Evaluating the Best Remakes and Remasters

22 October 2025

Video game remakes and remasters—those are two words that can stir up a whirlwind of excitement and skepticism among gamers. Whether you’re a die-hard nostalgic gamer yearning to relive the pixelated glory days or a new-school player dipping your toes into the classics, there’s something incredibly magical (and a little risky) about revisiting old titles with a brand-new coat of paint.

But not all remakes and remasters are created equal, right?

Some knock it right out of the park, breathing fresh life into aging legends. Others… well, they crash and burn, tripping over their own nostalgia. So, let’s break down what makes a remake or remaster shine like a rare loot drop and which ones truly deserve a spot on your hard drive.

What’s the Difference Between a Remake and a Remaster Anyway?

Let’s clear the air first. People often toss around “remake” and “remaster” like they're the same thing, but they’re not. It's like comparing a complete engine overhaul with just a new coat of paint on your car.

Remakes

A remake is like rebuilding a house from scratch using brand-new materials, but keeping the same layout. Developers often rebuild the game using new engines, improved mechanics, updated graphics, and sometimes even rewrite parts of the story. It’s a fresh experience built on the bones of the original.

Remasters

A remaster, on the other hand, is more like renovating the same house—installing new lighting, repainting walls, but not touching the core structure much. A remaster gives a game higher resolutions, improved textures, bug fixes, and smoother performance—while keeping everything else mostly intact.

Why Gamers Love (and Sometimes Hate) Remakes and Remasters

Nostalgia is a powerful thing. When done right, a remake or remaster can spark childhood memories and bring them into modern relevance. But when done poorly? It feels like someone took your favorite childhood toy and broke it in front of you.

The Good

- Enhanced visuals and audio that match modern expectations.
- Opportunity to fix past mistakes or clunky mechanics.
- More accessibility for younger generations who missed out.

The Bad

- Some remakes change too much and lose the original’s charm.
- Remasters can feel lazy—like just cranking the brightness up.
- When it's clearly just a cash grab, fans notice.

So, let’s talk about the champions of remakes and remasters—the ones that absolutely nailed it.

The Titans of Remakes: Games That Got It Right

1. Resident Evil 2 (2019)

If anyone asks what a perfect remake looks like, hand them Resident Evil 2. Capcom didn't just update the graphics—they reimagined the entire experience while keeping the horrific spirit of the 1998 classic alive.

- Why it worked: It balanced nostalgia with innovation. The over-the-shoulder camera, revamped controls, and intense atmosphere breathed new life into the zombie-infested Raccoon City.
- Fan reaction: Overwhelmingly positive. Fans praised the terrifying realism and faithful representation of beloved characters.

2. Final Fantasy VII Remake (2020)

Let’s be honest—Square Enix had a mountain-sized legacy to live up to. And what did they do? They turned the mountain into an epic saga.

- Why it worked: They didn’t just remake the game—they redefined it. With real-time combat, expanded lore, and jaw-dropping visuals, this game reintroduced Cloud and Co. to a new generation.
- Fun twist: It’s not just a 1:1 remake, but more of a reimagining with plot changes that set up something entirely new.

3. Demon’s Souls (2020)

Before Elden Ring and Bloodborne, there was Demon’s Souls—a cult classic that paved the way for modern Souls-likes. The PS5 remake by Bluepoint Games was a jaw-dropper.

- Why it worked: They preserved the brutal, punishing gameplay and atmosphere but gave it a graphical overhaul that fully utilized next-gen power.
- Stunning visuals: This wasn’t just “pretty good” looking—it was breathtaking.

The Best Remasters: Old Meets New

Not every game needs a full remake; sometimes, a thoughtful remaster is all it takes to make an old favorite shine again.

1. The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD (2013)

Wind Waker was already a gem on the GameCube, but its HD remaster on the Wii U elevated it beautifully.

- Why it worked: The cel-shaded art style aged like fine wine, and the quality-of-life updates (like faster sailing) smoothed out past frustrations.
- Player love: Fans were thrilled to see Link back in oversized cartoon glory with updated textures and lighting.

2. Halo: The Master Chief Collection (2014, and ongoing updates)

This wasn’t just a remaster—it was a full celebration of Halo history.

- Why it worked: Bundling multiple Halo titles with improved graphics, sound, and multiplayer options made it a love letter to Halo fans.
- Ongoing support: Frequent updates kept the collection alive, fresh, and relevant.

3. Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy (2017)

Ah, Crash, our wild orange marsupial friend. The N. Sane Trilogy brought the original PS1 classics into the modern age, and fans went bananas.

- Why it worked: Vicarious Visions completely rebuilt the game from the ground up using new assets while keeping gameplay authentic—even if frustrating at times!
- Perfect nostalgia hit: For many, this was the childhood reborn.

When Remakes and Remasters Miss the Mark

Let’s be real. Not every attempt is a win. Sometimes developers either change too much or too little, and fans are left scratching their heads.

Warcraft III: Reforged (2020)

Yikes. Blizzard had all the right materials for a gem, but the execution? Not so great.

- What went wrong: Cut promised features, bland visuals, and taking away access to the original game rubbed fans the wrong way.
- Lesson learned: Over-promising and under-delivering sinks the ship fast.

Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – Definitive Edition (2021)

This should’ve been a no-brainer win, right? But it ended up more like a meme generator.

- What went wrong: Glitches galore, weird character models, and rain that made the games nearly unplayable.
- Fan reaction: Deep disappointment. Everyone expected better from such iconic titles.

What Makes a Good Remake or Remaster?

Here’s the secret sauce:

1. Respect the Original

Don’t mess with what made the original magical. Enhance it, don’t erase it.

2. Add Quality-of-Life Improvements

Small updates like better UI, smoother controls, or faster loading times go a long way.

3. Optimize for Modern Hardware

Players expect higher resolutions, better textures, and smoother framerates. Deliver that, and you’re golden.

4. Maintain the Soul

Whether it’s the music, atmosphere, or story beats—don’t lose the heart of the game.

Should You Buy That Remake or Remaster?

That’s the million-dollar question, right? Here are a few quick tips:

- Check the reviews, especially from fans of the original.
- Ask yourself: Do I want “the same but better,” or “same idea, but new interpretation”?
- Look out for extras—like bundled content, improved soundtracks, or visual overhauls.

The Future: What Remakes and Remasters Are on the Horizon?

We’ve seen murmurs and trailers for upcoming remakes like Silent Hill 2 and Max Payne 1 & 2 remakes. With fan attachments running deep, developers need to tread carefully—but oh boy, the hype is real.

And let’s not ignore the whispers of potential favorites like Metal Gear Solid and Splinter Cell getting a makeover. If done right, these could be absolute game-changers (pun intended).

Final Thoughts

Gaming isn’t just about pressing buttons—it’s about stories, emotions, and memories. That’s why remakes and remasters hit so hard. They’re not just polished-up versions of old games—they’re time machines with better graphics.

As long as developers approach them with love, care, and a little bit of modern magic, they’ll continue making our favorite games new again—without losing what made them special in the first place.

So, next time you see that shiny new remake hit the store, ask yourself: Am I ready to fall in love all over again?