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Video game remake

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In the video game subculture, an enhanced remake (also called updated classics) is an updated version of a video or computer game that was originally developed for a less advanced system. They are also known as "Super Mario All-Stars format", because an early occurrence of the idea was Super Mario All-Stars. Remakes with resolution upgrades are called high-resolution remakes. Remakes for high-definition video game consoles, such as PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, and on par with HDTV are called high-definition remakes (or HD remakes)[citation needed]. The practice of updating old games began in the 16-bit era but was popularized during the Sixth Generation Era.

The basic features of an enhanced remake are graphical and audio enhancements (or "facelifts"). The methods of graphical enhancement include re-touching, decompression, polygon upgrade, texturization or texture resolution upgrade, and two-dimensional to three-dimensional transformation (hence three-dimensional remakes, or the "Wild Arms: Alter Code F format"). Audio enhancements include new music, better sound quality, and remixes of the old music. Sometimes extra levels or other features are added, and the game engine may be improved. In most cases, however, the majority of gameplay itself is left unaltered.

Enhanced remakes occur mostly on video game consoles. They have occurred mostly during the 128-bit era. The system that the game is being enhanced from is called the source system, and the system it is been enhanced for is called the target system. The earliest enhanced remakes are 16-bit remakes of 8-bit games. Also, occasionally games that were originally released only in Japan are remade and re-released in the West, most notably Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels and Final Fantasy II of Final Fantasy Origins. (See also Fan translation.)

Some examples of enhanced remakes include Super Mario All-Stars (from NES to Super NES) and Final Fantasy Origins (from NES to WonderSwan Color to Sony PlayStation). The enhanced remakes of Dragon Quest I-IV were Japan-only, but later unofficially translated into English.

Sometimes, a publisher makes an unauthorized copy of another publisher's game. This "remake" is called a "clone". Making and publishing a clone is legal if no copyright or patent covers any essential aspect of the game (for example, Tetris), as long as the clone is published under a name that is not confusingly similar. Most clones, however, do not fall under this rule and are illegal. Some are even pirated versions of the game they are supposedly remaking.

Controversy

Many gamers find that enhanced remakes achieve the same level of quality that the original versions did, but some others oppose the idea on grounds that games lose something in the transformation to newer technology. The most controversial form of the idea is the three-dimensional remake idea, as in Wild ARMs: Alter Code F. Some "old school" gamers believe that remaking a two-dimensional graphics video game into a three-dimensional graphics one ruins the entire experience of the game and detract from what they call the "charm" the game would formerly have. Others claim that enhanced remakes overshadow their original versions.

Conversely, some gamers believe that these remakes give the games more vitality, and place high value on large enhancements. Other gamers prefer the original version (usually out of nostalgia) but believe that the enhanced version lives up to its quality. In many cases, the remakes make old games more accessible to new players, who might not even be aware of the original. Most gamers, however, are neutral. Also, many new gamers, and gamers who take retrogaming seriously, balk at emulated versions of very old, or ancient, video games, like Mega Man Anniversary Collection, Midway Arcade Treasures, and Sonic Mega Collection on modern video game consoles, and may voice their opinion that they want enhanced remakes of the re-released old games, because they find it difficult to have the outdated graphics and audio on the current-era consoles. They call such re-releases ageware.

Enhanced remakes and console emulation

Sometimes, the enhanced remake idea, with the inclusion of the original version with in the enhanced version, curbs the urge for console emulation. Original versions of the games that are enhanced-remade are usually not included with the original version. Nintendo decided that when they did an enhanced remake of the original Metroid, as Metroid: Zero Mission, they included the original version within the enhanced version as an unlockable.

See also

List of enhanced remakes

This list does not include reissues (or direct ports) of original games, nor does it include clones:

