The Remakes We’re Waiting For
While some games fade over time, others remain talked about, replayed, and requested—even decades later. What lies ahead is about the second kind. These are classic titles that made a clear impact when they launched, whether through innovative gameplay or bold ideas. However, most have never been properly remade, even with fan interest. Here are 20 games that desperately deserve to be brought back to life.
The greatest game ever made by Modest Pelican
1. Chrono Trigger
First released in 1995 on the SNES, Chrono Trigger helped shape RPG history with its time-travel plot and multiple endings. Akira Toriyama designed the characters, and Yasunori Mitsuda’s soundtrack is still relevant in orchestral performances. The game is widely considered one of the greatest RPGs ever.
Chrono Trigger PC - Anime Intro 1080pHD by DarkShadowRage
2. The Legend Of Dragoon
The Legend of Dragoon dropped in 1999 as a PlayStation RPG competitor to Final Fantasy. Its combat used a timing-based “Additions” system. Sony invested over $16 million in the title, and its CGI cutscenes were a technical highlight.
The Legend of Dragoon | The Black Monster - Tragedy of Rose by World of Longplays
3. GoldenEye 007
Released in 1997 on the N64, GoldenEye 007 revolutionized console FPS games. Stealth-based objectives and multiplayer made it iconic, and a full remake has never emerged due to legal barriers. The game was built by a mostly rookie team, and the four-player split-screen made it a legend.
GoldenEye 007 - Playthrough 00 Agent by Graslu00
4. Parasite Eve
Square’s Parasite Eve combined survival horror with RPG mechanics. The storyline, adapted from a Japanese novel, featured biological horror elements. Its real-time combat was pioneering, and mitochondria and spontaneous combustion drove the plot. While the sequel went softer on horror, fans remain loyal to the original.
Parasite Eve — Part 1 - A Fiery Performance by aulddragon
5. Metal Gear Solid
PlayStation got Metal Gear Solid, known for revolutionizing stealth gameplay, in 1998. Twin Snakes on GameCube introduced new cutscenes, which divided fans. The cardboard box tactic became a gaming meme. However, its voice acting and cinematic direction were industry-changing for the time.
METAL GEAR SOLID 1 - All Bosses + All Endings (4K 60FPS) by Kouteshi
6. Jet Set Radio
The arrival of Jet Set Radio in 2000 on the Dreamcast pioneered cel-shading and street culture in games. Fans have requested a remake, but they’re yet to get it. While the soundtrack features enduring Japanese funk and hip-hop, its graffiti tagging mechanics earned some global bans.
Jet Set Radio HD [PC] Gameplay by BLACKB0ND
7. Alundra
First released in 1997, Alundra is often noted for its blend of puzzle-solving and mature themes. A dream-diving mechanic led to profound and eerie character arcs. It's frequently called a grown-up version of Zelda, and its high difficulty made walkthroughs a near-necessity for many players.
PSX Longplay [141] Alundra (Part 1 of 4) by World of Longplays
8. Skies Of Arcadia
Skies of Arcadia, released for Dreamcast and GameCube, never received a remake or modern port. The game’s world was composed of floating islands and aerial combat, and the airship battles were innovative and cinematic. Many of the original developers later contributed to the Valkyria Chronicles franchise.
9. EarthBound
Here’s an SNES cult hit that never had a proper remake, only a digital reissue. It brought surrealness and satire to RPGs, and development struggles nearly canceled it. Enemies like “Unassuming Local Guy” were featured here, and a dedicated fanbase created Starmen.net.
Welcome to EarthBound - Nintendo Switch Online by Nintendo of America
10. Tomba!
Tomba!, a 1997 PS1 platformer, combined vibrant side-scrolling with RPG-style progression and remained unreleased digitally for years. In it, a pink-haired character faces off against pig foes. Game events change permanently after completion—rare at the time—and puzzles involved throwing enemies and hatching eggs.
Tomba! | LRG3 Reveal Trailer by Limited Run Games
11. Legacy Of Kain: Soul Reaver
While Soul Reaver is known for its gothic setting and narrative ambition, its series ended on a cliffhanger with no modern continuation. Raziel, the lead character, used a spectral blade to devour souls, and the gameplay often involved shifting between the material and spectral planes.
Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver GamePlay - (Dumah Battle) by That Welsh Gamer
12. Vagrant Story
Since Vagrant Story debuted in 2000, it has not received any follow-up or modern remake. The game takes place entirely within one cursed city. Weapons perform differently based on enemy type. There are no shops—players have to create or find everything.
Vagrant Story - Gameplay PSX / PS1 / PS One / HD 720P (Epsxe) by John GodGames
13. Black & White
Released in 2001, Black & White is a god simulation game by Lionhead Studios. Players raised creatures who learned through positive or negative reinforcement. It was commercially successful but never remade, and the hand cursor gave players physical control over actions.
Black & White 1 HD ► God Game & 2001 Gameplay by GamerZakh
14. Twisted Metal 2
Twisted Metal 2 launched in 1996 as a vehicular combat game that many fans consider the best of the franchise. The game featured memorable characters like Sweet Tooth, and levels took place in warped versions of real-world cities. Secret bosses and brutal endings added replay value.
Twisted Metal 2 - Gameplay PSX (PS One) HD 720P (Playstation classics) by John GodGames
15. Dino Crisis
Created by the team behind Resident Evil, Dino Crisis offered dinosaur-driven horror. Raptors could follow players across rooms, which was new at the time, and Regina, the heroine, became a cosplay favorite. Fans coined it “Resident Evil with teeth,” and later sequels didn’t match the original’s success.
DINO CRISIS Gameplay Walkthrough FULL GAME (4K 60FPS) No Commentary by Shirrako
16. Bushido Blade
The 1997 title, Bushido Blade, is notable for its realistic combat. One strike could end a match, and no game has fully recreated this system. Characters followed honor rules; breaking them could make you lose. Damage to arms or legs impacted specific moves.
Bushido Blade - Secret Bosses Path (Second Endings - Story Mode) by Hyper2faceman
17. Panzer Dragoon Saga
Panzer Dragoon Saga, a Saturn-exclusive RPG, was praised but sold under 30,000 units in the West. A remake has never been made due to lost source code. Its real-time battle system allowed on-the-fly positioning around enemies. Few physical copies exist and fetch over $1,000.
The Village of Zoah - Let's Play Panzer Dragoon Saga - Episode 9 by saigancat
18. The Simpsons: Hit & Run
Released in 2003, The Simpsons: Hit & Run offered open-world gameplay and was dubbed “GTA: Springfield.” Voice work was handled by the show’s original cast, and missions ranged from theft to alien schemes. Fans developed a complete PC remake on their own.
The Simpsons Hit and Run - The Full Game by Hollow
19. Star Wars: Dark Forces
In 1995, Star Wars: Dark Forces, an FPS, pioneered storytelling in the genre. The game introduced Kyle Katarn, and players could jump and crouch—both actions were advanced for the time. Dark Troopers first appeared here, and the level design introduced verticality and secret-filled labyrinths.
Star Wars: Dark Forces - Mission 1: Secret Base (1995) [MS-DOS] by Dosgamert
20. The Neverhood
The Neverhood debuted in 1996, created entirely with claymation. Its lore is found on a 38-screen hallway wall. Terry S. Taylor composed a bizarre soundtrack for it, and the game’s spiritual successor, Armikrog, failed to recapture the same magic.
