The 10 Best Video Game Remakes Ever
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VOICE OVER: Aaron Kline
WRITTEN BY: Aaron Kline
Not all remakes are necessary, but these gave their games entirely new lives. For this list, we'll be looking at the remakes that became the new standard for playing these games. Our list includes “Shadow of the Colossus” (2018), “Pokemon HeartGold/SoulSilver” (2009), “Final Fantasy 7 Remake” (2020), and more!
Welcome to MojoPlays, and today we’re counting down our picks for the Top 10 best video game remakes ever. Over the last few years we’ve been seeing classics we know and love either get remade or even reimagined. Very rarely do these remakes not hit the mark, so we might not have included your favorite. Let us know in the comments which you think surpassed the original.
The “Master Chief Collection” is one of the rare collections of games that launched in a not so great state, but was able to turn the ship around and become one of the best Halo experiences ever. It didn’t just remaster one game, but remastered a whole franchise. Of course we got a visual upgrade, we also got all the multiplayer we fell in love with from past Halo games, now all in one place, with even more challenges for those adept with the trilogy’s content. “The Master Chief Collection” became the hub for all the classic Bungie Halo goodness we’d been longing for.
Every 90s’ PlayStation fan loves Crash Bandicoot. After the original trilogy, the games sort of fell off. “The N-Sane Trilogy” took the first three games and brought them to modern consoles. While the game may look like a crazy “Fur-K” upgrade, there is much more to this collection. We remember Crash feeling great, but let's be honest, while the controls were amazing for the time, they weren’t as good as today's standards. The N-Sane Trilogy added tighter controls and an update to the physics. All of the classic levels we remember are here and some new additions. It even added some of the more difficult levels that were cut from the originals. Crash wasn’t the only beloved PS1 mascot to get the remake treatment - the original Spyro trilogy also got a great remaster in the “Spyro Reignited Trilogy”, which offers the same great nostalgia trip.
Bluepoint can do no wrong when it comes to recreating amazing worlds. This remake of “Shadow of the Colossus” somehow took the 2005 PS2 classic and polished everything to a fine sheen, whilst keeping the lonely, meditative atmosphere intact. Scaling the peaceful gigantic beasts is made easier with the option of a new modern control scheme. Visually, the game got a much needed facelift, with the ability to see the world in 4K really emphasizing the beauty of the Forbidden Lands
It’s very rare a remake can save a franchise, but “Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2” brought the classic series back into the limelight. All the classic levels are back from the iconic warehouse in Pro Skater 1 all the way to School II from Pro Skater 2. All the character models are back, with new skaters additions including Tony Hawk’s son Riley Hawk. Most of the original soundtrack made its way into the remake as well. It kept the tight controls but added reverts, allowing for much more versatility to combos. “Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2” is not only one of the best remakes out there, but may just be the best Tony Hawk game.
With every classic Resident Evil game receiving a remake, one can’t forget the trend goes all the way back to the GameCube. This remake was basically a one for one recreation of the 1996 classic with new features to keep it fresh. In the original RE1, we were graced with the best-worst voice acting we’ve ever heard. The remake changed these to sound more grounded and less cheesy, which paired nicely with a visual overhaul that still looks great to this day. Add a few changes to combat and even the zombies a la the Crimson Heads, and you’ve got one hell of a way to kick off gaming’s greatest indeed saga.
How can you remake a game that is almost perfect? HeartGold and SoulSilver took what made the original games great and added so much more in terms of the battle system and general traversal. Obviously the game got a new look for being on the DS, using the same engine that Diamond and Pearl. We also have the ability to have our favorite Pokemon follow us around, so our little Chikortia can be at our side the entire adventure. “Pokemon HeardGold/SoulSilver” took the spot of most fans' favorite Pokemon game. Same cannot be said about Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl.
Another great remake from Bluepoint. “Demon’s Souls” was a PS5 launch game that really showed off what the system could do. It kept the eerie atmosphere and the hard hitting difficulty, whilst taking full advantage of the PS5 with faster losing times, better audio and visuals, and use of the DaulSense. “Demon's Souls” simply took what made the original PS3 game amazing and added some much needed quality of life. For those that wanted to leap into the Souls franchise pre-Elden Ring, it didn’t get better than this.
The only fanmade remake on the list, “Black Mesa” took the first “Half-Life” and added features and changes fans had been screaming for. Just like all the games on the list “Black Mesa” had visual upgrades, but a lot more was changed for this remake. Simple things like the ability to roll grenades which allowed for more precise aiming made everything flow so much better. The addition of “Half-Life 2” mechanics was a great feature as well, so we could grab objects scattered throughout the world and use them in combat if need be. Probably the biggest change to this remake is the overhaul in Xen - the short lived level in the original is now a bigger part of the game. Just give these guys the keys to Half Life 3 already
Of course this was going to make the cut! Taking one of the most iconic PS1 RPGS of all time and giving it a from the ground up remake and somewhat of a retelling. “Final Fantasy 7 Remake” is the beginning of the trilogy that united newcomers and hardcore fans in awe due to just how devastatingly good it was! Taking a small part of the original game and turning it into a 30 plus hour action rpg - expanding the lore in certain cases, whilst also introducing a brand new battle system that became as addictive as it was fluid. It may not be a one for one remake, but still has the charm and world building that FF fans have come to adore. And we still have two parts to go!
Bringing horror back to the Resident Evil series was the key goal of RE2 Remake, and damn if they didn’t hit it out of the park! RE 2 Remake took the horrifying Raccoon City and the iconic police station, rearranged some aspects, before bringing in a fresh dose of terror courtesy of Mr X. Despite adapting the over the shoulder perspective we’ve seen in more action focused Resident Evil games, this came was chill-inducing throughout both campaigns. “Resident Evil 2” triggered the start of a slew of Resident Evil remakes, the quality of which has been dazzling to behold, and we can thank Leon and Claire’s struggle for survival for kicking it off in such style!
