The best remakes of great classics that the current console generation has left us

It is indisputable that remakes are an inevitable part of the gaming world. There will be those who will not like it, due to the fact that “there is no innovation”, or that “the classics should not be touched”.

The truth is that remakes are not weird in any cultural medium, but in a few it makes more sense than in video games, where very rapid technological advances cause the gap to approach much faster. There are even many cases in which classic games, because they are closely linked to hardware that has already disappeared, become practically inaccessible to many players.

Remakes (and remasters) are required. And the best example is these games, which we have been able to play on the current console generation. Some cases are more extreme than others: there are titles that have undoubtedly been redone from scratch, while others would argue whether it’s a remake or a remaster. In any case, they are indisputably modern games, in terms of appearance, graphics, design and playability.

Final Fantasy VII Remake

Perhaps the most anticipated remake in video game history … and also one of the most popular. The PlayStation classic that reinvigorated the RPG genre and marked (and slightly traumatized) an entire generation of gamers is back on PS4 with graphics we couldn’t even imagine in 1997.

Final Fantasy VII Remake (Part 1) has made some changes in combat and especially in the story that don’t fit well with some, and its corridor style contrasts with the freedom of the original. But the reception has been mostly positive and, as a remake, in the way of reinventing the classic rather than copying it, it’s hugely ambitious.

Resident Evil 2 and 3

The Resident Evil saga, although it has never stopped being popular, has managed to channel this generation, acquire new members and recover the discontent from RE 5 and 6. After a symbolic return to origins with RE VII, the saga literally returned to its origins, with Spectacular remakes of Resident Evil 2 and 3.

As in the case of Final Fantasy VII Remake, we are talking about games that can be considered completely new. Even in the case of Resident Evil 2, it was nominated for many Game of the Year awards, something unusual with remakes.

Tony Hawk Pro Skater 1 + 2

The genre of skateboarding games, which was so popular in the late 1990s and early 2000s, has virtually disappeared without a trace in the last few generations. Attempts to recover it, with the infamous Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 5, have not gone well. Fortunately, things have changed over the past year, with the release of indie Skater XL, the announcement of a new EA Skate … and most importantly, the release of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2 Remastered.

The name of the game says that this is a remaster, but you just have to see the comparisons between the original and the new to see the incredible graphic jump and also playable. It has been a success in sales, so it almost certainly won’t take long to see new deliveries …

Metroid Samus Returns

I study Spanish MercurySteam He had worked with the Castlevania series before, so it made sense that they later got on well with his “first cousin”, Metroid. The result was Metroid Samus Returns on 3DS, perhaps a little late (we already had the Switch when it came out in August 2017), but it was a much-needed reminder of a saga that’s generously less than we’d like.

The development was the same as the Game Boy game, but graphically it was the best of the 3DS (and probably the last time we used stereoscopic 3D). Will we have a new 2D Metroid on Switch?

The Legend of Zelda Link’s Awakening

In addition to Metroid, another Game Boy classic is back with a remake of Zelda Link’s Awakening that, while keeping development intact, has updated graphics. This might be one of the coolest games on the Switch, with its mock-up look, making Link look like a moving toy. It was the work of Grezzo, who also “redone” Ocarina of Time, Majora’s Mask and Luigi’s Mansion in 3DS.

Although Breath of the Wild was a revolution in the saga, the spirit of classic Zelda sticks to these remakes and remasters (wouldn’t it be strange to see Wind Waker and Twilight Princess HD on Switch soon, plus with Zelda’s 35th anniversary in 2021 …).

Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy (y Spyro Reignited Trilogy)

One of classic characters from the 90s and 2000s what we missed most was Crash Bandicoot. The marsupial created by Naughty Dog was considered the PlayStation mascot at the time, before moving on to other hands such as Traveller’s Tales or Radical Entertainment and becoming cross-platform in the first decade of the century (and with much less spectacular results). We had to wait almost ten years, to 2017, to receive the N. Sane trilogy (which technically would be a remaster).

Toys for Bob (which kept the memory of Crash and Spyro with Skylanders alive) are responsible for the remasters of the two characters (also Spyro Reignited Trilogy), and their success has allowed us to recently enjoy a completely new installment, Crash Bandicoot 4. It’s almost time.

Yakuza Kiwami 1 and 2

The Yakuza saga is becoming more and more popular around the world, especially after the launch of Yakuza Like a Dragon. A good flaw is the remake of the first two Yakuza on PlayStation 2, Yakuza Kiwami and Yakuza Kiwami 2. A mix of sandbox, beat ’em up action and tons of mini-games. The Yakuza saga mixes serious topics with absurd minigames such as posing in underwear or participating in competitions to … urinate with a study-worthy ease. The two Kiwami are on PS4 and recently also on PC and Xbox One.

Black Mesa

The classic from 1998 Half life received an unofficial remake, developed by fans but approved by Valve. Black Mesa actually started out as a mod, but with Valve’s approval it was released commercially on Steam, where it can be purchased like any other game for 18 euros.

It is a faithful remake of the development of the first person shooter that combines as little action and tension, but with updated graphics. If the original seems a little indigestible, this is a great way to discover a must-have.

The shadow of the colossus

We couldn’t make such a list without mentioning the work of Bluepoint Games, which have exceptionally released PlayStation 5 with the remake of Demon’s Souls. But this Californian studio has other remasters to its name, and none shines more The shadow of the colossus. One of the most special games in PlayStation history, released on PS2, remastered on PS3 and remake on PS4. could be the best game from Team ICO: exciting, melancholic, majestic and with an excellent graphic finish.