The List: Five 80s Cartoon That Would Make Good MMOs
In this week's Tuesday Top Five, MMORPG.com Managing Editor Jon Wood writes this look at 80s television cartoons that would make interesting IPs for future MMORPG projects.
Editorial By Jon Wood on May 05, 2009
Anyone who grew up in the 1980s grew up watching many of the same, 30 minute toy commercials known as Saturday morning cartoons. Those same children, in all likelihood, grew up in households where video games had become more a part of daily life. Consoles like the Nintendo Entertainment System and Sega Genesis together with the emergence of more games for the personal computer which was becoming more and more popular in homes made gamers of many of them. It seems only natural then that these two childhood memories, cartoons and video games, come together in this list of 80s cartoon IPs that, should a development studio CEO get nostalgic, would make for interesting MMORPGs.
#5 The Carebears
The Carebears, as a televison series, ran from 1985 until 1988. Different colored bears (and later other animals as well) with symbols on their stomachs go on missions of caring, fighting the forces of creatively named villains like No Heart and Professor Coldheart.
;)
The list begins with an entry for the children's MMO category. The jokes that would come along with a Carebears MMO write themselves, but the actual concept behind the show might lend itself to a robust virtual world for young children. The conflict and ensuing combat within the original cartoon were both entertaining and sanitized enough to provide kids with hours of fun and designers a strong starting point for some core mechanics. Character creation would also be both simple and diverse; core creatures with an added color template and one of many distinctive tummy symbols and names that could be easily chosen from a list.
Argument for the Game's Creation:
Proposed Carebear character names: Ganker Bear, Pwnage Bear, Carebear Bear
#4 He-Man / She Ra
The original cartoons ran from 1983 - 1985 and 1985-1986 respectively. The twin brother and sister combo of heroes existed in a universe that was a bizarre mix of sword and shield fantasy with an edge of sci fi and lasers. He-Man came from a land called Eternia, defending the secrets of Castle Greyskull from Villains like Skeletor and Beastman with help from friends like Man At Arms and Man-E-Faces (because he had many faces). She-Ra, in similar fashion protects a world called Etheria from the (try to keep the WoW jokes to a minimum) evil Horde.
;)
The sci fi / fantasy combination for the universe that these characters inhabited would make an interesting setting for an MMORPG. The stories of both series allows for adventures beyond those of the principle characters and would even give potential game designers options in terms of allowing cross realm play (good guys or bad guys). Sure, the main characters would have to play a part, but there was a lot to this fictional universe that went unexplored in the relatively short run of the series.
Argument for the Game's Creation:
Debate: Which would win in a fight? He-Man's Sword of Power or The Sword of a Thousand Truths?
#3 Robotech
When its three year run in North America began in 1985, Robotech was the most "grown up" of the potential games listed here, having been adapted to more closely resemble the depth and complexity of the original Japanese version. Robotech was set in a world where mankind had discovered a crashed alien starship and used its technology to develop giant robots that are capable of becoming a man-like robot, a jet, or a hybrid of the two.
;)
Robotech is one of those names that gets constantly thrown around as a possible setting for an MMORPG. The show's mythology (which is actually three unrelated Japanese made shows mashed together with a new plot), would certainly allow for numerous Mech pilots to battle in three different "Robotech Wars," each against a distinct villain. A truly crafty development team could make good use of the three wars concept to give players an option as to which timeframe they would like to participate in. Still, it's giant transforming robot mechs. No matter which way you slice it, make a halfway decent game and you've got a built in audience.
Argument for the Game's Creation:
Giant mechs that turn into robots, jets, or jets with arms and legs!
#2 G.I. Joe
G.I. Joe originally ran from 1985-1987 and depicted the struggle between the good guys, in the form of the flag waving G.I. Joes and the bad guys in the form of the terrorist organization, COBRA. Each individual Joe (and their COBRA counterpart) had a unique and often fairly specific skillset that set them apart from their cohorts.
;)
G.I. Joe is going to seem like an odd choice to players outside of North America, given the program's "Real American Hero" approach, but the theme of fighting a ruthless terrorist organization for the betterment of mankind is a more universal concept than the show's name implies, especially in today's political climate, should resonate beyond the confines of the Red, White and Blue.
G.I. Joe, the MMO, opens itself up to be an interesting skill-based game, focusing not just on intense combat (which would certainly have to play a role), but also on the diverse array of abilities that are showcased in the seemingly infinite number of G.I. Joe characters.
Argument for the Game's Creation:
We just don't have enough MMOs that let players dress up in silly costumes and try to shoot each other in the head.
#1 Transformers
The original Transformers ran from 1984-1992. Two warring factions of robots who can transform themselves from robots into familiar machines like planes and cars, battle over energy on 1980s Earth.
;)
The battle between the Autobots and the Decepticons is one that MMO players have been asking game developers to let them get involved in for quite some time. The two clearly delineated sides of the conflict would provide an excellent springboard for an RvR style of game, and the appeal of playing a giant robot that could become a car, a jet or a giant gun at any moment holds real sway for many gamers. Yes, the argument can be made that the series characters are "too iconic" to allow for thousands of new Autobots (or Decepticons), but Earth (to say nothing of Cybertron) is a big place.
Argument for the Game's Creation:
Guilds could form up and create giant robots. The game practically sells itself.
So, that's the MMORPG.com list. What 80s cartoons, if any, would make great virtual worlds? We considered, but decided that Ghostbusters and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, among others, were not the best fit. Now it's your turn. Let us know in the comment thread below.
More The List Features:
More Editorial:
More Features:
Ok he picked a good set of cartoons that would make good mmo's and i do agree with most of what he wrote about them too.
Definitely would like to see a RoboTech mmo.
Thundarr the Barbarian MMO would either rock or be a furry nightmare.
Voltron! Which is kinda funny because I don't really care for anime style graphics these days, lol.
Z
A Transformer's MMO centered around the war before the comics would be incredible. A mass Transformer PVP game. Transformers on Earth would just be an awkward MMO...
Pirates of dark waters
I'm thinking maybe Dungeons and Dragon.... no wait, nm.
How about, Superfiriends...no, wait, nm, DC Onlines got that one covered....
Looks like you took all the good ones, perhaps Voltran might have been another possibility.
THUNDER! THUNDER! THUNDERCATS!
lol, awesome.
They have to make a Smurf MMO.
1. The curse word filter would just substitute the word "Smurf", no matter what was typed: "You smurfing piece of smurf! I'm going to smurfing pwn your smurf and feed your smurfs to the smurfing smurf-smurfs!"