Game Title Original Platform Remake Platforms and Notes
Bubble Bobble Arcade/Various Game Boy Advance (as Bubble Bobble Old and New)
Castlevania NES Sharp X68000 (Japan-only), Sony PlayStation as Castlevania Chronicles, Super NES as Super Castlevania IV, MSX as Vampiure Killer, Arcade as Haunted Castle.
Comic Party PC, Sega Dreamcast PC (As Comic Party DCE), PSP (As Comic Party Portable)
Command & Conquer: Tiberian Dawn PC PC (Gold edition, with a new graphical engine)
Conker's Bad Fur Day Nintendo 64 Xbox (As Conker: Live & Reloaded)
Crystalis NES Game Boy Color
Digital Devil Story: Megami Tensei NES Super Nintendo (part of Kyuuyaku Megami Tensei)
Digital Devil Story: Megami Tensei 2 NES Super Nintendo (part of Kyuuyaku Megami Tensei)
Dinosaur Various popular Japanese computer systems (such as the PC-8801, PC-9801, and FM-TOWNS in 1990 PC in 2002, for Windows, as Dinosaur: Resurrection - It is a first-person "adventure RPG" with a presentation akin to Arcana/Cardmaster for the SNES/Super Famicom. No version of the game has ever been translated into English.
Disney's Magical Quest series SNES Game Boy Advance
Donkey Kong Arcade/Various Game Boy (unofficially called Donkey Kong '94 with 96 levels added)
Donkey Kong Country series SNES Game Boy Advance (the first game also on Game Boy Color).
Double Dragon Arcade/Various Game Boy Advance (as Double Dragon Advance)
Dr. Mario NES, Game Boy (Monochrome) Super NES, Nintendo 64, Nintendo GameCube (part of Nintendo Puzzle Collection, Japan only), Game Boy Advance (as part of Dr. Mario & Puzzle League)
Dragon Quest (Dragon Warrior) MSX, NES (MSX version Japan-only) Super NES (released in Japan only, translated into English through emulation), Game Boy Color (adapted from Super NES version), cellular phone (MSX and cellular phone versions Japan-only)
Dragon Quest II (Dragon Warrior II) MSX, NES (MSX version Japan-only) Super NES (released in Japan only, translated into English through emulation), Game Boy Color (adapted from Super NES version). Bundled with the precedent entry when remade.
Dragon Quest III (Dragon Warrior III) NES Super NES (released in Japan only, translated into English through emulation), Game Boy Color (adapted from Super NES version)
Dragon Quest IV (Dragon Warrior IV) NES Sony PlayStation (Japan only)
Dragon Quest V Super NES (original version released in Japan only) PlayStation 2 (This version may get localized to North America. Resolution upgrade due to the traditional resolution of the new platform. Remake has an orchestrated soundtrack, performed by NHK Symphony Orchestra. Other Dragon Quest games up to Dragon Quest VII are likely to be remade in the same fashion due to an orchestral arrangement plan by composer Koichi Sugiyama.)
Dune 2: Battle For Arrakis PC PC (This was a DOS-based RTS game made by Westwood before Command & Conquer. Westwood remade the game as Dune 2000 with improved graphics, more units and a deeper storyline. They then released Emperor: Battle For Dune, which could be considered a remake of the remake.)
Final Fantasy NES MSX, WonderSwan Color, Sony PlayStation (enhanced from WonderSwan Color version and part of Final Fantasy Origins), cellular phone, Game Boy Advance (as part of Final Fantasy I & II: Dawn of Souls)
Final Fantasy II NES (original version released in Japan only) WonderSwan Color, Sony PlayStation (PlayStation version enhanced from WonderSwan Color version and part of Final Fantasy Origins), Game Boy Advance (as part of the Final Fantasy I & II: Dawn of Souls)
Final Fantasy III NES (original version released in Japan only) Fully 3D remake for the Nintendo DS (to be released).
Final Fantasy IV Super NES PlayStation (part of Final Fantasy Chronicles in NTSC territories, and Final Fantasy Anthology in PAL territories), Game Boy Advance (as Final Fantasy IV Advance) Features updated graphics and additional content like a bonus dungeon, and allowing party member switching for the final dungeon
Final Fantasy V Super NES PlayStation as part of Final Fantasy Anthology.
Final Fantasy VI Super NES PlayStation (in NTSC territories as part of Final Fantasy Anthology).
Fire Emblem: Ankoku Ryuu to Hikari no Tsurugi NES (original version released in Japan only) Super NES (included as a bonus in its sequel, Fire Emblem: Monshô no Nazo)
Various Game & Watch games Game & Watch Game Boy/Advance (As part of the Game & Watch Gallery series, which include the original & remake versions of the games)
