Top 10 Remastered Games Worth Replaying

One of the most beloved mascots of the original PlayStation era, Spyro the Dragon made a stunning return in the Spyro Reignited Trilogy, developed by Toys for Bob. This remaster compiles the first three games—Spyro the Dragon, Ripto’s Rage, and Year of the Dragon—into a beautifully updated package that stays true to its whimsical roots.

The environments are fully reimagined with lush landscapes, fluid animations, and expressive characters. Voice acting is modernized, controls are smoother, and the colorful aesthetic remains as enchanting as ever. Whether soaring through Artisan’s World or flame-charging enemies in Autumn Plains, Spyro’s remastered adventures are pure platforming joy.

Great for kids and nostalgic adults alike, the Spyro Reignited Trilogy captures the spirit of discovery and playful challenge. It’s a bright, feel-good game that proves some classics never go out of style—especially when given the love and polish they deserve.

While it first released in 2014, Halo: The Master Chief Collection received years of updates and refinements that turned it into one of the most comprehensive and polished remastered game bundles of all time. With all mainline Halo titles from Combat Evolved through Halo 4 included, this collection brings the Master Chief’s saga into the modern era with updated visuals, matchmaking, and cross-platform support.

The real magic lies in how each game is preserved with respect. Players can toggle between original and remastered graphics in real-time in Halo: Combat Evolved and Halo 2. The framerate has been boosted, textures and lighting are overhauled, and sound design has been remixed for a fuller, more immersive experience.

Multiplayer also benefits from dedicated servers, a unified progression system, and an active player base. Whether you're exploring the silent grandeur of Halo’s ringworld or diving into chaotic Slayer matches, The Master Chief Collection is a definitive way to experience the golden age of first-person shooters.

Before Cloud Strife ever lifted the Buster Sword, there was Zack Fair—and Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII – Reunion gives his story the remake it deserves. Originally released for the PSP in 2007, Crisis Core explores the backstory of Final Fantasy VII through Zack’s perspective, deepening the emotional stakes of the universe.

Reunion is a full remaster featuring high-definition visuals, fully voiced dialogue, reorchestrated music, and a revised combat system that brings it in line with FFVII Remake’s fluid style. The updated mechanics make battles more dynamic and engaging, while the visuals breathe new life into classic scenes and characters like Sephiroth, Aerith, and Angeal.

Crisis Core: Reunion stands out as one of the most emotional remastered RPGs of the decade, capturing the tragedy, romance, and loyalty that defined Zack’s legacy. It’s not only a must-play for fans of the original FFVII but also for anyone seeking a heartfelt narrative with refined action-RPG mechanics.

Few remakes have redefined their source material as impressively as Resident Evil 2. Capcom’s 2019 remaster turned a beloved 1998 survival horror title into a modern masterpiece. With the over-the-shoulder camera of Resident Evil 4, photorealistic environments, and reworked puzzles and AI, the game manages to be both faithful and fresh.

Set in the doomed Raccoon City, players take control of rookie cop Leon Kennedy and college student Claire Redfield as they navigate zombie-infested police stations and laboratories. The atmosphere is tense, the lighting haunting, and the gore hyper-realistic, immersing players in a nightmare that feels shockingly believable.

The remastered Resident Evil 2 isn’t just about fear—it’s about balance. Limited ammo and resources add strategy to every move, while expanded lore and voice acting bring depth to returning characters. This is survival horror at its absolute best, and proof that classic games can evolve with cutting-edge technology while keeping their soul intact.

Skateboarding fans rejoiced in 2020 when Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2 brought back the magic of the original PlayStation era. Developed by Vicarious Visions, this remaster bundles the first two games in the series into one polished, nostalgia-filled package with modern graphics, tight controls, and a killer soundtrack that blends old-school tracks with new artists.

Every skate park is faithfully recreated but with vibrant, detailed textures and dynamic lighting. The skaters are digitally scanned for photorealistic models, and gameplay is smoother than ever. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2 is a love letter to fans of arcade-style sports games, offering refined trick systems, fluid movement, and an addicting combo mechanic that encourages endless replays.

Local and online multiplayer, character customization, and a build-your-own-park mode round out the package. Whether you're grinding rails in School II or kickflipping down the Warehouse, this remaster delivers a rush of adrenaline and childhood memories. It’s a triumph of how classic games can be revived without losing their core identity.

Originally released in 2005 on the PlayStation 2, Shadow of the Colossus has long been hailed as one of the most artistic and emotionally resonant games ever made. The 2018 PlayStation 4 remake, crafted by Bluepoint Games, faithfully preserves the essence of the original while dramatically upgrading its visual presentation.

