20 Video Game Remakes That Aren’t Better Than The Originals

Cropped The Grand Theft Auto Trilogy Remaster

The Grand Theft Auto Trilogy Remaster – 2021

The Grand Theft Auto Trilogy – The Definitive Edition should have been an easy win, bundling three classic GTA games with updated graphics, but it quickly became notorious for its poor quality. Players found the remastered visuals to be a mixed bag: some upgraded textures and character models looked odd or even comical, with many iconic details lost (for example, signage and character faces were often mangled by the AI upscaling process). The collection also launched with a ton of bugs and glitches – from rain effects that rendered the games nearly unplayable at times to frequent performance issues.

On top of that, several classic songs were cut from the soundtrack due to licensing issues and some cheat codes were removed, taking away little pieces of what fans loved about the originals. Rockstar even pulled the old versions from digital stores, which upset players who felt that the originals (or community mods on PC) were a better way to enjoy these games. Although patches have improved the Trilogy remaster a bit since launch, this “Definitive Edition” is widely seen as inferior to simply playing the original GTA III, Vice City, and San Andreas in their true form. | © Rockstar Games

Warcraft III: Reforged – 2020

Warcraft III: Reforged earned infamy as a disastrous remake that many say actually made the game worse. Blizzard had promised a grand remaster of their early-2000s strategy classic, but the final product cut corners and disappointed fans. The anticipated upgraded cutscenes and re-recorded voice-overs were largely scaled back or missing, making the “reforged” story feel almost identical to the old one (just with slightly updated graphics). Even worse, Reforged launched without key features that the original Warcraft III had for years – things like competitive ladders, clans, and custom campaign support were simply not there at release.

It also forced owners of the original game to update to the new client, effectively overwriting the old version and causing some custom maps and mods to break. On top of numerous bugs and performance problems, Blizzard’s new terms for user-made content in Reforged were seen as overly restrictive. Despite a few visual improvements, the negatives far outweighed the positives, and the consensus is that the original Warcraft III remains the superior experience over this poorly handled remake. | © Blizzard Entertainment

Secret of Mana – 2018

Secret of Mana’s 3D remake in 2018 attempted to recreate the charm of the 1990s SNES classic, but fans generally didn’t find it better than the original. The new 3D graphics and art style were met with a lukewarm reception – many thought that the colorful but simplistic polygon visuals lacked the atmosphere and personality of the old 16-bit pixel art. The remake also suffered from a lack of polish in its presentation; for example, characters would speak with added voice acting, but their in-game models had stiff animations and even failed to move their mouths during cutscenes, which felt jarring and low-budget.

There were reports of glitches and crashes around launch as well, further souring the experience. While the core gameplay and story remained faithful, the updated soundtrack and voice work didn’t resonate with everyone (some players preferred the original music and their own imagination for the dialogue). In the end, the Secret of Mana remake wasn’t terrible on its own, but it failed to capture the magic and charm of the original, making it a disappointment for many longtime fans. | © Square Enix

Dark Souls: Remastered – 2018

Dark Souls: Remastered is a polished-up version of the legendary action RPG, but many fans feel it didn’t do enough to eclipse the original release. The remaster primarily offered technical upgrades like higher resolution visuals, 60 frames-per-second performance, and improved online matchmaking, but it made very few changes to gameplay or content. In fact, some players pointed out that fan-made mods on PC had already addressed the original game’s resolution and frame rate limitations long before, which made the official remaster feel a bit underwhelming in comparison.

Visually, the differences were minor – a lighting tweak here or a texture touch-up there – and a few of those changes actually drew criticism (for example, certain areas appeared brighter or lost some atmospheric fog, altering the mood slightly). The remaster also replaced the older PC version on digital stores, which annoyed people who preferred the option to play the original with community fixes. To be clear, Dark Souls: Remastered isn’t a bad way to play the game at all; it’s still the same fantastic experience at heart. It just didn’t significantly improve or build upon that experience, so a lot of players still consider the original (especially modded on PC) to be just as good, if not a better way to enjoy Lordran’s brutal adventure. | © Bandai Namco Entertainment

Cropped The Legend of Zelda Majoras Mask 3 D 1

The Legend Of Zelda: Majora’s Mask 3D – 2015

The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask 3D brought the eerie Nintendo 64 adventure to the 3DS with updated graphics and some modern conveniences, but die-hard fans often prefer the original version. While the remake made the game more accessible (with things like an improved save system and clearer hints), it also introduced some changes that not everyone loved. Notably, several boss fights were reworked: each major boss was given a glaring giant eyeball weak point to attack, a design choice that many felt dumbed down the fights and took away from the mystery and fear factor of those battles.

