With an excellent remake of Dead Space now available and Resident Evil 4's remake on the horizon, now is a great time to look at the games that have set the gold standard for what a revisit to a beloved property should offer. While a remaster takes an existing game and spruces it up with crisper visuals, sound design--and if you're lucky--all of the premium DLC that accompanied the original release, a remake has a much bigger job to do. It has to recreate the appeal of the original game, modernize it, and still find a way to draw in a whole new generation of potential fans with its mix of classic and modern sensibilities.
The video game industry has a great track record when it comes to remakes, with the last decade alone being responsible for numerous fresh takes on fan-favorite properties. We've seen Square Enix chart a brave new direction for Final Fantasy VII with 2020's retina-searing Remake chapter and go back to the PSP past with a new take on Crisis Core; Capcom has raised the bar for remakes with its multiple returns to Raccoon City; and Nintendo is no stranger to compelling you to pay twice for the same game.
We've gathered up 25 of the best video game remakes below. Each one is a unique showcase of nostalgia, successfully reborn for a new age.
Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion
The return of Crisis Core in 2022 might have billed itself as a comprehensive remaster, but this excellent prequel to Final Fantasy VII leans much closer toward remake territory. Still retaining its PSP DNA, Crisis Core's Reunion build is visually on par with last-gen games and rebuilds its combat system to be more in line with the current Final Fantasy VII remake project. It's still the same game from 2007 that drained your PSP battery with its cleverly digestible design, but better than ever in a newer and shinier package that puts the spotlight back on Final Fantasy VII's underrated hero Zack Fair.
Read our Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion review.
Dead Space Remake
Was a remake of Dead Space necessary in 2023? That's up for debate, but after arriving in grand and gory style, EA Motive's return to the blood-soaked corridors of the USG Ishimura is essential gaming. Still able to jolt you awake with brilliant scare tactics and incredibly lavish set design, Dead Space Remake is a new gold standard for what a trip back in time should be. Thoughtful tweaks, welcome quality-of-life changes, and subtle twists make this reimagined classic more frightening than ever before and a strong contender for game of the year.
Read our Dead Space Remake review.
Demon's Souls
A remake of one of From Software's most beloved games--and the blueprint for the studio's distinctive style--by another studio might sound like heresy, but developer Bluepoint delivered a faithful and technically impressive return to Boletaria. Not just a showcase for the impressive technology of the PS5, Bluepoint's stab at Demon's Souls is both respectful to the source material and full of moments where the studio finds its own voice. It looks like a million bucks, has consistently smooth performance, and it's a time capsule for Souls games that can easily hold its own against From Software's later entries.
Read our Demon's Souls PS5 review.
Destroy All Humans!
One of the more memorable games of the PS2 era, this delightfully cheesy slice of alien invasion paranoia is still a blast to play. An interactive B-grade movie given an impressive makeover, Destroy All Humans is essentially a collection of small sandboxes in which you can cause havoc, while the more modern shooting mechanics and movement are a welcome upgrade. Even with some dodgy audio work--dulling a tremendous performance from Richard Horvitz, in which he essentially reprises his Invader Zim role--and some questionable stealth, Destroy All Humans is a cult-classic that's worth revisiting.
Read our Destroy All Humans review.
Final Fantasy VII Remake
Many years in the making, Square Enix's return to Midgar is more than just a mere remake. With fan expectation at an all-time high, Final Fantasy VII Remake cleverly ducks the impossible comparisons to the original game and instead works to forge its own path forward, an ambitious new direction that will unfold across two more games. While plenty of familiar plot beats remain intact, the gorgeous presentation, gameplay that straddles the line between modern and classic RPG action, and wild swerves in the third act serve to make the return of Cloud Strife and the Avalanche group an exciting journey into mystery.
Read our Final Fantasy VII Remake review.
Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia
Ever since the release of Fire Emblem Awakening on the Nintendo 3DS, Fire Emblem fans have been feasting on the reborn franchise. With a storied history and a bunch of games to its name, the decision to remake one of the earliest games in the Fire Emblem series might have been an odd one, but it's a move that resulted in the excellent Shadows of Valentia hitting the scene. A combination of challenging tactical gameplay, user-controlled relationships, and a much more focused narrative, this chapter in the Fire Emblem Echoes series is a satisfyingly lengthy dive back into the past.
Read our Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia review.
Ghosts 'n Goblins Resurrection
The original Ghosts 'n Goblins is an exercise in patience, as that arcade and home console classic is infamous for its high level of difficulty and unrelenting challenge. Fast-forward a few decades, and Capcom decided to bring back the brave knight Arthur for a revitalized run against titanic creatures that go bump in the night. While the difficulty and action was kept intact, Ghosts 'n Goblins Resurrection uses the RE Engine to create a gorgeous new take on familiar landscape, letting the art design run rampant to create some of the most distinctive levels around. You'll want to appreciate the beauty of these stages, but with a merciless mob of monsters hunting you down constantly, you won't get that chance unless you flex some medieval might.
Read our Ghost's 'n Goblins Resurrection review.
Black Mesa
Black Mesa is a Half-Life remake born from a unique situation, one that may not ever be replicated in the gaming industry. A labor of love from Half-Life fans, Black Mesa didn't only get a nod of approval from Valve, it got permission from the digital distribution to be sold on its Steam platform as well. It's not hard to see why Valve was ready to give this fan project its blessing, as the project lovingly recreates Gordon Freeman's day from hell with improved visuals, welcome tweaks to the campaign, and a caring eye for small details.
The Last of Us Part I
With a big-budget HBO adaptation out in the wild, developer Naughty Dog decided to get the ball rolling on its beloved post-apocalypse franchise by returning to the original game and giving it a major uplift in 2022. While there aren't any major improvements to be found outside of the refreshed PS5-level graphics, The Last of Us Part I does offer a host of minor changes that add some major quality-of-life updates to the package. Bringing the first game up to the same standard as its critically acclaimed sequel, this version of The Last of Us is the definitive edition of the game that still delivers a one-two punch of emotional storytelling and gorgeous presentation.
Read our The Last of Us Part I review.
The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening
Link's Awakening already received a re-release on Game Boy Color, but in 2019, Nintendo made certain that its fanbase had no excuses to miss out on this cult-classic adventure starring the hero in green. As expected, the visuals are quite a few notches above the pair of Game Boy titles; Koholint Island has a few new collectibles to discover; and there's a toyetic energy to the package. Link's Awakening still remains incredibly faithful to the original game, balancing on a tightrope between new-school visuals and old-school gameplay.
Read our The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening review.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D
Few games have created a seismic shift in the industry like The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, but decades later, the magic of that evergreen classic was reinvigorated on the Nintendo 3DS. Taking the N64 original and reimagining with a 3D upgrade and the challenging Master Quest difficulty mode, the 3DS version adds just the right amount of extra content to an already phenomenal game. If you haven't played it yet and you can get your hands on a 3DS, consider this to be the definitive version of Ocarina of Time.
Read our The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D review.
Live A Live
Almost three decades ago, Live A Live earned itself an audience of diehard fans and a permanent place on any feature discussing the best JRPGs of all time. Criminally overlooked--in part because it was only released in Japan--Live A Live was way ahead of the curve and finally got a chance to flex its muscles in 2022 with a grand remake. Imagine a game with several main characters, dozens of hours of story, and a timeless feel to its design, and then combine that with effortlessly charming visuals and a superb soundtrack. That right there makes for a terrific game, and a remake that's ready to stand the test of time once again as it cultivates a new audience.
Read our Live A Live review.
