Plenty of iconic games from thePlayStation 3andXbox 360remain as great today as ever, but the attention they receive has naturally faded over time. These titles are ripe for remasters, because then publishers can make even more money on them without having to do as much work as a remake would force them to do. Luckily, there’s plenty to choose from that could end up on the PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X/S as remasters.
Like manyPS2 games that deserve remastering,games from the PS3 and Xbox 360 era are filled with overlooked champions. A good remaster needs to be on multiple platforms, otherwise, it feels like plenty of players are missing out. There are plenty of games that need to end up on newer consoles and storefronts, because many players don’t realize how many gems came out during that era.
10Rainbow Six: Vegas 2 Needs A Remaster
SWAT Gameplay In Sin City
Rainbow Six: Vegas 2was a great game for those who played it at the time. There were some AI issues, but otherwise, the game has a strong base to work off of. Players took control of a SWAT team in Las Vegas, Nevada, who focused on taking out terrorists. The story mode was okay, butthe game shined in the modes that just let players take out enemies in hostage situations.
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This game would be great for a remaster because of how strong its foundation is. A lot would need to be reworked and taken out to make a perfect package, butthanks toReady or Not, there’s certainly proof of a continued market for this kind of game. This would probably take the most significant overhaul on this list because of all the issues, butRainbow Six: Vegas 2deserves the attention.
9Splinter Cell: Blacklist Was An Overlooked Gem
Splinter Cell Feels Forgotten By Ubisoft
Splinter Cell: Blacklistis a great example of how to refresh a popular game series while keeping its original spirit. A remaster would likely be very popular, especially with the current interest in stealth games. The game effectively combined the traditional stealth elements of earlier games with the more action-focused style ofConviction. What I like is thatplayers can choose to play with either lethal or non-lethal methods, making it easy to approach the game in different ways, which helps with replaying the levels.
The story inBlacklistis an important yet often overlooked aspect. With an interesting plot that focuses on terrorism, a remaster could improve the visuals to offer a much better cinematic experience. The strong story, memorable characters, and interesting conflict make it a perfect candidate for a remaster. I can’t be the only one who thought this was a great entry in the series.
8Brutal Legend Suffered From Poor Marketing
People Would Like It If It Was Offered Today
A lot of people wrote offBrutal Legendbecause its marketing team oversold Jack Black’s part in it, and it seemed like a completely different genre than what many expected. However, it’s a fun and unique gaming experience that fully deserves a remaster.Brutal Legendmixes real-time strategy with an open world, showcasing some creative game design fromPsychonautsandGrim Fandangodirector Tim Schafer. One moment, you could be leading metal minions in huge battles set to rock concerts, and the next, you might be racing vehicles or just destroying the forces of evil.
A remaster could improve the game’s visuals so they don’t look so dated, so acartoon style likeFortnitewould do really well here.Pair that with higher-resolution graphics, better lighting, and upgraded character models, and the game would be well-received. While there are some minor issues, like repetitive side quests and the main character’s inability to jump, these problems could be fixed in a remaster. This isn’t the most popular game, but it definitely would be if more players had tried it out originally.
7Persona 4 Arena Ultimax Would Be A Great Start
More Persona Fighting Games Please
Persona 4 Arena Ultimaxis a great example of a JRPG mixed with a fighting game that deserves a remaster. It is a shame thatthis game tends to get overlooked, as otherPersonagames that deserved remastershave gotten their chance. The story is interesting, pulling players back into the lives of the students fromPersona 4who fight supernatural monsters while dealing with everyday challenges. The character interactions also seem pretty genuine and tend to be the best parts of the game.
Persona 4has been ported to PS4, but it deserves a full remaster or remake on modern consoles.
An extensive remaster or remake would improve these already fantastic features with updated visuals and performance. This could introduce a classic game to a new generation whileletting longtime fans enjoy it again with much better fidelity.Persona 4 Goldenwas remastered recently, so another part of that series feels like the sensible next step. I would give it a new title, though, just to differentiate it from theGoldenera.
6The Infamous Series Needs To Make A Comeback
The Franchise Was Abandoned
I like theInfamousseries, and it would be good to see the first or second game remastered. The series combinessuperhero action with player choices in a way that still feels unique today. Aside from dedicated RPG experiences, few AAA games now let you meaningfully affect the story and how characters react. Your choices don’t just change dialogue; they lead to different endings and shape side quests as well.
