15. Oddworld: New ‘n’ Tasty!

Oddworld has always been something of a niche series, and thankfully the remake of 1997’s Abe’s Odyssey hasn’t lost that unique charm. New ‘n’ Tasty successfully takes the janky early 3D game and brushes it up to 2014 polish with modern HD graphics. The clearest demonstration of this polish is the much-improved level flow thanks to the elimination of screen partisions in favor of seamless platforming. Oddworld: New ‘n’ Tasty is the best way to play the 1997 classic today, and it helped pave the way for a wider Oddworld audience.

 14. The Last of Us Part 1

The Last of Us Part 1 took one of the greatest games of all time and made it even better. The graphical improvements showcase the power of PS5 hardware with remarkably dense foliage and improved animations across the board. AI got a substantial overhaul as well, as companions help you fight off the improved enemy AI. And as if the enhanced AI didn’t bolster the challenge enough, The Last of Us Part 1 features a speedrun mode that tracks your time per chapter. The Last of Us Part 1 may not be the most needed remake in the world, but it sure stands as one of the most impressive.

13. Shadow of the Colossus

2018’s Shadow of the Colossus is another example of a 1-to-1 faithful remake that doesn’t distance itself far from the original. As expected, Bluepoint Games updated the graphics to modern standards. The result is a truly transformed vision of the classic PS2 game where the slightest change in lighting can give a totally unique ambiance from the original. Best of all, the controls are vastly improved with a bevy of convenience features the original lacked.

12. Star Fox 64 3DS

Who doesn’t love Star Fox 64? It’s such an easy game to pick up and play, and the 3DS remake makes it even easier with its portability. Star Fox 64 looks amazing on the 3DS, with some of the most attractive 3D visuals on the system. By and large, Star Fox 64 3DS is a faithful remake of the arcade shooter original with a host of cool enhancements. The orchestrated soundtrack is easy to love, and the new Score Attack mode is a fun way to replay all those classic levels with added challenge and rewards.

11. System Shock

1994’s seminal System Shock redefined what a shooter can be and helped create the immersive sim genre. Fast-forward to 2023 and the remake is just as fascinating and immersive as it was back in the day. 2023’s System Shock is by far the best way to experience the game. The gunplay is worlds apart from the janky original with tight and snappy controls and a convenient interface. The sub-par music is fully redone here with an ambient soundtrack that accompanies the HD graphics wonderfully. System Shock gets the royal treatment in this faithful remake, even keeping the backtracking in the original. There’s never been a better time to experience System Shock, especially with the console release dropping in a couple of months and the sequel coming soon.

10. Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes

Metal Gear Solid had some rough gameplay segments on the PS1. Pseudo-tank controls compounded some of the game’s backtracking issues and made it a slog at times. Well, the remake smooths those control issues over with the wonderful Gamecube control stick scheme and gameplay lifted from Metal Gear Solid 2. Twin Snakes also adds updated cutscenes, which serve to fill in transitions and add more comedy relief to the game. Best of all was the improved graphics to the jagged polygonal PS1 original. Metal Gear Solid has some of gaming’s most hardcore fans, so this remake didn’t satisfy all of them, but it certainly did go over well for most and helped pave the way forward for future entries in the series.

9. Yakuza Kiwami

Yakuza Kiwami is a faithful remake of the very first Yakuza, many systems and general story connectivity from Yakuza 0. Goro Majima is a recurring character in a quest chain that delighted and bewildered us in equal measure. And the inclusion of Yakuza 0’s pocket racer and many minigame don’t hurt the remake either. All in all, Yakuza Kiwami stands as the most quintessential remake in the series, making for a quirky but fantastic sequel to fan-favorite Yakuza 0.

8. Kingdom Hearts RE: Chain of Memories

Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories has long been the ugly duck of the popular series. The original Chain of Memories released on the Game Boy Advance, which just further distanced players from accepting it. But when the remake came out, it was suddenly accepted as a must-play (or watch) entry. Without hyperbole, RE: Chain of Memories supplies the best narrative of all the Kingdom Hearts games. The compelling mystery surrounding Castle Oblivion and the sinister Organization 13 get their HD treatment in this remake with full voice acting. If you want the true KH story experience, you owe it to yourself to play RE: Chain of Memories … or just watch the brilliant cutscenes.

7. Dead Space (2023)

The 2023 remake of the original Dead Space is without a doubt one of the most intense gaming experiences out there. The inclusion of enhanced DualSense rumble facilitates the ultra-detailed visuals to a scary degree. Most of you already know just how phenomenal the original Dead Space is, so imagine that but turned up several notches. I particularly appreciate the added nuance they added to Isaac Clarke and other characters’ personalities. There’s just the right amount of small additional details to fill in story gaps of the original without taking away its lean pacing and tension. Dead Space‘s remake is one of the best showcases of how modern hardware can enhance a masterpiece, and just how intense and visceral gaming in general can be.

