Remakes have become increasingly popular over the last decade, but at this point there are so many classic games that it is impossible for them all to get a remake. It seems that with every remake released the outcry over certain titles being neglected grows louder. A lot of games on this list are from the late 1990s. This was a time when 3D games were new and developers were still trying to figure out how to properly make them. Many of these titles are over twenty years old and have very vocal and loyal fan bases who have been demanding a remake since the early days of the PS3 and Xbox360. Here are ten great games of the past that will hopefully get a remake in 2020.
10 Shenmue
Few game franchises seem to have as loyal a fan base as the Shenmue series. For those that have never played this game, Shenmue is an open world game set in Japan that focuses a lot on exploration and adventure. There was a Shenmue HD remake released years ago, but this was not a true remake as most of the assets from the original were reused.
The result certainly looked better, but at the same time it didn’t really feel like much effort went into this remake. Sega had announced it was thinking of a full remake, but then cancelled this project in 2018. Hopefully they will decide to reverse course and give fans the remake they have been demanding for well over a decade.
9 Grand Theft Auto: Vice City
Although Grand Theft Auto III really began the rebirth of the series and brought it into the realm of 3D games, it was Vice City that made the series the sales juggernaut it is today. In 2010 Rockstar released an updated version of Vice City, but for mobile platforms (and it was not well received). We all know that Rockstar is working on Grand Theft Auto VI, and that it is going to be set in Vice City. It’s probably too much to hope that Rockstar will use the updated assets and game engine for GTA VI to give fans a true remake of Vice City.
8 Ape Escape
Younger gamers have probably never heard of Ape Escape, or only know about it from the game’s protagonist being in PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale for the PS3. This was the first game to use the new (at the time) dual shock controller for the PlayStation. Ape Escape is considered by many to be the best action/platformer released for the PS1, and currently has a Metacritic score of 90. This game is now over twenty years old and has only been remade once – for the Sony PSP. The PSP version was not well received by fans and critics though.
7 Jumping Flash
With the ever increasing popularity of VR headsets many game publishers are looking for a game that will define the accessory, and become synonymous with quality VR games. If any retro game deserves a remake for use with VR headsets it is Jumping Flash. If updated with a new game engine like Unreal or Unity this could be one of the most thrilling of VR experiences. The game was released for the PlayStation in 1995, and is credited as being the first true 3D platformer, but it is actually based on a similar game called Geograph Seal for the Sharp X68000 system.
6 Jet Force Gemini
Jet Force Gemini was one of the best games released for the Nintendo 64 console. It was made by Rare, who was one of the best game developers of the 1990’s and responsible for classics such as GoldenEye 007 and Donkey Kong Country. Jet Force Gemini is a 3D third-person action/shooter with so many added extras that it was more like two games in one (it also had a racing mini-game).
The game had three main characters that the player could choose from, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. Jet Force Gemini also featured very robust multiplayer options; which included four-player local deathmatches and a two player co-op mode.
5 Dino Crisis
Dino Crisis was released for the PlayStation in 1999, and has since been labeled as a “hidden gem” and “forgotten classic”. The game is basically Resident Evil meets Jurassic Park. The A.I. governing the dinosaurs’ behavior was praised at the time, and their animation was carefully modeled on present day reptiles. The game suffered from the blocky polygons, low-res textures, and (worst of all) tank controls. Using a modern game engine, and the standard third-person controller layout of modern games, this could be a flagship franchise for Capcom going into the 9th console generation. There have been some fan-created remakes of Dino Crisis, but an official remake from Capcom is long overdue.
4 Tenchu: Stealth Assassins
Tenchu is a 3D action/stealth game similar to Metal Gear Solid, but set in 16th century Japan. This game also had a fairly high difficulty level that is similar to games like Dark Souls. The game was critically acclaimed at the time for its enemy A.I. and stealth mechanics.
The rights to the franchise has changed hands a few times; first from Sony to Acclaim, and then from Acclaim to FromSoftware in 2004. As popular as action/stealth games have become it is surprising that this franchise has not been given a remake. Until then, gamers will have to tide themselves over with games like Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice.
3 Planescape: Torment
Planescape: Torment is a game set in the outer planes of the Dungeons & Dragons universe. This game used a modified version of the game engine used for the Baldur’s Gate and Icewind Dale series, and was a contemporary of those two classic franchises. With the upcoming release of Baldur’s Gate 3, many gamers have been wondering when Planescape: Torment would get some attention. This game was critically acclaimed back when it was released, and has a Metacritic score of 91. Until we get a remake, there is always the Planscape: Torment Enhanced Edition from Beamdog.
2 Mega Man Legends
The Mega Man games were always 2D side scrolling platformers; that is until the release of Mega Man Legends for the PlayStation in 1998. This first attempt at a 3D Mega Man game received mixed reviews; with most of the complaints being leveled at the use of tank controls. As with Dino Crisis, updated graphics and modern controllers featuring dual analog sticks for movement would greatly improve this game. The first Mega Man Legends game is notable for introducing Tron Bonne and her Servbots into the Mega Man universe. This game included game mechanics that were uncommon at the time, but are now quite common – like the ability to grab onto ledges and a player controlled camera view.
1 Final Fantasy VI (Final Fantasy III in North America)
The imminent release of the Final Fantasy VII remake in March has a lot of gamers wondering when we might get a Final Fantasy VI remake. Final Fantasy VI, titled Final Fantasy III in North America, was a ground-breaking title for the Super Nintendo. In fact, many consider this the best game released for the system. The characters and story are among the most memorable in the Final Fantasy franchise, and the word “perfect” is often used in descriptions of this legendary title. It would be great to see this game remade into a 3D title; however, a game as beloved as Final Fantasy VI should be changed as little as possible for a remake.