The swimming mechanics for Zora Link were also changed – in the remake you can only swim at full speed while draining magic power, which made traversing the Great Bay feel slower and more cumbersome compared to the fluid, fast swimming in the original. There were numerous smaller adjustments (from the Deku Scrub controls to certain puzzles being simplified), and although some of these were intended to streamline frustrating aspects, they also altered the unique difficulty and vibe that Majora’s Mask was known for. The 3DS edition is still a great game, but many players say it didn’t quite capture the same quirky atmosphere or satisfying challenge present in the N64 classic. | © Nintendo

Pokémon Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire – 2014

Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire were welcome remakes of the Game Boy Advance classics Ruby and Sapphire, yet plenty of Pokémon fans feel that the originals still have the edge. These Gen 3 remakes brought a host of improvements like beautiful 3D graphics, modern battle mechanics, and new features such as soaring in the sky with Latios/Latias – but in polishing the games, they also lost a bit of the originals’ soul. Longtime players noted that the remakes were made significantly easier: you’re handed a powerful Legendary Pokémon halfway through the story, most opponent trainers have smaller teams, and the modern EXP Share system can over-level your party without trying.

This smoother difficulty curve made the adventure more streamlined, but also less challenging than the 2000s-era games. Another sore point was the absence of the Battle Frontier (an expansive post-game challenge area from Pokémon Emerald) – in Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire it’s only teased as “under construction,” leaving dedicated players with less to do after beating the main story. On top of that, the remake’s ultra-polished look and feel ended up making Hoenn feel more conventional; the original games had a distinct vibe that was a little weird and different for the series, which some fans missed. Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire certainly aren’t bad Pokémon games (in fact many love them), but when it comes to a truly memorable and challenging journey, a lot of players still fondly point to the original Ruby/Sapphire as the better experience. | © Nintendo

Double Dragon II: Wander of the Dragons – 2013

Double Dragon II: Wander of the Dragons took a classic arcade beat ’em up and gave it a 3D remake on the Xbox 360 – with disastrous results. This remake is barely recognizable as Double Dragon II: it features clunky, unresponsive combat, awkward animations, and unattractive graphics that stripped away the charm of the retro pixel art. The level designs and enemies might remind you of the old game in name, but the gameplay was completely overhauled in a way that just wasn’t fun.

Players and critics slammed the remake for things like its absurd difficulty spikes (it manages to be both frustratingly hard and boring at the same time) and the absence of expected features such as online co-op play. Technical issues, including a choppy framerate and frequent bugs, only added to the misery. The consensus was clear – Wander of the Dragons failed in almost every way, and is widely considered one of the worst remakes ever made. If you want to enjoy Double Dragon, the original game (or its other ports) is the far, far better choice. | © Barunson Creative

Silent Hill HD Collection – 2012

Silent Hill HD Collection was supposed to celebrate two of the greatest horror games (Silent Hill 2 and 3) with an upgraded release, but instead it ended up being an example of how not to do an HD remaster. The collection was plagued by technical problems that weren’t present in the PlayStation 2 originals – players encountered audio glitches and syncing issues, frame rate drops, and even missing visual effects like the heavy fog that Silent Hill is famous for (the fog was severely thinned out in spots, unintentionally revealing things that were originally hidden, which hurt the atmosphere). Part of the problem, as later revealed, was that the developers didn’t have the final original code and had to work with incomplete data, leading to new bugs popping up.