“Halo: The Master Chief Collection” (2014)
The “Master Chief Collection” is one of the rare collections of games that launched in a not so great state, but was able to turn the ship around and become one of the best Halo experiences ever. It didn’t just remaster one game, but remastered a whole franchise. Of course we got a visual upgrade, we also got all the multiplayer we fell in love with from past Halo games, now all in one place, with even more challenges for those adept with the trilogy’s content. “The Master Chief Collection” became the hub for all the classic Bungie Halo goodness we’d been longing for.
“Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy” (2017)
Every 90s’ PlayStation fan loves Crash Bandicoot. After the original trilogy, the games sort of fell off. “The N-Sane Trilogy” took the first three games and brought them to modern consoles. While the game may look like a crazy “Fur-K” upgrade, there is much more to this collection. We remember Crash feeling great, but let's be honest, while the controls were amazing for the time, they weren’t as good as today's standards. The N-Sane Trilogy added tighter controls and an update to the physics. All of the classic levels we remember are here and some new additions. It even added some of the more difficult levels that were cut from the originals. Crash wasn’t the only beloved PS1 mascot to get the remake treatment - the original Spyro trilogy also got a great remaster in the “Spyro Reignited Trilogy”, which offers the same great nostalgia trip.
“Shadow of the Colossus” (2018)
Bluepoint can do no wrong when it comes to recreating amazing worlds. This remake of “Shadow of the Colossus” somehow took the 2005 PS2 classic and polished everything to a fine sheen, whilst keeping the lonely, meditative atmosphere intact. Scaling the peaceful gigantic beasts is made easier with the option of a new modern control scheme. Visually, the game got a much needed facelift, with the ability to see the world in 4K really emphasizing the beauty of the Forbidden Lands
“Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2” (2020)
It’s very rare a remake can save a franchise, but “Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2” brought the classic series back into the limelight. All the classic levels are back from the iconic warehouse in Pro Skater 1 all the way to School II from Pro Skater 2. All the character models are back, with new skaters additions including Tony Hawk’s son Riley Hawk. Most of the original soundtrack made its way into the remake as well. It kept the tight controls but added reverts, allowing for much more versatility to combos. “Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2” is not only one of the best remakes out there, but may just be the best Tony Hawk game.
“Resident Evil” (2002)
With every classic Resident Evil game receiving a remake, one can’t forget the trend goes all the way back to the GameCube. This remake was basically a one for one recreation of the 1996 classic with new features to keep it fresh. In the original RE1, we were graced with the best-worst voice acting we’ve ever heard. The remake changed these to sound more grounded and less cheesy, which paired nicely with a visual overhaul that still looks great to this day. Add a few changes to combat and even the zombies a la the Crimson Heads, and you’ve got one hell of a way to kick off gaming’s greatest indeed saga.
“Pokemon HeartGold/SoulSilver” (2009)
How can you remake a game that is almost perfect? HeartGold and SoulSilver took what made the original games great and added so much more in terms of the battle system and general traversal. Obviously the game got a new look for being on the DS, using the same engine that Diamond and Pearl. We also have the ability to have our favorite Pokemon follow us around, so our little Chikortia can be at our side the entire adventure. “Pokemon HeardGold/SoulSilver” took the spot of most fans' favorite Pokemon game. Same cannot be said about Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl.
“Demon’s Souls” (2020)
Another great remake from Bluepoint. “Demon’s Souls” was a PS5 launch game that really showed off what the system could do. It kept the eerie atmosphere and the hard hitting difficulty, whilst taking full advantage of the PS5 with faster losing times, better audio and visuals, and use of the DaulSense. “Demon's Souls” simply took what made the original PS3 game amazing and added some much needed quality of life. For those that wanted to leap into the Souls franchise pre-Elden Ring, it didn’t get better than this.
“Black Mesa” (2012)
The only fanmade remake on the list, “Black Mesa” took the first “Half-Life” and added features and changes fans had been screaming for. Just like all the games on the list “Black Mesa” had visual upgrades, but a lot more was changed for this remake. Simple things like the ability to roll grenades which allowed for more precise aiming made everything flow so much better. The addition of “Half-Life 2” mechanics was a great feature as well, so we could grab objects scattered throughout the world and use them in combat if need be. Probably the biggest change to this remake is the overhaul in Xen - the short lived level in the original is now a bigger part of the game. Just give these guys the keys to Half Life 3 already
“Final Fantasy 7 Remake” (2020)
Of course this was going to make the cut! Taking one of the most iconic PS1 RPGS of all time and giving it a from the ground up remake and somewhat of a retelling. “Final Fantasy 7 Remake” is the beginning of the trilogy that united newcomers and hardcore fans in awe due to just how devastatingly good it was! Taking a small part of the original game and turning it into a 30 plus hour action rpg - expanding the lore in certain cases, whilst also introducing a brand new battle system that became as addictive as it was fluid. It may not be a one for one remake, but still has the charm and world building that FF fans have come to adore. And we still have two parts to go!
“Resident Evil 2” (2019)
Bringing horror back to the Resident Evil series was the key goal of RE2 Remake, and damn if they didn’t hit it out of the park! RE 2 Remake took the horrifying Raccoon City and the iconic police station, rearranged some aspects, before bringing in a fresh dose of terror courtesy of Mr X. Despite adapting the over the shoulder perspective we’ve seen in more action focused Resident Evil games, this came was chill-inducing throughout both campaigns. “Resident Evil 2” triggered the start of a slew of Resident Evil remakes, the quality of which has been dazzling to behold, and we can thank Leon and Claire’s struggle for survival for kicking it off in such style!
