THATS MY COOL MAN I CAN'T TAKE IT OFF!
After careful deliberation, I've come up with a list of minor alterations that I think would be acceptable in the remake:
-Online multiplayer is a given, absolutely no reason to do the remake otherwise. Includes co-op campaign.
-Bumper jumper controls (did not exist in CE).
-Basic forge mode that allows you to change weapon layout and place minor objects like crates and stuff.
-Experience-altering skulls hidden in campaign (posted my ideas in some big thread about potential CE skulls, wherever that is).
-Playing as an elite in multiplayer. Don't change them to fit later versions either.
-The one weapon from later titles that I wouldn't pitch a fit about if it was included in CE is the grenade launcher, only because it's very unlike any other weapon in this game for any other Halo. I think it could fit in well with gameplay (obviously max ammo would have to be increased to match the big ammo count of other weapons, which ABSOLUTELY SHOULD NOT be changed; 12's a good number IMO). supposedly a similar weapon (albeit covenant) was planned then scrapped for the original game anyway. Still far from sure about this though, I would rather see the original sandbox intact with no unwanted guests.
-All Halo PC content should be in there. Maps, weapons, and vehicles.
-Wouldn't mind seeing a couple of additional maps, besides the PC ones. Maybe give some consideration to the original Lockout Bungie had in mind, since Cage from what I've seen merely borrows from it.
-Mythic difficulty, or something higher than legendary.
-Allow passengers on the sides of tanks in multiplayer. I'm pretty sure this wasn't possible in the original.
-Make the flood nastier. I'm pretty sure I'm in the minority here, but IMO the flood were much more disturbing and disgusting in later titles, whereas in CE I thought they were just annoying and somewhat comical (the elites anyway). Things like live infection would accomplish this. Combat forms should also be more vulnerable to melees.
-More funny lines for grunts in campaign. If they change the hilarious grunts from CE into the apes we see in Reach, I will start clubbing baby seals.
-Primitive armor alteration like in Halo 3. None of the armory bullcrap.
-'Press [whatever] to use health pack' would be better, yes.
-A small update in graphics so that they're clearer and a bit sharper, that's it. No excessive luster, no texture wankery. I don't want to play Halo CE in Reach-face, or even Halo 3.
I think that's a fair list that would bring just the right amount of refreshment to the game, while holding the original feel and integrity of the game overwhelmingly intact. Obviously the grenade launcher is an exception, that's definitely up for debate.
[Edited on 05.24.2011 8:19 AM PDT]