The world of gaming is like one big library that has hundreds of choices with a little something for everyone. Some even look back at the old days of video games, wanting to find ways to play them once more. However, unless you have the money to purchase older consoles and arcade cabinets, playing old games is very tricky. That is why to us, there are many games that deserve a remake or remaster right now.
Plus, it seems many studios believe the same thing about some of their older IPs. This is why many studios decided to go back to those old IPs and try to restore them to their former glory. They did this by either a remaster where they’d keep most of the gameplay and visuals the same. Meanwhile, everything is slightly cleaner.
Yet some studios, such as Square Enix, took a bigger step. Enix among other studios chose to remake entire games from scratch while still being faithful to the previous story (as much as possible), along with updated graphics and controls.
In this article, we’ll be discussing the games that deserve a remake or remaster for modern gamers. We’ll also go over the differences between the two regarding each game, so everyone can see what those changes would look like. Some of these games even go back to the Atari 2600 among other older arcade games.
Space Invaders – 1978
[Image via Taito]
Might as well go back to the glory days of gaming, when all we had was our imagination and a handful of quarters to spend. When it comes to games that deserve a remake or remaster, a lot could be done with this one.
Taito’s flagship game, Space Invaders, started out in arcades before being ported over to the Atari 2600. Eventually, nearly every console after that had some port of this classic shooter. While there wasn’t anything special on the surface, underneath it was a unique intro to science fiction and soon into the shoot-em-up genre.
Even games like Galaxia and R-Type owe their existence to this game. The beauty is that it wouldn’t take much to remake or remaster considering how simple the graphics and gameplay are. Yet it could also be expanded heavily.
Remaster:
- Cleaner graphics optimized for modern monitors
- Smooth controls to use for either a D-pad, analog, or keyboard
- Options for infinite plays or lives system
- A large array of levels to play through
Remake:
- Updating the graphics to have actual UFOs and spaceships
- Music added
- Updated controls that feel smooth on any control system
- Multiplayer system to play with others online or on co-op
- Variety of gameplay other than just shooting aliens like timed games or shooting a certain amount to get more lives
Snatcher – 1994
[Image via Konami]
Before Hideo Kojima made his mark with the Metal Gear Solid series, there was Snatcher. It was a unique cyberpunk adventure game that felt like it was ripped straight out of Blade Runner. While it was first released for PC and MSX, the Sega CD port is considered the best way to play this game. Those that have gone back to play it will say it clearly has potential and would be among the games that deserve a remake or remaster for modern gamers.
In the gritty town of Neo Kobe City, events of humanoid robots called ‘snatchers’ start killing and replacing humans. This leaves Gillian Seed, a detective in the task force JUNKER, to investigate a string of murders and crimes. He does it all while discovering how this is related to his past.
However, there’s nothing much to the gameplay (it’s more like a visual novel). Thus, there is a cult following that really treasures this game, begging for a re-release. Although, should a remake be something to consider, there are a number of ways that it could be made over a simple remastered port.
Remaster:
- A port of the original Sega CD version
- Optimized for modern screens
Remake:
- A new look with hand-drawn scenes and characters over the pixelated look
- Swap out the visual novel gameplay for an action-adventure investigation game
- Could have an investigation system similar to LA Noire or the Arkham series
- Include combat to add variety to the gameplay in between investigating and talking to NPCs
X-Men Arcade – 1992
[Image via Konami]
Final Fight and Streets of Rage may be the best in the beat-em-up genre. However, Konami’s arcade take on X-Men was definitely a great time-waster. It is based technically on both the comics of the late 1980s AND partly an early 1990s animated show. This was a special game, as it allowed up to 6 players on a single machine.
Players can take control of Wolverine, Storm, Nightcrawler, Colussus, Cyclops, or Dazzler. The team fights Magneto and his newly controlled Sentinel army. While the gameplay was monotonous, there was a lot of enjoyment in the combat and dealing with the Brotherhood of Mutants. Any game that has you take on The Blob and Emma Frost deserves recognition.
Despite having an HD re-release on Xbox 360, it was eventually taken down after three years. Sadly Konami never ported this to any other consoles at the time and it suffered the same fate as The Simpson’s Arcade. This is why many Marvel fans believe this is one of the big Marvel games that deserve a remake or remaster right now.
Remaster:
- Improved high fidelity graphics
- Kept at the original aspect ratio
- Controls optimized for controllers
- Allowing for co-op play (limit to 4 players)
- Options for how many credits to use per play
Remake:
- Complete overhaul on graphics, either remade to a cartoon cel-shaded style or modern “16-bit” graphics
- The choice to play online multiplayer for all 6 players to join
- New game modes to add more fun
- Graphics options to make the screen look like it’s on the arcade cabinet
Tomba! – 1997
[Image via Whoopee Camp]
Since Crash Bandicoot and Spyro the Dragon were given their deserved treatment, it only seems right to do it to Whoopee Camp’s hidden gem of the Playstation. Back when nearly every console had some kind of 3D platformer, Tomba! was almost a return to the old days of side-scrolling in the 2.5D platformer.