Additionally, the HD Collection featured new voice acting for the characters. While some appreciated the option, many fans felt the original voice performances were superior in conveying the emotion and horror (Silent Hill 2 at least let players choose between original and new voices, but Silent Hill 3’s new voices were mandatory). Between the technical downgrades, the altered voices, and even issues like different color timing in scenes, the HD Collection just didn’t live up to the quality of the original releases. In fact, Konami eventually apologized and even offered patches (though the Xbox 360 version never got a promised patch). To this day, most Silent Hill enthusiasts will recommend playing the original PS2 versions (or the fan-fixed PC ports) over this disappointing remake collection. | © Konami

Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater HD – 2012

Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater HD set out to revive the first two Tony Hawk games for a new generation, but it didn’t quite nail the landing. The remake combined select levels from the classic Pro Skater 1 and 2, giving them a graphics facelift, yet fans immediately noticed the gameplay felt off. The physics and controls in THPS HD were not as tight as in the original games – skaters felt floaty and slower to respond, which made pulling off combos and tricks less satisfying.

In the older titles, everything was finely tuned for flowing lines and huge combos, but the HD version’s slight changes caused veteran players to struggle with moves that used to be second nature. The package also had a pared-down vibe: some iconic levels and songs were missing (due to licensing and the selective level list), and features like the create-a-skater and some multiplayer modes were absent. While the remake still provided a hit of nostalgia and was fun in short bursts, it lacked the depth and polish of the Neversoft originals. Many players ultimately went back to the original games (or later waited for 2020’s far superior THPS1+2 remake) because this 2012 attempt just wasn’t up to snuff. | © Activision

GoldenEye 007: Reloaded – 2011

GoldenEye 007: Reloaded brought the name of the legendary Nintendo 64 shooter to modern consoles, but it wasn’t able to surpass the iconic original in most fans’ eyes. Instead of a one-to-one remake, Reloaded was a re-imagined version of the Bond adventure, with updated mechanics and a new Bond (Daniel Craig replacing Pierce Brosnan) to fit a more modern style. The result was a competent first-person shooter – it had a decent campaign and added features like online multiplayer – but it lost the unique feel that made the 1990s GoldenEye a classic. The level designs and scenarios in Reloaded were quite different, and they followed more of a Call of Duty-inspired approach, which, while slick, didn’t have the same charm or inventiveness of the original’s missions.

Crucially, the beloved local split-screen multiplayer chaos of the N64 game didn’t translate into the same experience here; Reloaded’s multiplayer was online-focused and just didn’t create the same kind of memorable living room battles that the original did (plus, by 2011, there were many other modern shooters to compete with). For many gamers, the nostalgia and groundbreaking elements of the original GoldenEye 007 – things like the stealthy level design, the quirky cheats, and the novelty of four-player split-screen – remained unmatched, and Reloaded ended up feeling like just another average shooter wearing a famous title. | © Activision

Dead Rising: Chop Till You Drop – 2009

Dead Rising: Chop Till You Drop attempted to bring the zombie-slaying fun of the original Dead Rising (an Xbox 360 title) to the Nintendo Wii, but in doing so it had to make a lot of compromises. Unfortunately, those compromises resulted in a game that wasn’t nearly as good as the original. The biggest issue was the scope: the Wii’s hardware couldn’t handle the massive hordes of zombies that the series is known for, so this version drastically cut down the number of on-screen enemies. The whole thrill of wading into a sea of dozens of zombies in a shopping mall was lost when Chop Till You Drop could only show a handful at a time, making the game feel far less chaotic and exciting.

The gameplay was also revamped to be more like Resident Evil 4 (using that game’s engine), which meant the removal of the original’s photography mechanic and a shift toward more shooting – an odd fit for what was originally a brawler-heavy game. Additionally, the mall in the Wii version was broken into smaller areas with loading screens, rather than the seamless open-world style area of the 360 version, which hurt the immersion and tension. Capcom did add a few new weapons and tweaked some encounters, but on the whole this Wii port was seen as a watered-down, inferior take on Dead Rising. It’s a decent effort for Wii-only players, but if you have the choice, the original game offers a much fuller and more satisfying zombie-smashing experience. | © Capcom

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles in Time Re-Shelled – 2009

