Top 10 Best Video Game Remakes

Eleven years after the North American release of “Yakuza,” Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio and Sega released “Yakuza Kiwami,” a complete remake and updated version of the OG “Yakuza.” The gameplay was updated to mirror “Yakuza 0,” complete with four different, alternating fighting styles – brawler, beast, rush, and dragon. It also featured a new gameplay element called “Majima Everywhere,” which saw Majima quite literally popping up out of nowhere to challenge Kiryu to a fight, much like an invader in “Dark Souls.” This game was the perfect follow up for all newcomers to the series that started with Yakuza 0.

It probably wasn’t easy remaking “Link’s Awakening.” Not only is the game a masterpiece that many people would deem untouchable, but it’s also well over twenty years old at this point. Unbelievably, Grezzo managed to pull it off. This remake kept the essence of the original but added a few modern tweaks, like a permanently equipped sword and shield and a create-a-dungeon mode. It also received a major graphical overhaul by converting the game to 3D and widescreen, a tilt shift effect, and a completely new art style, complete with toy-like character designs. They somehow managed to top a classic and update it for a new generation of players. Welcome back, Link.

Lame title aside, “Tomb Raider: Anniversary” was a very respectable remake of Lara Croft’s seminal outing. The game was completely rebuilt by Crystal Dynamics and Buzz Monkey Software using the engine from “Tomb Raider: Legend,” successfully ironing out the original game’s rather clunky movements and platforming. The story was also expanded to both add more depth and tie-in to “Legend,” and composer Troels Brun Folmann reworked the original game’s themes with a more orchestral sound, significantly adding to the excitement and sense of adventure. It was the definitive “Tomb Raider” experience at the time, and it proved what a difference ten years can make in the landscape of game development.

The early 90s were the glory days of point and click adventure games, and LucasArts was the king. “The Secret of Monkey Island” is arguably their masterpiece, but by 2009, the game had aged quite a bit and was basically ignored by modern audiences. Enter the “Special Edition,” which added a few quality of life improvements, such as a much-needed hint system, while also updating the animation, voice acting, and score. More importantly, the game remained just as funny and creative as it was in 1990, allowing for a new generation to discover the imaginative magic of prime LucasArts.

This game serves as a remake of “Metroid II: Return of Samus,” but it adds so many interesting elements that it may as well be an entirely new game. As with any remake, the visuals received a gorgeous update, but it also received a host of new gameplay mechanics. Counterattacks, Aeion abilities, free aim, fast travel, and the Grapple Beam, Super Missiles, and Power Bombs were all added to the game, significantly updating the gameplay to be more in line with modern “Metroid” titles. Luckily, all these changes were for the better, and many die hard “Metroid” fans agreed that “Samus Returns” served as a brilliant, well, return to form for the then-suffering series.

The “N. Sane Trilogy” proves just how much gaming has changed from the late 90s. Vicarious Visions rebuilt the first three “Crash Bandicoot” games from scratch using nothing but Naughty Dog’s original level geometry, resulting in a beautiful and faithful update of the classic series. “Crash Bandicoot” fans were delighted, as this was both a new “Crash Bandicoot” game (kind of) and a faithful reimaging of some of the greatest games from their past. The nostalgia factor was high with this one! The game was so faithful to the original with its mechanics it left newcomers flabbergasted at it’s difficulty. Just one year later, the “Spyro Reignited Trilogy” was released, successfully completing the late 90s nostalgia flood.

Unlike some remakes, the 2016 remake of “Rachet & Clank” was developed by the original development team that oversaw the original, Insomniac Games. And what a job they did. Along with the absolutely eye-popping visuals and animations, the game also included mechanics from later “Ratchet & Clank” games while adding some new elements like the fan favorite Pixelizer. The result was an outstanding summation of the entire “Ratchet & Clank” series while also staying true to the original game. While the tie-in movie was quickly dumped and forgotten, this game has remained highly regarded and was considered one of 2016’s greatest games.

The “Pokémon” series spans multiple generations, and as such, is very prone to remakes. 2018 saw “Let’s Go Pikachu!” and “Let’s Go, Eevee!” which served as remakes of “Yellow,” while 2010 saw the release of “HeartGold” and “SoulSilver,” remakes of, well, “Gold” and “Silver.” The remake retains the same magical “Pokémon” gameplay we have grown to love, but also added a few new mechanics, like the Pokémon following behind the player and the brand new Pokéathlon minigame. It was a wonderful mixture of old and new, and it truly proved that “Pokémon” never really dies.

If one game deserved a remake, it was “Shadow of the Colossus.” The game was deemed an immediate masterpiece back in its day, but the graphics, performance, and controls have all aged quite badly, and younger players weren’t able to experience the magnificence that we all felt in 2005. Luckily, Bluepoint was there to tidy things up, and they updated the game with a brilliant coat of new graphics and a far more stable performance. While some bemoaned the control scheme and dated camera mechanic, it was praised for its incredible updates and for retaining the spirit and magic of the original. This is how “Shadow of the Colossus” was always meant to be experienced.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

“Metroid: Zero Mission” (2004)

“Bionic Commando Rearmed” (2008)

“Punch-Out!!” (2009)

“Kirby Super Star Ultra” (2008)

“Wonder Boy: The Dragon’s Trap” (2017)

Fans were asking for it since 2002, when the OG “Resident Evil” was brilliantly remade for the GameCube. And while we didn’t think a video game remake could ever top that, Capcom somehow managed to pull it off with “Resident Evil 2.” The game was completely remade with the modern over-the-shoulder third-person camera angle and the RE Engine from “Resident Evil 7.” It retained the dreary and unrelentingly oppressive atmosphere of the original game but significantly updated the graphics and gameplay for modern audiences, resulting in a game that somehow felt just as fresh and exciting as it did nostalgic and classic. After a ferocious dip in quality, the “Resident Evil” series is back and arguably better than ever.