In Tomba, you play as a pink-haired feral child who goes around defeating evil pigs to help out the citizens and get back his grandpa’s golden bracelet. Aside from the 2.5D gameplay, this is a much more open-ended collect-a-thon game that gives you free roam. It lets you interact with NPCs and even activate new quests, which was big for an older game.
This would be seen in later RPGs like Skyrim and Fallout.
What makes this game unique is that after a sequel was made, the company was shut down before a third could be made in 1999. Nowadays, a physical copy can really be hard to come by. Seriously, it took forever for this writer just to get the disc (without the box). Even though you could play it on the Playstation 3 through its store, it won’t last forever.
Considering that the company no longer makes games, a remake or remastered version of this game would really show everyone what they missed on this expensive yet amazing cult classic.
Remaster:
- Optimized and cleaned up graphics
- Original FMVs for the cutscenes
- Improved controls for Xbox and Nintendo Switch
Remake:
- Update the graphics to 3D, while keeping the 2.5D side-scrolling
- Add more checkpoints and options to save the game
- Have a map that shows the objectives you need to complete.
- Add voice actors
F-Zero GX – 2003
[Image via Nintendo]
At a time when racing games just had you go in circles in a really fast car, this game had you literally at the edge of your seat. F-Zero GX has you going from zero to 1500 miles per hour through some of the craziest and most challenging tracks ever designed.
What makes this game unique from the Nintendo Gamecube library is that it requires you to have near-perfect reflexes for sharp turns, jumps, and acceleration. Players will encounter 29 different racers. This means you have to not only memorize the track and know where to go, but you also need to be quick on how you react in order to reach first place.
With the Nintendo Switch having unique exclusives like Breath of the Wild and Mario Odyssey, reviving the F-Zero series would have people gain a huge interest in arcade-style racing games. Even if the difficulty might turn off some players, there could be ways to improve and help people slowly ease into the game.
Remaster:
- Gamecube port with original yet cleaned up graphics
- Controls optimized for Nintendo Switch joycons
Remake:
- Overhaul the graphics and controls
- Improve difficulty with tutorials to help the player get into the game
- Sound effects and music optimized for the Switch
Pac-Man – 1980
[Image via Namco]
Even the oldest games deserve as much attention as today’s games. Before there was Mario or Sonic, there was Pac-Man the yellow circle that ate dots and ghosts. In one way or another, almost everyone in the world has played this timeless classic game once in their lifetime.
By today’s standards, this game is about as basic as you can get, aside from Pong. However, that was the whole appeal of Pac-Man, to begin with. It was simple yet addicting gameplay that was easy to pick up, yet hard to master. You would just get into a rhythm by getting through more mazes than anyone in the arcade.
There have been many different versions, ports, and spin-offs, even a TV show, involving Pac-Man and friends. This is also a great example of not needing great graphics or even a story to make a good game. All the pieces to make a good game are already in Pac-Man. This means it is most certainly one of the games that deserve a remake or remaster. Plus, it wouldn’t take a whole lot to give this classic mascot a proper revival.
Remaster:
- A port of the original arcade game
- Updated controls for console controllers and keyboards
Remake:
- Updated graphics to 3D or 3D pixelated graphics
- A multiplayer mode allows players to compete for high scores
- Have a create a level mode to make your own mazes
The Darkness – 2007
[Image via Starbreeze Studios]
Many great games and hidden gems were made for both the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3. However, The Darkness is one of those games that very few people know or appreciate. This is likely because it was overshadowed by more popular first-person shooters like Call of Duty: Modern Warfare and Halo Reach.
Based on the comic book series of the same name, The Darkness follows the tale of Jackie Estacado, a Mafia hitman who hides a cosmic and sinister power inside of him. You explore the streets of New York as you are on a path of revenge and death, facing off numerous killers all while dealing with the Darkness inside of Jackie.
The gameplay and acting haven’t aged well over the years, but the game has an amazing and compelling story that is comparable to dark-themed comics like Sin City and The Crow. It was even successful enough to gain a sequel, but any chances of a third game have been left in limbo at this point.
The PS3 port was considered the worst of the two, and there weren’t any proper PC ports for the first game. This is why many feel The Darkness is one of the games that deserve a remake or remaster. Not to mention it be a great way to boost popularity in the comic book series that’s not part of DC or Marvel Comics.
