I think the creative curve is just in that zone of it's cycle, right now. After all, they are re-releasing Defender 1/2 in the arcades!

I really think that video games should start to make a return to some simpler notions, like that recent GBA Wario game went for. Perhaps with the coming of HDD's and modems for gaming consoles, we might start to see games that can be bought over the net for a low price and home made games. (Like built with that PS2 version of Linux.) All it takes is the right motivation to make the world do a 180 degree turn.

Come to think of it, considering how much money is invested in new, commercial games anymore, it's much harder to risk such a bundle on an untried idea over something that has a history. (Like choosing where to eat dinner. Diner 'X' or McDonalds?)

Try playing Blowout for the PS2 or GameCube for an example of something "somewhat" fresh.