Resident Evil (2002)

The original Resident Evil was a groundbreaking title, mixing together survival and horror in a way that was never seen before. The PlayStation version was a product of its time, and the developer remastered it for the GameCube generation with a significant overhaul to its visuals and several quality-of-life changes. The fixed camera angles meant better pre-baked reflections and textures, making the visuals a step above what was possible with a free camera.

Jak and Daxter trilogy

To break away from the linear storytelling in prior triumvirate Crash Bandicoot, Naughty Dog developed a new graphics engine capable of rendering seamlessly connected open environments rife for joyful exploration for their Jak and Daxter trilogy. Ostensibly a third-person action platformer, the series also featured excellent combat and movement mechanics underpinned by the Eco system – a substance that can dramatically enhance player abilities; move sets which became increasingly complex and satisfying as the trilogy progressed.

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.

The Bouncer – a weapon that fires several bouncing and ricocheting ball-shaped bombs at enemies – was available in the PS4 title at launch in very limited capacity, being accessible only to those who pre-ordered the game. After eight years, however, Insomniac has finally made the weapon available to all players for free- you can claim it now via the PlayStation Store.

“Bounce back to Ratchet and Clank (2016) for its 8th anniversary,” Insomniac Games wrote on Twitter. “To celebrate, the Bouncer is now available to download at no additional cost.”

The fan-favourite weapon made its first appearance in 2003’s Ratchet and Clank: Going Commando, following which it has shown up in several subsequent instalments, including 2021’s Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart.

In 2021, Insomniac Games released an update for Ratchet and Clank (2016) that allowed the action-platformer to be played on PS5 at 60 FPS.

Leaks have claimed that Insomniac has another Ratchet and Clank game in the works, with the studio targeting a 2029 launch.

https://twitter.com/insomniacgames/status/1778801887086870785

As shared by a user on ResetEra, a slide from a leaked internal presentation confirms that Insomniac has a new Ratchet and Clank game in development, and is targeting a launch sometime in 2029. Excerpts of the game’s screenplay and an internal design document have also leaked online, revealing further details.

According to the latter, the game will see the titular Ratchet and Clank returning to the limelight, with Rivet and Kit – who were introduced in 2021’s Rift Apart – coming back as well. The four will seemingly embark on a combined quest, and the game, as per the leak, will feature co-op elements, greater emphasis on spaceship customization, space exploration, and a new villain.

Meanwhile, the leak also reveals that Insomniac plans on releasing a new IP after 2030.

Fall Guys leaker KrxnkyFG, who has leaked previous season contents in the past, has given us an early look at the latest season collaborations. The big news for many will be a lot of Sony-themed costumes are here with Ratchet and Clank, Astro Bot as well as Sackboy from the LittleBigPlanet series. It also seems there will be costumes taken from Kena: Bridge of Spirits and Spelunky. While that’s the biggest skins from the gaming world, there is more, including something from Disney’s The Jungle Book. There’s also plenty of non-property cosmetics, all sharing a summer theme. You can check them all out in the video below. As always with leaks and datamining, it goes under rumors until something official is announced, but there’s little reason to believe this isn’t legitimate.

Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout is available now on PlayStation 4 and PC. The game is set to eventually come to Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One and Switch, but was delayed with no timeframe currently being targeted.

Insomniac Games announced recently that the PS4’s Ratchet and Clank remake, which launched in 2016, would be getting a new update in April that would make it playable at 60 frames per second on the PS5. Well, surprise- the update has gone live a little earlier than it was supposed to.

Insomniac confirmed recently via their official Twitter page that the 60 FPS update for Ratchet and Clank on PS5 is live now. The 2016 action platformer might not be everyone’s cup of tea, owing to its relatively limited arsenal of new weapons and gadgets, and its tie-ins with the Ratchet movie, but it’s a solid game in its own right, so if you have a hankering for some Ratchet and Clank, this seems like the thing to do. The game is currently also available for free until the end of the day as part of the Play at Home campaign.

Meanwhile, the next game in the series, Ratchet and Clank: RIft Apart will be releasing exclusively for the PS5 on June 11.

Surprise! The update is now live. Get blasting, Rangers! #RatchetPS4 https://t.co/WfdLHYLwTi

— Insomniac Games (@insomniacgames) March 30, 2021

While the wait continues for Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart, fans of the 2016 reboot will have something to look forward. Insomniac Games has announced on Twitter that Ratchet and Clank on PS4 will receive a free update for PS5 in April. This will allow it to run at 60 frames per second on Sony’s new console.

Those who have never played the game are also in luck. It’s currently free on the PlayStation Store until March 31st as part of the “Play at Home” initiative. Other titles that are available free include Subnautica, ABZU, Enter the Gungeon, Rez Infinite, Paper Beast and more.

For more details on Ratchet and Clank (2016), check out our review here. As for Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart, it’s releasing on June 11th for PS5 and will feature options for 4K/30 FPS and 60 FPS at a lower resolution. The story sees Ratchet and Clank working to stop a dimensional collapse and evil emperor from threatening all of reality. Stay tuned for more details in the coming months.

Ratchet & Clank (2016) will be playable in 60 FPS on PS5 after a new update in April! As part of the Play at Home campaign, download the game for free now through 3/31. #RatchetPS4https://t.co/Iw6CMNByFU pic.twitter.com/VEFiW3IMWK

— Insomniac Games (@insomniacgames) March 29, 2021

Sony president and CEO Jim Ryan has announced that the “Play at Home” initiative will be returning. The initiative was introduced last year and saw titles like Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection and Journey made free for a limited time. This year, it will be available from March through June.

Insomniac Games’ Ratchet and Clank will be free to download starting no March 1st at 8 PM PST and available until March 31st, 8 PM PDT. All players can redeem the title from the PlayStation Store and keep it forever. As a reboot of sorts for the 3D action platformer, it provides some really great looking visuals and level design – check out our review here for more details.

Ryan noted that this was “just the beginning” of what the initiative had in store and that more details on free games and other entertainment offers would be provided in the coming weeks. In the meantime, Sony also has a new State of Play presentation airing tomorrow at 2 PM PT. It will offer new details on upcoming PS4 and PS5 titles so stay tuned.

Bloodborne

It’s been almost six years since the game originally launched but the demand for an official 60 FPS mode in Bloodborne remains strong. 4K resolution support would also be great but it’s the higher frame rate, that too running consistently to combat the frame-pacing issues, that remains unfulfilled. Make it happen Sony. Whether it’s in the rumored PC version or on PS5, just…make it happen already.