Top 10 Classics Deserving of a Remake

Ten classic games that need to be remade -- if only with a fresh coat of paint, enhanced audio, and optional play modes.

Outdated visuals suck. Enter the high-resolution remake; an effective way to revitalize and modernize classic gameplay for a new generation of gamers or for those wanting to experience a favorite for the second time. For a good example of the subject, think of Super Contra on Xbox Live Arcade or even New Super Mario Bros. on the DS.

[MK_Red]

Good list but IMO, one game stands above the rest: Doom.

Remaking the original Doom with modern graphics would be more than awesome. Doom 1 is pretty intese and scary even with outdated graphics and after all these years. Can't begin to imagine how crazy Doom 1 would be with BioShock / Crysis quality graphics.

[FirstknighT]

Doom 3

[MK_Red]

Don't be stupid. Doom 3 was nothing like Doom 1. It was a different game alltogether. It had boring gameplay, cheap shocks and enemies. Totally different level design and enemies hardly resembled classic Doom ones.

If anything, Doom 3 was like a mix of Half Life and Resident Evil. If you play all Dooms together (Doom 1, 2 and 3) you'll understand.
Doom 1 and 2: Two of the best FPS games ever
Doom 3: A good but generic FPS.

[FirstknighT]

What Doom 3 did you play? It was almost exactly like Doom 1. Yeah the level design was different but do you really want to play in HUGE square rooms??? The Doom 3 monsters were pretty accurate all the way down to their weapon of choice. All the weapons of Doom 1 were also present in Doom 3. I can't see a next gen remake of Doom 1 be any different from Doom 3.

[SlippyMadFrog]

I'm sorry Firstknight but I agree with MK. Doom 3 is a totally different game than Doom 1 & 2. Doom 1 & 2 had more of a fast paced action feel to it than Doom 3. I like the fact that each level in Doom 1 & 2 is totaly seperated from one another while Doom 3 is like one long level. You don't have to remake all the rooms square but give the Doom remake the exact same play mechanic as the original and I will be sold.

[Malkier]

Doom 3 was a different game,complete different feel and to be honest, I didn't like it as much as 1 & 2. Remakes of them would be great.

[Lionsguard]

I don't believe you ever played Doom1 or it's been too long since you have. DOOM 3 was NOTHING like DOOM 1 don't even compare that crap to the original. Doom 3 = open a door and 1-2 demons jump out easily taken out by a well placed rocket. Doom 1 = open a door and horde of demons pour out blasting you in the face with red and green fireballs. Barons of Hell from DOOM 1 > Barons of Hell Doom 3. The Cyberdemon in Doom 3 wasn't even that scary, sure he was big but he just wasn't scary for some reason. i replayed Doom 2 not too long ago and just hearing the roar of the cyberdemon and listening to him walk around blasting demons was just frightening. 2D Cyberdemon sprite > 3D Cyberdemon model. id software and carmack needs to go back to their roots. I wouldn't mind if they made a DOOM 3 remake using the DOOM 2 engine, I'd pay money for that!

[WilliamRLBaker]

I agree with knight, doom 3 was exactly like doom 1 except the crappy room design in doom 1 is no longer present! oh yay another......square room just like the last one....

And if you want harder play like doom 1, then play doom 3 on this hardest.

[games4fun]

doom is good too, i disagree with the guy who made this putting tetris as number 1. That is ridiculous how many times has there been a remake of tetris ... alot. Heck id put tetris number ten and bump up ff7

[Bebedora]

It was a great game back then. Can be fun playing some even today.

[ReBurn]

We don't need remakes. We need better original IP's. I'm not disparaging the games on the list. Many of them were genre defining classics. I just think that too much emphasis is placed on digging up the past instead of looking to the future.

[tplarkin7]

We have already seen MGS, RE, and TR remakes. These were "ok", but nothing compared to a new experience. The bump in graphics does not justify a remake.