Turtles in Time Re-Shelled was a modern remake of the classic ’90s Ninja Turtles beat ’em up, but it failed to live up to its predecessor in the eyes of many fans. The remake traded the beloved old-school sprite artwork for 3D models, and while the graphics were technically updated, they were often described as bland or lacking personality compared to the cartoonish charm of the arcade/SNES original. In terms of gameplay, Re-Shelled was based on the arcade version of Turtles in Time and stuck closely to it, which actually meant it lost some content that players remembered from the SNES version (such as certain bonus stages and boss fights). It also introduced a few new mechanics, like eight-directional movement, which sounded good on paper but in practice made the combat feel a bit different – some said it felt less precise or impactful.

Perhaps the biggest issue was that, beyond the graphical overhaul, the remake didn’t add much new to entice players; it was a shorter game than people realized (since arcade beat ’em ups can be finished quickly) and had limited replay value once the nostalgia wore off. There were also some complaints about the sound and music, as the iconic soundtrack was remixed and didn’t pack the same punch. All in all, Re-Shelled wasn’t absolutely awful – you could still grab a friend and have some co-op fun – but it just didn’t capture the magic of Turtles in Time. In fact, the remake was delisted from stores after a few years due to licensing, whereas the original remains a fond memory for those who lived through it. Fans widely agree the original game (in its arcade or SNES form) is the definitive way to play. | © Ubisoft

Diddy Kong Racing DS – 2007

Diddy Kong Racing DS attempted to bring the beloved Nintendo 64 kart racer to the handheld world, and while it added some new features, it didn’t surpass the original. On the positive side, it introduced online play and a few new tracks and challenges, but a lot of the changes in the DS version left fans feeling underwhelmed. The game made use of the DS’s unique controls in gimmicky ways – for example, having players use the stylus or blow into the microphone to perform tasks like starting a race or boosting – and these novelties quickly became annoying rather than fun. The controls in general were a sticking point: without an analog stick, steering in a precision racing game didn’t feel as smooth as on the N64, and the mini-game style controls disrupted the flow of the classic racing experience.

Additionally, due to rights issues after Rare (the original developer) was acquired by Microsoft, two popular characters from the N64 version (Banjo and Conker) were replaced by lesser-known ones, which for some fans took away a bit of the game’s charm. The DS remake also had some performance and audio downgrades, as expected on a portable console. In the end, Diddy Kong Racing DS wasn’t a total misfire – it’s still recognizably Diddy Kong Racing and can be fun – but it felt like a step back. Many players prefer the original’s smoother controls, fuller character roster, and nostalgia factor, making the N64 game the go-to choice if you can play it. | © Nintendo

Ape Escape: On The Loose – 2005

Ape Escape: On The Loose is a remake of the original Ape Escape for PSP, and it demonstrates how important a control scheme can be to a game’s success. The 1999 Ape Escape on PS1 was famous for being the first game to require the DualShock analog sticks – one stick to move your character and the other to swing your net and gadgets. On the PSP, however, there was only one analog nub, so the developers had to map the second stick’s functions to other buttons and the D-pad, and it just wasn’t the same. The result is that On The Loose’s controls feel awkward and less precise when you’re trying to catch those fast-moving monkeys.

This core issue permeates the whole experience: everything from using the gadgets to moving the camera is a bit clunkier without that second stick, making the game more frustrating than the original. Aside from the control problems, the PSP version did spruce up the graphics a little and added some mini-games, but it also lost a bit of the original’s charm (for example, the English dub voices were changed, and some of the sound effects and music were altered). It’s still Ape Escape at heart, but when a game’s fun was so closely tied to how it played, a compromised control scheme can really sink the remake. Most fans would advise sticking with the PS1 original (or the PS4 re-release of it) to get the best Ape Escape experience. | © Sony Computer Entertainment

MediEvil: Resurrection – 2005

MediEvil: Resurrection on PSP tried to reanimate the 1998 PlayStation classic with updated graphics and humor, but it didn’t quite recapture what made the original great. The remake took a more lighthearted, almost cartoonish tone compared to the somewhat darker quirkiness of the original game. It added a jokey sidekick character and more comedic cutscenes, which were hit-or-miss – some players felt the game was trying a bit too hard to be funny, losing the subtle charm and atmosphere the PS1 version had. In terms of gameplay, Resurrection made a number of changes and cuts to fit the portable format: some levels were redesigned or removed, and new mini-games were added.