2. Only one smurfette per server limits the whole males-playing-females debate. Cyber-smurfing would be limited. Well... probably.
3. The devs only have to schedule one raid a week, involving pure pwnage of Gargamel and Azrael. The rest of the time you would just be eating mushrooms (or was it living in them) and making fun of the other smurfs.
4. You can finally meet all the smurfs they never allowed on camera: Stoner Smurf, Douchebag Smurf, Spanky Smurf, etc.
I know, the true joy of this game is if you could play one of the humans and walk around smushing the smurfs. It would be smurftastic.
Reboot MMO.
FYI rest of the world knows GI JOE by the name of Action Force.
Wow...
Do you kiss your mother with that mouth?
I do not think I have seen such vile language in a post on this site. I am fairly liberal when it comes to language and what people say, but I have never been offended so much before on a forum. I hope one day you can learn a greater vocabulary that consists of more than 5 letter words. Classless...Totaly classless. Does it make you feel like a big man to drop the "S" Bomb that many times in one post?
Seriously, there are darkfall fans and other children that read this, and you have to post all that filth?
You sir, are reported....
Reboot and Thundar would be interesting
Silverhawks, how come no one but me remembers the silverhawks? I agree with all of them but carebears. oh and mask was an awsome show, not so good on the mmo idea cause it would be a lot like twisted metal.
There is a fan made Robotech MMO that has been in developement for years. Mot much has been done with it forever though. Second to Star Wars Robotech is my favorite lore. It's just a question of what era would the MMO best work since the story spans so many years? www.robotechmmo.com/
Heres one for the people that can remember........... Star Blazers
Screw the Carebear MMO and go for Shirt Tales.
yeah that was good times
The Flintstones! Well, okay, not actually from the 80's but still!
YABBADABBADOO!
Well, a Transformers MMO, the wars right after the Autobots and the Decepticons escaped their captors (the Quintessons) would be a perfect time to create the universe because of the early history and the openess of the lore at that time period. If you read really deep into the Transformers universe, they even had Robot gods and stuff...how awesome is that?
DRAGON BALL.
yeah......... yeaaaaaaaaaah....
captain planet.
Epic pvp battles that take 7 weeks to finish!
Thundercats would be awesome, but could get stale if Cat was the only major PC race (I know they had some allies here and there, but still...)
I wholeheartedly disagree with the article's assertion that TMNT wouldn't make for a good MMO. In fact, it could make for a superb MMO.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teenage_Mutant_Ninja_Turtles_&_Other_Strangeness
TMNT was already a tabletop game. I don't know how successful it was or wasn't, but the key to its fun was that it didn't limit you to turtles as PCs. You had a large array of animals you could mutate, all with unique characteristics.
Could be a lot of fun :)
LOL....................
The original Dragon Ball show would probably make a good MMO as well. Plenty of interesting themes, and it ran during the 80s in Japan. Maybe even the old Legend of Zelda TV series would have made a nice MMO.
Nice! I'd so play a G.I. Joe or Transformers MMO. One I'd really like would be M.A.S.K. (Mobile Armoured Strike Kommand) MMO.
LOL....................
GONNA TAKE POLLUTION DOWN TO ZERO!!!
The Visionaries!
www.youtube.com/watch
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merklynn
Oh yeah!!! This is actually one of the IP's i would make a MMO of. That is, if i won the lottery :)
Epic pvp battles that take 7 weeks to finish!
atleast no one would whine about pvp being too simple.
I think Pirates of darkwater would make for a awesome mmorpg. still love the cartoon. However the whole topic is off the wall, but amusing. there could always be the smurfs vs the carebears or rainbowbright vs jam ect.
I still have my Copper toy. My brother and I loved us some Silverhawks.
OMFG ThunderCats!!! For a mmo would be great!!
Can the next article be Best IP To Be the Next MMO? Because I seriously want Wizards of The Coasts to make a damn Magic MMO.
I just remembered another good one. What about Dinoriders!!!
Giant lasers, rockets, and dinosaurs. Who wouldn't want to ride a T-rex with rocket launchers? Ahh, the good ole days.
What no Hulk Hogan Rock N Wrestling?
Take it to the streets brother! Body slams, street brawls, drop kicks, drops off buildings type of pvp brwals.
for anyone who has never seen the originals. lol
He-Man
www.youtube.com/show
She-RA
www.youtube.com/show
Transformers would not necessarily need to have one specific planet for combat - it is a universal-wide battle.
Anyway I just prefer more the sci-fi types, fantasy is way too overused.
Shadow Raiders would make a great MMO in my opinion, but its not from the 80s.
All were good except the carebears one.
They forgot Thundercats!! Cant wait for the upcoming movie!
G.I. Joe or robotech would be the best franchises to turn into an mmo imo
I like all of the ideas as I am an 80s guy. Personally, the Transformers would be very fun to see. Of course the battle grounds would be Cybertron, Earth, and the many other planets depicted in the cartoon series. As for the unlimited amount of possible transformations that players could have, I wonder if we'd actually be able to see how our avatars transform or would it be simply a blur (in which case I wouldn't want to see this game). The story practically writes itself.
Thundercats!111!!! Zomg can't believe didn't mention thundercats. Man that show pwned.
Nice article, it is a good mainstream selection, but I think the 5 most interesting 80s cartoons that would make unique MMOs are:
1-SECTAURS
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sciz05q9JdE
2-ZILLION
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7FMinLBEYU
3-SilverHawks
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzAQu23t19A
4-ThunderCats
5-Tenshi no tamago (not an animated TV serie, an animated movie from the 80s but with a fantastic lore for a MMO)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yU9j5IhLBYE
Hmmmm....... Ok lets EXAMINE your picks Mr. Wood.
5. Carebears?? My first reaction is WHAT??? but after I recomposed myself I thought hmm can anyone say HELLO kitty.
4. He-Man / She Ra This is a difficult one eveyone chassing after the main VILLIAN Skeletor. I just dont see to much creativity with this sorry.
3. Robotech One of my all time favorite ANIME of all time. I played the RP game published by Palladium Books. As a matter of fact it has a New source books The Macross Saga sourcebook was released in late October, 2008, and a sourcebook covering The Masters Saga was released in April 2009. So the RP game is not DEAD. Of course there are a FEW titles for the CONSOLE world. LAST but not least lets not forget about the MOVIE schedule for 2012 yeah I will BELIVE it when I see it. anywho it is rumored to star Tobey Maguire as Rick Hunter. LMAO a ROY Fokker Maybe just because by the TIME or IF the movie comes out by then I would have to argue that TOBEY would not pass as a teen. Perhaps by then Harmony Gold USA might see fight to a MMORPG.
