15 Classic Games That Need A Modern HD Remaster
Chances are you’ve played a game on Playstation 2 or Gamecube that you wish you could play now – lots of classic games are still worth playing today. However there are a host of games that could use a modern remake. Not only because they need some love, but because they’d be so much fun! Plenty of classic remakes are released these days like The Legend of Zelda: Windwaker HD Remake and the Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy.
For every successful mainstream classic that gets remade – there are 10 fan favorites that are forgotten about. Here’s our take on 15 games that need a modern HD remaster or remake.
15. Skies of Arcadia: Legends
While this RPG technically is already a remake (a Gamecube port from Sega Dreamcast), it could really use some love. The game boasts a lengthy story (60+ hours of gameplay), a fun magic system, memorable characters, and fun sky exploration. Nearly all of which could be improved upon with an HD remaster.
Since it is originally a Dreamcast release, the graphics look extra dated and there are some control issues when flying in the main world. There are definitely some quality of life features that could be added, like speeding up characters when casting magic spells, fixing the voice acting, re-balancing certain boss fights and perhaps adding new spells.
The game is still fun to play to this day, but it could become a classic again with some new features and fixes for old issues.
14. Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars (SNES)
Man, I love this game. If you haven’t had a chance to play it, put it on your list and play it immediately! This is the first RPG adventure for Mario and it made a huge impression. While challenging, it’s immensely fun, with unique characters you won’t find in any other Mario game.
Fans were hoping for a sequel – that ended up being Paper Mario (still a great game) – but the time is ripe to do an HD remaster for Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars. There isn’t much that would need to be changed for an updated version. Seriously, keep the game the exact same, save for adding quality of life features and maybe some new super bosses, because this game is a gem. And any kind of modern update or HD remaster would sell like crazy!
13. NBA Jam (SNES)
There are about a dozen versions of this arcade smash hit between Sega Genesis and Super Nintendo (kidding, but really there are a bunch) because it was such a great game. While sports games these days are all about realism, NBA Jam put fun first, and when it came out people couldn’t stop playing!
If you had a multi-tap for Super Nintendo, you could play this with up to 4 players – one of the first games to do so. If an HD remake was made, it would have to include online matchmaking, online rankings, the sky is the limit. There might be some NBA licensing issues, but this game would print money if it was done right. They would have to keep the core gameplay the same, and with some modern remakes that seems to be an issue. Give the fans what they want!
12. Suikoden (Playstation)
Suikoden is an RPG series that spawned a whole bunch of sequels – and for good reason. The battle system is engaging, there are 108 characters to recruit, a sprawling story, a unique soundtrack and much, much more.
While the first game in the series was a tad simple, especially compared to later games, there was so much to offer that a polished, HD remake released today would inevitably become a best-seller. Perhaps adding some super bosses, or lining up remakes of the sequels (at least Suikoden 2!) and you’ve got a hit.
11. Donkey Kong Country (SNES)
Donkey Kong Country was one of the most popular 16-bit games in the 90’s – ask any 90’s kid! And while there have been recent releases in the series, the creators changed up the formula that we know and love.
There are 3 Donkey Kong Country games for SNES, and while some might say Donkey Kong Country 2 was the greatest release, the following games in the series (Donkey Kong Country 64, Donkey Kong Country Returns, etc.) just fell short of what most fans expected.
Featuring a fantastic soundtrack, challenging gameplay, and memorable characters and environments, an HD remake of this game would become a massive hit. And we wouldn’t complain if they continued to release HD remakes of DKC2 and DKC3!
10. Shining Force (Sega Genesis)
Similar to the Fire Emblem, but not as difficult, the first 2 games of the Shining Force were released on the Sega Genesis. A turn-based strategy game, Shining Force has the player journey across a medieval (and sometimes futuristic) land recruiting knights, mages, a werewolf, and much more.
This is a fun game to go back to and replay, especially there is a lot you can miss on your first playthrough. If the game were to be remastered today with polished graphics, some balancing fixes and additional content, it would definitely pull in a ton of players, both old and new. There is a lot to love here already.
9. Rocket Knight Adventures (Sega Genesis)
While most kids in the 90s were playing Sonic or Super Mario World, there are a whole bunch of platforming games that were missed along the way. One of those being Rocket Knight Adventures – a stellar platformer that’s still challenging and a lot of fun even today.
If this game were remade today, we would prefer to keep it exactly like the original – a 2d platformer. Even though there was a recent entry for this series (if 2010 counts as recent), an HD remaster of the original would be great!
8. Final Fight (SNES)
Streets of Rage IV came out earlier this year and has been massively successful – which begs the question, when are we going to see a follow-up from the Final Fight Series?
A reboot of the original arcade version, or even Final Fight III on the SNES would look great with modern graphics. Along with features like online co-op, this would be a killer remake. We’re waiting!