6. Ratchet And Clank (2016)

Three years may not seem like a long time, but up until 2013, Insomniac was releasing a new Ratchet and Clank like clockwork every year. The three years of silence was broken with the first PS4 Ratchet and Clank title, and it was a remake of the very first entry to boot. 2016’s Ratchet and Clank remains the smoothest action-platformer game I’ve ever played. Sure, Rift Apart for PS5 featured next-gen tech with the new dimensional rift gun, but you just can’t beat the simplicity and excellent pacing of the remade original game. The planet of Rilgar is a highlight in the series I’ll never forget, not least of all due to the fun hoverboard minigame and pixelizer gun. Ratchet and Clank 2016 is my favorite game in the series due to its tight pacing and excellent recreation of the original’s unmatched level design.

5. Spyro Reignited Trilogy

It’s not cheating to have three games for one entry since that’s how Spyro Reignited is packaged, and what a sweet deal it is. The Spyro Reignited trilogy faithfully recreates the first three games in the Spyro series with fluid controls and completely redone graphics and physics. Each of the dragons is fully voiced and the music is completely redone while remaining faithful. Toys from Bob nailed the visual aesthetic with Spyro Reignited, giving the old PS1 series Pixar-level attention to detail. This is as faithful as remakes get, so don’t expect new or changed content here. That adherence to the original source is what makes this remake so special and deserving of a high spot on this list. Out of all the entries here, Spyro Reignited may just be the one hardest to find criticism for due to its straightforward 1-for-1 approach.

4. Black Mesa

Black Mesa is a remake of the original Half-Life, built within Half-Life 2’s engine. The well-optimized controls of the original weren’t bad to begin with, but they’re made even better with the polished Half-Life 2 tech. It’s more than just a graphical and controls overhaul though, many areas have been redesigned to feature a more balanced enemy and weapon layout. One of the biggest flaws of the original was the final area, Xen, which got completely redesigned into a very fun and well-paced level with Black Mesa. If you’re a Half-Life fan, or just a shooter fan in general, Black Mesa is a must-play for its adherence to the source material and dedication to fixing its flaws.

3. Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth

RPG fans rejoice, the decade-old promise of a fully fleshed and remade Final Fantasy 7 has been fulfilled. The developer has somehow managed to squeeze a blown-up HD version of the middle portion of Final Fantasy 7 into a single game. Iconic locales such as Costa Del Sol and the infamous Gold Saucer amusement park are blown up to a glorious HD scale without losing any of their original charm. It’s a faithful remake that expands on the story elements of the original in ways the PS1 couldn’t quite communicate. The acting, soundtrack, and deep battle system continue to blow me away 150 hours later.

2. Super Mario 64 DS

Super Mario 64 is one of those classics all gamers speak fondly about, yet hesitate to return to. Whether due to the rough N64 controls or the terrible camera system, the original has aged rather poorly. That’s where the Nintendo DS remake comes in. Controls are vastly improved and the camera is downright perfect for its 3D environs. Super Mario 64 DS was the first time me and many other fans experienced the awe of added content to a beloved classic. The remake added 30 new stars, totaling 150 for the full game. Super Mario 64 DS is the definitive way to play this classic; I just wish it was available on a modern platform so more could experience it.

1. Resident Evil 2 (2019)

Pretty much every modern remake owes something to 2019’s Resident Evil 2. The RE2 remake established a new benchmark of what it means to take an original game and polish it to modern specifications while expanding and adding to it. Characters such as William Birkin and Chief Irons receive substantial development compared to the original, and the narrative cohesively ties into the wider Resident Evil setting following the events of RE2. Obviously, the tank controls of the original had to go in favor of precise over-the-shoulder shooting. In addition to the rich expansions on the original content, the remake adds a 4^th Survival mode and dozens of unlockable secrets ranging from new playable characters to an unbreakable knife for future playthroughs. Resident Evil 2 shines as an example of how to remake a classic game, earning it the top spot for the second year in a row.

Note: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to, GamingBolt as an organization.

But somehow it defied expectations. And instead of being a single title, a one off, it spawned its own series. A massive series, Square Enix’s third major pillar. And as time went by, it grew its own rabid fanbase. And, in typical Square fashion, it began to lose sight of what it was that had made it so great to begin with, instead engaging in increasingly flashy cinematics and a story that no one could keep track off unless they followed online Wikis and played games available across at least six different platforms.

But there was a time when it was simple. Charming. Addictive. Deep. Fresh. Innocent. Incredible. This is the story of that time, revisited.

Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 ReMIX includes the original PS2 classic that kickstarted the franchise, the PlayStation 2 remake of the GameBoy Advance spin off that proved to be such an interesting diversion, as well as a semi interactive retelling of the story of Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days, which represented an important part in the increasingly more complicated series mythos. Unlike most HD collections, this one isn’t just a simple paint job- it’s a loving homage to the series, and a tribute to the fans.