2. G.I. Joe Can anyone say CITY of Hero's, City of Villians.
1. Transformers Well YES I can see this as a MMO or a MMORPG it would be DIFFRENT toon creation would be UNISEX after all. It would be a GREAT pvp mmo I cant see it as a MMORPG.
what about some of the lesser well known ones like.
The Centurions
Silverhawks
Bravestarr
Beetleborgs
So... what's next in this series: Top 5 Sandwiches that would make Good MMOS?
If I were going to be forced to play an MMO based on an 80's cartoon I'd hope it would be one of the Warner Brothers cartoons: either Batman or Calamity Jane...
My Batman game would be in reverse, though. Basically, you'd roll up a thug in Gotham City and attempt to pull of crimes until the Batman shut you down. You'd work your way from minion in silly clothes to full-on themed psycho-villain. This way Batman could return to being myserious and scary, seemingly everywhere, shutting down crimewaves all by himself.
I should send you a tape of the Carebear movie and make you watch it... see how fast you'd change this list.
here are my picks for 80's cartoons that could go as a mmo
5. Police Academy
4. Flash Gordon
3. Transformers
2. Thundercats
1. Ghostbusters
Oh yeah!!! This is actually one of the IP's i would make a MMO of. That is, if i won the lottery :)
Beat me to it - the first thing I thought of, and I was very disappointed it wasn't on the list. Put it at #1 and drop the stupid bears off the bottom.
hmm.. Centurions? Galtar and the Golden lance?
-----> Spiral Zone ??<-----
A Care Bears MMO would be the height of irony.
The Transformers one could be cool.
I remember the Silverhawks, you are not alone.
I remember the Silver Hawks! :) that would be a great one but I know a few others that would be great also,
1.Transformers or the GoBots
2. Thundarr The Barbarian
3.Thunder Cats
4.G.I.Joe
5.He-Man or She-Ra
As an alternative to the Care Bears:
Disney's Adventures of the Gummi Bears
They bounce here and there and everywhere, you know.
My number one would be Thundar. The possibilities in that one are pretty wide open. I wouldn't go as far as care bears on the other end. Maybe a smurf MMO for the care bear crowd. Great list overall... there are so many good cartoons i remember from my childhood that would be great MMOs. I can't believe GI Joe doesn't make everyone's top 5 list. :)
A Thundercats MMO would be a furries wet dream.
Oh wait... there's already Second Life.
Come on what about The Snorkles?
Psssh, RoboTech. I vote for a Gundam MMO.
I like the idea of a He-Man MMO, but that show had quite the gay undertone to it. For the Captain Planet suggestions, why not go as far as a Toxic Avengers MMO, it was a short lived cartoon like most of the 80's and early 90's cartoons. Maybe they can mirge together the Smurfs and the Snorks together.
But Gundam all the way!
I like the idea of a Gundam MMO
My list would be Star Blazers,Gundam and Centurions
I know it isn't technically a cartoon but i used to love watching Fragil Rock That show was great. You would have to explore the land of the giants for raid content. other than that though it would mostly be crafting i guess lol.
It's kind of funny how these topics always go off from the original topic in a slight way.
I would say Thundercats, but furries creep me right the fuck out.
So I agree with the list. Carebear MMO just for the lolfactor.
What about a flinstones MMO where players treated it like a sim game.
You could do work stuff... maybe some organized crime....cook.... you know what nm
Not unless Doozer or w/e they were called (the little construction dudes) was a playable race. ROFL!!
The Wombles!
A Robotech game would work very well, even though it would probably be better to base it on the original Macross series instead.
The other 4 however is not something I would like to play. Too boring setting.
Hmmm
1. Battle of The Planets.
2. Defenders of The Earth.
3. Thundercats (shit loads of Thundercats, man).
4. Transformers.
5. Dungeons & Dragons (hey it was an 80's cartoon). But based on the show, rather than Stormreach.
"Dungeonmaster!"
Jace and the wheeled warriors, that would be awsome, and please don't say I'm the only one that remembers it.
Btw transformers wasn't set in the 80's, I think it was ment to be set in the late 90's, the orginal cartoon film was based in 2005, which is also the year they re-released it I do believe.
I've always wanted to see a Transformers MMO, with the customization of City of Heroes/Villains, the PvP of Dark Age of Camelot, and a skill based system of advancement.
Oh man! I completly forgot about that cartoon, I use to have some of the toys too. I actually think that would be a pretty interesting MMO.
While we're at it, what about Gem? She's truly outrageous...
I also remember a pac man cartoon, and a super mario bros cartoon and a zelda cartoon...
Basically all the crap that played on the USA cartoon express (along with he-man). heh.
Given the success of the Transformers - this has huge potential. If i had millions to invest, I'd call up a developing comapny like 38 Studios and say lets grab this and run! Avatar customization of robots, upgrades to what you can transform into, tons of skills, like Jon said (option to combine into a mega bot!), guilds create giant fortresses that can transform into mega bots too, compete for energy sources (energon), etc., crafting (enginering cyber stuff), vehicle combat, lots of factions, etc.
Other possibilities -
Adventures of Johnny Quest - shrink down to insect size and adventure
A pretty good list. If we were to take it seriously, Transformers, GI Joe, and Robotech would be the best on the list for something fans would want to play for sure. The Care Bears choice for a younger children MMORPG entry is rock solid, but Smurfs would be my personal choice over it as well.
Thundercats? Nah. Thundarr the Barbarian all the way - A slick Gamma World feel of post apocalyptic Earth with super science, sorcery, cyberware, monsters, mutants, and more? Hell yeah.
Another optional switch for Thundercats would be Teenaged Mutant Ninja Turtles as per the Palladium RPG, but we're looking at a furry based MMO which is a great thing for some and horrible for others. Pirates of Dark Water, while awesome, doesn't fit the 80's feel very well and it's also a stock fantasy setting. God knows we've seen enough of that already in the MMORPG scene.
What?!?!?!
This isn't a top list of 80s cartoons that would make good MMOs!
Let me show you how it's done with my TOP 3
Number 3: MR. T http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mDQ-Yg6AME&feature=related
Why? Because he's got a cool cool haircut and a mean mean look in his eye!
