GradualGames wrote:
That's a pretty complex question. No doubt you'd have to make some compromises no matter which system you picked. The older the system, the more compromises you would have to make. The number and nature of these compromises probably can't be anticipated in full just by glancing at the game on youtube as I've done. My suggestion would be, start working on a fan game that doesn't violate any ip, on a system you think you'd enjoy learning to write code for, and then see where it takes you. You might be happier with something that's all your own that's simply inspired by a game you like. Depending on how much programming experience you have, you would be well advised to start small first (think: small arcade game clones to learn the basics) before jumping to a full scrolling platformer with a large featureset like multiple player characters with differing behavior. I'd consider myself a pretty experienced programmer and I have yet to go for something quite that complex.
I was going cut out a bunch of other stuff. I do however, see your point. Maybe I could make it one you play as a pre-chosen character for each level (or part in some cases) Also I could get rid off the for alien and skin, but maybe add a bonus level where you play as a villain. I could also just make it a beat em up where it is just a single screen and make it a little more like a fighting game. I do have some experience with programming, not much with video game systems though, but I tend to learn pretty fast. However this seems to be less complex now, but still out of my league at the moment. I'm going check if there is a engine for the snes or genesis that has either be disassembled or written from scratch (with code available) that I can use.
Edit: Sorry I'm tired, I don't need the code.