Summary
Not every video game needs to be reinvented from the ground up. While it’s great to see remakes likeFinal Fantasy 7 RebirthandResident Evil 2take beloved classics in new, exciting directions, it can be equally satisfying for a reimagining to add a fresh coat of paint while maintaining the feel and mechanics of the original.
Faithful remakes are by no means worse than drastic overhauls. Sometimes, all it takes to revive a retro game are new HD graphics, crisper controls, and a few quality-of-life updates. Capturing the magic of the original is a fantastic way for newcomers and experienced gamers to revisit some of the best video games of all time.
These remakes are ranked based on how closely they resemble the original game.
10Resident Evil
A Scarier Version Of An Already Terrifying Classic
Unlikerecent Resident Evil remakes, the first one maintains the tank controls, fixed camera angles, and pre-rendered backgrounds that make the PS1 originals iconic. What’s new is a darker, more muted, and moodier depiction of Spencer Mansion to make the experience scarier than ever.
The biggest changes come from the new puzzles and additional rooms. Also, the script has been revised to do away with the corny dialogue and introduce a terrifying new villain: Lisa Trevor. But overall, the RE1 remake preserves the core of Jill Valentine’s first journey into the world of survival horror.
9Yakuza Kiwami
Sega’s Iconic Action Game With Better Combat
Its sequel may be the better remake, but the first Yakuza Kiwami is more faithful toSega’sPS2 classic. Kazuma Kiryu’s adventure through Japan’s criminal underworld is fully intact, with an updated art style that adds new details to the city of Kamurocho.
While true to the original, the combat has been tweaked to resembleYakuza 0, allowing you to switch between four fighting styles. Plus, the Majima Everywhere system is a silly addition that makes Kiryu’s rival, Goro Majima, pop up at bizarre moments to challenge you.
Persona’s darkest and most emotional entry has been given new life thanks toPersona 3 Reload. The mix of turn-based combat, life management, and visual novel segments are largely the same,with several new tweaksto bring the game into the modern era.
The new visuals, inspired byPersona 5, feature stylish menus and an updated art style to make the game look better than ever. The revised map system and additional one-on-one activities with your party members give the gameplay and narrative a welcome boost.
For decades, it seemed like Nintendo had forgotten aboutSuper Mario RPG. Luckily, the beloved SNES title was revived on the Switch in 2023, preserving the game’s unique art style, humor, story, and characters.
Like any remake, the gameplay has seen a few changes, such as the ability to swap party members mid-battle, an exclamation mark that helps you time action commands, and new triple attacks. Luckily,all Easter Eggs from the original return, including cameos from Final Fantasy, Zelda, and Metroid.
Initially launched as a Japan-exclusive,Live A Livebrings the obscure Super Nintendo JRPG to the West for the first time. The remake does a beautiful job of localizing the original script while staying true to the essence of the time-bending story and its eight thrilling campaigns.
The world is brought to life thanks to the fully voice-acted cutscenes andbreathtaking HD-2D art style.The turn-based combat is very faithful to the SNES original, giving the mechanics a nostalgic, 90’s vibe.
The originalLink’s Awakeningis a phenomenal game held back by the Game Boy’s limitations. The Switch remake showcases the title’s magic without technical hiccups. Koholint Island and its towns, dungeons, and puzzles are essentially the same, with an adorable toy-like art style and widescreen support to help modernize everything.
The best improvements are the dedicated inventory slots for your sword and shield, meaning you no longer must swap them with other items. That, plus a more intuitive warping system, does wonders for the game’s pacing while retaining what made the original special.
One of the most important aspects of a soulslike is its difficulty. Thankfully, theDemon’s Soulsremake adds many quality-of-life improvements without comprising the original’s iconic challenge. While the combat is almost identical, the smoother controls and updated fast-travel system make the gameplay much tighter.
The HD graphics are stunning, breathing new life into the world through incredible details and animations. Overall, the Demon’s Souls remake shows how well the original mechanics hold up, given that a few changes make the experience feel like a modern game.
3Star Fox 64 3D
A Legendary N64 Game On A Portable System
Star Fox 64 3D is an almost one-to-one recreation of the N64 classic. The on-rail gameplay, level design, and delightfully cheesy dialogue are exactly how you remember them, includingthe iconic “do a barrel roll” line. While the difficulty has been adjusted to accommodate the new 3D support, the N64 mode retains the original’s challenge.
The 3DS remake is so faithful that many characters still have their original actors, including Fox, Slippy, Pigma, and General Pepper. There are only a few major differences, such as adding gyro controls and a new level select option.
Often consideredone of the best platformer remakes, Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy brings the first three Crash games to modern consoles with a new coat of paint. The platforming and level designs are exactly as they were on the PS1, with new time trial challenges and the ability to play as Coco in every game.
The remake perfectly encapsulates the original’s blend of challenging gameplay and silly humor. Plus, the newly animated cutscenes add even more personality to an already charming trilogy. The last two titles have aged better than the first, but they’re all a blast to revisit.
TheShadow of the Colossusremake proves that some games hold up so well that they don’t need significant changes. Wander’s haunting journey to slay all 16 Colossi is more engaging than ever, thanks to better performance and tighter controls.
The gorgeous new visuals and textures make each beast feel alive, with detailed, mangled fur and scaly skin to give the experience a refreshing sense of realism. Aside from the quality-of-life improvements, the narrative and gameplay are almost identical to the PS2 original, showcasing why Shadow of the Colossus is the most faithful video game remake ever.