Number 2: Rambo the Force of Freedom http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eliQEStzhu4
Why? uhmmm did you even see the last movie? The dude cuts people in half with a jeep mounted gun! That sounds fun right?
Number 1: CHUCK NORRIS: KARATE KOMMANDOS http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXpA4TjimII
Why? Chuck Norris sleeps with a pillow under his gun. Need more reasons? Chuck Norris' calendar goes from March 31 to April 2...nobody fools Chuck Norris.
Not saying it would be a good MMO, but if City of Heroes can survive then something based on the C.O.P.S. cartoon could as well.
Speaking of 80's cartoons, it couldn't make it as an MMO, but Count Duckula was great entertainment. And with a run from 88-93 pretty succesful as they go.
If we extended this to movies or live action tv shows then I'd throw Blade Runner into the mix, Road Warrior perhaps (vehicles being rare of course), and Terminator of course. Transylvannia 6-5000 just barely missed the cut.
I honestly don't see how you can talk about 80's cartoons for an MMO... and not mention Thundarr The Barbarian.
Future earth setting (hell you can use the split up moon from EQ for our moon...)
With a mix of Magic, Mutations and SciFi ?
Sounds like total win to me.
Ukla ! Ariel ! Riiiiiiiide....
Not to mention her good fashion sense of riding around mostly naked... (a gimmick which most MMO's cloned anyway)
Plus were any of the 80's cartoons you mentioned easter eggs in Wizardry (the computer rpg game) ... no.. ya that's what I thought.
(that's supposed to be funny but if you played the game you know what I mean... then again you'd have to admit you're probably older as well and who wants to do that.)
ExoSquad and DragonQuest would be great. And if Marvel ever gets their head on straight X-Men.
x-men, he-man, thundar, thundercats, silverhawks, flash gordon. rest is crap imo
G.I. Joe and Transformers could be big hits. Especially now with both of them having blockbuster films coming out. I still think there should be a Pokemon MMO though >_<
This was the cartoon I thought of second (after Thundarr the Barbarian) but then I rememberd PoDW was a late 90s cartoon.
I vote for the carebear game. I would like to lol every days to see new video's of that game on you tube. The worst part about it is that it wont even have pvp system for sure.
i don't know if it's been said (i can't be bothered to look) but what about visonaries or centurions
That's a great read lol. My first thoughts were already captured in the first few replies. I think Robotech would rock the house, and I loved Thundar the Barbarian lol.
Anyone ever see Star Blazers? That was pretty cool as a kid too. Three factions also: Earth, Gamelon and the Comet Empire ^_^. Wicked lot of options for character classes, spaceships (capital and fighters), had space marines with ground vehicles too, medics, the works.
I don't think most 80's cartoons, or cartoons of any era for that matter, would make good MMOs.
However, I think he's picked a good top 3. There's a specific reason why they'd all be good, and that's numbers.
If you look at Robotech, G.I. Joe, and Transformers, they all have ensemble casts, the latter two even moreso. The IPs are based around so many characters each being unique and important, that it really opens itself out to the MMO genre because you can just stick players in as new characters. He-man wouldn't work so much because it was really just the two small groups all the time. With Transformers, they were always meeting new autobots and decepticons so when I log in and make my new character, he fits right in. Adding 5 new characters to the He-man universe might not work so well, let alone 500.
Oh yeah!!! This is actually one of the IP's i would make a MMO of. That is, if i won the lottery :)
Woot just found this lol. If one of us wins let's do it!
That looks like Yoshitaka Amanos art, the original artist of the final fantasy series, I love it and now im interested.
Pinky and Brain Online (dont remember if that was in the 80;s or 90's.^^)
But seriously imo cartoons/ mmo's dont go togther well . Maybe the known superhero stuff but we have that already (though not based on an existing cartoon) with CoH/CoV
I like most of the sugestions, but i belive that the gummy bears should be in the mix as well.
bwahaha good one.
SMURFS MMO !
la la lala la la, la lala la laaaaa !
That looks like Yoshitaka Amanos art, the original artist of the final fantasy series, I love it and now im interested.
Yes, Tenshi no Tamago has the art of Yoshitaka Amano, it is a very artistic and expressive surreal animation.
...
Robotech would make an excellent mmo, I would also like to add Mechwarrior, which was a cartoon for a short period of time.
\m/ TRANSFORMERS! \m/ ~Sings theme song~
The original version would bring the biggest crowd and have the most potential fun! There are so many ways I've imagined the 'perfect' Transformers game, be it a MMORPG or otherwise. . . Fresh from reading the article and not really getting bogged down, just imagine; Gathering energon cubes when those pesky goody goody Autobots show up to spoil your day. Do you stick around and fight it out, or do you fly away with what you have, storing up your energy at Decepticon headquarters for whatever nefarious purposes/schemes Megatron has planned THIS time. . . Man, my mind is all over the place with this. . . it could literally be the perfect MMORPG. . .my god, I want to live there now! lol Who wouldn't want to be a badass eighties cartoon that transformed and had epic battles and shit? Sweet. \m/
Starblazers! I own season's 1 and 2. . .then I will get 3, and the movies and stuff that followed that. . . Starblazers is the shizna that started it all. . .you know what I'm talking about. :D
Epic pvp battles that take 7 weeks to finish!
No doubt, lol!
No doubt. :D
Every Transformer had that one special skill that was theirs and theirs alone. Remember when Megatron combined all the special powers of the Decepticons to cheat in a duel against Optimus Prime? That would be a cool thing too. There are so many possibilities for the Transformers. . . It would probably work best as a game with alot of instances like Guild Wars, that way some of your missions (see quests) could be with iconic Transformers for those special OMG! moments. :D
Thundarr the Barbarian, He-Man, GI Joe, Transformers, ects, are like shovel-ready projects for MMO or MMORPG companies. The hard work has already been done! Don't change the stories, be creative with the dynamics! And please, no wannabe Michael Bay developers, please! No no no no no no! lol
As much as I love Transformers, I think it would be too hard in a technical sense to create a proper MMO. The different transforming styles alone would require Crisis level computers.
As for GIJoe, I think that has potential. There was a PnP game called ACE Agents that was a bit tongue and cheek that could be used as a reference since it justifies some of GIJoe's style. For instance ACE Agents were encouraged to create creative code-names, uniforms, and weapons because the military sold the rights to toy, game, and comic companies. The revenue from that made ACE Agents the most profitable branch of government. They fight PYTHON. PYTHON is an acronym but no one knows what it stands for. Even the leaders. PYTHON's founders thought it sounded scarier if people thought the name had a hidden meaning. PYTHON has a contest to determine what the letters stand for. (The sidebar quotes an ACE Agent complaining that the contest was for PYTHON members only and how his "really good idea" was mailed back unopened.)
