15 Best Remakes That Don’t Just Feel Like Cash Cows

The 15 Best Remakes Ever Made

Day of the Tentacle Remastered

Quite simply, a brilliant rendition of an absolute classic, Day of The Tentacle Remastered retains everything that made the original release so beloved. There’s all the witty banter and brain-teasing puzzles that you’ll remember from before, but now its sharper and handles better. We’re so glad developer Double Fine Productions didn’t bother to fiddle unnecessarily with the formula that works so well.

Oddworld New n’ Tasty

Abe’s Odyssey was a PSOne classic, a 2D side-scroller with an adorable protagonist, hilarious direction, and solid puzzle platforming gameplay. The New n’ Tasty version of the game is a bold 3D reinterpretation of that classic experience, and it’s been superbly well done. It hits on all of the black-comedic notes of the original, and it feels and sounds just as you remember it. Except that its new coat of paint feels right at home on your PS4 or PS Vita.

MGS: The Twin Snakes

There’s few who would argue that Metal Gear Solid is right up there with some of the best games of all time. Seminal, without a doubt, it was among the first to successfully pair Hollywood-esque cinematics and voice acting with groundbreaking stealth gameplay, all wrapped up in a wonderfully bold narrative. Yet there’s no denying its visuals haven’t held up well. Twin Snakes is the full Gamecube remake, and while it’s over the top Matrix-like cutscenes weren’t everybody’s cup of tea, and some of its ambient music is absent, it’s still a quality experience. We’re just waiting for that current generation remake now…

Call of Duty Modern Warfare Remastered

The big daddy of the FPS genre is back in a brand new set of clothes, and replaying it one again, it absolutely lives up to its hallowed reputation. Simply one of the best shooting experiences you’ll ever play, and now it looks just as visually impressive as more recent offerings in the franchise. This is the entry that really put Call of Duty on the map, and if you’ve never played it then there’s never been a better time to experience it first hand.

Yakuza Kiwami

A remake of the original Yakuza game, Kiwami is every bit as brutal, hilarious, and downright weird as the best games in the series. There’s more here to enjoy than just revamped visuals, with a reworked narrative that answers many of the plot holes that marred the original title. In fact, Yakuza Kiwami is now right up there with the best stories in any Yakuza title.

Crash Bandicoot N.Sane Trilogy

Rumours of a Crash remake just wouldn’t go away prior to its eventual announcement, but even so, Sony stunned us when the remake was finally confirmed. Fans had been crying out for the return of the Bandicoot for years, but in a world of Uncharted’s and Horizon Zero Dawn’s, it seemed unlikely. But that’s what we got, and thanks to stunning graphics and significantly improved controls, the N.Sane Trilogy is absolutely the definitive way to experience this trip down memory lane. Remakes.

Metroid: Samus Returns

The somewhat stealth announcement of Metroid: Samus Returns during E3 2017 was easy to miss. Having just announced a new Metroid Prime game in the works during its Direct, Nintendo spoiled gamers with an all-new 2D Metroid title just around the corner. Samus Returns is a remake of the second side-scrolling classic, previously released on GameBoy way back in 1991. The new game features gorgeous visuals, and it also makes genuinely good use of the 3DS stereoscopic 3D effect. Those who haven’t played a 2D Metroid game will appreciate this awesome remake just as much as fans of the original games. Remakes.

Ocarina of Time 3D

Standing next to Super Mario 64, Ocarina of time is one of the N64’s most beloved and revolutionary titles. Completely remade for the 3DS, the blocky visuals of the original have been upgraded with smoother and more detailed animations, and it runs at a much more stable framerate. The new version also makes good use of the 3DS’s hardware, including using the touchscreen to play the Ocarina, and motion controls to aim Link’s slingshot. There’s also new content in the form of various challenges that add to an already huge and immersive world to get lost in on the go. Remakes.

Fire Emblem Echoes

A full remake of the 1992 Fire Emblem title, Gaiden, Echoes gives modern fans of the franchise a glimpse into its past with modern conveniences and sharper visuals of the current generation of Fire Emblem titles. It includes animated cutscenes, and notably, full voice acting, which was at the time of its release, a first for the franchise. Remakes.

Final Fantasy 12

We’ve seen some lazy ports of classic games over the years, but Final Fantasy 12 is a super example of how to properly bring a game up to date. It’s hard to believe the Zodiac Age’s visuals are just a reflash of ten-year-old textures because they look superb. Beyond just the upres, though, there are changes to the game’s mechanics, and the addition of the Job System, which revamps how players approach the game. Remakes.

StarCraft Remastered

A terrific remaster of the iconic RTS game, StarCraft Remastered feels every bit the seminal masterpiece that many gamers consider it to be. There’s still the perfect balance between each of its three factions, except it’s now bolstered by impressive visuals and an improved online infrastructure. There’s no doubt it’s an experience that’s absolutely well worth revisiting with this remakes.

Super Mario 64 DS

The seminal platforming adventure game from Nintendo made a huge splash when it launched in Nintendo 64, and with the DS remaster, its been given an extra layer of visual polish, and all the convenience of portability, too. Jumping, rolling, and stomping on Goombas still feels every bit as entertaining as it did twenty years ago, and it holds up brilliantly next to more modern competition. If you haven’t got a Nintendo Switch with Mario Odyssey, you could do a lot worse than playing Super Mario 64 DS on your 3DS.

Ratchet and Clank

Ratchet and Clank was a brilliant PS2 title, but remastered on PS4 it’s an even better package. For one thing, it’s aesthetic is absolutely outstanding. Do you remember ever wondering whether video games would ever look like Toy Story and Finding Nemo? Well, Ratchet and Clank looks even better, with consistently stunning graphics that rival any Pixar production. In addition, small tweaks to the dialogue and dynamic between our two protagonists make for a more cohesive plot, too. If you’ve slept on the Ratchet and Clank remake, you’ve missed out big time!

REmake

First, there was Resident Evil, then there was a director’s cut before Capcom completely remade it for the Gamecube. Fast forward to 2015 and Now we have Resident Evil REmake for the current generation, and it’s absolutely one of the best experiences the series has to offer. You haven’t lived until you’ve run helplessly with two bullets in your handgun from a high definition crimson head!

Shadow of the Colossus

Bluepoint has a hard-earned reputation for quality remasters, but the developer has completely outdone itself with Shadow of the Colossus. From the empty ambiance of its wide open spaces to the awe-inspiring colossi, Bluepoint has managed to bring this masterpiece totally up to date without removing the essence of what made it so special way back in 2005. Every part of this remake feels like a project built by a group of passionate fans.