesn't play hugely different to Super MarioKart. Super MarioKart is effectively trying to be a 3D game. I guess it could be argued that no conversion really took place. I guess Outrun would also come under this category to a lesser extent.

The last type is illustrated FF7. From what I've seen/played of it really is a 2D game. You've got 3D models roaming around on a pre-rendered 2D backdrop. Compare FF7 to FF6 and you'll see there isn't a huge amount of difference brought by 3D.

Micro Machines V3 is another good example of the last type. Although the environment and cars are 3D, the game is the same top-down gameplay as before, with a few nice tweaks such as zooming out on long fast straights.

[Zetr0]

@Unch

well stated..... totally agree