Top 10 Video Game Series That Would Be Epic In VR

Quirky, unorthodox, and outright bizarre – this will do nicely. Developed for years by lone designer Alexander Bruce, “Antichamber” is a philosophically-driven puzzle game, featuring areas and visuals that seem to defy logic itself... and having the player try to overcome them. Its thought-provoking design and simple yet eye-catching colour scheme could be greatly emphasized insequels with the addition of VR, making it easier to engage with the visuals and ideas at play. This also means that decrypting the concept behind a given puzzle will be all-the-more awe-inspiring, a major bonus in our eyes.

Though EA's “Fight Night” series may be more established within the company's lineup, we feel this Ultimate Fighting Championship-branded title has a little more to offer. “EA Sports UFC” embraces,in large part, the intensity and variety inherent to the sport of mixed martial arts fighting. Combatants grapple with ferocity, kicks and punches abound – if viewed through a first-person perspective, the experience would be unlike any other. Terrifying though it may seem, the prospect of engaging in a virtual reality battle with MMA fighters is incredibly enticing in its novelty.

Developer Psyonix's hit title “Rocket League”, in which player-operated RC cars engage in a game akin to soccer, seems primed to inspire a different way at approaching virtual reality. We feel spectator mode would take on new meaning; VR technology could simulate a grandstand view of the action, not unlike watching sports at a real-life stadium. It could be used for live streaming or action replays, and could be implemented for professional tournaments. And it could spread further – imagine sports simulation games giving players a by-stander's perspective on a match in progress.

Nintendo and Retro Studios' joint project in bringing “Metroid” to first-person gaming feels worthy of further innovation. Released for the Nintendo GameCube, “Metroid Prime” managed to not only blend first-person combat and exploration of variable locales, but evoke tangible atmosphere. Little things like seeing Samus' reflection on her visor in the midst of bright explosions make an admirable case for the implementation of VR in “Metroid Prime 4” if that ever happens. The sense of immersion and tension at play would be heightened greatly... and it'd be a great showcase for a hypothetical VR interface on the Nintendo NX. Just saying, it'd be fun.

“Star Wars Battlefront”, the latest instalment of the beloved series, acts as a streamlining of the games' core traits – grand scale battles, reliant on classic “Star Wars” iconography and settings. And while the serious lack of content in this recent iteration is regrettable, the impressive visuals provided by the Frostbite engine only make us wish for a VR Star wars experience even more. We’ve seen that modern technology can bring some of our most treasured movie moments to life and put us smack dab in the middle, so bearing witness to the gloriousness in full VR would be a dream come true.

Horror seems to be a fine place to test out such technology. And the pedigree of the “Amnesia” games, known for their ability to build suspense and keep players on edge, underlines its value as such a testing ground. A virtual reality headset could build on the inherent creepiness of these games' dark settings, as well as testing players' patience with the designed lack of combat abilities. Such an experience would not be for the faint of heart... though if you do choose to go for it, use headphones for complete immersion.

Speed along and never mind the competition. The “F-Zero” racing series – built upon the unique element of racers piloting high-speed hovercars – has seen changes in its presentation since it began on the SNES. From utilizing the Super Nintendo's Mode 7 psuedo-3D technology, to transitioning into full 3D with “F-Zero X”, each game has proven the core concept can weather change. Thus, the addition of not only a first-person perspective but also a virtual reality view would infuse the tight racing and fast-paced antics with increased tension. If it succeeds, the same approach could also be applied to “Mario Kart”.

Speaking of fast driving, here's a series whose gameplay would certainly be fascinating with the infusion of VR hardware. Primary developer Rockstar North already toyed with the concept of first-person play in their open-world crime-centric series with the inclusion of a first-person mode in “Grand Theft Auto V”. The theoretical terror and exciting action that could ensue from a full embrace of virtual reality is tantalizing. Players could easily go from stealing cars and robbing stores, to running for dear life from the police, all framed in a near-real point of view. It's definitely an interesting concept to consider.

This fantasy saga feels like it may deliver the scope and ambition we seek. From its humble origins to the release of 2011's “Skyrim”, the series has always dealt out its fantastical proceedings from a first-person perspective... but what if Bethesda Game Studios went further? Virtual reality could infuse the traversal of mountain peaks and the battling of assorted foes with greater visual depth and clearer sense of detail. To say nothing of the awe that would result from witnessing the games' wonders in that manner. You could easily apply this formula to the Fallout series as well, because Bethesda. Although they may have to tighten up the animations a bit if you want full emersion, because Bethesda.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions:
“Far Cry” series (2004-)
“Halo” series (2001-)
“BioShock” (2007)
“Wii Sports” (2006)

Once more, EA DICE, we call to you to grant us this privilege. The stark beauty, simple-yet-distinct art style and fast-paced action of “Mirror's Edge” would be enough reason to call for VR support in a potential sequel. But the game's focus on parkour and anxiety-inducing platforming takes it a step further. Little would hammer home quite as effectively the near-constant danger faced by the courier Faith than experiencing that danger close-up. From the scale of the cityscape, to the tangible feeling when falling, it would be nothing short of terrifying... and thus, magnificent in the emotional response it evokes.

Do you agree with our list? What game series do you think would be epic in VR? For more hopeful Top 10s published daily, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.