[predator]

Mk there are two sides to that, doom 1 and 2 are class, no doubt about it, but doom 3 came out when there are so many different FPS that it didnt feel any different, now if doom 1 and 2 came out when the market was flooded with FPS would they get the reconistion they did get now, i didnt think doom 3 was all that bad, it felt like doom 1 but in 3d to be honest

[Genki]

but what about Earthworm Jim, Vector Man, and some other platforming legends out there? I would KILL to have Super Mario RPG updated by todays standards.

[nobizlikesnowbiz]

Earthworm Jim ftw!!!11one

[Shadow Flare]

uh, i think we know what everyone wants and that's a full next-gen remake of E.T. - The Extra-Terrestrial

[nobizlikesnowbiz]

It'll end up being like the Code Monkeys episode.

[wageslave]

Yes To Earthworm Jim, to that I'd add Conker's Bad Fur Day and another game from the Interplay Clay Series (Clay Fighter / Claymates).

I imagine the "claymation" would give a great opportunity for new art direction if done right.

Edit:

Yes to Vectorman
No to Goldeneye, they would turn out a generic FPS. Perhaps another good 007 FPS would be better than remaking Goldeneye, I could agree with that.

YES YES YES to a Xwing vs. Tie Fighter on Xbox 360 LIVE. That is a genre (Sci-Fi space combat mutli-player) that would kick-much-arse. Using voice chat to keep formation and attack groups in a big-game-space would be incredible.

Edit 2:
Yes to R-Type mentioned below.

Also, how about Space Harrier? Done with more platform, RPG (upgrades) elements than just a schmup-type shooter.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wik...

[Mattguy]

Better make a comment quick before halo fanboys nuclear sh1t bomb this. Castlevania is the one that caught my eye first(lol) I would love to have a truly good and next-gen one of those and I second the doom comments, doom 3 had me jump once or twice but it was nothing special at all in the end.

EDIT: omg YES! I would love another earth worm jim! Too bad I don't think squenix would ever put out another mario-my second most favorite mario game ever was rpg(first being 64)

[Prismo_Fillusion]

They should remake the original Halo.

Oh wait, they already did...twice.

(just kidding! I'm a huge Halo series fan!)

[Shadow Flare]

haha that was a good one

[Sayai jin]

Golden Eye

[Robeezy]

That would be great. Definitely should be on the list.

[The BS Police]

and Perfect Dark!

[FirstknighT]

SplatterHouse

[MK_Red]

Now I totally agree on that one. Splatterhouse games were seriously awesome and part 3 was a classic IMO. The Splatterhouse remake with HD graphics would be more graphic and gross than Jericho and Manhunt combined.

[caffman]

x wing vs tie fighter. That would rock big time on live!

[P4KY B]

I'm with you on that one.

Imagine how cool it would be to have it with voice modulation options so you sounded like a storm trooper or darth over live.

[kingboy]

Soul Reaver : Legacy of Kain

[Shadow Flare]

Final Fantasy VII is for the no. 1 game needs to be remade. But aside from that, i would love to see the Colony Wars franchise remade. Don't know why the hell it stopped, they were fantastic games. And they also had quite a strong background story which is quite good for games these days

[Rasulis]

Naaa. Final Fantasy 7 was a good game, but story wise, character wise, and game play wise, it has nothing on Final Fantasy 6, or also know as Final Fantasy 3 in America. Final Fantasy 7 is just the most well known, but it's not the best.

Final Fantasy 6 is by far the best RPG ever. Kefka FTW.

[IntelligentAj]

I agree without a doubt a FF7 remake will sell the most games for it's entire genre(MMORPG included)A remake of FF6 would sell a little worse but there are a lot of us FF fans who wouldn't hesitate to pick up either one of these in large quantities. Also Tecmo Super Bowl with updated 2D graphics, which would be the funnest pure football experience ever!!

[BigPenguin]

I own Final Fantasy 6 on 3 different systems, even though they were only direct ports I continue to purchase them. I actually have 2 copies of the SNES version(lol FF3). And I have at least one beaten file on each of my copies. I would not hesitate to pick up another copy if they remade it.

I would however have to think about getting another copy of 7. Sub-par plot for a final fantasy, along with a complete lack of fun for the first quarter of the game(don't deny it people, you know you agree).

