With all the Remasters, Ports, And Remakes that we've seen and that are coming to the PS4 (Resident Evil, God of War 3, Final Fantasy X/X-2, Tomb Raider, etc.), XBOX One (Resident Evil, Halo Collection, Arkham games, etc.), and even Wii U (Wind Waker) and 3DS (Ocarina of Time, Majora's Mask, Star Fox 64), it seems that they aren't slowing down any time soon. I believe that, Sony and Microsoft in particular, partly dropped backwards compatibility in order to be able to sell you Remasters, Ports, and Remakes and make their online services such as PS Now service more appealing.

Here's my real question, though. How do you feel about Remasters, Ports, and Remakes? Also, what games would you like to see remade?

In my case? The more the merrier! I'm a 34 year old gamer and I've played tons and tons of games on many different consoles and PCs. There are many that I cannot play anymore due to not having the systems, the systems not working, PC compatibility issues, etc. For example, until recently, I couldn't play Grim Fandango because my PC (or operating system) wouldn't run it. The same goes with Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2. My PC will run it but I can't even swap windows without the game crashing, and who knows what other issues there are. I don't have my Game & Watch games anymore so I would love to see them come out for the 3DS eShop. There are a lot of G&W gems such as Super Mario Bros. and Donkey Kong Jr. (which is already in the eShop as a DSiWare game).

I would also love for Nintendo and Sony to send more Virtual Console and PS Classics love our way. The more VC , PS1, and PS2 classics they send our way, the less we have to dust off our old consoles in order to play these games.

With more recent games such as the Arkham games, God of War, Tomb Raider, etc., it also means that I don't have to use my PS3 as much which, as an original 60GB launch console, has an extremely loud fan. Plus, I can use it as my dedicated PS1 and PS2 machine since it has Backwards compatibility. I'm also afraid that every time I use it, it will die. Right now, I'm using what used to be my father's launch console. he gave it to me when mine died a few years ago.

There is also the added benefit with many of these ports, remasters, and remakes that they will be improved versions of the original games. I don't think I need to go any further than Ocarina of Time and Majora's mask for the 3DS and Tomb Raider and The Last of Us for the PS3. Even Resident Evil Remake got a facelift when it made its way to current consoles.

As for what games I'd like to see remade:
• Final Fantasy VII
• Final Fantasy VI
• Resident Evil 2
• Super Mario 64 on the NX with a (much better camera for starters)
• The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (just use the Link Between Worlds engine)
• Metal Gear and Metal Gear II: Solid Snake (With David Hayter as Solid Snake and Kiefer Sutherland as Big Boss)
• Eternal Darkness
• Metroid II

In general, I feel that Remakes, Ports, and Remasters ensure that old games are not lost to previous generations and new gamers can continue to enjoy them while older gamers can enjoy them in more convenient ways.
........................................................................................................................................................................

Too Long Didn't Read Version
How do you feel about Remasters, Ports, and Remakes? Also, what games would you like to see come back in some form?

I love them because:
• Ease of playing old games in my new consoles
• Added bells and whistles; including graphics
• New generations will be able to play games they otherwise wouldn't
• Overall convenience

As for what games I'd like to see remade:
• Final Fantasy VII
• Final Fantasy VI
• Resident Evil 2
• Super Mario 64 on the NX with a (much better camera for starters)
• The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (just use the Link Between Worlds engine)
• Metal Gear and Metal Gear II: Solid Snake (With David Hayter as Solid Snake and Kiefer Sutherland as Big Boss)
• Eternal Darkness
• Metroid II

I generally like them, especially if they are games that I never played for systems that I never owned. It's a good way to catch up on games you've missed.

My wishlist:

* F-Zero GX
* Zelda: Twilight Princess
* WWF No Mercy
* Shenmue 1 & 2
* N64-era 3D Platformers (SM64, Conker, Banjo)
* Resident Evil 2 & 3

I'm totally fine with ports/remasters. I look at it the same way as I would rereleasing a film on superior mediums as they become available. It's great having a more definitive version of an already great game. We have to consider that there are also plenty of younger people who didn't get to experience certain games the first time around, and they aren't very likely to do so if they aren't made available on the current generation of devices. I don't look at little tweaks here and there as being a great sin, but developers do still need to be careful to make sure that the changes are for the better.

