10 Best Video Game Remakes That Massively Upgrade The Originals

Summary

• Some remakes greatly improve upon the originals with modern visuals and controls, attracting new players.
• The overarching popularity of remakes shows a demand for nostalgia and modern upgrades.
• Remakes revive iconic games for new audiences, blending original charm with visual enhancements.

Although it seems like video game remakes are becoming more popular than ever, games have been remade for some time now and include iconic games like the Final Fantasy 7 Remake and Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes. Sometimes, remakes can be even more popular than new games in the AAA scene.

Remakes allow players from different generations to come together and enjoy the same game as well as let some of gaming’s icons return to the spotlight with even more polygons. Sometimes, remakes become the definitive way to play a certain game, and that isn’t just because of visual updates. Some remakes massively upgrade and improve upon the originals, modernizing controls while ironing out some of the first game’s initial issues.

10 Shadow of the Colossus Improves An All-Time Classic

Originally Released In 2005, Remade In 2018

To this day, there has never been a game like Shadow of the Colossus. At the time, it was a ground-breaking experience with an open world and giant monsters that required some crafty climbing to reach the weak spots. Even in 2005, the vast yet empty world and the sheer scale of the few bosses that are there were visually amazing and were vital in making the game the classic that it is today.

Shadow of the Colossus is a classic but is also quite niche because of its nature. It’s one of those games that more people have heard of than played, but when it was remade in 2018, it presented the perfect opportunity to reach a new audience, with BluePoint Games updating the visuals to make the scale and beauty of the world even more impressive. Although the game is mechanically faithful, the huge updates to the visuals make it the definitive version of the game.

9 Resident Evil 2 Began The RE Remake Era

Originally Released In 1998, Remade In 2019

Resident Evil was in a bit of a lull at one point, but after the success of Resident Evil 7: Biohazard and the introduction of the new RE Engine, Capcom had brought eyes back onto the franchise. Although it had already made a remake of the first RE game, the remake of the second Resident Evil game began a sort of renaissance for the series. The franchise is back, arguably stronger than ever, and its iconic cast has never looked more realistic.

The
Resident Evil Remake
character designs are also being used in the latest animated films, such as
Death Island.

Aside from the amazing graphical fidelity of the RE Engine, the Resident Evil 2 remake benefits from updated controls, modernizing the game with an over-the-shoulder, third-person view rather than the security camera switching that the original was known for. The game is also far more cinematic, allowing the characters to really show off their personality, and this formula was later used for both the Resident Evil 3 and 4 remakes. It will likely be used again for future Resident Evil remakes.

8 Spyro Reignited Trilogy Gives An Icon A Facelift

Originally Released In 1998, 1999 & 2000, Remade In 2018

Spyro was once a 3D platforming icon during the late 90s and early 2000s that found itself somewhat neglected during most of the 2010s outside the Skylanders titles. Even with Skylanders’ popularity at the time, gaming’s most famous purple dragon didn’t have much to do with it since the second title in the series didn’t even feature Spyro‘s name. Despite this, 2018 saw the release of the Spyro Reignited Trilogy.

The franchise has been around for a long time, and Spyro celebrated its 25th anniversary last year. It appeals to a time when 3D platforming was king, and for those who played the original, the Reignited Trilogy is perfect for a trip down memory lane. The visual improvement is immense while maintaining the same vibrant charm of the original and packing the first three games into one game. It’s perfect for getting back into the Spyro series.

7 Demon’s Souls Is Bluepoint’s Take On The First Soulsborne Title

Originally Released In 2009, Remade In 2020

Despite Demon’s Souls being a very niche title that was a PS3 exclusive, many players grew curious about it after the success of the Dark Souls series. Demon’s Souls is a spiritual predecessor to Dark Souls and is attributed with starting not only the Soulsborne series, but also the Soulslike genre. With this popularity but very few who have played it, it presented the perfect opportunity for Bluepoint to work their magic and remake the father of the Soulsborne series for a modern audience.

BluePoint has only made remakes and remasters, having worked on
Demon’s Souls, Shadow of the Colossus,
and
Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection.

Not only is the Demon’s Souls remake still one of the most visually impressive games, the sound and effects of the game have been updated. Magic is a bigger spectacle than ever, and the sounds are crunchy and impactful. FromSoftware’s initial designs have been ported and upgraded for the PS5, and the beautiful yet somewhat strange world of Demon’s Souls has never looked better.

6 Ratchet and Clank Remagines One Of PlayStation’s Greatest Icons

Originally Released In 2002, Remade In 2016

Despite PlayStation’s many modern icons coming from gritty and realistic (at least visually speaking) games, it has made sure not to forget the lovable Ratchet and Clank. The duo has been a staple in PlayStation’s roster for a while, with a new game being released as recently as 2021. In 2016, Insomniac remade the game that originally put them on the map all the way back in 2002 while making some substantial changes.