Gyakuten Saiban (Japan only) Game Boy Advance Nintendo DS as Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney.
The King of Fighters '94 Neo-Geo PlayStation 2, as The King of Fighters '94 Re-bout. 3D backgrounds and high-resolution sprites. "Re-bout" is the suffix for enhanced remakes of SNK fighting games.
King's Quest 1 Various (Home Computers) The original animated adventure game, produced by Sierra On-Line in 1984, it was re-released in 1987 with enhanced graphics (EGA) and sound. A fan re-remake was released by Tierra Entertainment in 2001.
Kirby's Adventure NES Game Boy Advance (as Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land)
The Legend of Zelda NES Super Famicom Satellaview (Japan Only) as BS Zelda
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past Super NES Satellaview (Japan only) as BS Zelda: Kodai no Sekiban; Game Boy Advance (as The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past / The Four Swords, which included a new dungeon, as well as voice clips for some characters.
The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening Game Boy (Monochrome) Game Boy Color (as The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening DX, made over from monochrome to color.) Included a new dungeon that relied on the color screen, as well as the ability to take "pictures" during the game that could be printed onto the Gameboy printer.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Nintendo 64 Gamecube, as The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Master Quest, which adds more difficult dungeons.
Leisure Suit Larry In the Land of the Lounge Lizards Various (Home Computers) The original was produced by Sierra On-Line in 1987 (itself a re-make of their previous text-only 'Softporn Adventure'), and was re-released in 1991 with enhanced VGA graphics and sound, and a point-and-click interface.
Lunar: The Silver Star Sega CD Sega Saturn and PC, as Lunar: Silver Star Story (Japan only) , on PlayStation as Lunar: Silver Star Story Complete and on Game Boy Advance as Lunar Legend.
Lunar 2: Eternal Blue Sega CD PlayStation as Lunar 2: Eternal Blue Complete.
Lunar: Walking School Game Gear Sega Saturn (Japan only) as Magic School Lunar!.
Makaitoushi SaGa (Final Fantasy Legend) Game Boy (Monochrome) WonderSwan Color (original version also included, graphics made over from monochrome 8-bit to color 16-bit)
Mario Bros. Arcade Game Boy Advance (as a bonus game on all of the Super Mario Advance games as well as Mario and Luigi: Superstar Saga)
Mega Man 1-6 NES PlayStation (As Rockman Complete Works series, later bundled into the Mega Man Anniversary Collection for Nintendo GameCube and PlayStation 2) Also, the first three were remade as "Rockman Megaworld" and "Mega Man: The Wily Wars" on Sega Genesis / MegaDrive.
Mega Man X SNES PlayStation Portable (As Mega Man Maverick Hunter X or Irregular Hunter X in Japan)
Metal Gear MSX2, NES Mobile Phone, PlayStation 2 (As part of the upcoming Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence)
Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake MSX2 Mobile Phone, PlayStation 2 (Also as a component of Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence, will be the first English localization of the game)
Metal Gear Solid PlayStation Nintendo GameCube (as Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes)
Metal Slug 2 Neo-Geo, PlayStation Metal Slug X
Metroid NES Game Boy Advance (as Metroid: Zero Mission - graphics, audio, and gameplay elements vastly improved to the standards of sequels Super Metroid and Metroid Fusion.
Mythri Game Boy Color Game Boy Advance
Ninja Gaiden NES Super NES, Xbox
Ninja Gaiden 2 NES Super NES, Xbox
Ninja Gaiden 3 NES Super NES, Xbox
Pac-Man Arcade Arcade (as a component of Namco Classic Collection Vol. 2)
Panel de Pon (Tetris Attack) Super NES Nintendo GameCube (as a component of Nintendo Puzzle Collection), Game Boy Advance (as part of Dr. Mario & Puzzle League)
Phantasy Star Sega Master System Sony PlayStation 2 (as Phantasy Star Generation 1)
Phantasy Star II Sega Genesis Sony PlayStation 2 (as Phantasy Star Generation 2)
Phantasy Star IV Sega Genesis Sony PlayStation 2
Pokémon Green Game Boy (Monochrome) (Original version released in America as Pokémon Blue) Game Boy Advance (as Pokémon Leaf Green). Mass removal of Pokémon entries led to the development of this remake.
Pokémon Red Game Boy (Monochrome) Game Boy Advance (as Pokémon Fire Red). Mass removal of Pokémon entries led to the development of this remake.
