Xenomorphs and Katanas

There are some rumors floating around that Capcom will announce the re-release of two classic side-scrolling beat-em-ups on the PlayStation Network and Xbox Live Arcade. The announcement is supposed to take place during PAX East (Penny Arcade Expo) in Boston. This is great, as it is always awesome to see the return of the beat-'em-ups, whether re-release, brand new, or updated.

But when it's Capcom, there's always one that players clamor for. One that is name-dropped in the comments of each post relative to a beat-em-up release. One that I drained quarter after quarter on at my local Skate Express because rollerskating was dumb.

Capcom - please bring Aliens Vs. Predator back.

Really, why not bring it back? It's a classic that many a gamer fell in love with, and one that you'll surely profit from. We've seen resurgences of side-scrolling brawlers in the past, which must mean people are asking, maybe even begging for them. And they're certainly asking for this one.

So, what's to like about this game in particular? Well, here's never a dull moment, never a part where you lack the sensation of, "There's sixteen of these buggers here but I can take them," be they Royal Guard or multiple Warriors. The action was tight, controls were responsive, and there's even a bit of Street Fighter injected into the game with certain joystick motions needed to perform special moves. The four characters were balanced with their own moves and abilities, two of which  were actual Predators (who spoke English for some reason).

Much like many other beat-em-ups, you're always encouraged to go for one more, and keep going to the point where you've run out of quarters or credits. It was the same with The Simpsons game, and that one got a release on consoles! Put this one out, Capcom! I know that Sega has the license for the Aliens francise, but come on. You're already doing a crossover with them, and they could certainly use the good press right about now.

I implore you - bring this game back to consoles. To mobile phones, whatever. Just bring it back. We're hurting over here.

And for Mt. SAC folks that want to check this game out for themselves, but can't be bothered with a ROM version, the local Super Arcade has a 3-man coin-op running right now. As in now. Go. Play.