Seriously though, if you keep the violence down to the cartoon level (no one gets killed or permenantly injured), it can work as a mission based MMO. If you create a squad (team), a mission can be custom created so each member would have a moment to shine.
How could anyone miss this one?
BATTLETECH The Animated Series
http://www.sidereel.com/BattleTech:_The_Animated_Series/_watchlinkviewer/27
There's no way I'm going to read all 11 pages to see if someone already posted this, but it's "Masters of the Universe" not He Man / She-Ra!
I can't believe you forgot the name!
1. GI Joe
Loved this show when I was a kid, and there are not nearly enough gun-esque MMO's out there of quality.
2. Thundercats
Would be hard to do well, but like the show and would be interesting to try.
3. Smurfs
This has good MMO potential all over it, could be a lot of group work.
4. Gummi Bears
I mean come on, how could it be bad...ok it probably would be.
5. Duck Tales
NES game was amazing, MMO well maybe, but not likely
Transformers and GI Joe probably have the best potential.
EDIT: Roger Rabbit would be a pretty amazing concept as well. Humans vs Cartoons or Humans helping Cartoons. Could have a good and evil to both.
There were never any transforming 'styles' in the cartoon. Unnecessary for the game. You're a car ~transforming sound, anywhere from slow to fast depending on the Transformer~ then you're in robot mode. If you want different transforming styles, buy the toy. :D I know somebody said earlier that if the transforming was just a blur it would suck, but that's all it ever was, more or less, in the original cartoon. I think that in a technical sense, it would be very easy. Very, very easy. Besides, you could really only be so many things anyway. A vehicle, gun, aircraft, tape deck. . .those could be like character classes. :D
Got caught up in the moment. Was too focused on Transformers. Of the five cartoons listed, though, Masters of the Universe would be right on par with Transformers as a MMO idea. I could get just as excited about that if it weren't for my brain brimming with ideas about The Transformers. :D I have He-Man and the Masters of the Universe on my computer right now. I watch it from time to time, slowly making my way through episodes. :D But the official name is He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, but Masters of the Universe would be better for a game, that way you could easily bring in the She-ra thing under that. I don't know what her show's full title is. . .I'll go look. . .She-ra, Princess of Power, lol! You could even have bad guy camps against each other, like Hordak and his Evil Horde vs Skeletor and his minions. They could team up, betray each other, ects. . .
Sectaurs, Tigersharks, Knights of the Zodiac, Vizionaries & maybe some cavemen cartoon I can't recall.
Great list Jon, I am so glad to see transformers there. Actually some buddies and I were talking about how it would be cool do design and play as a transformer. I guess with the new movie coming out soon it is getting some creativity going.
It would be either 2, a Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo (Black and chrome) called Kraller that turned into a giant spider-like robot that could klimb practically ANYTHING. Even sheer buildings becuase it would have stickypads as an option. Unfortunaly, he would have to be a decepticon.
On the other hand, how about a Hummer H2 (Black and Yellow!) called Thud that turned into a massive rocket launcher armed with with a variety of AV missles. He would be an autobot, so he could shoot down almost anything out of the air.
Pretty cool list again jon.
Have fun,
Ink
Im thinking Smurfs Vs Snorks... Snorks leave the underwater world of Snorkland and attack the Smurf Village and burn it to the ground. Smurfs flee the village and live in small mushroom towns around the forest.. Snorks live in towns in the rivers.. guilds can build their own towns ... mutli classes for both snorks and smurfs... mix of pvp and Pve.. lol
Like quite a few posters here,any list of 80's cartoons to be made into a mmo would be incomplete without....
THUNDERCATS!!
Strange was just talking about this the other day as I seen play.com had the entire series for sale,still thinking of buying it and re-living my youth :)
I can't believe someone else remember Jace and the wheeled warriors....I totally forgot the name until you said it, I have even tried to explain the cartoon to others and they think i make it up...you rock.
As for the list....Thundarr the barbarian and Pirates of dark water...those cartoons captured my imagination more than any other cartoon.
I haven't read the discussion thread, so this isn't responding to anyone, but transformers would rock. I would suggest having the player select the basic powers and role, then having the game autocreate the bot, or at least give a few optional suggestions.
TMNT could work out amazingly, except in making it an mmorpg, the crowding might make it not feel the same, like the freaks felt like the norm instead of ...the genetically modified freaks that they were.
GIJoe as more skill based but with intense combat would be amazing, if done right.
Ghostbusters has some amazing potential for games, but I can't really see making it work as an mmorpg.
Heman, with, as pointed out, it's unexplored magical land of...Eternia, was it? could be nifty, too.
I can't really think of a lot of other cartoons that would work as well as what has already been mentioned, so I'll shush now.
Yes!
Hell, yes. I remember the toys. I also threatened a few friends with converting the carebears to D&D Visionaries style as villains...that's a lot of villains when you're making evil magickal knights pulled from both shows.
How about a phenom that should have been an 80's cartoon, and therefore included in your list??? (I'm cheating, I know).... Namely,..
The Micronauts!
Cool vehicles, quite a bit of player agency...that would be a darn fun MMO I think.
Knowing MMO players....this is what I imagine it would be like.
He-Man and Transofrmers are awesome!!!
I hated Thundercats when it came on when I was 8. Don't go back and watch it. An old roommate bought two of the sets, and they're horrible, even for nostalgia. I don't see how they could possibly make a decent MMO, and so far everyone here that's said 'But what about THUNDERCATS?' hasn't even remotely suggested how this furry's wet dream could be any good....wait, I just said it. It could only exist as a furry's wet dream game.
I can't believe someone else remember Jace and the wheeled warriors....I totally forgot the name until you said it, I have even tried to explain the cartoon to others and they think i make it up...you rock.
As for the list....Thundarr the barbarian and Pirates of dark water...those cartoons captured my imagination more than any other cartoon.
Imo the best part of the show was the glam metal theme tune lol
www.youtube.com/watch
Good read...
I'm all for a G.I. Joe MMO, I prefer G.I. Joe to a Transformers MMO, but I'm sure if either was made it should be fun to get involved in.
Thunder Cats is totally missing off your list! Not that I was a big fan of the cartoon, but it was a definte miss on your list.
