10 Classic Games Way Overdue for an HD Remake This Year

The gaming world is brimming with epic heroes and heroines desperately in need of a new coat of paint and a chance to impress a new generation of gamers. From timeless classics to forgotten gems, there is no shortage of material out there and developers have taken notice.

With even Final Fantasy VII getting a remake, the dream of seeing your old friends in a new light lives on. So without further ado, let’s check out ten remastered games that fans would love to see announced this year.

Crash Bandicoot

Bringing the best elements of both the Sonic the Hedgehog and Super Mario 64, one of Naughty Dog’s greatest series sits patiently on the sidelines awaiting its glorious revival. Gamers long to return to the Wumpa Islands to reunite with their favorite jean-clad Bandicoot, Crash, to give Dr. Cortex a beating he won’t soon forget.

To see this Playstation legend in full HD would be a sight to behold. With a plethora of games spanning different genres to remaster, there’s no excuse not to bring this beloved mascot back. Today, the platforming world is dominated by Nintendo’s mustachioed plumber; the time is right for Sony to bring back their best man… err Bandicoot.

Spyro the Dragon

The purple dragon may have gotten a reboot within the last decade, but it only left many fans hungrier for a chance to retread the familiar territory of the original trilogy. The games looked great back in their day, but to see the dragon charge, fly and jump around the classic environments in 1080p would be a treat. Throw in some richer scenery, deeper puzzles and enhanced combat and you’ve got a whole new generation of gamers eager for more Spyro.

Syphon Filter

Gabriel can stand squarely next to Sam Fisher in the world of tactical third-person shooters. The series that almost never was, Syphon Filter, was about skillfully navigating top secret missions and solving puzzles. Predating most of today’s genre giants, this series was met with great success and spawned a loyal fanbase who stuck with Gabriel through his early days and into his quiet retirement. We think it would be pretty great to relive the glory days on Sony’s latest home console.

System Shock 2

Before there was Bioshock, there was System Shock. Blending the best of first-person shooters, role-playing and the survival horror genre, this 90’s cyberpunk classic is poised for an upgrade. With a narrative that deals with AI and cyber augmentation, gamers worldwide need a second chance to take on SHODAN learn the lessons on offer in this timeless original. If you can’t wait for an updated edition, the game is readily available for digital purchase on Steam and GOG.

Onimusha

This action-adventure hit set in feudal Japan set record sales on the PlayStation 2 back in 2001, and for good reason. With beautiful environments and inspiration from the Resident Evil games, this series ushered many into the golden age that was the Playstation 2’s lifespan. It had it all – great combat, an interesting story to follow, and even weapon upgrades to work towards. With the right team behind a remastered edition, Onimusha can make a killer comeback. 

MediEvil

You are Sir Daniel Fortesque and you have a mission: to stop the wicked sorcerer Zarok and save Gallowmere. Also, you’re dead. Oh, and you already stopped Zarok one hundred years ago and saved the kingdom, he’s just come back to try again.

Rich with humor and exciting gameplay, MediEvil is an absolute classic, featuring a wide array of weapons and bosses to challenge. It may be available for purchase on the Playstation Store, but it’s about time Sir Daniel got the royal treatment he deserved with a fully remastered vision of his whimsical tales. It wouldn’t hurt to bring the gameplay up to modern standards alongside that aesthetic update either.

Sonic The Hedgehog

Sega’s mascot really gave Mario a run for his money back in the day. Sonic’s games were loved for their sense of speed and control, their sweet tunes, and awesome level design. Unfortunately, the series has been in a steady decline for over a decade now, with each new game disappointing fans further and further. It’s time Sega went back to the beginning and rebuilt the franchise from the solid foundations it was once founded upon. The original recipe doesn’t need much tinkering at all, just a new coat of paint. Seriously, there’s no need for any new gimmicks or tweaks. Sonic games were at their finest when they adhered to their most basic principles: speed and fun.

Eternal Darkness: Sanity’s Requiem

With a gritty vibe reminiscent of Resident Evil and puzzle-focused gameplay, Eternal Darkness: Sanity’s Requiem offered a great change of pace to Gamecube owners from the myriad of family friendly games which populated Nintendo’s catalog. Gamers are once again ready to chase after the mysterious essences and artifacts strewn throughout this world and uncover their secrets. With a compelling narrative and a strong aesthetic tone, there’s little to do here but polish it all up and hand over the remastered product to the masses for their enjoyment.

Crazy Taxi

Who among us would not kill for another chance to get behind the wheel of their favorite yellow cab and take customers for a ride they’ll never forget. This zany arcade staple rewarded players for getting their passengers to their destination while doing their best to give them a heart attack. For some reason, the more erratic your driving, the more money you earned from each fare. It’s time for a new batch of gamers to experience the joys of cutting through parking lots and crazy jumps in bigger, more fleshed out cities as they compete to see who is the craziest of them all.

Shenmue

One has to wonder just how much modern day open world action games owe to this title. This game was nothing short of revolution back in its day, featuring a persistent world like none before it.

The whole world ran on its own clock, with shops operating on their hours, buses running on their own schedules, and characters with routines and daily chores. It pushed graphical quality to its late 90s limits with the help of the Sega Dreamcast. Some fans aren’t even willing to wait for Sega to polish off this legend and have taken to doing the job themselves.

What games would you like to see remastered? Or do you think remastered games aren’t all that exciting? Share your opinions in the comments below.

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This post was originally authored by Ahmed Khattab.