Like the recent popularity of remaking old movies, there is a demand for game remakes. Often, improved graphics and gameplay are part of the remake, with some developers going the extra mile to inject fresh new content to breathe new life into the franchise.
It is not easy to replay old games today, especially when they are more than 10 years old. Hardcore “retro gamers” will find a working used console, and then find a copy of the game. Some even run emulators on a powerful gaming PC.
Have a look at these modern games, guaranteed to rekindle your memories.
Final Fantasy VII Remake
Available on: Playstation 4
Original release: 1997
Original platform: PlayStation
Final Fantasy VII Remake is the first in a planned series of games of the 1997 game. It covers the first section of the original game, set in the metropolis Midgar. Players play as Cloud Strife, a former Shinra soldier, and fight the Shinra Corporation.
Maximising the capabilities of the Playstation 4, the game uses real-time graphics as opposed to the pre-rendered environments.The remake includes major expansions to character development and some notable plot additions. It also receives a new hybrid battle system that combines real-time action with command-based combat.
Resident Evil 3
Available on: Playstation 4, Xbox One, Windows
Original release: 1999
Original platform: PlayStation, Dreamcast, Windows and GameCube
The third remake of the Resident Evil series puts players in the shoes of Jill Valentine, who is being pursued by the Nemesis T-Type. The game offers a new kind of survival horror which plays off the fear of being constantly and relentlessly chased.
Resident Evil 3 also includes Resident Evil Resistance, offering both a single player campaign and a one-versus-four online multiplayer experience. Our recommendation: Get the Raccoon City Edition which includes Resident Evil 2, the previous remake of the series for the full storyline.
Black Mesa
Available on: Windows
Original release: 1998
Original platform: Windows
Black Mesa is the fan-made re-imagining of Valve Software’s Half-Life. You play as Gordon Freeman, fighting your way through an inter-dimensional alien invasion, and a bloodthirsty military clean-up crew in order to save the scientists.
Using the new Source engine, the game includes 19 chapters of fighting through top-secret labs, running atop harsh desert landscapes, sneaking into abandoned railways, and leaping across dimensions. Enemies are updated with new features and AI. The multiplayer mode includes 10 iconic maps from the Half-Life universe.
Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition
Available on: Windows
Original release: 1999
Original platform: Windows, Macintosh, Playstation 2
4K Ultra HD graphics, a new and fully remastered soundtrack, and brand-new content, “The Last Khans” with 3 new campaigns and 4 new civilisations, refreshes the 20-year-old classic.
Explore all the original campaigns as well as expansions, with over 200 hours of gameplay that cover 1,000 years of human history. Multiplayer option allows players to challenge others with 35 different civilisations in the quest for world domination throughout the ages.
Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening
Available on: Switch
Original release: 1993
Original platform: Game Boy
As Link, you awaken in a strange land away from Hyrule, where animals talk and monsters roam. In this new version of the game, the classic soundtrack has been reborn with new arrangements, and now you can equip more items, review key conversations, and navigate the map in new ways.
New mini-games as well as customisable Chamber Dungeons allow you to compete for rewards. You must conquer the main adventure’s dungeons and mini-games, or tap any amiibo featuring a The Legend of Zelda character to unlock Chamber’s exclusives.
Spyro Reignited Trilogy
Available on: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Windows, Switch
Original release: 1998
Original platform: PlayStation
Spyro Reignited Trilogy is a collection of remasters of the first three games in the Spyro series: Spyro the Dragon (1998), Ripto’s Rage (1999) and Year of the Dragon (2000). You guessed it, you play as Spyro the dragon.
With new graphics and mechanics on the Unreal Engine 4, you can set fire to the grass as well. While the levels are copied from the original, there are new side-quests to do such as collecting eggs, as well as indulging in the mini games and boss fights.
Crash Bandicoot N.Sane Trilogy
Available on: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Windows, Switch
Original release: 1996
Original platform: PlayStation
The first three games from the Crash Bandicoot series get new features: Unified checkpoints, pause menus and save systems, including both manual and automatic saving, time trials, and the ability to play most levels in each game as Crash’s sister, Coco. It also features remastered audio and cutscenes.
The developers claim that no code or assets from the original games were used for the trilogy. It was built from the ground up. Fans can spin, jump, “wump” and repeat as they take on the epic challenges and adventures, with improved bonus levels and time trials.
Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Let’s Go, Eevee!
Available on: Switch
Original release: 1998
Original platform: Game Boy
The remake of Pokémon Yellow is set in the Kanto region and includes the original 151 Pokémon in addition to their respective Mega Evolved forms from Pokémon X, Y, Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire and their Alolan Forms from Pokémon Sun and Moon. You can play this with the optional Poké Ball Plus controller.
Featuring common elements of the main series, such as battling non-player character Pokémon Trainers and Gym Leaders with captured Pokémon creatures. The catching of Pokémon uses a system that is reminiscent of the mobile spin-off game Pokémon Go. You can also use candies to power up your creatures.
realMyst: Masterpiece Edition
Available on: Windows, Macintosh, iOS, Android
Original release: 1993
Original platform: Macintosh
The 20th anniversary celebration of Myst sees worlds reconstructed and enhanced to provide realistic water, changing weather, dynamic lighting, life-like foliage, bloom and other camera effects, and more.
You can explore anywhere, unfettered, and in real time. Pick your own path through the forest on Myst Island. As a tribute to Myst, the original images pop up in Classic mode, allowing gamers to see the difference, and be hit by the nostalgic vibe. Good thing that you won’t need a CD-ROM drive to play this.
SimCity: Complete Edition
Available on: Windows, Macintosh
Original release: 1989
Original platform: Amiga
From the game which sparked off a new genre, comes SimCity where you start by developing a city from a patch of undeveloped land. The city is populated by “Sims”, simulated persons, who live in the city created by the player.
Using a new engine called GlassBox that allows for more detailed simulation than previous games, visual effects such as traffic, economic troubles, and pollution will be more obvious. Two new features are: multiplayer and finite resources. This edition includes SimCity: Cities of Tomorrow expansion pack, and the Amusement Park, Airship, French, British and German City sets.