In this minimalist action-adventure, players control a lone protagonist named Wander, who must defeat sixteen towering colossi to resurrect a lost loved one. There are no towns, side quests, or NPCs—just a hauntingly beautiful open world, a mysterious story, and towering beasts that require ingenuity and precision to defeat.

The remaster features lush landscapes, detailed textures, reworked animations, and a breathtaking sense of scale that modern hardware can finally do justice. The melancholic score and the solitude of the world make it feel like a meditative experience more than a traditional game.

Shadow of the Colossus is a masterclass in visual storytelling, and the remastered version enhances every emotional beat. Whether it’s your first playthrough or your fifth, this game remains a poignant and unforgettable journey.

When Square Enix announced Final Fantasy VII Remake, expectations were sky-high—and somehow, the game managed to exceed them. Rather than a straightforward remaster, this title is a full reimagining of one of the most iconic RPGs ever made. While still rooted in the original story, the remake of Final Fantasy VII expands character arcs, modernizes combat, and delivers cinematic moments that rival Hollywood productions.

Set in the dystopian city of Midgar, the game follows Cloud Strife and his allies as they resist the oppressive Shinra corporation. What was once a brief opening segment in the 1997 original is now a full-length RPG with intricate side quests, expanded lore, and dazzling boss battles. The real-time combat system combines strategy with fast-paced action, making each encounter feel visceral and rewarding.

Visually, Final Fantasy VII Remake is a masterpiece, with detailed character models, atmospheric lighting, and dynamic cutscenes that bring beloved moments to life. It’s not just a nostalgia trip—it’s a bold retelling that adds emotional depth and new layers to a classic tale. Whether you're a longtime fan or a newcomer, this is a remaster worth replaying from beginning to end.

When the PlayStation 5 launched in late 2020, it did so with a visually stunning showcase: Demon’s Souls Remake. Originally developed by FromSoftware in 2009, Demon’s Souls was the progenitor of the "Soulsborne" genre. Bluepoint Games meticulously recreated the entire game from the ground up while keeping its soul-crushing difficulty and eerie atmosphere intact.

This remastered action RPG features completely reworked visuals, fluid animations, ray tracing, and enhanced lighting that make Boletaria feel both oppressive and beautiful. From its fog-drenched castles to molten lava pits, the environments are breathtaking, and the game runs at a smooth 60 frames per second in performance mode.

Beyond its technical achievements, Demon’s Souls preserves the tense, methodical combat and minimalistic storytelling that Souls fans crave. Each boss encounter remains a masterclass in learning, pattern recognition, and precision. For players seeking a hardcore challenge paired with next-gen visual fidelity, Demon’s Souls is the definitive experience. It set the standard for how a faithful remake should be done.

For sci-fi RPG fans, few franchises command as much respect as Mass Effect. With the release of Mass Effect Legendary Edition, BioWare offered players the chance to relive the epic saga of Commander Shepard in a modernized, cohesive package. This trilogy remaster enhanced all three games with visual upgrades, improved lighting, refined combat in the first game, and better character customization tools.

The remaster brought 4K resolution, faster load times, and over 40 DLCs integrated seamlessly into the main experience. Mass Effect Legendary Edition is more than a visual upgrade—it’s a narrative journey spanning galaxies, relationships, and impossible choices. Players once again decide the fate of civilizations, romance crew members, and wrestle with moral dilemmas in an interconnected universe.

What makes this remaster so effective is the polish given to the original Mass Effect, which now plays far more like its sequels. This consistency helps new players stay immersed across all three titles, while veterans can appreciate the enhanced environments, refined controls, and preserved emotional resonance. Mass Effect Legendary Edition remains one of the most compelling space operas in gaming history, and the remaster ensures its legacy for a new generation.

When The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD launched for the Nintendo Switch in 2021, it gave new life to a divisive but ambitious entry in the legendary franchise. Originally released in 2011 for the Wii, the game introduced motion-controlled swordplay, a strong narrative focus, and the chronological origin of the Zelda timeline. The HD remaster smoothed out many of the original’s rough edges and allowed players to revisit—or discover—an often-overlooked gem in the series.

One of the most significant changes in the remaster was the introduction of button-only controls, which gave players an alternative to the motion-centric gameplay. This shift made the game far more accessible, especially on handheld Switch units. In addition, improved textures, smoother framerates, and quality-of-life enhancements like skippable cutscenes and streamlined tutorials made the overall experience far more enjoyable.

The world of Skyloft and its surrounding floating islands remains one of the most colorful and whimsical in the franchise. With its emotionally resonant story between Link and Zelda, deep dungeon design, and musical score that tugs at the heart, Skyward Sword HD is a remastered adventure that feels timeless. It’s a must-play for fans of the series or anyone seeking a blend of heartfelt storytelling and creative gameplay.