Final Fantasy 7 Remake was one of the boldest remakes of all time when it was released in 2020. The name is a bit misleading, as it’s more of a sequel than a remake of the original PS1 version of Final Fantasy 7, but saying anything more would be a spoiler.
Most Authentic Video Game Remakes
Some fans dislike it if the remake of a classic game changes too much of the original experience. Those fans will love these authentic remakes.
The 2019 version of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare is also a good example of a bold remake. As great as it is when developers take big risks when remaking a classic game, others err on the side of caution to appease more of their longtime fans. These next games are among the best remakes that don’t necessarily add or try many new things, but they are still fun games.
The Legend Of Zelda: Link's Awakening (2019)
Toys To Life
The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening
- Released
- September 20, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E For Everyone due to Mild Fantasy, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Adventure
The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening was originally released for the Game Boy in 1993. Besides a color enhancement, the 2019 version was the first major remake of the game, and it changed up the art style to give everything a toy-like aesthetic.
It’s a great visual style, but beyond the graphical upgrade, it’s still the exact same world and gameplay. A classic top-down Zelda will never get old, so it’s understandable why things weren’t touched up too much for this remake.
Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater
What A Thrill
Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater
- Released
- August 28, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ // Blood, Sexual Themes, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Shooter, Adventure, Stealth
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater was originally released for the PS2 in 2004 and had many versions follow it, including a 3D version on the 3DS. Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater is a full graphical remake that adds some quality of life changes to make gameplay feel more modern, from sneaking around the jungle to shooting enemies.
However, most of the audio is reused in cutscenes and Codec calls, so the story doesn't change at all. The core plot follows the same beats, just with more stunning visuals, and that’s not a bad thing even if the original director, Hideo Kojima, wasn’t involved. It was a great game in 2004, and it remains so now.
Final Fantasy 4 (DS Remake)
Now With More Voices
Final Fantasy 4 (3D Remake)
- Released
- July 22, 2008
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E10+ For Everyone 10+ Due To Alcohol Reference, Fantasy Violence, Mild Language, Suggestive Themes
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
Most Final Fantasy remake games play it close to the source material, like the DS remake of Final Fantasy 4. That faithfulness is not a bad thing, as it's great to see all the pixel models in full, albeit cuter, 3D graphics. Also, voice acting was added to make the story feel more dramatic.
Classic Capcom Games That Deserve Remakes NOW
Capcom has been a titan in the video game industry for decades, but some of their best games have been left behind when really they need a remake.
The turn-based battles and narrative beats are almost one-to-one translations, but they're perhaps a bit easier than the SNES version, which was released in 1991 as opposed to this 2008 remake.
Resident Evil 4
Can’t Remake Perfection
Resident Evil 4
- Released
- March 24, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature 17+ due to Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language
- Genre(s)
- Survival Horror
Capcom made the wise decision to remake the second and third RE games before Resident Evil 4. As PS1 games, they needed more work to make them feel modern, whereas Resident Evil 4, thanks to countless remasters, already felt modern.
Gunplay and controls are perhaps more solid in the 2023 version as opposed to the 2005 original, but most of the game doesn't take any chances to surprise players. The biggest difference is some slight extra exploration on the boat, but other than that, Capcom knew it didn’t have to try hard to redo perfection.
Super Mario RPG
Turn-Based Platforming
Super Mario RPG
- Released
- November 17, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E For Everyone Due To Mild Fantasy Violence
- Genre(s)
- RPG
Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars was Mario's first RPG spinoff, which was released for the SNES in 1996. In 2023, it received a Switch remake simply called Super Mario RPG.
There are a few additions, like team attacks and new difficulty settings, but otherwise, it's the exact same journey as it was back in '96. Guides that worked back then probably work in the remake, too, but despite the lack of twists, fans were happy to get their hands on it again.
Shadow Of The Colossus
A Haunting Boss Rush
Shadow of the Colossus
- Released
- February 6, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen due to Blood, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Adventure
Shadow of the Colossus was a late-gen PS2 game in 2005 that redefined the action-adventure genre. Instead of exploring an open world to fight hundreds of enemies, players just had to take on sixteen giants called Colossi that roamed the earth.
10 Best Video Game Remakes That Improved Upon The Originals
These excellent video game remakes improved on their original games through graphical, gameplay, and great quality of life features.
The game got a decent remaster in 2011, and then the 2018 remake was like the cherry on top. Fans were hopeful that the remake would add lost Colossi to the campaign, or answer some of the original's lingering secrets. It didn’t, but the core experience wasn’t diminished either, and at the end of the day, that's what matters most.
Persona 3 Reload
Become A Member Of S.E.E.S.
Persona 3 Reload
- Released
- February 2, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Mature 17 / Blood, Partial Nudity, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Violence
- Genre(s)
- JRPG, RPG, Life Simulation, Strategy
Persona 3 was the first game in the series to introduce the concept of Social Links. Released first in Japan, this turn-based PS2 game made its North American debut in 2007. These school-life side quests allow players to get to know their party members better, along with side characters that can help in their own way.
Besides a litany of quality-of-life changes and additions to make the narrative flow better, Persona 3 Reload is remade to fit a new gaming generation in 2024, and it is successful in that respect. The one change fans were a bit displeased with is that the Aegis campaign released later as paid DLC.
Demon’s Souls
A Stellar Launch Game For The PS5
Demon's Souls
- Released
- November 12, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Violence
- Genre(s)
- RPG
Demon’s Souls earned itself a small cult following after its PS3 release in 2009. The tough gameplay difficulty and mysterious dark fantasy world drew players in, and the game eventually blossomed into the wildly popular Soulslike genre. Demon's Souls returned in 2020 with a full remake from Bluepoint Games, the same developer who remade Shadow of the Colossus, and for better or worse, the game was still nearly impossible to beat thanks to its challenge level.
Bluepoint Games is the best in the remake biz, even though they generally don’t add much to the experiences they're working on besides visual touch-ups. Now, if only Sony would let Bluepoint Games remake Bloodborne.
8 Gameplay Twists Introduced Very Late In Their Games
Have you made it to these moments in games that switched gameplay up in bizarre ways?