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Top 20 PS1-Era Video Games That Desperately Need a Remake

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Ignacio Weil

Gaming - March 31st 2025, 18:00 GMT+2

Cropped Bushido Blade — Bushido Blade (1997)

Ah, *Bushido Blade –* the fighting game that threw fireballs, health bars, and general logic out the window. This was the samurai simulator we didn’t know we needed, where one clean hit could end a fight in seconds. No rounds, no timers, just raw tension and high-stakes swordplay. It was bold, brutal, and, let’s be honest, weirdly honorable. Imagine this game with modern physics and online duels – rage quits would hit legendary status. A remake could be a masterpiece of minimalism and mind games. | © Square (now Square Enix)

Cropped Castlevania Symphony of the Night — Castlevania: Symphony of the Night (1997)

Yes, *Symphony of the Night* has been ported and praised to death, but come on – it still deserves a full-blown, from-the-ground-up remake. Alucard’s moody stroll through Dracula’s labyrinthine mansion redefined the Metroidvania genre, and it’s still the goth blueprint for many an indie darling. But imagine those haunting halls in full 4K, with a re-orchestrated soundtrack and voice acting that doesn’t make you cringe-laugh. Keep the soul, lose the cheese. It would bring a whole new generation into the fold of stylish vampire slaying. | © Konami

Cropped Final Fantasy Tactics — Final Fantasy Tactics (1997)

It’s not just a game – it’s a rite of passage. *Final Fantasy Tactics* was where strategy RPGs grew up, got complex, and also got *really* into workplace drama involving knights and zodiac signs. The story is still one of Square’s most politically charged and emotionally layered, and yet most gamers missed it thanks to its late '90s release and steep difficulty curve. A modern remake with updated visuals, refined mechanics, and maybe a better tutorial (please?) would be a dream come true. It’s time to make Ivalice shine again. | © Square (now Square Enix)

Cropped Megaman Legends — Megaman Legends (1997)

This was the *Mega Man* game that went rogue – into 3D, with dungeons, a story, and surprisingly heartfelt moments. *Megaman Legends* may not have had the pixel-perfect platforming fans were used to, but it brought charm, creativity, and Volnutt’s big blue helmet into the 3D age. It was clunky, sure, but so lovable that fans still beg Capcom to finish the trilogy. A remake could finally smooth those tank controls and show the world that Mega Man isn’t just a side-scrolling robot boy. Let’s give this blue bomber a second chance in style. | © Capcom

Nightmare creatures msn — Nightmare Creatures (1997)

Remember this one? It was dark, gritty, and *dripping* with mid-’90s horror energy. *Nightmare Creatures* was like if *Resident Evil* had a punk rock cousin who preferred axes and black magic over slow zombies and tank controls. You fought werewolves, demons, and abominations straight out of your worst fever dream – all while running through fog-choked streets of Victorian London. It’s rough around the edges now, but a remake could elevate it into a horror-action cult classic with slick combat and blood-soaked flair. Gothic horror fans, rise! | © Kalisto Entertainment / Activision

Cropped Breath of Fire III — Breath of Fire III (1997)

Dragons, jazz music, and fishing minigames – *Breath of Fire III* really said, “Why not all three?” This entry in Capcom’s beloved (and tragically dormant) RPG series delivered a charming, emotional journey about a boy who turns into a dragon, which honestly sounds like peak '90s fantasy. The 2D sprites on 3D backgrounds were ahead of their time, but boy are they showing their age now. A remake could finally do justice to the game's rich world, vibrant characters, and tearjerker moments. Just don’t mess with the music – it’s still a bop. | © Capcom

Cropped Gex — Gex: Enter the Gecko (1998)

Ah yes, the gecko who wouldn’t shut up – and we loved him for it. *Gex: Enter the Gecko* was peak '90s mascot platforming, complete with pop culture references flying faster than your dad’s remote when you tried to watch MTV. The level themes were wild, the humor was dated (and glorious), and Gex’s one-liners? Chef’s kiss of sarcasm. With the right studio, a remake could be a hilarious, nostalgia-fueled romp that leans into its retro absurdity while tightening the controls. It’s tail time… again. | © Crystal Dynamics / Eidos Interactive

