10 best video game remakes will make you nostalgic
Due to the intertwined nature of technology and game design, many games quickly become dated. Even if you’ve never played a video game before, you can see the progression from the earliest...
Due to the intertwined nature of technology and game design, many games quickly become dated. Even if you’ve never played a video game before, you can see the progression from the earliest Nintendo 64 games to the most recent PlayStation 5 experiences. Video game remakes have become increasingly popular as the technological gap between old and new games has grown wider than ever. In most cases, the core of the original work is kept intact, and enhancements like updated graphics are added to give the remake a fresh feel. To what extent, though, are the remakes improved? Here are ten remasters of classic games that you simply must experience.
- Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy
Crash Bandicoot is a childhood favourite for many gamers, so it’s great that the first three games are available in the Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy. This set offers a wealth of nostalgia for longtime fans while also appealing to a new generation of players with its updated graphics, gameplay, and even quality-of-life features.
- The Last of Us Part I
Even though the original PS3 version of The Last of Us was still in good shape, the 2022 remake’s high quality is hard to deny. The Last of Us Part I has a wider audience today thanks to its improved visuals, improved performance, and its extensive list of accessibility features.
- The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening
The Legend of Zelda is one of the most well-known video game franchises of all time, but the series’s earlier entries aren’t as beginner-friendly as later entries. Because of this, The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening is crucial because it reintroduces the classic Game Boy game with a fresh perspective. It has impressive graphics, with clay-like models, and a plethora of gameplay enhancements that make it easier to complete.
- Metroid: Samus Returns
Similarly, the early games in the Metroid series can be challenging to revisit. The remake of Metroid II: Return of Samus for the Game Boy, originally released in 1991, that Nintendo and Mercury Steam released for the 3DS is phenomenal. The remake updated the original game as promised, but it also included new elements like the rewarding counter mechanic seen in Metroid Dread.
- Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1+2
It’s easy to see why players were eager for the return of the Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater series, which was immensely popular in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Activision remade the first two Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater games and released them in 2020. The surprising continuity with the original games shows how well-built the series is from the ground up. The remake, however, addressed a number of problems and featured improved visuals and acting.
- Resident Evil 2
It could be argued that Resident Evil 2 was the game on this list most in need of a remake. While the 1998 classic is fondly remembered, it hasn’t stood the test of time thanks to its dated graphics, fixed cameras, and unresponsive tank controls. The 2019 update is a blast to play because it stays true to the original’s spirit while adding a wealth of welcome improvements. The 2019 version, due to its high quality, served as an example for future remakes.
- Dead Space
Even though Dead Space from 2008 is still playable, the 2023 remake is much more faithful to the game’s original vision. The remake is more tense because of the realistic visuals made possible by modern technology. Immersive visuals and sound add to the chilling atmosphere of battling lethal necromorphs on board the USG Ishimura.
- Resident Evil 4
The 2019 Resident Evil 2 remake set the standard for remakes, but the incredible Resident Evil 4 remake surpasses it. It’s amazing to see this game in a contemporary setting, which gives players a chance to relive some of the series’ most memorable moments while also giving them a fresh perspective. The remake of Resident Evil 4 is the best in the series thanks to its many improvements over the original and numerous new features.
- Demon’s Souls
The majority of these games make it their goal to be less intimidating to first-time players by simplifying the experience overall. That won’t be the case with Bluepoint Games’ excellent 2020 remake of Demon’s Souls. The goal of the remake is to simply update the game’s dated features without changing anything fundamental about the original. It’s a faithful remake that looks and runs better than the 2009 PS3 original, but it probably won’t hook you if you didn’t enjoy the game the first time around.
- Final Fantasy VII Remake
Final Fantasy VII Remake is the most divergent from the original game, but that is also one of its strengths. The plot of the 2020 remake differs significantly from the plot of the 1997 original, and it only covers the first third of the game at most. Not to give anything away, but there are some key differences from the original that make sense and have a purpose. Due to the incomplete nature of this release, two sequels are currently in development, one of which is Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, which is scheduled for release later in 2023.
