Link’s Awakening, Snake Eater, And Other Remakes That Played It Too Safe (But Were Still Good)

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When Final Fantasy 7 Remake came out in 2020, it was a truly ambitious reimagining of a classic. While called a remake, it actually continues the story of the original Final Fantasy 7 from the PlayStation 1, and revealing more would spoil the surprises.

The 2019 release of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare is a great example of a successful remake. While some developers take big chances when revisiting classic games, others prefer to play it safe and stick close to what longtime fans enjoy. The following games are among the best remakes that don’t reinvent the wheel – they’re simply fun and well-made.

The Legend Of Zelda: Link’s Awakening (2019)

Toys To Life

Originally launched for the Game Boy in 1993, The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening received a significant update in 2019. This remake not only added color but also gave the game a charming, toy-inspired look.

The game looks fantastic, but underneath the updated graphics, it’s still the same world and gameplay experience. Luckily, the classic top-down Zelda style is timeless, so it makes sense the developers didn’t change things too drastically for this remake.

Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater

What A Thrill

Originally released for the PlayStation 2 in 2004, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater has been re-released on various platforms, including a 3D version for the Nintendo 3DS. Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater is a complete visual overhaul of the original game, updating the experience with modern features and improvements to make sneaking and combat more streamlined.

Despite the updated presentation, the story itself remains unchanged, as much of the audio from the original game is used in cutscenes and Codec conversations. The main plot points are the same, but with significantly improved graphics – which is a positive, even without the original director, Hideo Kojima, at the helm. It was a fantastic game when it first came out in 2004, and it still holds up today.

Final Fantasy 4 (DS Remake)

Now With More Voices

Remakes of Final Fantasy games usually stay very true to the originals, much like the remake of Final Fantasy 4 on the DS. This isn’t a drawback – it’s enjoyable to see classic pixel art reimagined with modern, charming 3D graphics. The addition of voice acting also helps bring the story to life and adds to the emotional impact.

The battles and story closely resemble the original game, but feel slightly more streamlined. This remake, released in 2008, is a bit more forgiving than the original SNES version from 1991.

Resident Evil 4

Can’t Remake Perfection

Capcom smartly chose to remake the second and third Resident Evil games before Resident Evil 4. The older games, originally made for the PlayStation 1, required significant updates to feel current, while Resident Evil 4 already felt modern thanks to numerous remastered versions.

While the shooting and controls feel a bit more refined in the 2023 remake compared to the original 2005 game, it doesn’t offer many surprises. The main addition is a little more to explore on the boat, but overall, Capcom didn’t need to make huge changes to a game that was already considered excellent.

Super Mario RPG

Turn-Based Platforming

Originally released for the SNES in 1996, Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars was the first role-playing game featuring Mario. In 2023, a revamped version titled Super Mario RPG came out for the Nintendo Switch.

The remake includes some new features, such as team attacks and adjustable difficulty levels, but the core experience is virtually identical to the original 1996 game. This means strategy guides from the past should still be useful, and fans were thrilled to revisit this classic, even without major changes.

Shadow Of The Colossus

A Haunting Boss Rush

Released in 2005 towards the end of the PlayStation 2’s lifespan, Shadow of the Colossus revolutionized the action-adventure game. Unlike many games of the time, it didn’t involve exploring a large world and battling numerous enemies. Instead, players focused on defeating just sixteen massive creatures known as Colossi, which wandered the landscape.

The game received a good remaster in 2011, and the 2018 remake was an even greater improvement. While fans had hoped the remake would expand the story or reveal hidden details from the original, it didn’t. However, the essential gameplay remained excellent, and ultimately, that’s what people cared about most.

Persona 3 Reload

Become A Member Of S.E.E.S.

Persona 3 pioneered the Social Link system, a feature that lets players build relationships with both their teammates and other characters they meet. This turn-based role-playing game originally launched in Japan for the PlayStation 2 and came to North America in 2007. These relationships, developed through everyday school life scenarios, offer benefits and deepen the player’s connection to the game’s world.

Beyond improvements to gameplay and storytelling, Persona 3 Reload has been successfully updated for modern gamers in 2024. The main complaint from fans is that additional story content featuring Aegis was released as paid downloadable content.

Demon’s Souls

A Stellar Launch Game For The PS5

When Demon’s Souls first came out for the PS3 in 2009, it quickly gained a dedicated fanbase. Players were captivated by its challenging gameplay and immersive dark fantasy setting, which ultimately helped create the popular “Souls-like” genre. In 2020, Bluepoint Games – known for their remake of Shadow of the Colossus – released a complete remake of Demon’s Souls. Despite the updated graphics, the game remained notoriously difficult to beat.

Bluepoint Games excels at remakes, though they usually focus on improving graphics rather than significantly changing the gameplay. Fans are hoping Sony will allow them to remake Bloodborne next.

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2025-10-23 05:05