Nostalgia is strong among gamers, as we love returning to our favorite classics. Hence, that motivates developers to give us remakes of popular titles for modern platforms. Luckily, they often turn out to be good enough to attract even the younger crowd who never played the original. However, distinguish remade games from remasters and reboots. With that out of the way, come with us on this nostalgic trip!

10. Super Mario All-Stars (SNES - 1993)

Super Mario All-Stars is the first high-profile remake, consisting of revised versions of four Super Mario games for the NES. Therefore, we've got Super Mario Bros, Super Mario Bros. 2, Super Mario Bros. 3, and Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels, previously a Japanese exclusive. Nintendo did an almost perfect job here, as the updated graphics are a giant step above the original releases.

The first Super Mario game saw the most significant improvements. Thus, it included more detailed sprites and new effects, such as parallax scrolling. However, that's not all! Nintendo also squashed some bugs in the original games, slightly changed gameplay, updated the music, and added save and load functions. Later releases include an updated Super Mario World, making it even better.

9. Crash Bandicoot N.Sane Trilogy (PS4 -2017, PC, Xbox One, Switch - 2018)

The first three Crash Bandicoot games for the original PlayStation were massive hits. Still, the later releases all failed to repeat the success. However, the series was brought back to life with a stunning remake that didn't use a single code from the original. Instead, the developers created all the assets while staying close to the source material.

The results were excellent, as anyone who played the original trilogy will recognize every level or the enemy. However, there are slight changes to gameplay and additions, such as Time Attack mode, which boosts replay value. The team even added two new levels and a better save system. While younger gamers might be shocked by the difficulty, a fantastic presentation and straightforward gameplay make the N.Sane Trilogy a must-have!

8. Final Fantasy VII Remake (PS4 - 2020)

Final Fantasy VII defined the first PlayStation, helping it beat the Sega Saturn and Nintendo 64. However, Square Enix took almost 20 years to announce the remake. This version is built like a new game, using the power of PlayStation 4 to bring back the favorite characters and the environments. That's why we highly recommend playing it on a suitable gaming TV. Luckily, the changes didn't stop there.

The game took a risk with the control system, but it ultimately worked well. The battles are now real-time, but you can pause the action to change the characters and strategy. However, the biggest surprise is that this game covers only a third of the original game's content while still having enough to keep you occupied. If you have a PS5 or PC, grab that version instead.

7. Black Mesa (PC - 2020)

Black Mesa is a unique game on our list, as it's a fan remake of the original Half-Life and an official release! A team of enthusiasts originally released Black Mesa as a free mod before being encouraged to make it into a standalone game. The project took 15 years and a few engine changes, but the final result is astonishing!

Black Mesa is built from the ground up, meaning that it looks much better than the original or even flawed Half-Life: Source. However, the developers also changed the gameplay, using the elements from Half-Life 2. This is a much more user-friendly experience, enjoyable even for beginners. Finally, the biggest accomplishment is the Xen story reconstruction, the weakest segment of the original. The game continues to receive new content thanks to mods, so you should get it!

6. Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 (PC, PS4, Xbox One - 2020)

The first two of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater titles revolutionized the subgenre of extreme sports games. The arcade gameplay encouraged us to perform insane tricks to clear one level and move to another. Since then, the series went downhill, but Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 is one of the best sports games ever.

Developed by masters of remakes Vicarious Visions, this version uses a new graphics engine and implements improvements from the later games. However, the controls are solid, as in the original releases. Even the initial soundtrack is back, with only a few songs missing. The team also managed to license all the skaters from the original games and even added new ones. While the purists will love this one, it's also an excellent choice for new players.

5. Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes (GameCube, 2004)

When Konami announced that it would remake Metal Gear Solid exclusively for the GameCube, many were stunned. The initial release was one of the best games for the first PlayStation, but the developers made it obsolete with The Twin Snakes. Thus, the remake looks infinitely better while keeping the original level structure.

Still, it's more than the beauty, as the enemies also got more intelligent. This game is more accessible than the original because you can use the abilities first seen in Metal Gear Solid 2. While that also means you'll quickly dispatch some bosses, the challenge remains. This is the ultimate version of Metal Gear Solid and one of the best releases in the series!

4. Demon's Souls

Demon's Souls was one of the best PlayStation 3 exclusives and a predecessor to the excellent Dark Souls series. That's why it sounds ridiculous that Sony refused to publish it outside Japan, thinking it wouldn't be successful. Luckily, Atlus and Bandai Namco covered the rest of the world, as the title proved to be a massive hit! The original Demon's Souls was challenging, but fans love the combat and RPG elements.

With Demon's Souls (2020), PlayStation 5 got one of the first killer apps superior to the original. The developer Bluepoint Games made a gorgeous-looking product, but they also smartly revised some gameplay elements. However, that doesn't imply that the title is less challenging, and changing the difficulty is impossible. This is a terrific remake and one of the best PS5 games ever!

3. Shadow of Colossus (PS4 - 2018)

Bluepoint Games did a fantastic job with The Uncharted trilogy remake. Still, with Shadow of Colossus, they took things to another level. After a disappointing remaster for the PlayStation 3, the team decided to build the PS4 version from the ground up. Nonetheless, while the graphical improvements are massive, the game never lost its identity, keeping the art style of the original release. While the visual improvements would be enough to have it on our list, Shadow of Colossus offers other things.

The revised control system works better as you climb the colossuses, trying to defeat them by finding their weak spots. As the game supports 60 fps mode on PlayStation 4 Pro and PlayStation 5, we highly recommend it. The camera remains the only lousy relic of the past, which still has frustrating moments.

2. The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening (Switch, 2019)

Remaking a Gameboy game for the Nintendo Switch looked like an enormous task. Yet, the developers Grezzo did it without harming the essentials of the original. While the remake kept the top-down camera, the widescreen support improved the orientation. Of course, the engine moved to 3D, introducing a unique visual style.

Everything looks like it's made from plastic, making the graphics both retro and modern. Unfortunately, there are slowdowns, but they won't spoil the fun. Like every good remake, this one also improves gameplay by allowing the main character to carry more items, and you can also create your dungeons. The game encourages you to complete time attacks by providing you valuable rewards. We only wish that the other games in the series receive a similar treatment!

1. Resident Evil 2 (PS4, Xbox One, PC, 2019)

For at least 15 years, fans were begging Capcom to remake Resident Evil 2, just like they did with the original. This title was considered the best in the series and a remarkable improvement of the first release. Thankfully, Capcom decided to ditch the old assets and build the new version from the ground up.

Using the Resident Evil VII engine, the game brought us back to Racoon City, overwhelmed by zombies. While most of the gameplay stays faithful to the roots, Capcom also changed some story elements and the design to make it a better experience. The game also removed the fixed camera and tank controls, opting for a more modern approach. The end result is a showcase of how every remake should be done! We should mention that Resident Evil 3 and 4 got a similar treatment, so they're also worth trying.

While some may criticize the concept of selling nostalgia, we love remakes. Thus, we are happy that they are coming in huge numbers. This top ten list mixing old and new, makes them irresistible to veteran gamers and even their children who wish to learn more about gaming history.

What are some of your favorite remakes? Which titles would you like to see brought back as remakes? Let's have a conversation in our comments section!

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