As an old head in gaming, it can sometimes be a little too easy to forget that the younger generation thinks very differently from old guys like us.
To them, games like Skyrim are considered old relics, and the concept of a LAN network is borderline hysterical.
Interactions between younger gamers and Uncs like me often lead to embarrassing moments when you mention a truly retro game, only to be met with a humbling ‘what’s that?’
However, there have been some remakes in recent years that have brought these older franchises back into the zeitgeist. Let’s take a look at some old classics that popular remakes helped make relevant again.
Tony Hawks Pro Skater 1+2
Even today, when someone talks about the phenomenon of skateboarding, Tony Hawk is still mentioned in the same breath. However, when it comes to skating games, it looked for all the world that the industry had moved on from Tony’s Iconic brand of arcade-style shredding.
However, a remake of the first two games in the series, originally released on the original PlayStation, proved there was still a hunger for this time-attack chaos.
Alongside the more recent 3+4 remake, these games introduced young gamers who perhaps grew up on the EA Skate series to something fast-paced and unapologetically unrealistic. Not to mention all those classic tunes.
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered
While it’s not necessarily a relic having been released in 2006, I don’t think I’m speaking out of turn when I say that the original Elder Scrolls Oblivion was very hard to stomach for a number of reasons, taking away from what is a magical RPG experience.
However, thanks to the recent remaster, which we are including as it feels more like a remake due to the leap in quality. Players who grew up with Skyrim could head to Cyrodill and experience this epic adventure with the modern polish it deserves.
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But, you’ll still have all the joys of Radiant AI, all those iconic quests of yesteryear, and the sweet sound of Jeremy Soule’s masterful soundtrack. We can only pray that Morrowind gets the same treatment.
Gothic Remake
Speaking of Morrowind, back in the early 2000s, there were only really two standout CRPGs on the market. One was the aforementioned Morrowind, and the other was Gothic. An RPG that had no interest in holding your hand, and was all the better for it.
However, due to clunky controls and dated graphics, this one was very much in need of a tune-up. Which it got, and then some, leading to veteran players and newcomers alike taking to Morgrad in their droves.
Newcomers have embraced the challenging progression, the harsh world, and the lack of in-game help, seeing it as a breath of fresh air amongst games that play for the lowest common denominator. So if you want something that truly feels like the good ol’ days, Gothic is all that and more.
Demon Souls
Sometimes games get trapped on older hardware and end up being borderline unplayable as a result. This was true of Demon’s Souls, the game that served as the blueprint for all Souls games that came after.
This Souls catalyst deserved so much more, and that’s why Bluepoint Games stepped in to give this game the makeover it needed. Keeping the obtuse yet iconic features like World Tendency and gimmicky boss battles. But, equally, making the game feel like a modern affair.
It’s still a bit of a hard sell to the tenured Souls faithful these days. But the fact that the option is now there to go back and see where the genre blossomed from is welcome.
Silent Hill 2 Remake
Unless you were around for the glory days of Silent Hill, you might have, until recently, had a poor opinion of the series due to a slew of rather disappointing entries post-Silent Hill 3. However, the recent Silent Hill 2 Remake changed all that.
Allowing you to root around in the troubled psyche of James Sunderland again, this remake tells his tale masterfully, with much improved graphics, modern controls, and just enough changes to make the experience feel fresh to returning players.
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It’s still as atmospheric and psychologically troubling as ever, serving as a reminder to all modern horror fans just how groundbreaking this beloved sequel was.
Neir Replicant Ver. 1.22474487139
If there was ever a game in desperate need of a remake, it’s the original Nier. Many fans of the series will have found their way into the franchise courtesy of Nier: Automata. But, going back to the original would often prove a step too far, even for the most dedicated of fans.
Neir Replicant Ver. 1.22474487139 fixed a lot of the flaws the 2010 original had, such as obtuse and clunky controls, lackluster voice acting, and awkward pacing, to name a few. But it retains the quirky and engrossing aspects that made the original a cult classic.
Now, thanks to this remake, Automata fans can jump back and witness the series in full. We can’t say the same for Drakengard, but you never know, that might be next on the docket.
Final Fantasy Tactics – The Ivalice Chronicles
With so many phenomenal mainline Final Fantasy games to choose from, it’s all the more impressive that Final Fantasy Tactics still remains one of the games touted as the best of the bunch by many. But, much like fellow FF classic, Final Fantasy VII, this one was in desperate need of a revamp.
That came in the form of The Ivalice Chronicles, a glorious modern edition of the classic turn-based tactics epic. Complete with full voice acting, crisp visuals that retain that retro feel, and a wealth of new quality-of-life features to make the game less unintentionally frustrating.
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Grid-based JRPGs don’t get much better than this, and thankfully, now the new generation of gamers gets to engage with Ramza’s heroic tale.
Crash Team Racing: Nitro-Fueled
In reality, we could have chosen just about any game from the glory days of Crash or Spyro here. But while many of these were widely ported and accessible, Crash Team Racing and Crash Nitro Kart were much less available to those unwilling to dust off their PSX.
Kart Racers that aren’t Mario Kart tend to be impossible to get off the ground, which showcases just how excellent CTR was back then, and how strong this remake was. Allowing fans to embrace the pedal-to-the-metal chaos that each track had to offer.
Sadly, due to a more live-service aspect pushed in the remake, this one died off pretty sharply. But, from a single-player standpoint, this one is probably still the best modern Mario Kart alternative out there, and a classic brought back to life with aplomb.
Persona 3 Reload
Persona was always a JRPG juggernaut, but it would take the brilliance of Persona 5 to truly see the series become a mainstream hit. This created a problem to solve for new fans, as a lot of the older Persona games were very tricky to source.
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Persona 4 Golden was available on the PS Vita, but as for the likes of Persona 3. It was almost impossible to play on PS2 due to a lack of a widespread re-release. This changed with the advent of Persona 3 Portable, but the true, definitive way to play is Persona 3 Reload.
This unified all previous versions, introducing a new engine that enabled a truly Persona-stylized edition of the third game. Not to mention updated gameplay more in line with recent iterations, and much stronger voice work. Persona 1 & 2 still remain in purgatory, but with Persona 6 on the horizon, we suppose that can be forgiven.
Star Fox
This one might feel a little cheap, considering this 2026 remake isn’t the first time Starfox 64 has received the remake/remaster treatment. But I think it’s fair to say it’s the first time it’s been remade well.
This remake takes the N64 classic and offers a modern 3D presentation, a more cinematic framing of the story, tighter controls, and a wealth of new content, including multiplayer functionality, new missions, and vehicles.
It’s essentially that hearty dose of nostalgia veteran fans crave, but encased in a modern and polished new shell that newcomers will adore. Just when you thought the Arwing was retired, Starfox soars once again.
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Callum is the former Editor-in-Chief of Dualshockers, a seasoned video game journalist, and a devoted admirer of all things indie. He loves nothing more than finding an unearthed early-access title…
More from Callum Marshall
No to Silent Hill 2, Persona 3 Reload, Nier, Tactics, or Crash racing. Honestly N Sane trilogy would have been a better pick.