7 Video Game Remakes Better Than the Originals (2025)

There’s a difference between a remaster and a true remake. A remaster cleans up the edges. A great remake respects the soul of the original, fixes what’s dated, and adds smart updates that make the game feel new again. In the last few years, we’ve seen a surge of remakes that don’t just revisit classics—they surpass them.

Below are seven remakes that, in my view, are undeniably better than their originals. I’ve prioritized playability in 2025, quality-of-life upgrades, and whether the new version delivers the definitive way to experience the game.

How I judged “better”

It plays better today: controls, camera, performance, accessibility

It adds or refines systems without breaking the original’s identity

It elevates atmosphere, visuals, or storytelling in meaningful ways

It’s the version I’d recommend to someone starting fresh in 2025

1) Resident Evil 2 (2019)

Capcom rewrote the playbook here. RE2’s over-the-shoulder perspective, stunning RE Engine visuals, and ruthless sound design make Raccoon City terrifying in a way the 1998 original simply can’t match today.

Why it’s better now

• Modern controls replace the clunky tank movement without losing tension
• Mr. X is a game-long presence that changes how you navigate every space
• Smart level reworks streamline backtracking while amplifying dread
• The A/B campaign structure returns with improved pacing

Bottom line: If someone says “best remake ever,” this is the one they’re thinking of.

2) Resident Evil 4 (2023)

Remaking a near-perfect game felt risky, but Capcom stuck the landing. The 2023 remake tightens combat, enriches tone, and trims the camp without losing RE4’s swagger.

Why it’s better now

• Knife parries and weighty gunplay bring depth without slowing the pace
• Level reworks make encounters more dynamic and less cheese-prone
• Ashley handles better—no more constant babysitting anxiety
• Side activities add variety and reward exploration

Bottom line: It preserves the original’s momentum while giving it sharper teeth.

3) Dead Space (2023)

The 2008 original still holds up, but EA Motive’s remake is the definitive way to board the Ishimura. It looks and sounds incredible—and more importantly, it plays like a modern survival horror masterclass.

Why it’s better now

• A seamless ship layout and security clearance system reward revisiting areas
• Isaac is voiced, which surprisingly enhances the story without overexplaining
• Zero-G controls feel natural and make set pieces more memorable
• Subtle encounter and puzzle tweaks reduce friction and ramp up fear

Context: It’s a frequent headliner in best-remake roundups, thanks to its smart, restrained updates (see GameSpot’s roundup of top remakes).

4) Demon’s Souls (2020, PS5)

Bluepoint’s remake is the best way to experience the original Souls blueprint. The feel of 2009’s brutal gauntlet remains, but the presentation jump to PS5 is massive.

Why it’s better now

• Lightning-fast loading and silky performance make dying less punishing
• Visuals aren’t just prettier—they sharpen environmental storytelling
• Animations and hit feedback feel satisfying without losing that Souls edge
• QoL touches (like item burden clarity) smooth out the roughest bits

Bottom line: Purists still adore the original, but this remake is the version most players will actually finish—and love.

5) Persona 3 Reload (2024)

Persona 3 Reload takes a beloved, foundational entry and modernizes it across the board. It’s not just a facelift; it’s a smoother, more confident RPG that stands shoulder-to-shoulder with P5 in polish.

Why it’s better now

• Snappier combat, improved dungeon variety, better UI/UX across the board
• New character interactions and quality-of-life changes reduce grind
• Fresh voice work and presentation elevate emotional beats
• Accessibility and pacing updates make it far more approachable

Context: Persona 3 Reload earned strong critical reception and is widely considered the best way to experience P3 today (see Metacritic’s review aggregation for broad consensus).

6) Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1+2 (2020)

Nostalgia hits hard here—but the physics and flow hit harder. Vicarious Visions rebuilt THPS with reverence, then layered in modern quality without breaking the feel.

Why it’s better now

• The handling is faithful, but smoother; lines link more naturally
• Reverts, manuals, and spine transfers unify 1+2 into a cohesive trick sandbox
• Gorgeous, clean visuals keep reads clear at high speed
• Robust challenges and creator features extend replayability

Bottom line: It’s the “just one more run” magic of 1999–2000, with none of the jank.

7) Shadow of the Colossus (2018)

Bluepoint’s remake keeps Fumito Ueda’s minimalist masterpiece intact, then dials its atmosphere up to 11. The sense of scale and melancholy is sharper than ever.

Why it’s better now

• Rebuilt assets and lighting make each colossus encounter awe-inspiring
• Modernized controls reduce friction without erasing the game’s personality
• Performance modes deliver smooth traversal across the Forbidden Lands
• Photo mode somehow makes the quiet moments hit even harder

Bottom line: It feels like how your memory remembers the PS2 original—only better.

Why these seven make the cut

They’re the definitive entry points: If you haven’t played the originals, start here.

They fix what time broke: Cameras, controls, and pacing all get tuned up.

They respect the soul: None of these remakes sand off the game’s identity.

They’re widely recognized: These picks consistently surface in expert lists and community consensus, including roundups like GameSpot’s “best remakes” gallery.

“But what about…” honorable mentions

• Mafia: Definitive Edition — A stellar rebuild with a stronger script and presentation.
• The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening (2019) — A charming modernization with a great art style.
• Resident Evil (2002) — The original “REmake” still slaps, especially with its Crimson Heads twist.

If your personal top seven swaps one or two of these in, I won’t argue.

Practical takeaways if you’re jumping in now

New to survival horror? Start with Resident Evil 2 or Dead Space; both balance tension and modern usability.

Prefer skill and mastery loops? Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1+2 is timeless.

Want an epic RPG with modern polish? Persona 3 Reload is the smoothest on-ramp to classic Persona storytelling.

Crave atmosphere above all? Shadow of the Colossus and Demon’s Souls are still unmatched vibes.

Final word

Remakes used to feel like nostalgia tax. Today, the best ones are preservation done right: they keep what mattered, cut what didn’t, and show exactly why these games became classics in the first place. If you’re in your 20s–40s and picking your spots, these seven are absolutely worth your time (and your backlog).