7. ActRaiser (SNES)
Half action-RPG and and half strategy, ActRaiser was an interesting game to play on the Super Nintendo. It had a memorable soundtrack, tough bosses, and rewarding gameplay that left you coming back for more. There was a sequel that didn’t have the same feeling as the original, being a little too different, but an HD remake of this game would be a beast!
The creators could add original levels and extra content, but keep the core gameplay the exact same – in this case, we definitely want more of the same – just with polished graphics.
6. Demon’s Crest (SNES)
Demon’s Crest was a spin-off of Ghouls and Ghosts (remember the annoying red demon that pops up in a bunch of levels?). In this game, he’s the main character and is able to gain power-ups and new forms by collecting gems from some seriously challenging bosses.
With difficult levels, hidden endings, and crazy final bosses, Demon’s Crest is a cult-favorite for the SNES. A modern HD remake or even a modern sequel would be wonderful. It looks like there are some fan projects working on just that, but something straight from Capcom would be amazing!
5. SimCity (SNES)
SimCity has a storied history, being the smash hit from Maxis, which led to SimCity 2000, and a host of other games like SimAnt, SimTower, SimFarm, SimTown – the list goes on and on. Don’t forget The Sims – a series that’s still hugely popular today!
While SimCity 2000 made the original formula more complicated, it was still fun. SimCity 3000, on the other hand – I never figured out how to play that game. Sim games like Cities Skylines are still pretty popular today, there is still a lot of charm in the original SimCity.
Simple to play but difficult to master, SimCity laid
4. Mega Man X (SNES)
If you follow the Mega Man X series, you might already know that a remake of Mega Man X was released in 2005 on the PSP. Yeah, well, that totally doesn’t count.
I’d like to think we can split hairs when it comes to a super popular game and series like Mega Man X – and if a remake was released in 2021, I think it could be pretty popular. Not to knock the PSP, but a real remake should be on multiple platforms – and in the case of this game in particular, there are some fan projects that are looking very, very cool.
So why not do an HD Remake like Street Fighter 2? Make it happen, Capcom! They could even remake X2 and X3. And throw in Megaman Battle Network too, for good measure.
3. Zombies Ate My Neighbors (SNES)
If you never played Zombies Ate My Neighbors on the Sega Genesis or Super Nintendo, you missed out. Hence the need for a remake or remaster!
In this case, a remake might work well if the core gameplay is left intact – don’t change the perspective, do add new items and enemies, keep some of the same levels and and some new ones too. The original game is actually pretty difficult – even though there’s a password system, you normally would need to start right at the beginning to gather enough items along the way, just to stand a chance. Boss battles are killer and take most of your inventory, and certain levels are so maze-like and treacherous, you’ll be starting over in no time.
There are some balancing issues that could be fixed, and they could thrown in some online multiplayer to boot! Make it happen, Lucas Arts…or, should I say, Lucasfilm Games!
2. Fallout 2 (PC)
Fallout 2 is one of those games you just keep coming back to, like Morrowind or Diablo 2. There is so much to do, you’ll forget more than you can remember. You can run through the game with the best armor right after leaving the first village, you can play as an awful person, or you can do a perfect run and complete every task that’s offered. It’s a game that still holds up very well today.
With the recent popularity of the franchise, there’s a pretty good chance a remake of Fallout 2 could happen. Personally, I hope it’s not in the vein of Fallout 3 or Fallout 4, while both being great games, they aren’t anything like Fallout 2, it’s just a game I recommend that much.
Black Isle Studios, makers of Fallout 1 & 2, were recently reformed in 2012 and are back to making RPGs – they event released a remastered version of Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance in 2021. There’s a good chance this remaster could happen, so cross your fingers! Or get Fallout 2 and install a bunch of fan-created mods.
1. Skyblazer (SNES)
An action/platformer from Sony? With goofy boxart? And it’s #1? That’s right – Skyblazer might not be as well known compared to other standouts on the Super Nintendo, but it’s an awesome game, and it most definitely deservers a remaster or a remake.
While some games and franchises made the leap to 3D on the PSX and N64, Skyblazer received no next-generation sequel – or any sequel, for that matter. But it deserves one. Stellar music, difficult but rewarding gameplay, and inventive and unique levels – it had it all. There were only 17 levels, though, and the game does feel a little short when compared to others on the SNES. However, this is one series Sony could remake or remaster – but only if they were to keep it 2D, and pay homage to the original.
Skyblazer could have been a franchise like Castlevania – it just didn’t pan out. However, as we’ve seen with other remasters and remakes recently (Secret of Mana, Advance Wars, Diablo 2, WoW Classic, Super Monkey Ball, etc.) I think it has a lot to offer – it just needs a chance.
Do these games deserve an HD remaster?
Did we forget your favorite classic game? Is there one more deserving? Let us know in the comments below!