True remakes, on the other hand, are much more rare and a little harder to get right. I more often than not end up preferring the original game.

I have mixed feelings about them. They are a good way to give new players a chance to check out some old/classic games, however in most cases I already own and/or have played them. New graphics and/or a couple new minor features aren't worth it to me.

I know that these things require a lot less resources to make, but I'd still rather those resources be pulled together to make new games.

Pretty much rarely have interest in them. I bought the Ico / SOTC collection but only because I lost my copy of Ico. Not sure I have bought any others. I have most of this stuff on the original platforms can just play it there.

Now if you want to talk about remakes that actually change a ton and create a new experience like Metroid Zero Mission, I'm down with those. They seem rare though.

@Zero

Yeah, Zero Mission and the Gamecube remake of Resident Evil are two of the cases where true remakes have gone really well. I enjoyed the Wii version of Klonoa and Tomb Raider Anniversary alright as well. Other than that, I can't think of many that really stand out off the top of my head. All of the Final Fantasy remakes turn out pretty well, but I guess they feel kind of unnecessary...

I'm not against companies trying though. If I end up preferring the original, then I can always just play the original.

I'm OK with remakes when the game being remade truly could use an upgrade. I mean, I enjoyed Wind Waker HD and I liked the changes but it already looked great and I would never have gotten it were it not for the Club Nintendo deal. Also, if you're going to remake/remaster. Ocarina of Time 3D was fine, but wouldn't it have been better on a console with totally redone graphics? Obviously that would have taken a lot more work but as it is, I still don't feel like the game was really modernized.

The game I've been asking for a remake of for as long as I've been talking about games on the internet is System Shock. It's a game that is incredibly rare to be able to play, looks really terrible due to it being the first FPS in true 3D and I'm confident would be loved by all if it were just given a new coat of paint and tuned up with modern controls. And I just think the game is criminally under-appreciated because so few people have played it. Make it happen!

Generally the more platforms a game hits the better. It has higher potential for sales and can reach people who couldn't gain access before. The Last of Us remaster is a good example. Many of my friends had not played the game as they didn't own a PS3 so when they got a PS4 it was an incredible title waiting for them.

You know what's a trend I would like to see? Using the engine of remakes to make new content. For example, we got StarFox 64 on 3DS. Some, including myself would label that as the best StarFox game. It would be excellent if the studio who was making the remake moved on to making a successor using the same engine and some of the common assets. It would immediately give a leg up on making a game that plays mechanically well. From there you can have a direct comparison to the original on even footing to see what concepts for new content work and which should be abandoned.

Considering we are getting dangerously close to having the original and remaster released in the same year they might be going overboard. Years after the fact is perfectly good though.

Stephen said:

You know what's a trend I would like to see? Using the engine of remakes to make new content. For example, we got StarFox 64 on 3DS. Some, including myself would label that as the best StarFox game. It would be excellent if the studio who was making the remake moved on to making a successor using the same engine and some of the common assets. It would immediately give a leg up on making a game that plays mechanically well. From there you can have a direct comparison to the original on even footing to see what concepts for new content work and which should be abandoned.

This is actually a really good idea.

Who wouldn't want a third entry to complete what I'm now going to dub as the Hero of Time trilogy? Apart from Kris of course.

We all know OoT/MM Link becomes the Hero's Shade in TP, a game exploring how that happens set after MM would be neat. And more time travel of course.

I'm all for remasters and remakes, it gives younger gamers a way to experience classic games and it gives older games access to beloved favorites or games they might have missed from the previous generation(s).

Some of my favorite recent examples:

Wind Waker HD
Majora's Mask 3D
Grand Theft Auto V
The Last of Us Remastered
Tomb Raider Definitive Edition
Dark Souls 2 Scholar of The First Sin

One game I wish would get remastered for current gen is Skyrim, sure it was amazing on Windows but it was practically unplayable on the PS3, would love to get in on the PS4.

I'm fine with them in general. I've played a number of legacy games on Virtual Console and PlayStation Network and Steam and DOSbox and whatnot, so I appreciate being able to conveniently buy and play classics I missed. As for remakes/remasters, I'm fine with those too. It's a bit worrying that so many "next-gen" games are remasters from just a couple years ago, but oh well.

True Remakes I want:

Kirby's Dream Course -- This game would hugely benefit from modern features like course editors, online sharing, etc. Maybe then it would get the love it deserves.