[DeckUKold]

but it's on the DS boooooooo i want a FF:tatics remake that was a crazy game not on a stupid handheld on a console it was seriously a 10 story but the graphics held it back big time thats why the need a 3d one it would be like a movie

[ry-guy]

FFVII remake will never happen (within the foreseeable future).

Square has said multiple times that they have no plans to remake this game.

[Shadow Flare]

Yeah and Sony said they had no plans to reduce the price of the ps3

Whenever you read a company say 'We have no plans', you need to change those words into 'Yes we would be absolute retards not to remake Final Fantasy VII'. Even if Konami said 'We have no plans' about something else unrelated.

They will remake the game.

For one thing, they have been remaking every single one of their games.

Secondly, FF7 is their most popular title.

Thirdly, they will make alot of money out of it.

Forthly, FF7 itself is a special game to its developers.

Fithly, they merely have to finish work on their current projects (FFXIII).

And sixthly, they need to be careful when they announce this remake, because it could/will change the face of the console war. And currently ps3 is losing. Which is another incentive for Square-Enix to remake FF7

[Malkier]

Square also said they will never make a sequal to a FF game, then they made FFX-2....

[iNcRiMiNaTi]

it was the game that really got me into the survival horror genre, all they gotta do now it axe the tank controls and put in re4's controls and fix up the graphics...nothing is better than a licker bursting through glass when u least expect it in full 3D complete with a creepy atmosphere

[Rooted_Dust]

RE2 was by far the best of the old RE series, before RE4 came out and changed it, probably for the better, but in terms of depth I still think RE2 could be the best of the entire RE Series.

[gololo]

i agree....RE2 is one the best horror games ive played...and RE4 changed it but the only complain about RE4 is the story line...it wasn't as compelling as REs in the past!

[john_doe]

yeah.. how can i forget about RE2... the best RE beside RE4..

[Robeezy]

General Chaos

[Genki]

Smash TV comes to mind. What mindless unadulterated fun that game was. Paperboy HD, lol. I'd like to see some classic top-down shooters return, such as Raystorm and R-Types. I loved those games.

Still though...Earthworm Jim and Vectorman sit at the top of my list.

I could totally see and EWJ revival going toe to toe with the likes of Rathet and Jak(if that series hasn't already gotten the axe, anyway). Those games were such brilliant, quirky fun.

I could see Vectorman getting a treatment similar to Metroid prime, but then again, we're starting to become over-saturated with shooters these days. Maybe a good 3rd person platformer that retained the coolness of the originals.

Boogerman anyone?

[wageslave]

In addition to "classic mode", Smash TV got a pretty good graphics refresh for the Xbox 360 LIVE Aracade version:

http://www.xbox.com/en-US/g...

[sandip787]

ahhh colony wars was great
what about G police? i really enjoyed that when i was younger lmao.
its like GTA in a futuristic city..

[Rooted_Dust]

They don't even make games like that anymore, at least not without a heavy RPG element, which is ok, but sometime you just want to fly and shoot. I would love to see another Colony wars or another title in the X-Wing vs Tie Fighter series.

[shodown19]

Shenmue needs a remake. Also I would like to see a 2.5/3D remake of Flashback. But the remake I would want to see over anything is Twisted Metal 2:remake.

That would be classic.

[X]

Chrono Trigger

[Lionsguard]

1.Ghouls and Ghosts (Ghosts and Goblins) Really when was this remade?
2. Altered Beasts
3. Shining Force 1<--- really really want
4. Shaq Fu...I kid..

OH I remember some more.

Army men
Toy Story
Jet Moto

[sectionz]

Ghosts & Goblins just happened.

[sectionz]

Did they even think about this list at all?

Tetris has been remade a million times.
Halo was just remade (ok i know i know).
The random 1980's game ref falls TOTALLY flat.

Gamepro BLOWS.

Chrono Trigger
Secret Of Mana (with online)
Zanac
Life Force
Streets of Rage

[IntelligentAj]

Streets of Rage remake would be divine!!!

