30 Best Video Game Remakes of All Time: Pixel Perfect Classics
Video game remakes are a special kind of magic. They bridge the gap between generations, using the power of modern technology to resurrect cherished classics. For veteran players, it’s a chance to relive formative memories with a fresh coat of paint and refined controls. For newcomers, it’s an opportunity to experience foundational games without the friction of dated design. But a great remake is more than just a graphical upgrade; it’s a delicate balancing act of preservation and evolution.
While a "remaster" typically involves upscaling resolution and improving performance on an existing game engine, a "remake" is a far more ambitious undertaking. It involves rebuilding a game from the ground up with new assets, modern mechanics, and sometimes, even expanded narrative content. These are the projects that set the gold standard, proving that a classic story can be told again in a powerful new way.
The Gold Standard: Reimagining a Masterpiece
Some remakes don't just update a game; they fundamentally re-examine its core and expand upon it, creating an experience that feels both familiar and shockingly new.
- Resident Evil 4 (2023): Taking one of the most beloved games ever made and rebuilding it was a monumental task, but the result is a masterclass in modernization. The 2023 remake of Resident Evil 4 overhauls the clunky tank controls of the original for a fluid, modern third-person shooter experience. It expands on the story, giving more depth to characters like Ashley and Luis, while brilliantly remixing enemy encounters to keep even die-hard fans on their toes. It’s a terrifying, action-packed, and respectful reimagining that stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the original.
- Final Fantasy VII Remake (2020): Perhaps one of the most ambitious remakes ever conceived, this project took the iconic opening hours of the 1997 classic and expanded them into a full-length, standalone RPG. The shift from turn-based combat to a fast-paced, real-time action system was a bold move that paid off, offering incredible strategic depth. More importantly, it used its expanded runtime to flesh out the world of Midgar and its characters, adding new emotional weight to a story that defined a generation.
From the Ground Up: Rebuilding Beloved Worlds
These remakes are technical showcases, using the full power of contemporary hardware to bring iconic settings and gameplay loops to life in breathtaking detail.
- Demon's Souls (2020): A stunning launch title for the PlayStation 5, this remake of the 2009 cult classic is a testament to the art of faithful recreation. Developer Bluepoint Games rebuilt the entire world of Boletaria with jaw-dropping visual fidelity and sound design, making its haunting, oppressive atmosphere more palpable than ever. While the core, punishingly difficult gameplay remains untouched, a host of quality-of-life improvements make the experience more accessible without ever sacrificing its legendary challenge.
- Dead Space (2023): The original Dead Space was a survival horror landmark, and the 2023 remake amplifies everything that made it great. The USG Ishimura is no longer a series of loading-screen-separated levels but a seamlessly interconnected, terrifying space vessel. The strategic dismemberment gameplay is gorier and more satisfying, and the decision to give protagonist Isaac Clarke a voice adds a new layer of character to the harrowing narrative. It’s a perfect example of how to enhance immersion and terror through thoughtful technical upgrades.
Artful Revivals: Preserving a Classic's Soul
Sometimes, the best approach is to preserve the exact spirit and gameplay of the original, focusing instead on a complete artistic and aesthetic overhaul.
- Shadow of the Colossus (2018): This is less a remake and more a painstaking restoration of a timeless work of art. The core, minimalist gameplay loop of tracking and felling majestic beasts is preserved perfectly. The true magic lies in the complete visual reconstruction. The colossi are more awe-inspiring, the Forbidden Lands are more desolate and beautiful, and the entire experience is infused with a cinematic quality that elevates its somber, emotional story to new heights.
- The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening (2019): Swapping the monochrome pixels of the Game Boy for a charming, toy-like "diorama" art style, this remake is a pure delight. It perfectly captures the quirky, dreamlike atmosphere of Koholint Island while introducing a number of modern conveniences that smooth out the original's rough edges. It’s proof that a remake can completely change a game’s visual identity while keeping its heart and soul perfectly intact.
More of the Best Remakes Ever Made
The list of incredible remakes continues to grow. Here are more essential titles that have successfully resurrected classic games for modern audiences:
- Resident Evil 2 (2019): A terrifying reinvention that set the modern standard for survival horror remakes.
- Metroid Prime Remastered (2023): While labeled a remaster, its complete control-scheme overhaul makes it play like a brand-new game.
- System Shock (2023): A fiercely loyal remake that captures the intricate level design and atmosphere of the 1994 immersive sim.
- Black Mesa (2020): The fan-made, officially endorsed remake of the original Half-Life that was decades in the making.
- Spyro Reignited Trilogy (2018): A colorful and vibrant collection that brought the beloved purple dragon roaring back to life.
- Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy (2017): A wonderfully challenging and precise recreation of three platforming classics.
- Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 (2020): A perfect blend of old-school thrills and modern gameplay mechanics.
- Mafia: Definitive Edition (2020): A complete cinematic overhaul of the 2002 crime-drama, with an improved story and gameplay.
- Yakuza Kiwami (2016): A fantastic remake of the first Yakuza title, bringing its combat and presentation in line with modern entries.
- Live A Live (2022): Resurrected a previously Japan-only SNES RPG with a gorgeous HD-2D art style.
- Super Mario RPG (2023): A faithful remake of the SNES classic with a beautiful new graphical style and score.
- Resident Evil (2002): The original "REmake" that set the template for how to respectfully update a classic.
- Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes (2004): A stylish reimagining of the PlayStation classic for the GameCube.
- Trials of Mana (2020): A full 3D action-RPG remake of a 16-bit masterpiece.
- Pokémon HeartGold & SoulSilver (2009): Widely considered the definitive way to experience the Johto region.
- XCOM: Enemy Unknown (2012): A brilliant reboot of the classic strategy series for a modern audience.
- Pikmin 1 + 2 (2023): Brought the GameCube classics to a new generation on the Switch with updated controls.
- Ratchet & Clank (2016): A beautiful reimagining of the duo's first adventure, tying in with the animated film.
- Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp (2023): A charming and faithful update to the Game Boy Advance strategy gems.
- The Last of Us Part I (2022): A meticulous, ground-up rebuild of the landmark 2013 title with modernized gameplay and visuals.
- Panzer Dragoon: Remake (2020): A faithful recreation of the beloved Sega Saturn on-rails shooter.
- Oddworld: New 'n' Tasty! (2014): A successful revival of the quirky and challenging 2.5D platformer Abe's Oddysee.
- Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap (2017): A stunning remake featuring hand-drawn animation that can be swapped with the 8-bit original graphics on the fly.
- Destroy All Humans! (2020): A hilarious and destructive remake that brought back the B-movie alien invasion fun of the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a video game remake and a remaster?A remaster takes the original game's code and assets and enhances them, usually by increasing the resolution, improving the frame rate, and sometimes touching up textures. A remake is a game built from scratch, using the original as a blueprint but creating all-new assets, code, and often implementing new gameplay mechanics and controls.
Why are video game remakes so popular?They appeal to two major audiences simultaneously. For established fans, they tap into powerful nostalgia, allowing them to re-experience a beloved game with modern quality-of-life improvements. For new players, they serve as the definitive, most accessible entry point to a classic title they may have only heard about.
What is often considered the first major video game remake?While there were earlier examples, many point to Super Mario All-Stars (1993) on the SNES as the first high-profile remake compilation. It took the original NES Super Mario Bros. games and rebuilt them with 16-bit graphics and sound. However, the 2002 GameCube remake of Resident Evil is widely credited with establishing the modern template for a full, ground-up reimagining of a single game.