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The city itself changes based on what you do, transforming from a hopeful place to a bleak wasteland, which would be even better with remastered graphics and new city reactions. The art style is worth revisiting just to set an example for others to follow;the cutscenes looked like graphic novels, blending still images with dynamic effects. Even though some in-game cutscenes weren’t as strong, the overall art design was pretty memorable.
5The Original God of War Saga Has Aged
Let Kratos Relive His Old Memories
The originalGod of Warseries is begging for a remaster. This trilogy concluded in the PS3 era, and it shows its age compared to the reboot games. Sticking to only the PS3 entry,God of War 3could earn a full remake on PS5 to outdo its remastered release on PS4. Alternately, however, all three games could make up a more straightforward trilogy remaster that might even be able to fit on one PS5 disc. With how much Sony lovesGod of War,it seems like a good idea to remaster a series that’s already beloved.
Remastering the games would also capitalize on the hype that players have for previous games in the series. They’re not as accessible anymore, with the first two games only being available through PlayStation Plus andbringing them to a remastered standard would be more inviting for players to try it today.
4The Witcher 2: Assassin of Kings Feels Outdated
The Graphics Are A Product of Its Time
Some might say thatThe Witcher 2: Assassin of Kingsis already a great game that doesn’t need a remaster, but I really don’t think that’s true. The game’s graphics were impressive for their time, but the over-reliance on blur and bloom hasn’t aged well. The combat system, which combines sword fighting and magic, is still one of the best out there, so a remaster wouldn’t have to revamp the core gameplay. However, playingAssassin of Kingsnow doesn’t compare well to the visual advancements ofThe Witcher 3: The Wild Hunt.
The Witcher 2’s characters are well-developed and memorable, with their goals linked to the political struggles and racial tensions within Temeria. The storyline is expertly crafted,mixing big political drama with personal quests that tackle ideas of justice, morality, and the consequences of the past. A remaster would show players how amazing the series is outsideThe Witcher 3and the upcomingWitcher 4,whichfeatures Ciri as its protagonist.
3Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots Looks Great
Just One More Remaster To End Up On PS5
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriotsis one of the best games in theMetal Gear Solidfranchise, but it has yet to receive a remaster. Itsextensive story is the perfect ending to Solid Snake’s journey, cleverly connecting years of background while tackling serious topics like war, technology, and personal sacrifice. I was so beaten down by the end of this game, but it was so cathartic. I can’t forget how Snake’s aging body barely made it to the end of the game, literally crawling to save the day.
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The gameplay is impressive as well. TheDrebin Point system gives players more choices in how to playand offers a lot of different weapons to choose from and use. This game may not need a big graphics upgrade, but it would be great to see it come to the PS5, especially considering the lack of options for anyone without a PS3 to play it today.
2Grand Theft Auto 4 Deserves A Turn Getting Remastered
A Deluxe Edition For A Diamond In The Rough
Grand Theft Auto 4feels like the next big game that should be remastered. The physics engine was removed inGTA 5, and it was one of the best parts of the game.GTA 4really feels different from any other game in the series, and it’s a shame that it has not been shown the love given to many other games in Rockstar’s catalog.
The story marks a significant shift from the more exaggerated narratives of previous games in the series. It focuses on Niko Bellic, delving intoimportant themes like immigration, ethics, and the influence of organized crime in a thoughtful way. The remaster of this game feels really overdue, and I hope it gets it soon. There are not many games that deserve a remaster more thanGTA 4.
1Little Big Planet 3 Is Slept On
This Series Could Have Been Industry-Changing
LittleBigPlanet 3is the best in the series when it comes to creation. It offers so much for players to do, and with a remaster, we could see the old levels and customization options added in from previous games in the series. Sony has dropped the ball here, asLittleBigPlanetreally should be a flagship series. Even with its issues, it has a special appeal and creative gameplay, making it a good candidate for a remaster.
The game really shines in its Creation Mode, where players can build their own levels. The addition of multiple layers allows for more complex-level designs. The Popit Powerup tool makes switching between playing and creating easier and more unique.LittleBigPlanetdeserves so much more attention, but it has been cast aside, as it became more of a gimmick than a game. A remaster on PlayStation 5 could fix this, bringing one of the coolest games of thePS3andXbox 360era back to life.