Thundarr the Barbarian. Like so many have said before, its all there. Lore and all..perfect for MMORPG conversion. Post-apocalyptic land filled with sorcery, technology, mutants and monsters...And one Sunsword to destroy them all. DEMON DOGS! Someone should make this.
Don’t forget Thunder Cats! At the end of ever quest we can do our ‘Thigh slap and hearty laugh’ emote :)
What about a mech game where your guild can run a giant mech? Each member has his part to play – ‘no right foot forward, I said right foot!’
lol, whatever.
Id like to see...
Full Metal Alchemist (anime)
Berzerk (anime)
I would love to see both of these anime turned into an MMORPG.
Dinoriders and Thundercats were my favourites as a kid!
DR would make an excelent RvR MMO.... Imgaigne making a raid to capture a T-Rex and then use it to destory the opposing side :D
I actually found a single player DR game here http://www.dinoriders.com/ (check the dowload section)
The graphics, sounds, combat system and enemy AI is EXACTLY like Darkfall ;) (and its pretty hardcore aswell)
I was just about to say DR! One of my greatest cartoons ever.
Also you can really tell that quite a few posting here were not even born in the 80's let alone grew up in it.
My vote is for GI JOE. Does anyone remember Dinosaucers...it seems like im the only one.. but anywho that might be fun too
OhmyGOD inspector gadget!!!
Too bad the Samurai Pizza Cats only started in '91...
Its not a cartoon but that 80's show V
Wow...
Do you kiss your mother with that mouth?
I do not think I have seen such vile language in a post on this site. I am fairly liberal when it comes to language and what people say, but I have never been offended so much before on a forum. I hope one day you can learn a greater vocabulary that consists of more than 5 letter words. Classless...Totaly classless. Does it make you feel like a big man to drop the "S" Bomb that many times in one post?
Seriously, there are darkfall fans and other children that read this, and you have to post all that filth?
You sir, are reported....
There is a smurf-bomb? That would be wonderful!
Not a cartoon, but RED DWARF would be f....n awesome!!!!
I was just about to say DR! One of my greatest cartoons ever.
Also you can really tell that quite a few posting here were not even born in the 80's let alone grew up in it.
DR was going to be my first suggestion, too! I think I still have some of the toys somewhere.
What about a merged-universe Hanna=Barbera MMO? Like they do for the Laff-A-Lympics? I know the LALs were late 70s, but that would expand the cast of principals and villains and give you more realms to wander through.
Okay that list isnt bad except two obvious issues. First is Care Bears. Yes that is lame and should not be in the top five. Second is once you take out Care bears you need to add Thundercats to #1 or #2. You cannot make a list like that and omit the Thundercats! It's nearly a crime and definately shameful.
Why did he have to include Care Bears? I thought I burned that from my memorir\es! lol
Good choices all in all though. I wiould definately playmthe Robotech one. They already have and RPG system for it from palladium books for years now. If they could pull it off, I know a good number of my friends and I would play. Just wonder what the restrictions would be before you could pilot a MAC III :)
Nah some European country's knew it as GI Joe aswell. (Belgium for instance) :)
LoL, that would have been by #1 choice.
Thundarr man not be that popular today, but it had a very well developed IP that would lend itself perfectly to an MMO. Heck it's almost as interesting an IP as Gamma World or Rifts.
An to the comments made about financing an MMO if I ever truely hit it big in a lottery; I would probably lean towards doing so with the Rifts IP, Like Thundarr it has it all, super science, magic, and mutants in a post apocolyptic setting. (with lots of extra-dimensional entities thrown in for good measure).
I agree with this guy. That brings back memories. It would be a good MMO.
Also does anybody remember REBOOT? That would be an execlent mmo too.
I wouldnt play any of those....eeesh... the ''design'' of everything in these series is really ugly, imo.
DUCK TALES, WHOO HOOO !!!!! :)
www.youtube.com/watch
oh and TELEBUGS!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRF0r5u1-qk
X-Men would be great as an mmo..you don't have to be an x-man at strt, just a mutant at xavier's school, lots of ways to go. also, does anyone remember G-Force? would love to see that..
My mind went racing with this idea... love it!
This man knows what hes talkin about! Pirates of Dark Waters would be amazing!!!
My little pony (had one of the most disturbing moments in cartoons worst than any managa, a single scene when someone is burning the ponies alive)
Mask Crusaders (working over time fighting crim)
Centurions maybe
Visonaries Knights of the Magical Light.
Galaxy Rangers :)
those are the 5 i would pick, but i do agree a transformers MMO would be top dog. Pick your vehical pick your paint scheme.
As for robotech, palladium games did release the rpg years and years ago (my matey still got a copy) and the best time frame is that of the macross. OR you could span the game over all the different time zones, i would definatly be there for the launch of the macross.
They should have a Star Wars MMO
WHAT
WHERE IS THUNDER CATS !
transformer Baby.... I 'd like to learn new skills from Optimus Prime pure----- AWESOMENESSSSSSS
Thundercats would be interesting you could have both the mutants on one side with mumra and the thundercats on the other with jaguar ghosty dude and whatsis face liono one trick wonder :D
Awwww we could have BAGPUSS mmo we all pick toys and stand around for hours until the human leaves then we all dance and proclaim about some crap that emily girl brings in :D
we could have the shoe people. OR the poddington peas :D, or rainbow brite. although we would be limited to only 16.7 million players :) each with a subtle variation of colours.
Or a new one at least that is not the new one planned for release.
I remember sitting in class (3rd grade of course) and picturing the Visitors charging in and taking the school hostage for food source.. Not sure why, but that was my escape I guess.
Less well known in the US but my vote would be for Saint Seiya / Knights of the Zodiac
It has lvls: bronze, silver, gold (you could add more, plantinum, diamond,...)
The story is linear and moves into "dungeon" type episodes: 12 houses, Asgard, Poseidon, Hades, each with mini-bosses and a final badass boss. You could even haves those different environments be factions.
I'd have to agree that Robotech or Gundam would make an awesome MMO but am I the only one who pictured an FPS where everyone missed every shot when they saw GI Joe as an MMORPG? X-men would certainly be appropriate too. Everyone always comes back to life so endless respawning would actually make sense.
Yeah, Cobra never landed a shot, and always got their guns shot out of their hands, or ejected from their planes in the nick of time. :D I saw one episode where I think it was Dr. Mindbender and one of the Joe leaders standing about maybe 2 or three yards from each others with their assault guns blazing at each other, talking smack, and not landing one single hit.
