This Helldivers 2 demake reimagines the game as a 16-bit Metal Slug style shooter

Video game demake projects are a great way to look at an iconic game through a different lens and see what it could have looked like had it been released in the past. From Gameboy versions of Fallout New Vegas to Cyberpunk 2077 on PS1, many of these would have been a huge hit had they been released 30 years ago. And now, we get to see what Helldivers 2 could have looked like if it was released back in 1996 on the Neo Geo.

A YouTube channel called 64 Bits recently uploaded a video of a 16-bit Helldivers 2 demake, giving us a look at what the game could look like if it was created in the style of classic 2D shooters such as Metal Slug.

The creators described the demake as “It’s 1996 and Helldivers 2 just came out in the arcades in 16-bits!!
This is the 13th demake in the series, where we take modern games and imagine them on retro consoles. This time we made Hell Divers 2 on the for Arcades in 16-Bits! Obviously there is a lot of inspiration from Metal Slug and similar games.”

Unfortunately, it is just a video animation and not a playable, so there is no way to download this and experience it yourself. But, it does show that this type of game could work and the series could be reimagined in a different style, or be developed as a spin-off from the main Helldivers 2 game.

With Helldivers 2 being one of the largest games in the world right now, going on to sell over 12 million copies in its first three months, more games to capitalize on its success would be great to see. The Halo series saw it shift to the top-down perspective for the Spartan Strike and Spartan Assault spin-off games, which were also released on mobile as well as PC and console. A ‘demake’ style game of Helldivers 2 would work well on mobile devices and could be a great way to boost its visibility and player base.

But for now, all we have is this beautiful demake video showing us what could be. For what its worth, Arrowhead Game Studios did repost the video on X so perhaps they will also see the potential like I do.

Check out the Helldivers 2 demake video below.

Helldivers 2

• Release Date:
  February 8, 2024
• Platform(s):
  PC, PlayStation 5
• Genre(s):
  Action, Shooter, Third Person

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