Mafia: Definitive Edition
For anyone who feels that sandbox games are simply far too bloated in the modern age, Mafia: Definitive Edition feels like a welcome return to simpler times. It still has its share of collectibles to uncover, but they play second fiddle to a game that still has a cleverly constructed story, vibrant locations to explore at the turn of the 20th century, and impressive facial capture technology. While it still has some dated gameplay mechanics, they aren't enough to distract from a thrilling descent into the world of organized crime and mayhem.
Read our Mafia: Definitive Edition review.
Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes
One of the more divisive entries in the Metal Gear franchise, GameCube-exclusive Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes is still a fascinating remake of a PlayStation blockbuster that makes interesting detours from the original game. It has a more action-packed flair for the cinematic and the first-person view for shooting inherited from Metal Gear Solid 2 makes a big difference, while re-recorded audio and improved AI makes this remake a gem of a bygone era of Nintendo gaming.
Read our Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes review.
Metroid: Samus Returns
Metroid II: The Return of Samus is one of the more underrated entries in the Nintendo series, but as time has proven, it's a masterpiece of design and gameplay. Breaking free of its monochromatic prison on the Game Boy, Mercury Steam's remake of the game is an outstanding return to 2D form, a riveting adventure that has the DNA of more modern Metroid experiences mixed in with classic action, exploration, and cleverly designed levels. One of the best Metroid games of all time feels even better in this remake, and even if nostalgia isn't a driving factor for you, the aggressive gameplay and fiendish puzzles make it an essential part of any 3DS library. Meanwhile, the original Game Boy version is currently available in the Nintendo Switch Online library.
Read our Metroid: Samus Returns review.
Metroid Zero Mission
If you needed to describe Metroid Zero Mission in one word, it'd be "comprehensive". Originally popping up on the Game Boy Advance and later on Nintendo's Wii U eShop, Metroid Zero Mission is a stunning overhaul of the original NES Metroid. It's overstuffed with new ideas, levels, and power-ups, creating a Metroid buffet that you can gorge yourself on. It has the action, atmosphere, and unrelenting challenge of the original game in its digital DNA, and decades later, it's still one of the best Metroid experiences that you can dive into. Hopefully Nintendo adds it to the Nintendo Switch Online GBA catalog.
Read our Metroid Zero Mission review.
Oddworld: New 'n' Tasty!
When a remake is crafted with pure love and passion for the original game, it shows in the final product. Oddworld: Abe's Odysee - New 'n' Tasty is a prime example of this approach, a delicious second course of cunning platforming and devious puzzle-solving set on a grim alien world that's both imaginative in design and an advert for considering a vegan lifestyle. Almost identical to its source material but clever enough to know when to take a detour, Abe's adventure felt better than ever in this loving tribute to the PS1 original.
Read our Oddworld: Abe's Odysee - New 'n' Tasty review.
Pokemon HeartGold and SoulSilver
There's been no shortage of Pokemon remakes over the years, but if you had to pick the best of the new bunch, Pokemon HeartGold and SoulSilver wins that race easily. After all, these are the best Pokemon games of all time. Released on the Nintendo DS--and with a novel PokeWalker accessory to boot--the remakes of Pokemon Gold and Silver are still the best pocket monster games that you can play more than a decade later. They've got charming pixel art, plenty of new elements, and enough gotta catch 'em all energy to power Ecruteak City for a few lifetimes. It's a shame these games, like many older Pokemon cartridges, go for ridiculous prices from resellers these days.
Read our Pokemon HeartGold and SoulSilver review.
Pokemon Let's Go Pikachu / Eevee
It's not the first time that the original mainline Pokemon games have gotten a remake--FireRed and LeafGreen are beloved Game Boy Advance titles for a reason--but Let's Go Pikachu and Eevee is easily Pokemon at its most approachable. Structurally similar to the original games, Let's Go Pikachu and Eevee makes a few bold changes with its new catching mechanics and lack of HMs. These ideas help make a vibrant world stand out even more, and with each Pokemon looking better than ever thanks to the Switch hardware, these changes make an iconic journey well-worth taking again.