In a MMO, that would mean that they needed to get their skills trained up; their accuracy is too low. :D
Im suprised no one mentioned the 3 id really like to see as MMO's
1) Akira
2) Speed Racer
3) Voltron
He-man should be number one. I was never a big Transformers fan. Carebears? No, dude, just no.
80s carton that made it into a MMO? D&D!! Too bad that MMOs was a big bust.
My list
5) Transformers
4) Starcom
3) GI Joe
2) Thundercats
1) He-man
I really do hope the biggest joke of this article was the Care Bear Part ... i mean maybe for little kids or nintendo to pick up or something but I woulda rather had u say something like "JEM" or "MY LIL PONY" the following list is the ones i think could really bring most to table in terms of depth and longevity
1. He- Man/ She ra - This would work but i think they should use some of the original Comic
2. Thundercats - W/ a new CGI coming out on the Horizon this would be the ultimate launch for us fans but as someone said before the Cat race would become a little boring so definitely would need to diversify though theres tons of Felines we could choose from or create. My WISH is that itd be raid/seige and pvp focus game. However again id like some of the PREQUELLED parts to be integrated maybe thatd b the newbie starting point.
3. Transformers - Ok full agreeance here all the way down to not being on earth and going back a ways into their past, theres a lot more to build off of, then again .... they had TIME TRAVELING ability so a game like this could become rather EPIC
4. Robotech/Macross - U would never hear a complaint from my mouth lol Im surprised that when we had all the big mecha buzz going on and the success of The Gundham wing series that someone didnt capitalize on this a little more already. I mean though most any who know anime know of these ... it was shortly there after it was brought back mainstream to todays generation.
5. GI Joe - its a given from large scale missions to epic battlegrounds GI Joe would take the cake .. versatility and depth and lot of content to explore. PLZ bring back Cobra Lalalallalalala
6. Starblazers - just another unconventional approach to MMO genre
"honorable mention list" sadly though these would not make great MMO's maybe some different type of game genre but not MMO ....
Marshal Bravestar, Silver Hawks. Jace and the wheeled warriors, Mask, Dragons Lair ... Im for the dungeons and dragons but meh we ve had nuff of the typical Fantasy based from the D & D world.
And those mentioning Voltron ... there would be NO WAY ... As a great Single player game w/ Co Op capabilities yes ... and some MP play maybe ... but please dont ruin the series more than it has already ... the US screwed it enuff from the original lol.
I agree I would love to see a star wars mmo
Thunder Cats MMO
He-Man MMO
Johnny Quest (Quest World ) MMO
the reason we not seen a robotech mmo is that the lisence is held by LOADS of different sources. Its one of the reasons the RPG got canned because harmony gold did somthing.
until the lisence is held by one company you wont see an MMO much like the AVP lisences the companies want their imput to be the biggest.
Things that could have been considered in the top 10
Ulysses 31
Jayce and the wheeled warriors
Robotix
Bravestarr
Doom meets my little pony cross over.
M.A.S.K
Macross
Smurfs
+ some that other people have mentioned i.e thundercats.
All of these are great, except carebears online of course, that is defintely a kiddie mmo and i'd do whatever I could to keep my kid from being subjected to that carebear crap. :D
My picks
5. Battle of the Planets/Silverhawks/Thundarcats
4. Pirates of dark waters and robotech defintley make good choices
3. Transformers (have to go back though before earth wouldn't want to play earth), decepticons vs autobots great pvp
2. GI JOE (This definitely would be a good pick and lots of pvp action going on picking cobra or the joes and all the different battle locations around the world and quests and missiosn are just built right into the lore already. i'm suprised this hasn't been made yet.)
#1 In this list and one that I still go back and watch every now and then when they have it on Cartoon Network and I can find the time is....
Thundarr the Barbarian, awesome world, the lore is great, you have majic and metal and swords ans sorcery and wierd horse mounts and uklas...lol this has got to be the best post-apopalyptical world available bar none (but fallout) of course). This is the number one 80's cartoon that should be an mmo.
QFT! Seriously, good list but no Thundercats? Shnarf ftw!
It appears I am the only one who remembers this one.
Jayce and the Wheeled Warriors
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1c1G24GWDg
Or How about M.A.S.K.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0BzBFWt8V8&feature=related
Or My favorite BIONIC 6
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbNHR1jM4Ac&feature=related
This list is gold I can't touch it!!!
Sectaurs (YEAH!!!)
M.A.S.K.
C.O.P.S.
Grendizer
Dragon's Lair
Scooby Doo Online Mysteries
Monchichis
I can't believe no one mentioned the cancelled "Snorks Adventures Online"
He-man would seem like a natural.
And GI Joe just to see the Baroness 3D model! lol
Sign me up for a preorder and a CE edition.
May i add a couple of my own? I will anyway.........
My post apocalyptic one
EDIT: Also some mutants would be a nice addition, just for some variety anyone remembers Inhumanoids
Eventhough He-man had more of a popular fanbase, I always thought Thundaar the Barbarian was a much cooler cartoon. The premise of a post-apoc world, an arch nemeis by the name of Gemini (with an split personality to boot) made Skelletor look like a feeble wimp.
http://www.mmorpg.com/discussion2.cfm/thread/230228/Thundar-The-Barbarian-MMORPG-Does-science-and-sorcery-mix.html
That's what I was going to say!
Thundarr!
But, Pirates of Dark Water would be awesome!
Those are the only two I'd play.
Oh, but for those talking about Thundercats, there were PLENTY of other races! Sure, the main characters were the cats, but what about the Mutants? [Those were their enemies] Oh, and the Ro-Bear-Burbles, I think that's what those little robot bears were called. Anyway, there were plenty of different races in that show. But, I still don't think an mmo would fly from it. Pirates of Dark Water, however...
I remeber those, but I didn't care for Bionic 6, and MASK was lame. Howerver, Jace was cool, and especially the villain Monster Mind.
I thought Bionic 6 was awesome! I still sing the theme-song to myself, sometimes. . . And the Go-Bots may have been better than the Transformers. [The toys certainly were.]
I know it's a bit off-topic, cause it isn't a tv-show, but I would absolutely love a Monkey Island mmo...
Huge bosses full of craziness, trying to find the legendary monkey island a crazyness all around LOL. :-D
THUNDER CATS ARE GO!
Personally, VOLTRON! or the older G-FORCE I would think might make for a good MMO from a guild perspective, but you would have a crapload of Voltrons running around trying to fight each other over who was gonna save the universe!
