HD-2D has become the new lofty bar for retro-inspired RPGs or remakes of our favorite Super Nintendo RPGs. Square Enix’s new visual style started with 2018’s Octopath Traveler and has also been used in this year’s RPG Triangle Strategy. But its true potential has undoubtedly been realized in the stunning remake of Live A Live.
With each new HD-2D game, Square Enix has pushed the boat further out. Color-stunning pixels and stunning diorama-esque worlds made us dream of remakes when we first saw this visual style come to life, but Live A Live proved it was possible – and totally worth it. And Square isn’t resting on its laurels either, with Dragon Quest III also getting the HD-2D remake treatment.
However, imagine if Square Enix wasn’t the only company that could use HD-2D as it is today. Think of the possibilities to see your favorite retro games on modern hardware That pretty.
We’ve gotten a little giddy thinking about what we’d like to see in HD-2D (or something similar), and we’ve narrowed it down to 12 different Nintendo games with all different styles and genres – so not just RPGs, although there are here are a few – if Square Enix once let other companies borrow it. Just an idea.
Check out our picks, then vote in our poll below and let us know where we’re going wrong (or right!).
Publisher: Nintendo / Developer: Nintendo EAD
The Legend of Zelda‘s top-down 2D adventures have already proven to be perfect remake material, with 2019’s Link’s Awakening blowing us away in its cute little plastic toy style. But — listen to us — what about giving those Super Nintendo pixels from A Link to the Past a little shine?
The beautiful greens, browns and blues of Hyrule would come alive in an HD-2D world – imagine what the water would look like. And think about how Nintendo could play with the lighting in the Holy Realm and the Dark World. It was already incredible to see the same location in two different ways in 1991, but with some stretched pixel art highlighting the differences in hues and colors between the parallel worlds? We think there’s no better way to show off the beautiful lighting and shadows of HD-2D than here.
Publisher: Nintendo / Developer: HAL Laboratory
Okay, now we are ambitious. Mother 3 has never seen an official western release (hey, just like Live A Live before 2022!), and with endless teasing and our constant hopes being smashed into the ground, why do we add the pain of waiting by thinking to a remake?
This is another one where we’d honestly just take a port, and we’ve also seen fan interpretations of Mother 3 in that cute little clay or toy style. But as long as the Peanuts-style art is preserved and the strange and wonderful world is fully realized, we think HD-2D can make the already disturbing, emotional and beautiful story even more incredible. We’d also welcome a remake of EarthBound – that goes without saying – but Mother 3’s inaccessibility makes this a prime candidate.
Publisher: Nintendo / Developer: Nintendo R&D1
Another side scroller! But Metroid’s star is rising again, and in the wake of the absolutely fantastic Metroid Dread, while some people may want a Mercury Steam-esque remake of the Super Nintendo classic, we want those creepy, pulsating pixels to somehow way to be preserved.
Super Metroid is still the queen of the atmosphere, both visually and musically; the depth that HD-2D could give to Zebes’ maps would do wonders to further emphasize this. The bubbling lava and acid can cause Samus and Zebes’ strange life forms to cast menacing shadows. Kraid’s gigantic sprite could tower even more in glorious HD-2D detail. And Samus’ array of skills and weapons could get some very shiny extra effects that would not only blind the enemies but us too. We’ll be making a return trip to Zebes every day, but a pixel art remake of Super Metroid would have us on the next available spaceship.
Publisher: Konami / Developer: Konami
Possibly one of the weirdest ducks on our list, Aria of Sorrow maybe best Castlevania game, and it’s already gorgeous on a small handheld screen (or a Switch screen, if you will). But who says sidescrollers can’t adapt to that HD-2D style too?
There are a few ways we think HD-2D could really make an Aria of Sorrow remake pop – those environments and backgrounds could really bring even more depth, light and shadow to any location Soma Cruz explores. We could get a few more boss fights, like Balore’s, which uses the background and creates a sort of faux-3D effect. And some of those character sprites can get even more expressive. Ayami Kojima’s art deserves an even better pixel art style, and honestly HD-2d would make it shine even brighter.
Publisher: Konami / Developer: Konami
This quirky little adventure game sparked an entire series for Konami, but the Goemon franchise is one that is often forgotten. Not by us, so we demand a comeback by dreaming about it in even more beautiful pixels.
The Legend of the Mystical Ninja usually has you walking from left to right, but in the city areas you can explore in a 3D plane of sorts, with characters coming out of buildings and enemies sneaking in from behind doors. It’s also been a kaleidoscope of colors on the SNES. Plus, can we get a taste of HD-2D platforming, first-person dungeons and a Gradius-style minigame in a stunning new visual style? If HD-2D wants to make a statement for any kind of pixel art game, Konami’s classic is a good place to start.
Publisher: Square Enix / Developer: Squaresoft
We’re honestly a little surprised that Square Enix chose a ‘Pixel Remaster’ series for its classic Final Fantasy games when HD-2D right there. We know HD-2D isn’t cheap as it uses Unreal Engine, but the Pixel Remasters aren’t on Switch yet. And Final Fantasy VI, with its changing world and stunning set pieces, would be a true showcase of the visual style on Switch.
Square Enix has said it wants to recreate more games with HD-2D visuals, and while there are some deserving missing classics that we’d love to see, how can we deny one of the best Final Fantasy games an actual remake?
Oh, and if you’re really not convinced, we have two words for you: opera scene.
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