Cropped Pitfall 3 D Beyond the Jungle — Pitfall 3D: Beyond the Jungle (1998)

Pitfall Harry tried to swing into 3D glory – and, well, he got halfway there. *Pitfall 3D* was ambitious, throwing players into a weird, mystical jungle full of ancient tech and angry wildlife. It had that Saturday morning cartoon vibe, clunky-but-charming platforming, and a storyline that made you say “wait, what?” more than once. But there was a real adventurous spirit here, buried under the polygons. With a full visual overhaul and smoother gameplay, this one could finally get the respect it was reaching for. Plus, jungle platformers are back – just ask Nathan Drake. | © Activision

Cropped Xenogears — Xenogears (1998)

Oh *Xenogears*, you beautiful, brilliant, unfinished masterpiece. This game dared to throw Nietzsche, Freud, and giant robots into one epic JRPG and somehow made it work (mostly). The story was dense, the characters complex, and the second disc? Basically a PowerPoint slideshow with boss fights. But fans still swear by it as one of the boldest narratives ever attempted in a game. Imagine a remake that gives the development team the time and budget to finish the job right – now *that* would be divine. | © Square (now Square Enix)

Cropped metal gear solid 1 — Metal Gear Solid (1998)

If there’s any PS1 game that screamed “Remake me again, but even *more cinematic*,” it’s *Metal Gear Solid*. Sure, it got the *Twin Snakes* treatment on GameCube, but let’s face it – Snake’s legendary infiltration of Shadow Moses deserves a full-scale modern revival. We're talking photorealistic snow, smarter guards, and less awkwardly long elevator rides. Kojima’s tactical espionage masterpiece changed gaming forever, and a new-gen remake could let a whole new audience whisper “Snake? SNAAAAKE!” for the first time. | © Konami

Cropped Parasite Eve — Parasite Eve (1998)

*Parasite Eve* was basically Square’s way of saying, “What if we mashed up Resident Evil and Final Fantasy, but made it weirder and more scientific?” And honestly? It worked. Aya Brea’s mitochondria-melting adventure through a mutated New York was part horror, part action-RPG, part biology class on fire. The story was bananas (in the best way), and the combat was way ahead of its time. With today's tech, Square could go full survival horror RPG again – and finally let Aya take her rightful place among genre legends. | © Square (now Square Enix)

Tenchu stealth assassins msn — Tenchu: Stealth Assassins (1998)

Before ninja games were cool, *Tenchu* made them deadly. This was a stealth game where patience was power, shadows were your best friend, and rooftop assassinations were as satisfying as they were stressful. It wasn’t flashy – it was *honorable murder*. And let’s be real: those early polygonal ninjas are long overdue for a modern makeover. A remake could combine the spirit of the original with today's silky stealth mechanics, and finally give Rikimaru and Ayame the HD backstabbing career they deserve. | © Acquire / Activision

Cropped suikoden ii — Suikoden II (1998)

There are cult classics, and then there’s *Suikoden II –* the JRPG that fans whisper about like it’s a sacred text. Political betrayal? Check. 108 recruitable characters? You bet. Squirrel warriors and sob-worthy plot twists? Oh yes. It’s a game that somehow balances war, loyalty, and magical runes while never losing its emotional core. But it’s still trapped in the pixel dungeon of the past. A faithful, beautiful remake could finally put this unsung masterpiece in front of the masses where it belongs. | © Konami

Cropped omega boost — Omega Boost (1999)

*Omega Boost* was Polyphony Digital’s surprise side hustle before they fully married *Gran Turismo*. Instead of cars, you got giant mechs with lasers flying through space like anime fever dreams. It was short, loud, and unapologetically cool. Think of it as *Zone of the Enders*’ turbocharged cousin with no time for talking – just shooty-shooty, boosty-boosty goodness. A remake could crank up the visuals, slap on a killer soundtrack, and drop us back into that gloriously chaotic cockpit. | © Polyphony Digital / Sony Computer Entertainment

Cropped Syphon Filter — Syphon Filter (1999)