Police Quest 1 Various (Home Computers) The original was produced by Sierra On-Line in 1987, and was re-released in 1991 with enhanced VGA graphics and sound, and a point-and-click interface.
Quest for Glory 1 (AKA Hero Quest 1) Amiga, Macintosh, PC (VGA) The original was produced by Sierra On-Line in 1989, and was re-released in 1991 with enhanced VGA graphics and sound, and a point-and-click interface.
Rayman 2 PC, Nintendo 64, Sony PlayStation, Sega Dreamcast Sony PlayStation 2 (As Rayman 2 Revolution) and Nintendo DS (As Rayman DS)
Resident Evil Sony PlayStation Nintendo GameCube, Nintendo DS as Resident Evil: Deadly Silence (to be released).
River City Ransom (Downtown Nekketsu Monogatari) NES Game Boy Advance (as River City Ransom EX in the United States and as Downtown Nekketsu Monogatari EX in Japan)
Romancing SaGa SNES (Japan only) PlayStation 2 (as Romancing SaGa: Minstrel Song)
Seiken Densetsu (Final Fantasy Adventure) Game Boy (Monochrome) Game Boy Advance (as Shinyaku Seiken Densetsu in Japan and as Sword of Mana in the United States. All Final Fantasy elements have been removed.)
Shin Megami Tensei Various (Originated on Super NES) Sony PlayStation, Game Boy Advance - both original and enhanced versions are Japanese only
Shin Megami Tensei II Super NES Sony PlayStation, Game Boy Advance - both original and enhanced versions are Japanese only
Shin Megami Tensei: If... Super NES Sony PlayStation - both original and enhanced versions are Japanese only
Shining Force: The Legacy of Great Intention Sega Mega Drive / Genesis Game Boy Advance (as Shining Force: Resurrection of Dark Dragon)
Sid Meier's Pirates! Various (Home Computers) PC, for Windows and X-Box.
Skies of Arcadia (Japan: Eternal Arcadia) Sega Dreamcast Nintendo GameCube as Skies of Arcadia Legends.
Snatcher NEC PC-88/MSX2 PC Engine (as Snatcher CD-ROMantic), Sega CD, PlayStation, Sega Saturn.
Space Quest 1 Various (Home Computers) The original was produced by Sierra On-Line in 1986, and was re-released in 1990 with enhanced VGA graphics and sound, and a point-and-click interface.
Sonic Adventure Sega Dreamcast Nintendo GameCube and PC as Sonic Adventure DX: Director's Cut. All the glitches were left in, which was considered controversial.
Sonic Adventure 2 Sega Dreamcast Nintendo GameCube as Sonic Adventure 2: Battle
Super Mario 64 Nintendo 64 Nintendo DS (as Super Mario 64 DS)
Super Mario Bros. NES Super NES (as part of Super Mario All-Stars), Game Boy Color (as Super Mario Bros. Deluxe)
Super Mario Bros. 2 (Super Mario Bros. USA) NES Super NES (as part of Super Mario All-Stars), Game Boy Advance
Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels NES (original version released in Japan only) Super NES (as part of Super Mario All-Stars), Game Boy Color (part of Super Mario Bros. Deluxe)
Super Mario Bros. 3 NES Super NES, (as part of Super Mario All-Stars), Game Boy Advance
Super Mario World Super NES Game Boy Advance
Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island Super NES Game Boy Advance
Super Street Fighter II Turbo Arcade Game Boy Advance, Dreamcast with added online play (Japan Only), PlayStation 2 and Xbox (Hyper Street Fighter II: Anniversary Edition, part of Street Fighter Anniversary Collection)
Tales of Phantasia Super NES (original version released in Japan only) Sony PlayStation, Game Boy Advance (GBA version to be released in English in 2006).
Tengai Makyou II NEC TurboGrafx 16/PC-Engine Sony PlayStation 2, Nintendo GameCube (all versions Japan only).
To Heart PC, Sony PlayStation PC (As To Heart PSE), PlayStation 2 (As part of the To Heart 2 Limited Deluxe Pack)
To Heart 2 Sony PlayStation 2 PC (as To Heart 2 X-Rated). The most notable thing about this version is that it was remade as a hentai game.
Wild ARMs Sony PlayStation 2 Sony PlayStation 2 (as Wild ARMs: Alter Code F). Remade as a 3D graphics game, a controversial remake idea.
WinBack Nintendo 64 Sony PlayStation 2
Ys NEC PC-88 NES, MSX, Windows, PlayStation 2 (as Ys Eternal)
Ys II NEC PC-88 NES, MSX, Windows, PlayStation 2 (as Ys II Eternal)
Ys III: Wanderers from Ys NEC PC-9801 NES, MSX, NEC TurboGrafx-16/PC-Engine, Sega Genesis, SNES, PlayStation 2, and PC as Ys: The Oath in Felghana.
Ys IV: Mask of the Sun Super NES Sony PlayStation 2
Ys V: Ushinawareta Sunano Miyako Kefin Super NES SonyPlayStation 2
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