I’m Sick of the Remake Culture
Over the last few years, remasters, ports, and remakes have dominated the gaming industry’s release schedule. While some remakes successfully improve on the originals and certain remasters help preserve classics by making them more accessible, others feel like quick cash grabs and a waste of development resources. So join me as I explore the problems with gaming’s remake culture.
Nostalgia is a powerful tool in the gaming industry. The ability to revisit a beloved game on modern hardware appeals to a wide audience. Developers like Capcom have effectively leveraged this sentiment to deliver definitive versions of groundbreaking titles. For example, the Resident Evil 2 remake modernizes the classic by shifting the perspective, while still retaining the spirit of the original. Other developers have also managed to recapture the essence of iconic games, allowing modern audiences to experience titles that once soared. When done right, nostalgia can enhance the experience for returning players while introducing the game to new audiences. However, when mishandled, it can fail to meet expectations and fall short of resonating with either group.
A Way to Play a Classic
Some remakes and remasters are necessary because the original version may be tied to an outdated console, making it difficult for players to experience. This is the case with Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door. Originally released in 2004, the game is considered the pinnacle of Mario’s RPG adventures. However, since it was released on the GameCube, it’s not easy to play unless you happen to have one gathering dust in your attic. As a result, many were ecstatic when a remake was released in 2024, offering a chance for many to experience the game for the first time. This is entirely understandable, as it addresses consumer demand by delivering an essential title 20 years after its initial release. Remastering Days Gone, however, does not.
PlayStation has consistently produced some of the best story-driven adventures over the last 20 years, and gamers understand and appreciate this. We also understand that their output has slowed as a result. What’s frustrating, however, is the release of needless remasters of titles that still look great. Days Gone, released in 2019, doesn’t need a remaster. The same goes for Horizon Zero Dawn and The Last of Us Part II. While I understand that there might not be much in the pipeline, releasing these remasters is only fueling negativity toward the Japanese giant.
Lacking Ideas
Nintendo isn’t off the hook either. I get that the Wii U failed, but pretty much every game from that console has made its way to the Switch! Some of these even run worse on their latest machine, and that’s unforgivable. However, the worst practice by far was the debacle with Super Mario 3D All-Stars. Designed to celebrate the legacy of the mustachioed plumber, it included Mario 64, Sunshine, and Galaxy, arguably the best 3D platformers in the industry. A limited-time release tainted what should have been a truly special product by artificially increasing demand and creating scarcity, which caused the price to skyrocket.
Let’s be honest, some of the remasters feel more like a cash grab. Take Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – Definitive Edition. Although they added some new aspects, they executed everything so poorly that it broke parts of the game. This led to the title receiving countless updates in order to bring it in line with the original. While re-releases should be a way of preserving classic titles, too many ruin their legacy with lazy ports just to earn a quick buck.
Time For A Risk?
So why are developers rehashing old games instead of making new ones? Games cost a lot more to make, and many companies seem worried about taking a risk. Due to this, we are seeing more remasters and remakes than ever before which is frustrating gamers. While preservation is important, surely there’s a better way than this current model.
Although breathing new life into classic games, like Bloober Team did with Silent Hill 2, is a wonderful way to experience titles you may have missed, such instances are few and far between. Most remakes and remasters feel unnecessary and exploitative. Instead of paying the $10 upgrade or budget price for these, is it time to ignore them and demand more original experiences?
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