[InMyOpinion]

I thought the list was crap. Co-op in FFVII? Halo 1 better than Halo 3?

The only thing I can agree on is that Flashback as an XBL Arcade game would be awesome.

[hotrider12]

a re-make on contra and gradius and r-type shooter game would be a reason for me to buy a ps3

[UltramanJ]

I'd rather have new chapters or better yet, new IPs to play. And why would anyone want a remade Doom? It's archaic and boring in this day and age.

[bloodzombie77]

1. Streets of Rage
2. Double Dragon
3. Road Rash (Still can't believe it was overlooked even last gen)
4. Starflight (for those who don't know, look it up)
5. Legend of Dragoon
6. Friday the 13th (except make it good this time)
7. Potty Pigeon (still get a laugh out of that one on the ol' 2600)
8. Maniac Mansion
9. Castlevania 2: Simon's Quest (The best one ever, never been equaled)
10.Beavis and Butthead (genesis version, I ran out of ideas, but not bad)

[Lionsguard]

oooh Starflight is a good one!

[theoneandonly]

Here's something interesting to think about:

The PS2 actually has 313 games total that average a score of 80+ & above, thats not as much as people had expected.

http://www.metacritic.com/g...

Lets take out remixed versions of sports or other titles such as Rumble Racing, thats brings the percentages to a much more likely scenario.

The Xbox, out for sale over 2 years later, actually has 220 games ranked at 80+ or above.

http://www.metacritic.com/g...

Including games like Battlefield: Modern Combat so now lets add in the fact that Grand Theft Auto is actually two entirely separate games....that would be Grand Theft Auto 3 & Grand Theft Auto Vice City, still the top two rated games of the Playstation era.

So it has 222 games rated at 80+ or above, if we count that and maybe round up one other game. Minus the remix titles or rumble racing for PS2, the PS2 ends up with about 265 to the XBOX's 224 while the XBOX came out over 2 years later.

Can you say "DAMN", because that's not the end. According to METACRITIC, the XBOX actually has more "ACTION GAMES" (read: Mech Assault/Call of Duty level video games) than the entire PS2 has which are rated at 80+ or above.

Including the flawless and amazing "CHRONICLES OF RIDDICK" which came out near the end of its lifespan.

Now this is some amazing stuff.....as it has 33 total games ranked at 90 or above, compared to the PS2's 61.

If you check the rankings, that's translated over to the next format too. There are already 10 games ranked at 90+ for the XBOX360...

Some people had to wonder, what would have happened if the XBOX came out much earlier and with alot more games and then how would that go over......would it top the PS2?

Oh but I guess they didn't check.....that would be the XBOX 360. It already has a HUGE portfolio, and will have far more than 225 games rated at 80+ or above......as for the PS3......Looking at what we know, it may be impossible for them to even match the PS2....let alone get 278 games rated at 80+ or above....

LOOK OUT!!!!!!!!!!!! "WORLD, HERE WE COME" =)

[WilliamRLBaker]

castlevania......Not unless its a 2d HD sprite based remake none of this 3d crap, I would much rather see an Synphoney of the night which was the best of the series.

SOTN but with HD sprites like Street Fighter 4, and bigger longer gameplay and new enemies...ect

Halo 1...no keep the original as it is.

Kid icarus...not a bad game but it dont need a remake no one even knows bout it hardly.

Road rash...didn't they have later titles? i didn't like the games.

ff7 GOD NO the original SUCKED it will just suck on a higher level if they remake it.

Flashback...I got that on the genesis....maybe...

Tetris?! lol dont make me laugh they've had many games since the first.

1.Earthbound 2d HD sprite graphics
2.Secret of Evermore 2d hd sprite based graphics
3.Secret of Mana 1-2-3 all 2d sprite based graphics and keep the perspective as in a top down perspective.
4.ff6 2d hd sprite based
5.Bionic Commando and not 3d! give us 2d sprite based graphics, They could easily do amazing sprite based graphics with the power of the current gen systems.
6.Altered Beast it was a good game its one of my favs in the genesis.
7.Breath of fire 1-2 2d sprite based hd
8.Alundra 2d sprite based HD
9.Chrono Trigger 2d Sprite based HD over the top perspective
10.Parasite EVE *3d is ok with this*

[TruthbeTold]

Chrono Trigger with a multi-player party feature, new graphics, and everything else the same as the old version. Moves, Music, Weapons,Storyline, etc. I'd buy that in a heartbeat for any new system.