While most remakes focus on recreating an original game with more up-to-date hardware, Ratchet and Clank is less of a remake and more of a re-imagining and reboot in a way. Ratchet himself is very different, as well as the story, but the game is visually faithful, keeping similar art styles. The gameplay has been completely overhauled, too, with more modern controls, like strafing, and upgrades for weapons can now be earned through experience.

Originally Released In 1998, Remade In 2004

When people think of Metal Gear Solid and remakes, the upcoming remake of Snake Eater likely comes to mind, but this isn’t the series’ first foray into the remaking scene. The original Metal Gear Solid was remade only six years after its release for GameCube and was titled Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes, but that doesn’t mean that there weren’t considerable upgrades. In fact, the improvements made in only six years are incredible.

Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes also changes the gameplay, making the original more in line with the second title in the series. This includes the gameplay, the graphics (which are a considerable upgrade), and the art style, making the game far more playable. Although it is once again dated, since the remake was released twenty years ago now and can only be played on either the Wii or GameCube, the original can still be accessed on PC.

4 Crash Bandicoot N.Sane Trilogy Brought Back A Classic

Originally Released In 1996, 1997 & 1998, Remade In 2017

Although Naughty Dog is now famous for its intricate storytelling and realistic graphics with titles like The Last of Us and Uncharted, it was once a leader in the 3D platformer space, with its icon Crash Bandicoot and its infamous difficulty. The studio no longer has access to the series that put it on the map, but this could be a good thing. With Activision at the helm, the original trilogy of Crash games have been remade and are available on almost any platform.

The N.Sane Trilogy updates the visuals while keeping the games vibrant, which is important to maintaining the original feel of the games. It’s the best way to play the Crash Bandicoot games in the modern era, especially because it can be played on practically anything and features gameplay updates without taking away from the original level design. It’s still difficult, though, which may be frustrating, but it is also perfectly nostalgic at the same time.

3 Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver Breathe New Life Into Gen 2

Originally Released In 1999, Remade In 2009

Pokémon has made a habit of developing remakes of late, but one is arguably better than the rest. HeartGold and SoulSilver are a massive upgrade compared to Gold and Silver, with better graphics (even though both use pixel art), and the remakes actually have some 3D models. There are quality of life improvements too, new locations not in the originals and even more legendaries from other games. Overall, it’s a better experience.

Currently,
Pokémon
has remade all the games from Gens 1 to 4.

HeartGold and SoulSilver also have ROMs that can be accessed and used on a PC. These can be used for something like PokéMMO and make them in line with the visual style of Ruby, Sapphire, Diamond, Pearl, Black and White. The gameplay is more in line with these titles too, playing better than the originals by far, and if players have access to Gen 3 and 4 Pokémon, they can be traded into HeartGold and SoulSilver.

2 Black Mesa Brings Half-Life 1 To The Source Engine

Originally Released in 1998, Remade In 2015

Black Mesa is reasonably unique in that it is a fan-made remake, rather than one that was officially made by the original developer. Originally published as a mod for Half-Life 2 in 2012 as a re-imagining of the first game, the title has since been fully published as a game in its own right in the Source Engine. The game has been visually updated, as one would expect, but also benefits from better gameplay and is the best way for new fans to experience the first Half-Life.

It has been a long, 16-year journey to make Black Mesa, and it shows how dedicated the fans of the series are. Putting the original Half-Life into the Source Engine gave it new life and Crowbar Collective got creative with the title by creating new Xen Levels. On top of that, there are multiplayer modes, too, and thanks to the Source Engine, the game is easy to mod with a decent presence on the Steam Workshop.

1 Final Fantasy 7 Remake Brings Midgar To The PS5

Originally Released In 1997, Remade In 2020

When the Final Fantasy 7 Remake was first announced back in 2015, it sent the gaming scene into a state of wild, frenzied excitement. The original FF7 has a claim to be one of the most beloved games ever made, and the remake could bring the iconic cast to life with realistic graphics. Not only did it do that, it made the title’s story more cinematic, gave its characters more charm, and brought Midgar to life with breathtaking spectacle.

The gameplay has been modernized too. It has the more accessible action RPG combat that the Final Fantasy franchise has begun to lean into in the modern era. The game is truly spectacular from a visual standpoint, the amazing original soundtrack has been re-scored, and although it is only one third of the original game, the FF7 Remake is still decently long, adding greater vibrancy and detail to the world. It may be slow in places, but this video game remake is the perfect way for the current generation to get into Final Fantasy 7.