5 Legendary Games That Deserve a Modern Makeover Right Now

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More and more, the gaming world is witnessing refreshed versions, reboots, and innovative takes on numerous games. Initially, it was the usual suspects – Nintendo resurfacing an old Zelda game, similar to Disney unveiling movies from its collection, or _The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim_ being adapted for another modern platform, or even _The Last of Us_ receiving another remaster, despite looking stunningly beautiful across different systems. Nintendo is particularly adept at capitalizing on nostalgia, and other brands have followed suit. Recently, we’ve seen classic games such as _Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater, Final Fantasy VII_, _Diablo 2: Resurrected_, and many others returning to the scene.

One might hold a skeptical opinion that remasters and revivals are merely money-making strategies to resurrect old intellectual properties. Yet, it’s worth noting these updates can offer valuable insights into whether there remains interest in an established brand. Moreover, the pleasure of revisiting cherished memories from the past should not be dismissed lightly. Additionally, such updates may attract newcomers to a series or cater to gamers who wish to experience titles that have not aged gracefully with time. Here’s a list of games we hope will receive an updated revival someday.

1) Chrono Trigger

Square Enix truly outdid themselves by updating the classic game, Final Fantasy VII, first released in 1997, and bringing it to current platforms with breathtaking graphics, all while preserving the original gameplay. Similarly, another Square Enix gem, Chrono Trigger, could greatly benefit from such an overhaul.

In certain aspects, the game “Chrono Trigger,” launched in 1995, was revolutionary for its time. This role-playing game features time travel and the consequences of your actions throughout different eras shaping the storyline. The choices you make can echo across various timelines, such as successfully saving the mother of one of your teammates. These decisions and actions in the gameplay contribute to as many as twelve distinct endings. Although there’s a PC version of “Chrono Trigger” with improved pixel graphics, a remake on the scale of “Final Fantasy VII Remake” is not yet being considered, despite it being something that would be highly appreciated by fans.

2) God of War Trilogy

You may have thought that God of War 3 had already received an upgrade. That’s correct for the remaster you’re referring to, but let me clarify that God of War isn’t just a single game; it’s an ongoing narrative that spans from the original God of War in 2005 up until the latest release, God of War Ragnarok.

In the game Ragnarok, Kratos and Atreus frequently engage in discussions about the fate of the Greek gods, serving as a witty way to bring players up-to-speed or refresh their memory on events from earlier games that have been out for years or even decades. However, for those eager to explore Kratos’ origins, the game may not meet the high visual standards expected in more recent titles. Although whispers of a God of War: Greek Saga circulate, no official announcements regarding this have been made by Sony as of yet.

3) Need for Speed Underground 2

As a die-hard racing enthusiast, I’d say that among the plethora of car racing games back then, Need for Speed: Underground 2 stood out distinctly. It was like having a Grand Theft Auto-style open city to roam and race in, offering a variety of competitions such as drift races, drag races, sprint races, and the conventional circuit races. What made it even more appealing was its release timing, coinciding with the surge in popularity of the first few Fast & Furious films. Just like those movies, you could personalize your vehicles in Need for Speed: Underground 2 with unconventional modifications such as underglow, NOS, hydraulics, and other non-street legal additions.

A fan-created update, or remaster, for the game “Need for Speed: Underground 2” is being worked on using Unreal Engine 5. This fan creation can be tried out and played now, but Electronic Arts has not yet officially announced a complete, polished reissue of this beloved racing game.

4) Knights of the Old Republic I and II

Approximately three years ago, a significant hint about a remake of one of the most remarkable Star Wars RPGs ever made – Knights of the Old Republic – was released. Since then, there has been mostly vague assurance that the Knights of the Old Republic remake is ongoing. However, speculation persists that the project may be scrapped, despite Saber Interactive’s assertions to the contrary.

The “Knights of the Old Republic I” and “II” provided an immersive Role-Playing Game (RPG) experience, blending real-time and turn-based gameplay mechanics, to vividly portray the Star Wars universe in a way never before experienced in gaming. You could decide whether your character would align with the light or dark side, and the scale was unparalleled compared to other Star Wars games. More recent Star Wars titles tend to explore just a piece of what the “Knights of the Old Republic” series offered.

5) Half-Life

If you’re yearning for a modernized version of a 25-year-old game and have patiently waited 20 years for its sequel, then perhaps you’re reminiscing about the iconic First-Person Shooter, Half-Life. In recent times, apart from the VR game Half-Life: Alyx, Valve has not made significant updates to this classic title.

In light of recent leaks indicating that Half-Life 3 is in development, it raises a question for those unfamiliar with the series or too young to have experienced it: Will there be a contemporary remake of the original Half-Life? Although a 25th anniversary update was released for Half-Life, a fresh take on this classic game featuring updated graphics and quality has yet to materialize for most players outside of the fan-made Black Mesa. If Half-Life 3 indeed becomes a reality, it’s hoped that an upgrade of the original Half-Life will be part of its release strategy to captivate new audiences.

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2025-05-15 00:10