Which Classic Video Games Deserve A Remake?
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A while back, a leaker reported a Kingdom Hearts 1 remake. That leak turned out to be entirely false as the game has already been remade with its Final Mix version and is currently available on all modern hardware, including Steam. The original Kingdom Hearts may not need a remake, but there are some classic games that would be much better served with one.
'Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days'
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The game includes fighting the heartless, but instead of going to a world and exploring it all in one go, the game is divided into missions. Some missions are simply to defeat the heartless, but there are other reconnaissance missions where you tail certain characters. In prepping for these missions, you can talk to other Organization XIII members in the castle and equip the proper weaponry and spells. Some members even join you on missions.
This game also marks the first time Kingdom Hearts went multiplayer with its Mission Mode. All members of the organization, along with Sora, Donald, Goofy, and Mickey, are fully playable in this mode. Updating this game to modern hardware would give fans the chance to explore the worlds together outside of a rhythm game.
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'The Legend Of Zelda Oracle Of Seasons/Ages'
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An overlooked and underrated pair of Zelda games for the Game Boy Color made their way to virtual console shops, but never received a full remake, unlike every other game in the franchise. The games saw Link explore lands outside of Hyrule using tools like the Rod of Seasons to navigate Holodrum and the Harp of Ages to explore Labyrnna in two eras. The game was immediately meant to be three linked games, each focusing on an aspect of the Triforce. Thus, Din guides Link in Holodrum, and Nayru guides him in Labrynna. Farore was reduced to a code-input device with the cancellation of the third game. Players would give her codes obtained from the other game to receive special items.
This game could be ported to modern consoles and keep the same graphics. Actually adding one more button to map items to would be a huge quality-of-life improvement, since the biggest issue with the game is the amount of time spent in the pause menu. If Nintendo was ever inspired to bring this story to the present, they could even complete the trilogy and sell it as a bundle. The games feature some of the most clever puzzles in the entirety of Zelda lore, and marks the only time Mario characters appear in a Zelda game. This could be a great return to form for the series.
'Earthbound (Mother 2)'
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A classic SNES game, Earthbound, known as Mother 2 in Japan, is a classic RPG that follows the story of Ness, that mysterious psychic kid that’s been a staple of every Super Smash Bros. game. Ness explores various towns, recruits friends, and develops his psychic abilities. As far as gameplay, nothing stands out from other RPGS except a certain choice at the very end of the game that won’t be spoiled here. Instead, what shines is the game’s heart, humor, and characterization.
In Japan, this game is the second of a trilogy. Earthbound Beginnings and Earthbound both made their way to the United States via the Virtual Console, but Mother 3 is still lacking an English remake. Lucas is the protagonist of Mother 3, and despite being in every Smash game after the original, fans cannot experience his story outside of Japan. This is another example of a trilogy that could be ported and translated to be played on modern consoles. The promise of Mother 3 would be more than enough to sell plenty of copies.
'Banjo-Kazooie'
Image Source: The Game Fanatics
This game features another pair of characters that eventually found their way to the Smash Bros. roster. Banjo-Kazooie is a light-hearted platformer with voice acting. The game features 11 worlds in total, with plenty of collectibles in each world. The worlds can be fully explored without having to backtrack, making it an early adopter of the open-world concept. The player controls both Banjo the Bear and Kazooie the Bird, using both their skills to navigate and platform their way to Gruntilda’s layer.
While the game was ported to modern consoles, it never received a true remake. A fresh coat of paint and some quality-of-life upgrades, like fixing the camera controls, could breathe new life into this classic. Like the previous example, this game has built in advertising with the pair’s presence in Super Smash Bros.
'Chrono Trigger'
Image Source: Rock Paper Shotgun
Chrono Trigger often makes its way onto lists highlighting the best classic video games. The game has been ported to more modern consoles, but still lacks a remake. Interestingly, its lesser-known sequel Chrono Cross, was remastered just four years ago. Chrono Trigger is the epitome of time travel RPGS and features some of the first action-RPG elements rather than relying on turn-based combat. It features multiple eras to explore and shines in its use of its characters. It even includes a backstage nod where Chrono met the game developers.
If any game deserves a remake, this one would be it. The reason it hasn’t been remastered is there’s not a whole lot to fix. Developers could increase travel speed or update the graphics, but the 2D graphics are rather charming as they are. Square Enix announced a new game The Adventures of Elliott: The Millennium Tales that uses the 2D sprites but renders them in a 3D-2D background. Something like this could be used to give Chrono Trigger a fresh coat of paint and bring the classic game to a new generation. Given the similarities between both games, Square Enix could include a save bonus to encourage gamers to play through both games.
Any one of these remakes would have the potential to not only sell well but may even lead to more sales of modern consoles. The gaming industry has come a long way since some of these games were released, but sometimes the best way to move forward is to return to the classics. Every game on this list evokes the feelings of exploration and humor, and showcases strong characters that players won’t soon forget.
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Source(s): Zelda Wiki, Earthbound Wiki, Banjo-Kazooie Wiki
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