A retro game remake is often met with huge excitement from fans hoping to relive nostalgic moments from former times with better graphics and playing systems to enhance the experience, as well as allowing for a whole new generation of people to experience the wonders of a game which may have formerly been too outdated to play. Unlike movies and TV shows which can sometimes seem like a desperate cash grab, game reboots are welcomed by players either wanting to enjoy the experience for themselves or to introduce a classic game to a younger audience. If you haven’t been in tune with some of the hottest retro remakes of the past few years, then follow this list to be brought up to speed.
Spyro Reignited Trilogy
Spyro Reignited Trilogy feels like a love letter from the developers at Toys for Bob which is a term that gets used often when it comes to long running franchises but not quite as fitting as it is here. The return to Spyro’s first adventures from the developers is a gorgeous recreation of the world’s charm with its unique, iconic characters and benefits from new mechanics and modern touches. These updates and new environmental details bring the world to life in beautiful ways, rich with personality which simply wasn’t achievable with the technology of the original PlayStation or original Xbox. Most importantly, these quality of life improvements to help the franchise step into a modern era of gaming from the developers have not taken away from the gameplay, with platforming and collecting at the core of what made Spyro so popular all of those years ago. These games are great, and the popularity of this release shows that Spyro’s journey is not over with plenty more to give to fans, old and new.
Ratchet and Clank
As one of PlayStations most dynamic duos, it was only a matter of time before a remake of this classic was brought to fruition. The development team behind the smartly updated gameplay feel and enhanced graphics designed to exploit the PS4’s system to the max (allowing for 4k dynamic gameplay) is Insomniac Studios. Not only have they improved the game cosmetically, but they have also strengthened the lore and origin of the infamous pair through rewriting parts of the story with new jokes, better pacing and additions such as weapons, planets and boss fights to breathe new life into a classic. This remake was a great way to reintroduce these beloved characters to the modern world of gaming after being absent from the community for several years before its release in 2016.
Online Slots
With a recent resurgence into the market of slot games, they have managed to stand the test of time, and this is backed up by large numbers of retro slot games being remade by modern gambling companies. With this comes bigger prize pots, jackpots and bonus features to fit in with the modern world of online gambling, but despite this, retro themes can still be spotted throughout leaving old school players feeling nostalgic over Bars, Fruit symbols and Sevens. The older look merged with modern themes and technology has also been very enticing for younger players, trying to win big on the simplistic glamour of old school slots. Packed with sound effects and bright colours, the best slot sites can offer huge pay outs and lots of fun for players of all ages and can be found right here. With the innovations of modern online gambling, software developers are coming up with innovative ways to keep remaking retro themed slot games and it doesn’t look like they’re going away any time soon.
The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening
After two long decades this long anticipated game was finally remade by Nintendo and due to the original Gameboy game from 1993 being a cult favourite it was not surprising that it was well received by fans of the original and the entire series. Though this is not to say that it was not a risk for Nintendo, they not only experimented with a charming new art style but they also overhaled the soundtrack and game sounds which ended up working well and fitting the rendition perfectly, working perfectly with Nintendo’s new console, the Switch. Despite the cosmetics of the game seemingly completely changing, the gameplay and level design remained very similar with only a few new features being added, including dungeon building and the ability for Link to equip more items. This game is a perfect remake as it stayed true to the original while simply improving visually, something fans have recognised and respected Nintendo for.
To conclude, retro game remakes have come in many forms over the years varying from big money releases to lower budget ones, but the most important aspect they bring to the player is the nostalgia they offer. With big remakes anticipated by fans in the future such as cult classics like Bully and GTA Vice City from Rockstar studios, expect this list to grow and change for years to come.
