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Top 10 retro game remasters

Top 10 retro game remasters
Alex LaFreniere

Alex LaFreniere

  • Updated:

Ever find yourself wishing you could rewind time and go back to the days of the PlayStation One, Xbox, or N64? Don’t worry; you don’t have to dust off your old console to play some of gaming’s most enduring classics. Whether you want to relive your glory days or play a classic title that you never got the chance to, these are 10 of the best remastered titles of yesteryear that you can play right now on your PS4, PC, or Xbox One.

Top 10 retro game remasters

10. Soul Calibur II HD

soul calibur ii remaster
Image courtesy Namco Bandai

Soul Calibur is one of the most enduring fighting game franchises, noted for allowing players to enter the arena as both original characters and some of media’s most noted fighters, from Darth Vader to Geralt of Rivia. Soul Calibur II was one of the first and most popular titles in the series. This Xbox One remaster breathes new life into the classic, and is perhaps most notable for the addition of online play. Now you’ll be able to experience the classic with players from all over the world as you fight for dominance in revamped versions of classic arenas.

9. The Sly Collection

the sly collection hd
Image courtesy Sucker Punch Productions

Sly Cooper is one cunning, devious racoon. A master thief hailing from a long line of rogues spanning the generations, Sly uses his family teachings to pull off daring heists and other capers in colorful locales that span the globe. You’ll use stealth and special abilities to rob museums and take down over-the-top villains with your gang. The Sly Cooper trilogy blends together creative platforming, memorable characters, and a unique comic-book graphical style that makes this series just as good as when it first came out on the PlayStation 2. You can play it now on your PS4 via PSNow.

8. WipEout Omega Collection

wipeout omega collection
Image courtesy EPOS Game Studios

Back in the days of the PlayStation One and Sega Saturn, WipEout was noted for its incredible graphics. Those graphics have received an upgrade for the PS4 and PS4 Pro, allowing players to take in the richly detailed textures and sleek ships in a new way. The collection includes WipEout HD, WipEout HD Fury, and WipEout 2048, as well as some new content and a new ship exclusive to the Omega Collection. The game should also be noted for its soundtrack, which includes an awesome selection of EDM and Trance tracks from the likes of The Chemical Brothers and Kraftwerk.

7. Mega Man Legacy Collection

megaman legacy collection hd
Image courtesy Capcom
Mega Man Legacy Collection DOWNLOAD NOW ►
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The Legacy Collection is a must-have for any Mega Man die-hard. Available for every current generation console including PC and the Nintendo Switch, The Legacy Collection includes all 10 original Mega Man adventures. Despite being a 2D sidescroller, the games don’t feel dated, and are still just as entertaining and challenging as when they first came out. The combat is still just as fast-paced and the bosses are still just as tough, and true Mega Man fans will love the inclusion of the nostalgia-inducing Museum mode.

6. Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster

final fantasy x hd
Image courtesy Square Enix
Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster DOWNLOAD NOW ►
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If you were a fan of Final Fantasy, you’ll doubtless remember Final Fantasy X. Blending a deep, rich story with solid combat and gorgeous graphics for the era, those graphics have been updated to create a game that truly withstands the test of time. Pick up this remaster for the PS4 to relive those hours and hours spent in the original. On the other hand, if you’re new to the series, this stunning remaster is the perfect title to jump in with. It’s a true classic and the perfect example of everything that has made Final Fantasy such a lasting franchise.

5. Halo: The Master Chief Collection

halo master chief collection hd
Image courtesy 343 Industries

The Halo series defined a generation of gaming. A flagship title for the Xbox when it first hit the gaming scene, Halo introduced players to Master Chief and a world of sci-fi combat. The series is perhaps most noted for its enduring multiplayer modes and plethora of fan-made content and machinima. This collection includes all of Master Chief’s games, so whether you’re fighting off alien invaders in the campaign or gathering around the TV for some split-screen multiplayer with friends, this remastered collection is a must-have for any Xbox One owner.

4. Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy

crash bandicoot n sane trilogy hd
Image courtesy Naughty Dog
Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy DOWNLOAD NOW ►
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Back in the days of the PS One, long before Jak and Daxter and Nathan Drake, Naughty Dog had Crash Bandicoot. This is a total overhaul of the classic Crash trilogy. Fans of other Naughty Dog games will notice familiar platforming mechanics and explore colorful worlds as they collect Wumpa Fruit and fight to take down the unhinged bad guys that populate Crash’s universe. Seeing the trilogy brought to life with current-gen graphics is sure to be a nostalgia trip for any Crash fan.

3. Shadow of the Colossus PS4 Edition

shadow of the colossus hd remaster
Image courtesy Team Ico

When Shadow of the Colossus was first released, it was hailed as one of the most gorgeous games on the PS2. Now, it’s been rebuilt from the ground up for the PS4, and is just as gorgeous as ever. You’ll traverse sprawling, epic vistas and fight gigantic bosses in a quest to bring your true love back to life. While the visuals are truly noteworthy, the gameplay is a unique blend of puzzle solving and combat that makes each fight as much of a mental challenge as it is a physical one. This remake truly recaptures the feeling of playing the original back when it was initially released.

2. Spyro Reignited Trilogy

spyro reignited trilogy
Image courtesy Activision

Like Crash, Spyro the Dragon is also getting a total overhaul for current console generations. It’s a hotly anticipated title that will take players back to the world of Spyro, and includes not one, but three Spyro games. It’s full of caring details that are sure to please old fans: the original voice actors are reprising their roles and rerecording their lines for the new title, and players will have the option to choose between the original soundtracks and new music written by the game’s original composer. Though it did suffer delays, the game is out on PS4 and Xbox One now.

1. Resident Evil 2

resident evil 2 remake
Image courtesy Capcom

One of the most anticipated games of the coming year, Resident Evil 2 is a complete rebuild of the classic PlayStation survival horror game. You’ll return to Racoon City and visit terrifying locations rebuilt with gorgeous current generation graphics, experience a revamped story, and revisit the cast of unique characters that bring Resident Evil to life. The horrors and scares that made the first game such an enduring classic are even more chilling on current generation consoles, and a revamped camera and control scheme bring this game into the modern era. Whether this is your first Resident Evil title or you’re a series veteran, this is one remaster you can’t miss. Resident Evil 2 releases in January 2019 for all current generation consoles.

Whether you’re taking a trip down memory lane or experiencing these classic games for the first time, you won’t need a time machine to do so. Simply fire up your console and enjoy your nostalgia trip.

Alex LaFreniere

Alex LaFreniere

Alex's first experience with video games came at the tender young age of 12, when his parents gave him and his brothers a PlayStation 2 for Christmas. They’ve probably been regretting that mistake ever since, because as soon he finished his first lap in Gran Turismo 3, Alex was hooked for life. In addition to writing for Softonic, Alex has turned that love of games into a voice acting career, and has voiced everything from grizzled old soldiers to vampire lords. When he's not gaming or getting behind the microphone, Alex can probably be found wandering the woods around Boston or putting together some new culinary delight in his kitchen.

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