Read our Pokemon Let's Go Pikachu and Eevee review.
Ratchet & Clank (2016)
The original Ratchet & Clank was a turning point for PlayStation when it first arrived in 2002, a game that helped spearhead a new franchise of action-platformers while establishing an iconic duo. Fast-forward to 2016, and the return of Ratchet & Clank resulted in a rejuvenated blast from the past. The changes made to the debut adventure were rather significant compared to a lot of the games on this list, and included: significant narrative differences, revised story arcs of key characters, new characters, and reworked environments. Even with these major differences, Ratchet & Clank retained the heart and charm of the original. The arsenal of wacky guns were more fun to use than ever before thanks to updated controls, gorgeous visuals, fluid animations, and breathtaking effects. It remains an endearing return to a classic franchise, and it helped reintroduce the franchise to a whole new audience at the time.
Read our Ratchet & Clank review.
Resident Evil 2
After Resident Evil 7 put the franchise back on track, Capcom looked to the past to chart the future of its zombified series. Using bleeding edge graphics from the RE engine, Resident Evil 2 rose from its grave and got a new lease on life. It's a gory masterpiece of tension, action, and perfectly executed chills in the heart of Raccoon City. An expanded story, fascinating easter eggs, and challenging gameplay makes this the gold standard for survival-horror remakes. And if that's not enough terror for you, don't forget to check out Resident Evil 3's remake ahead of the fourth game's revival on March 24.
Read our Resident Evil 2 Remake review.
Shadow of the Colossus
As the PlayStation 2 era began winding down, the system saw a last hurrah of games that helped define it before the PS3 era began. Shadow of the Colossus is one such game, and years later, developer Bluepoint Games brought its haunting beauty back to life and ready for a new audience. Rebuilt from the ground up while leaving the underlying structure and mechanics intact, Bluepoint's remake is both faithful and epic, creating a titanic tale of danger, mystery, and heartbreak that stands out as one of the best games on PS4.
Read our Shadow of the Colossus review.
Tony Hawk Pro Skater 1+2
Defying gravity after launching off from a halfpipe felt better than ever when Vicarious Visions cast its remake magic on the Tony Hawk franchise, recreating the first two games in the landmark franchise in HD style and a Jack Black cameo. Like most remakes, Tony Hawk Pro Skater 1+2 features sharp graphics and meaningful tweaks to the gameplay, but the real genius of this compilation is that it contains a mode that sets the gameplay back to its factory default setting. Perfect for veterans and newcomers, this collection of Tony Hawk games looks, plays, and sounds terrific with a licensed soundtrack that's full of punk rock classics.
Read our Tony Hawk Pro Skater 1+2 review.
XCOM: Enemy Unknown
A remake and a reimagining, Firaxis' XCOM: Enemy Unknown was the nostalgic breath of fresh air that fans had been waiting for after The Bureau: XCOM Declassified left a sour taste in their mouths. A game of hard-fought victories and brutal opposition, Firaxis' reboot adds a layer of tension between each turn that is palpable, a complex war economy to invest in, and several opportunities to make decisions with haunting ramifications. Exquisite strategy that's also highly accessible to newcomers, this chapter in the XCOM franchise is a tactical treat.
Read our XCOM: Enemy Unknown review.
Yakuza Kiwami 1 + 2
We're double-dipping for this final entry, but if you were ever in the market for melodramatic storytelling set in the seedy underbelly of the Japanese underworld, you owe it to yourself to jump into the Kiwami remakes of the first two Yakuza games. Chronicling the fall and rise of the unstoppable Kazuma Kiryu, the Kiwami games are straightforward recreations of the originals that make dozens of tweaks to their core structures. Beyond these thoughtful changes, they're both the fantastic action games that kickstarted a new franchise for Sega, and contain all the heart, absurdity, and bone-crunching brutality of these cult-classics.
Read our Yakuza Kiwami review.
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