"The bad camera system, for example (why they just did not use the camera from Kingdom Hearts 2, I don't know), or the simple fact that the battle system tends to lose steam and depth as the game nears its conclusion are problems still prevalent here."

Take, for instance, the first game. The version included in this package is not the same version that was released overseas, but instead, the much lauded ‘Final Mix,’ that we never got to see anywhere outside of Japan. The Final Mix is an enhanced version of the original game, just different enough to feel fresh (especially after all this time), but just familiar enough to feel like a welcome, faithful remake. It’s mostly very subtle changes, the kinds you’ll be familiar with only if you actually remember the original game all that well- but then, those are exactly the kind of people this will freshen things up for.

Of course, the problem with this being the old PS2 game is that it also inherits most of the PS2 version’s problems (which were also, it seems, in the Final Mix). The bad camera system, for example (why they just did not use the camera from Kingdom Hearts 2, I don’t know), or the simple fact that the battle system tends to lose steam and depth as the game nears its conclusion are problems still prevalent here. That has not changed, because the game is still largely the same, in spite of a few changes.

The changes, however, are only very minor, as mentioned above, and mostly they are very minor dialog variations, or an item having changed its placement, new weapons, or some enemies showing up where they didn’t use too. The actual gameplay remains untouched. For the series faithful, this is great, but after a decade’s worth of refinements to the formula, it’s a bit hard to go back to the first game’s relatively raw take on the Kingdom Hearts formula. Especially after last year’s Kingdom Hearts 3D moved the series’ trademark gameplay forward in such a fluid, free form direction.

"Kingdom Hearts Final Mix may be the best overall game in the package, but the most stunning improvement is Chain of Memories. The Gameboy Advance game had a card based battle system, one that many people professed to love, but one that I admittedly did not care much for."

What this means, however, is that the game is every bit as charming as you remember. Protagonist Sora and friends traverse through various Disney worlds and Disney themed worlds, meet a multitude of characters, battle a lot of enemies using a battle system that was a revelation for its time, and complete quests. They also engage in the simplest plotline in the series, back before Kingdom Hearts began to take itself seriously enough to where it was a detriment.

Kingdom Hearts Final Mix may be the best overall game in the package, but the most stunning improvement is Chain of Memories. The Gameboy Advance game had a card based battle system, one that many people professed to love, but one that I admittedly did not care much for. The PS2 version was similar; that all stays the same in this version (and if you liked it then, you will like it now; if you hated it then, this isn’t converting you). What does change, however, is the game’s graphics. The GBA game got a fresh coat of paint when it came to the PS2. Now, the paintjob had got another paintjob, and Chain of Memories, using what look like the same, touched up and redone assets used in Final Mix, has never looked better. Its story is sweetly simple too- contrived, yes, but it’s a JRPG- but very sweet, very simple.

The last major portion of this package is 358/2 Days, the DS game. That game is not available in this package (presumably because upscaling it to HD to make it look consistent with the other two would be more trouble than it’s worth). However, all the CG and cutscenes from that game that told the story are here, touched up and in full HD. It can take a while to get through, and honestly, all but the most ardent and attentive of fans will soon lose track of the story, but it’s still a worthwhile addition to the package.

"All three of these games, then, come together and create a love letter of sorts to series fans- the first chapter of the story retold lovingly, for the initiated and the newcomers."

All three of these games, then, come together and create a love letter of sorts to series fans- the first chapter of the story retold lovingly, for the initiated and the newcomers. It’s an almost shockingly respectful, and yet progressive, treatment of an old property, one that most modern companies, and certainly not Square Enix, rarely manage.

But they’ve done it this time, and the result is brilliant. It’s a revisiting of one of the most charming, unique, fresh experiences at the time of its release, with the lens of ten years’ worth of hindsight. Soon after Kingdom Hearts, the sequels and spin offs would muddle the series beyond belief. But this, this package is the story of a time when the series was simple. Charming. Addictive. Deep. Fresh. Innocent. Incredible. This is the story that time, revisited.

This game was reviewed on the PlayStation 3.

Square Enix’s remastering (although this being one of the more ambitious remastering efforts actually puts it closer to a re-imagining than anything else) of the first chapter of the Kingdom Hearts franchise- this includes the classic PlayStation 2 title that kicked the franchise off, along with Kingdom Hearts Re: Chain of Memories (the PS2 port of the Gameboy Advance entry in the series), and other extensive special material, including all the movies from 358/2 Days (the Nintendo DS entry in the saga), artwork, and soundtrack, that effectively recapitulates the entire first part of the story so far, hits the PlayStation 3 today. What you see above is the launch trailer.

Did any of you ever play the original game? Because that trailer tugs at the heartstrings like almost nothing else can. It almost makes the wait for Kingdom Hearts 3 that much more unbearable.

Say what you will about Square Enix, but man, between this and their upcoming Final Fantasy X|X-2 remasters, they seem to do their classic titles justice.

Stay tuned to GamingBolt, because our full review of the remastered classic goes live in a few hours.