Unfortunately, the new content wasn’t as strong as what was lost; the original MediEvil’s level design and balance were better, whereas the PSP version’s additions could feel repetitive or shallow. There were also some camera and control issues that cropped up on the PSP (the lack of a second analog stick again being a culprit, as with many early PSP action games). While it was nice to see Sir Daniel Fortesque in a new adventure and the game isn’t without entertainment value, fans of MediEvil often consider Resurrection a weaker iteration. The consensus is that the original (and even the later PS4 remaster of MediEvil) offers a more satisfying trip through Gallowmere than the PSP remake did. | © Sony Computer Entertainment

Conker: Live & Reloaded – 2005

Conker: Live & Reloaded was a remake of Conker’s Bad Fur Day, bringing the raunchy squirrel from the N64 era into the Xbox generation with vastly improved graphics. On the surface, the idea of seeing Conker’s over-the-top, foul-mouthed adventures in high fidelity was exciting, and visually this remake did impress. However, in terms of content and spirit, Live & Reloaded wasn’t better than the original – in fact, it pulled some punches that fans immediately noticed. Ironically, the Xbox remake is actually more censored than the N64 game; some of the original’s swear words and risqué humor were toned down or bleeped out, which was baffling given Conker’s claim to fame as a no-holds-barred mature title.

The single-player campaign was otherwise the same in story, but the tweaks in censorship diluted a bit of the game’s edgy charm. Additionally, the original Bad Fur Day had a whole suite of local multiplayer modes that were a blast (with various quirky mini-games). Live & Reloaded scrapped those in favor of a new team-based shooter-style multiplayer mode that, while ambitious for Xbox Live play, didn’t have the same goofy appeal as the old multiplayer games. That new multiplayer also wasn’t enough to keep players engaged long-term. In the end, Live & Reloaded looked prettier and played fine, but it’s a case where the original’s uncensored humor and local multiplayer fun make many gamers prefer the N64 version, despite the dated graphics. | © Microsoft Game Studios

Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes – 2004

Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes was a GameCube remake of the original PS1 Metal Gear Solid, and it’s a title that sparks a lot of debate among fans. It certainly upgraded the graphics and added gameplay mechanics from MGS2 (like first-person aiming, hanging from ledges, and tranquilizer darts), but these changes came at a cost to the game’s balance and atmosphere in some players’ eyes. The original MGS on PS1 had tightly designed boss fights and scenarios built around its simple control scheme. When Twin Snakes gave players new abilities, it inadvertently made some challenges far easier – for example, being able to aim in first-person meant you could dispatch certain bosses or guards with less effort, thus reducing some tension.

The tone and presentation were also altered: Twin Snakes famously redid all the cutscenes in a more over-the-top, Hollywood action movie style (Snake performs gravity-defying flips, cartwheels off missiles, and other wild stunts). Some people enjoyed the flashy new cinematics, but others felt they clashed with the grittier, grounded feel of the original story. Additionally, the voice acting was re-recorded; while it used mostly the same actors, a few characters had changes (Mei Ling and Naomi no longer have their accents, for instance) and some fans prefer the emotion in the PS1 voice recordings. There were even minor soundtrack differences due to licensing issues (certain iconic tracks were replaced). All these factors make Twin Snakes a very interesting remake, and it’s still essentially MGS1 in plot and spirit, but a lot of series aficionados will tell you that the original game left a stronger impression. For many, the PS1 classic’s unique blend of limitations and creative storytelling hasn’t been topped by this slick, but somewhat divisive, remake. | © Konami

Super Mario 64 DS – 2004

Super Mario 64 DS packed a lot of new ideas into the classic Mario 64 formula – multiple playable characters, extra stars, mini-games – yet it’s still not generally considered better than the original Super Mario 64. One of the biggest issues was the control scheme: the original N64 game was built around the analog stick, giving players precise 360-degree control over Mario’s movements. The Nintendo DS, however, didn’t have a true analog input (the thumbstrap “touchpad” solution was mediocre at best), so players were left using the D-pad or touch screen to simulate analog control. This made moving around in a 3D space and pulling off tricky platforming feats feel less smooth and more fiddly. As a result, many of the challenges that were joyous to navigate on the N64 became more frustrating on the DS, not because they were redesigned poorly, but simply due to clunky control.