Remaster:
- Port of the Xbox 360 optimized for Playstation 4 and Xbox Series X/S
- Graphics cleaned up for modern TVs
- Option to play on PC/with a keyboard and mouse
Remake:
- Full overhaul of the game with improved graphics and controls
- Made for all major consoles and PC
- A map option for traveling around New York for missions and side objectives
- Jackie has more dynamic facial expressions and lines that convey emotions
- Shooting has some impact with better aiming
- New options of attacking with the Darkness, just like the sequel Darkness 2
Vampire The Masquerade: Bloodlines – 2004
[Image via Troika Games]
Based on White Wolf’s tabletop game, Bloodlines is a game where you take the role of a newly made vampire, patrolling the streets of Los Angeles to keep the vampire clans in order.
What made this game still as popular as it is now is the abundance of characters to interact with, each having their own unique personality. Even though the gameplay is a bit clunky, something about it always makes you go back to it. Plus, it’s kind of fun playing from a vampire’s perspective.
While combat and shooting were not the game’s strongest suits, fans have been able to make patches for the game that improve it and even expand on it. Many character animations and dialogues rival Fallout New Vegas and the decisions you make really impact the story in a huge way.
Even though the game is still going strong after 18 years, it is one of the games that deserve a remake or remaster in our opinion. This is a game that could really do well on consoles along with improving the PC game itself. Considering Bloodlines 2 is just around the corner, this would satisfy the hunger of many fans till it arrives.
Remaster:
- Patched and optimized for modern screens
- Port over to consoles and improved for PCs
- Fixed to keep the game from crashing during intense moments
Remake:
- New update on the graphics and controls
- Keep the first and third-person camera options
- Ported to consoles and PCs
- Might need new voice actors if the original voice actors are unavailable
- A new travel system
- More customization options
- Better melee combat and shooting
Mobile Suit Gundam: Federation vs Zeon – 2001
[Image via Bandai]
Just like Dragonball and Sailor Moon, the Gundam series was a great gateway anime for those who were new to the series. As with the aforementioned series, anything popular and involving action gets turned into a video game. Many Mobile Suit games were made for consoles. but the one this writer remembers fondly was the Federation vs Zeon game on the Playstation 2.
This game’s campaign takes moments of battle from the anime where the Federation of Earth and the Principality of Zeon battle for supremacy of the galaxy. The arcade and versus modes pretty much give you access to all types of Mobile Suits from both sides. Combat felt cinematic and the controls were easy to learn, yet hard to master, giving you the feeling of being an actual Mobile Suit pilot.
The only way to play this game is either on Dreamcast or PS2. However, you might find it on an arcade machine somewhere if you’re lucky. While there are a vast amount of Gundam games, especially in Japan, a remake of this game would be best. Not only would it give people a chance to experience the original series but also get them hyped up for the upcoming Gundam hero shooter coming soon.
Remaster:
- Port of the PS2/Dreamcast game onto home consoles
- Controls optimized for modern consoles and PC
Remake:
- Full overhaul on the gameplay, graphics, campaign, and arcade modes
- Include some enhanced HD cutscenes and voice lines from the anime
- Improve on the original controls
The Legend of Dragoon – 2001
[Image via Japan Studio]
While Final Fantasy 7 took over the JRPG scene of the Playstation, many games were overshadowed, but still gained cult followings. None has felt that harder than The Legend of Dragoon, an original Sony Interactive game developed by Japan Studio.
Released late into the Playstation’s life span, Dragoon had a unique story. Yet it had an even more unique combat system that has not been seen in other turn-based games since then.
Following the tale of Dart and his newfound friends, a simple rescue mission turns into becoming involved in a war that brings dragons and monsters alike into the world. Dart must learn to use the power of the dragoon in order to combat enemies that are beyond human. Meanwhile, he must figure out the mystery surrounding his childhood friend.
Dragoon’s ability to turn into a dragon knight would be cool enough to sell this game. However, what made this so interesting was the system that had the player make perfect combos during attacks, making engagements with the enemies involving new tactics and timing.
The story is really well told too, with some very well-made CGI cutscenes that were cutting edge for 2001.
The game itself is very hard to come by, with the only re-release that it gained being at the Playstation 3’s store. While there were rumors of a sequel being in the works, it was canceled for unknown reasons. Having a remaster or even a remake of this cult classic would really get fans to appreciate the game that no one talked about.
Remaster:
- Update the graphics and cutscenes, similarly to what was done for Chrono Cross
- High fidelity export of the original FMV cutscenes
Remake:
- Updating the whole game from the ground up, using modern graphics similar to the Final Fantasy games
- Another route would go with a much more comic book hand-drawn graphics
- Either keep the turn-based combat or involve real-time combat like Final Fantasy 15 or Final Fantasy 7 Remake
- All cinematics would use in-game cutscenes rather than FMVs
- Include cosmetics options for weapons and armor
- Full voice acting for all characters outside of combat
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