*Syphon Filter* was *Metal Gear Solid’s* edgier, slightly less sophisticated cousin – the one who shows up in sunglasses and never explains why. You played as Gabe Logan, secret agent extraordinaire, tasering bad guys until they burst into flames (still iconic). The plot was pure late-‘90s espionage nonsense, and the controls were... let’s say “dated.” But it had heart, and it had style. A modern remake could sharpen the gunplay, polish the stealth, and finally teach Gabe how to walk like a human being. | © Bend Studio / 989 Studios / Sony Computer Entertainment

Cropped Dino Crisis — Dino Crisis (1999)

If *Resident Evil* was all about zombies, *Dino Crisis* was its wild cousin that said, “Let’s do the same thing... but with velociraptors.” And honestly? It ruled. Regina, the red-haired action queen, faced off against dino-sized jump scares in a high-security facility that clearly skipped its dinosaur-proofing checklist. With today's tech, a remake could turn this into a full-on survival horror *Jurassic Park meets Dead Space* experience. And yes, Capcom – we're still waiting. | © Capcom

Cropped Silent Hill — Silent Hill (1999)

The fog. The radio static. That first dog monster leaping through the window. *Silent Hill* wasn’t just horror – it was psychological dread wrapped in grainy textures and existential trauma. While *Silent Hill 2* often hogs the spotlight, the original started it all and deserves a chance to terrify a whole new generation with modern visuals and sound design that goes *beyond* unsettling. A proper remake could do wonders with lighting, atmosphere, and those nightmare-fueled enemy designs. Just keep the creepy vibes high and the answers vague. | © Konami

Cropped legend of dragoon — Legend of Dragoon (1999)

This game was Sony’s ambitious answer to *Final Fantasy*, and while it didn’t steal the crown, it *did* earn cult status with flashy transformations, timed button presses, and melodramatic plot twists galore. *Legend of Dragoon* gave us soaring dragon armor, a surprisingly emotional story, and turn-based combat with flair. But let’s face it – those long load times and rough polygons are begging for a remake. Give it voice acting, epic cinematics, and a combat system with modern snappiness, and you’ve got a fantasy epic ready to soar again. | © Sony Computer Entertainment

Cropped vagrant story — Vagrant Story (2000)

Stylish, mysterious, and way too smart for its own good, *Vagrant Story* was a one-of-a-kind dungeon crawler that mixed Shakespearean dialogue with weapon micromanagement and block puzzles. It was as if someone dared Square to make an arthouse action-RPG and they just went all in. The atmosphere? Immaculate. The plot? Confusing but oddly compelling. A remake could polish its deep combat system, streamline the inventory tedium, and reintroduce Ashley Riot as the quiet badass he always was. | © Square (now Square Enix)

Cropped final fantasy ix — Final Fantasy IX (2000)

The most whimsical *Final Fantasy* of the PS1 era, *Final Fantasy IX* was a love letter to the series’ roots, with black mages, kingdoms at war, and airships galore. Vivi alone could carry the emotional weight of the whole game, but throw in Zidane’s charm, Garnet’s growth, and that unforgettable soundtrack, and you’ve got an all-time classic. It’s aged better than most, sure – but that doesn’t mean we don’t want to see those chibi heroes in glorious HD. A full remake could be an instant fantasy dreamscape. And yes, we *will* cry again. | © Square (now Square Enix)

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The original PlayStation era was a golden age of gaming, delivering groundbreaking titles that shaped the industry and ignited lifelong fandoms. While many of these classics still hold a special place in our hearts, their graphics, controls, and mechanics haven't all aged gracefully. With the rise of remakes and remasters breathing new life into retro favorites, it's the perfect time to revisit some of the most iconic PS1-era games that deserve a full modern overhaul. From forgotten gems to legendary franchises, here are 20 PlayStation classics that are crying out for a remake in today’s gaming landscape.

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The original PlayStation era was a golden age of gaming, delivering groundbreaking titles that shaped the industry and ignited lifelong fandoms. While many of these classics still hold a special place in our hearts, their graphics, controls, and mechanics haven't all aged gracefully. With the rise of remakes and remasters breathing new life into retro favorites, it's the perfect time to revisit some of the most iconic PS1-era games that deserve a full modern overhaul. From forgotten gems to legendary franchises, here are 20 PlayStation classics that are crying out for a remake in today’s gaming landscape.