Aside from that, Super Mario 64 DS did offer a lot of additions: you could play as Mario, Luigi, Yoshi, or Wario, each with some unique abilities, and there were 30 new stars to collect on top of the original 120. Those extras were a fun novelty, but some players felt they weren’t enough to overcome the fundamental control drawbacks. Graphically the game looked pretty good for a handheld, but in some ways the N64 version’s visuals (running on a TV with smooth analog control) left a better overall impression. It’s also worth noting the multiplayer mode and mini-games in SM64 DS were small distractions rather than big selling points. In the end, while Super Mario 64 DS is a cool package and was impressive for the DS hardware, most Mario fans hold the N64 original as the superior way to experience this landmark title – largely thanks to the fluid, precise way it played. | © Nintendo

Sonic Adventure DX: Director’s Cut – 2003

Sonic Adventure DX: Director’s Cut was an upgraded port of the Dreamcast classic Sonic Adventure, but many Sonic fans will tell you that the Dreamcast original actually feels better in retrospect. The DX version, released on GameCube (and later PC), did improve some things on paper: it bumped the resolution up, added more stable framerates, included some extra missions, and even tucked in a bunch of retro Game Gear Sonic games as bonuses. However, the port also introduced its own problems. Visually, it wasn’t universally better – the lighting and color tone in Sonic Adventure DX were changed, giving the game a somewhat different look that some found less appealing (for example, the Dreamcast version had more dynamic lighting and water effects that were toned down in DX). More critically, new bugs and glitches crept in. Players noticed more collision issues, camera problems, and other quirks in DX that weren’t as pronounced before.

The controls and physics also felt slightly different; it’s subtle, but hardcore players of Sonic Adventure often mention that DX’s movement isn’t identical to the original, possibly due to changes in the underlying engine during the porting process. The cumulative effect is that Sonic Adventure DX, despite being called a “Director’s Cut”, can come off as a downgraded experience when compared to playing the game on a Dreamcast. The original had a certain polish in its day (and a lot of nostalgic charm with its late-90s graphics) that DX didn’t fully preserve. While DX is serviceable and certainly more accessible to play on modern systems, if you ask the Sonic community which version of Sonic Adventure is more authentic and enjoyable, many will point you to the Dreamcast original as the better choice. | © Sega

Space Raiders – 2002

Space Raiders (also known as Space Invaders: Invasion Day) was a 3D re-imagining of the classic Space Invaders arcade game, and it’s a prime example of a remake missing the mark. Taito took the simple, addictive alien-blasting formula of Space Invaders and tried to update it into a more modern third-person shooter set in urban environments. The result, however, lost much of what made the original a legend. Space Raiders was criticized for its poor graphics (even for the time, the visuals were drab and unimpressive), and its gameplay became repetitive very quickly. By moving the action to a third-person perspective on the ground, the game ended up feeling like a generic shooter where you slowly move left and right in a street, shooting at waves of aliens – it lacked the elegant simplicity and increasing tension of the classic fixed-screen gameplay.

There were only a handful of levels and the whole thing could be beaten in a couple of hours, making it a shallow experience. Both critics and players were largely disappointed; some reviews pointed out that whether you were a fan of the original Space Invaders or a newcomer, Space Raiders just wasn’t fun to play. It attempted a “edgy” aesthetic (with gritty city scenes and story cutscenes), but that couldn’t save it from being monotonous. In fact, the most enjoyment people got was often from the bonus inclusion of the original 1978 Space Invaders as an unlockable – a clear sign that the classic gameplay stood the test of time better than this ill-conceived remake. Space Raiders quickly faded into obscurity, and is remembered mostly as a cautionary tale that newer doesn’t always mean better when reviving an arcade classic. | © Taito