Video game reissues come in two flavors: remasters and remakes. A remaster just puts the game on better hardware, with better graphics, performance and sometimes a bit of new content. Remakes, however, rebuild or reimagine a game, turning it into something entirely new.
Examples abound: Sid Meier’s Pirates saw its true potential fulfilled nearly 20 years later, Toys for Bob completely reconstructed the Crash Bandicoot and Spyro the Dragon trilogies, and Insomniac created an entirely new version of its own game, Ratchet & Clank. Most recently, The Last of Us Part 1 was released, bringing the first game more in line with the branding of the sequel.
You’ll notice that we haven’t even started our list yet. None of those games made the cut (although Sid Meier’s Pirates is one of the best pirate games out there), and there are so many to choose from. We’ve narrowed it down to our picks for the 10 best remakes, arranged alphabetically.
Demon Souls
Bluepoint’s Demon’s Souls remake was a showpiece for the PlayStation 5 launch. The team not only recreated the 2009 experience, but managed to make it absolutely stunning, with unparalleled particle and lighting effects. Bluepoint also added its own special touch to the game, introducing a new Penetrator armor set for fans to check out.
Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentina
Fire Emblem Awakening was a revival of the series, and its success sparked the current wave of critically acclaimed entries. One was actually a remake: Shadows of Valentia is a modern version of Fire Emblem Gaiden, the second game in the series. The remake allowed new players to enjoy not only classic tactical combat, but also a dose of dungeon crawling.
Final Fantasy VII Remake
Final Fantasy VII Remake is not a single adventure, but part of an entire saga. Remake is the first chapter, followed by Rebirth in 2023. As it stands, Remake retells the events of the original RPG’s Midgar arc, with new details (and big changes) and action-packed modern combat. Those looking for an even deeper dive can try Crisis Core: Final Fantasy Reunion (a remake itself) in December; that will be a prologue to the events of Remake.
The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening
Straight up, Link has never looked so cute. The Nintendo Switch remake of Link’s Awakening gives the game a cute claymation art style, putting it in the same league as Wind Waker – a game that will always look good. In addition to revitalizing the original Game Boy game, this remake also introduced a dungeon maker, a first for the series.
Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes
Metal Gear Solid is on our list of games in need of a remake, but it got its first on the GameCube six years after the original. Twin Snakes made the game look a lot nicer, blending gameplay elements of MGS 2 as a first-person aiming option. There’s also a series of all-new cutscenes featuring the original cast with re-recorded lines.
Metroid: Samus Returns
In some ways, Metroid 2 was a downgrade from the original. The Game Boy sequel was a bit claustrophobic due to a smaller screen and shorter adventure overall. Samus Returns delivered on the promise of the original game by completely rebuilding it on 3DS. This was the first free aiming 2D Metroid game, and it also introduced Samus’ powerful melee counter-attack.
Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver
10 years after Pokémon’s second generation debuted, it was given a new lease of life on the DS. The Gold and Silver anniversary releases followed in the footsteps of FireRed and LeafGreen, giving the games a brand new look. New features included a companion Pokémon that follows you and a Pokéathlon mini-game that lets your ‘mons’ compete in various events.
Resident Evil 2
Resident Evil 2 was already a classic, but this remake elevated it to one of the best survival horror games of all time, period. It’s still the story of Leon Kennedy and Claire Redfield trying to survive in the Raccoon City Police Department, but it changed the experience of the over-the-shoulder controls introduced in Resident Evil 4. The Goliath Mr. X has never been so terrifying.
Shadow of the Colossus
Shadow of the Colossus sets itself apart by receiving a remaster before getting a full remake. Before Bluepoint remade Demon’s Souls on PlayStation 5, it brought Shadow of the Colossus back on PlayStation 4. It’s a beautiful game all around – the fur on the various bodies of the Colossi has never looked more real. Just as Demon’s Souls included a new armor set, this remake featured a secret sword never seen before in the original game.
XCOM: enemy unknown
XCOM has changed hands a few times during its lifetime, but Firaxis’ take on the tactical series is the best way to play these days. It keeps the nail-biting combat of the original with permadeath for all your brave soldiers, while updating the turn-based systems for the modern era. Not only is it a solid remake, but it’s also a must-play strategy title in general.
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