Super Mario Sunshine -- This game had so much potential. So much. The core controls are the best in any 3D platformer, bar none. I can only assume a rushed development cycle is the cause for its many ailments. I'd like to see 2015 Nintendo polish what 2002 Nintendo started.

Star Wars: Jedi Outcast -- I was a huge fan of Jedi Outcast and Jedi Academy, in both single- and multi-player. Admittedly, the singleplayer missions had bizarre and often confusing level designs that could use some fixing. Mostly I just want this tense style of shooter-with-lightsabers back, where you were more like a commando with a lightsaber a few force tricks, instead of the god-mode Force Unleashed stuff.


Shadowlink said:

Stephen said:

You know what's a trend I would like to see? Using the engine of remakes to make new content. For example, we got StarFox 64 on 3DS. Some, including myself would label that as the best StarFox game. It would be excellent if the studio who was making the remake moved on to making a successor using the same engine and some of the common assets. It would immediately give a leg up on making a game that plays mechanically well. From there you can have a direct comparison to the original on even footing to see what concepts for new content work and which should be abandoned.

This is actually a really good idea.

Agreed, I tend to like when companies revisit their legacy games and make something new out of them years later. It still fills me with joy that Mega Man 9 is a thing that Capcom actually did, considering how long I'd wished for it.

@Hinph The Pokemon remakes are usually pretty good (although I'm still bitter about the lack of character customization in ORAS)

I suppose I (selfishly) wasn't thinking about new generations getting exposure to these games. That is a good thing.

Still, the GET OFF MY LAWN part of me wants to be like hey, back in my days no one had these shortcuts. I went and bought an old Dreamcast just to check out some old Dreamcast games! GET A JOB HIPPIE.

...although actually we did have shortcuts. *coughs* emulation *coughs*

@nate38 I listened to the X through X3 soundtracks at work the other day and it got me really wishing Capcom would let Inti make an X9 in the style of the original games just so I can hear what they do with the soundtrack. They nailed the soundtrack for Mega Man 9 in my eyes, one of the best in the series. Would love to see their take on an X style soundtrack...

I suppose getting new X gameplay would be nice too.

@Zero some games though simply cannot be played the way they were originally designed because certain features have been lost to time.

Gold and Silver are easily the best example of this because those games used the same internal battery for both the day and night cycle and keeping track of your save and when that died (which, those batteries died alarmingly quickly) you were completely unable to save and certain events couldn't take place because they were tied to the day of the week or the time of day.

@Zero Yep, MM9 has a fantastic soundtrack, even among Mega Man games. I used to listen to the whole thing on Youtube all the time. There's not a weak song in the entire list, except for maybe Hornet Man.

Remasters of games from last generation = bad
Remasters of games from more than a generation = good
Ports = fine

I'd like to see some of Nintendo's GameCube catalog get that treatment...F-Zero GX comes to mind.

@ludist210

I don't see the distinction between remasters of last gen games and ports. They are ports which get upgraded to take advantage of the hardware.

Can you give an example of each?

@Stephen

Sorry, I was in a hurry to post. I'll try to clarify.

Porting RE2 and RE3 to GameCube didn't bother me (since they were straight ports). A remaster of, say, Tomb Raider or The Last of Us, which received graphical updates and additions...but they were still readily available on current-gen systems for less. I get if you missed last generation on consoles, but it's still something I'm not a fan of.

Nintendo remastering Wind Waker I was okay with because it was a 10 year old game. Both Tomb Raider and TLoU were less than a year old.

@ludist210

But what's the distinction is my question. Tomb Raider getting a release on PS4 is it getting ported to that system. For example right, GTA came out on 360, PS3 2 years ago. Last year it hit PS4 and Xbox One. Now it is coming out on PC. Would you label the PS4 Xbox One versions as remasters and the PC a port? Because that doesn't really make a whole lot of sense.

Then you have stuff like RE4 on the Wii and the new play control line Nintendo did. Those are just ports being tailor made to fit the console they are being put on. Remaster is just a label to put on the ports to indicate that it has received some alterations to it.

How does it make sense to be okay with a straight port but not with a port that has received modifications to make it perform better on the new platform?

@Stephen

A remaster usually seems to be just enough work to charge full price over again. A port is often a budget title. That's the distinction I make between the two.