[macalatus]

My personal list in addition to the ones presented in the article:
1. The original Shinobi for the Genesis with the same treatment given to Dracula X for the PSP. The soundtrack remains up to this very day one of the best video game music IMO.
2. Splatterhouse
3. Einhander (a well-done sequel is also welcome)
4. Eternal Champions Sega CD (one of the very few good titles for that system)
5. Super Star Wars Trilogy for the SNES (with enhanced graphics, of course, and I don't mean the LEGO ones)
6. Terminator the Arcade Game (quite arguably the most expensive arcade game to finish)
And that's just a few...

[Skerj]

There was already a Chrono Trigger fan remake being done that looked PRETTY DAMN AWESOME well hell you take a look at the trailer on the site http://www.opcoder.com/proj... and the attached image. Square issued a C&D order though and stopped them, it was going to be badass too. But my list of games to see remade are:

1. Xenogears
While normally I wouldn't want such a masterpiece to be touched, but all they need to do is redo the graphics and give us the extra content that got axed for time constraints. I'd buy it 4x over.

2. Vagrant Story
This game pushed the PS1 to its limit back then think of what they can do with it now, or hell just give me a sequel damn. FFXII took place within the same world so we know how it'd look on PS2 at least.

3. Panzer Dragoon Saga
I should actually place this above the first two considering that it'd benefit the most to being remade. If you haven't played it, it was the most revolutionary and arguably the best game released on the Saturn. The realtime dragon evolutions, the day and night cycles, and the combat could all be redone quite well with the power of today's systems.

4. Guardian Heroes

Not much to do to this one but give us High Res 2D sprites with the animation quality of the Heavenly Sword miniseries.

5. Star Tropics 1 & 2

I bought an NES again when I saw these games, they rocked even in the face of my SNES/Genesis/TG16. I always wondered why Nintendo never did anything else with the series, maybe take some time from Mario Party 29 and dig up some goodness from the past.

6. Ranger X

You were a super cool robot soldier who could fly and collect all sorts of weapon upgrades. You also had an awesome motorcycle like vehicle that you could control independantly or ride inside. Tell me how this game WOULDN'T benefit from a remake or a sequel.

7. Kid Chameleon

Nowadays you kids have your fancy gamefaqs and memory cards, we had to beat nearly any game that wasn't an RPG in one sitting. ..those games that utilized passwords not counting either. Back in the day there was a 103 level behemoth we called Kid Chameleon and you had to either complete it or pause it and complete it later. I believe the highest I've ever gotten was level 89, died and never played it again. I could make this post go on forever with what Sega could do with this but I'd leave that to those who played it.

That's all I can think of right now without thinking of sequels. Besides I'm already getting Streetfighter IV :D Capcom wth is my Megaman Legends 3 and Strider?

[hendyman]

Nobody wants a remake of Halo 3 yet ? :-P Its outdated graphics and short and boring SP is a shame (stupid AI too) and needs to remake :-P

[The Swordsman]

One game I personally would love to see being remade is the original Crash Bandicoot. I downloaded the game from the PS Store recently and, while it still plays well, it's graphics are poor by today's standards. In the few instances in the game where characters actually talk, their mouths don't move at all, and the main antagonist's fingers are literally stuck together. The hand-drawn backgrounds aren't that great either. If the game was to be remade, then we'd have good graphics to go with that classic platform gaming.

[hotrider12]

Im sure you guys remember space shooter games r-type,graidus, enhandler. and a new contra game... those games would be great to be re-made or up graded for ps3 gradius 5 looks awsome on my friend ps3 and its a ps2 game

[john_doe]

Humm... kid icarus from nes times.... chrono trigger....come to my mind right now.