Jon hit it on the nose with He-Man, but to be honest itll still be your average fantasy MMO with the same mechanics used in all fantasy MMOs. Therefore your basically paying for the skins of He-Man/She-Ra.
MMOs could, and still can use the tired concept of Orcs and Elves, its just the mechanics of it are so norm that it tends to get boring anymore. I always hated grind type games that had no, or limited quests. Then when I got more quests than I could deal with type game, it turned into more of a chore to do the quests than to sit and crack open mob skulls one after another. I dont know maybe Im getting to old for gaming.
To me it doesnt matter what type of setting a MMO uses anymore, its about expanding on ideas, or creating new ways to play that interest me. I cant be bothered to pay for anymore games that offer the same mechanics as the last game I played. If we are gonna discuss anything that would make a good MMO, lets discuss mechanics, ideas on how gameplay can be more innovative and stop putting skins on the same game over and over.
Now this man has a REAL idea! I forgot all about this series! I loved the first and second Moneky Islands! Yes with this brand fo humor and puzzle solving, a social MMO it would make, to some extent! But yeah I would love to hear how that could come to play if anyone would touch that genre!
Hell if were going to go Moneky Island why not Disk World while were at it, or a damn good Monty Python Holy Grail Comedy MMO!?!?!
I actually own the Palladium Games TMNT game manual, nearly mint condition . . . how many people can say that? I agree, GREAT MMORPG potential there.
How about Gummi Bears or Duck Tales? Tailspin took The Jungle Book and made it fly why not an MMO? Any of those would be Smurftastic (could not resist). And if someone does a Smurfs game gow long till we see a Snorks expansion pack?
Now this man has a REAL idea! I forgot all about this series! I loved the first and second Moneky Islands! Yes with this brand fo humor and puzzle solving, a social MMO it would make, to some extent! But yeah I would love to hear how that could come to play if anyone would touch that genre!
Hell if were going to go Moneky Island why not Disk World while were at it, or a damn good Monty Python Holy Grail Comedy MMO!?!?!
OH no, not only social, think about grand scale seabattling and even better grand scale insult-sword-fighting... :P
Starblazers
Fangface ftw..!
Slayers ;]
Yeah, Cobra never landed a shot, and always got their guns shot out of their hands, or ejected from their planes in the nick of time. :D I saw one episode where I think it was Dr. Mindbender and one of the Joe leaders standing about maybe 2 or three yards from each others with their assault guns blazing at each other, talking smack, and not landing one single hit.
In a MMO, that would mean that they needed to get their skills trained up; their accuracy is too low. :D
Nerf dodge!!
Thunder ... Thunder.... Thunder.... Thundercats! Ho !!!
( That Mum-ra guy was, I think, one of the cooler, smarter villains ever.)
Dragon Ball!!
I would love to see 3 of those...
Transformers, GI Joe, and Robotech:Mospeda (Invid Invasion)
The others.
Heavy Metal
Wizards
MASK
And Thundarr the Barbarian...
Although honorable mention would go to Thundercats.
Some of these would make great mmos. When I was a kid I had the He-man game for my intellivision console and thought that was awesome but He-man as an mmo would be great. The stories are already there and easy to expand on for any of these choices.
I can't believe it, I know it doesn't necessarily have the makings of a good mmo but everything else has been mentioned, so why has no one mentioned "Inhumanoids"
Galaxy Rangers. I would definitely play a Galaxy Rangers MMO.
I'll add The Wuzzles and Rescue Rangers to that list, and second The Gummi Bears and Samurai Pizza Cats.
Transformers would definitely make a good MMO, along with Gundam, but only if they included every Gundam series, like they are in the Dynasty Warriors: Gundam games, albeit slowly...
I once was unable to understand how the sight of his own face would instill such horror in him, but then I saw that lady's face on the internet that had it blown off by her boyfriend, and thought what it would be like to look at myself after my face had rotted away with decay, so I understand now. Mum-Ra should have just used a mask. :D
I once was unable to understand how the sight of his own face would instill such horror in him, but then I saw that lady's face on the internet that had it blown off by her boyfriend, and thought what it would be like to look at myself after my face had rotted away with decay, so I understand now. Mum-Ra should have just used a mask. :D
Well, that was one of the vulnerabilities Dracula had, too. So, I guess they were going for that kind of vibe with him. I once used Mum-Ra's transformation spell that he said every week as my answering machine message. And another time I used the Green Lantern Oath. It freaked people out and kept spam calls to a minimum. Win/Win
I agree that seeing your avatar transform would be awesome but what if you made an avatar sorta like Blur from the original series? Wouldn't Transforming as a blur make sense. ImeanhowcouldyouforgetBlurhewasawesomeevenifyoucouldbarelyunderstandhimdon'tmakemesic Grimlockonyouireallydon'twannahaveto.
Here is my top 5:
1. Thundercats
It's been my dream to develop this for years now. It would definitely have it be a prequel to flesh out the world
and have lots of new races. I would also have the destruction of Thundera lead up to the premiere of the feature film.
2. Thundarr!
I actually think Thundarr was better written, more mature than Thundercats but I still would be into developing Thundrecats first, plus I think there are alot more Thundercats fans out there. The Thundarr world is fanastic though.
3. The Adventures of the Galaxy Rangers
I love the sci-fi/western/super hero cross. Another very dense world that has a great deal of MMO potential.
4. Judge Dredd
Not a cartoon but a popular comic from that time. I know there is an existing rpg system although video games have not been kind to this lisence. There was a kick ass Williams pinball machine though.
5. Gummi Bears
This one would be for the kids/tweens market and would have to be developed in partnership with the Disney Internet Group.
I think they have done a good job on Pirates of the Carribean, and Fairies.
Ghostbusters!
I think one or two mentioned it before but it could really work if done right:
Besides, 20 man raiding the marshmallow man would be so awesome XD
5.Thundarr the Barbarian(call it Age of Thundarr) http://www.tripletsandus.com/80s/cartoons_video.htm he has a light saber!!
4. Scooby Doo http://www.tripletsandus.com/80s/cartoons_video.htm ruh roh
3.Droids http://www.tripletsandus.com/80s/cartoons_video.htm
2.Bravestarr http://www.tripletsandus.com/80s/cartoons_video.htm who honestly wouldn't want their mount to transform and fight by your side with a shotgun!!
1.Dragon's Lair http://www.tripletsandus.com/80s/cartoons_video.htm