Revamping Nintendo Classics: 10 Games That Absolutely Demand Remakes!

Nintendo held its popular Nintendo Direct event in late June 2023, where they typically unveil upcoming news from the Japanese developer and publisher. These events often feature trailer premieres, announcements, and special events. In this particular event, Nintendo announced the remake of the beloved game from the past, Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars. This has sparked speculation about other lesser-known games in Nintendo's extensive library that could also receive similar remakes, and potentially even games from non-Nintendo platforms.

10 Enter The Matrix (Nintendo GameCube)

When The Matrix Reloaded debuted in the early 2000s, the game Enter the Matrix emerged with strong sales. Players had the option to select either Niobe (Morpheus' lost love) or her soft-spoken first mate Ghost, with each character possessing their own unique skill set.

Upon its initial release, the game was renowned for its exceptional graphics, engaging storyline, and the inclusion of the popular bullet time feature. Furthermore, the DOS-inspired menu and cheat code system within Enter the Matrix immersed players further into the intricacies of the Matrix world. However, considering the advancements in technology and changing times, a modernized version and a restructured narrative would be necessary to better cater to the present era.

9 The Simpsons: Hit And Run (Nintendo GameCube)

In this era of remakes, numerous fans have expressed their desire for a particular guilty pleasure. Specifically, they yearn for a more "family-friendly" and entertaining version of popular third-person car-based games like GTA 5 and Saints Row 3. This desire revolves around The Simpsons: Hit and Run, which is widely regarded as subjectively the greatest Simpsons game ever created. Its well-crafted missions, inclusion of the original cast, and storylines that stay true to fans' expectations have contributed to its esteemed reputation.

Despite the existence of fan-made remakes throughout the years, an official remake of Hit and Run has yet to materialize. It is worth mentioning that incorporating an online feature, similar to the immensely popular online mode in GTA 5, would be an incredible addition. Furthermore, let's be frank, who wouldn't want to immerse themselves in a fictitious town like Springfield alongside beloved characters such as Bart, Lisa, Homer, and the gang when life becomes too overwhelming?

8 Banjo-Kazooie (Nintendo 64)

Rare, a renowned British video game developer, gained recognition for its Nintendo 64 shooters Perfect Dark and Goldeneye (007). However, in 1997, they took a creative risk by releasing Banjo-Kazooie, a platformer featuring a bear and his avian companion. This move aimed to replicate the success of Super Mario 64 and Crash Bandicoot, which had both been released the previous year. Banjo-Kazooie remains highly regarded as one of the N64's finest games, with fans eagerly yearning for a sequel.

Given the outdated graphics of the original version, a remake would undoubtedly be a resounding success, similar to the triumph of the N. Sane Trilogy for Crash Bandicoot. Currently, the Switch Online version is the only way to enjoy Banjo-Kazooie outside of its original Nintendo 64 release. Unfortunately, the passage of time has not been kind to many of the game's polygon models, regardless of their nostalgic value.

7 Def Jam: Fight For NY (Nintendo Gamecube)

EA's Def Jam: Fight For NY boasts an outlandish plot for a fighting game. With Def Jam: Vendetta as its predecessor, players find themselves embroiled in a turf war in the streets of New York City, with the iconic Crow (portrayed by Snoop Dogg) and D-Mob (reprised by Christopher Judge from God of War) leading the charge. The exceptional voice cast includes a star-studded lineup from Def Jam Record's prominent artists of that time.

Considering the undeniable appeal of intense combat in video games, a revitalized version of Fight For NY appears to be a promising venture. By replacing a few outdated rappers with fresh and contemporary artists like Kendrick Lamar, Drake, Cardi B, Post Malone, and A$AP Rocky, EA could breathe new life into the game.

6 WWF: No Mercy (Nintendo 64)

In terms of wrestling games, WWF: No Mercy continues to shine above all others. Whether it's the extensive wrestling roster or the nostalgic arcade experience brought to the Nintendo 64, this game truly stands out. With its intricate multi-layered camera system, it was undoubtedly a massive success. It's safe to say that even today, it remains impressive.

However, like many games on this list from the N64 era, WWF: No Mercy suffered from clunky and outdated graphics. A well-executed remake of this game, priced at $65 per copy, would be a steal for those craving that authentic WWF/WWE experience, no matter where they choose to play from.

5 Kingdom Hearts: 358/2 Days (Nintendo DS)

Many Kingdom Hearts fans consider the arc/game featuring Roxas, Xion, and Axel in Kingdom Hearts: 358/2 Days as their favorite. However, a major drawback is that it was only released on the Nintendo DS, preventing many fans from experiencing it. Additionally, a significant number of fans only encountered this title through the HD cutscenes included in the all-in-one collections.

The main issue with Kingdom Hearts: 358/2 Days is that its story feels awkward and repetitive, which could be the reason why it would require substantial reworking. Furthermore, its length is considered quite extensive for a non-major Kingdom Hearts title.

4 Turok: Dinosaur Hunter (Nintendo 64)

The games industry has a long history of reimagining classic AAA franchises, as seen with Santa Monica Studios' successful handling of the God of War franchise. By prioritizing story and character development, they earned universal acclaim. Now, let's turn our attention to Turok the Dinosaur Hunter.

When it was first released, Turok stood out for its impressive graphics and excessive violence, making it ripe for a well-deserved remake with a contemporary twist. Introducing a third-person perspective and incorporating elements of crafting, inspired by games such as Horizon Zero Dawn or the Tomb Raider reboots, could breathe new life into Turok.

3 Superman 64 (Nintendo 64)

Throughout the history of video gaming, there have been very few Superman games. This is likely because Superman 64 is considered one of the worst superhero games ever made. Fans have been longing for an open-world game that features the Man of Steel, similar to the highly acclaimed Batman Arkham series by Rocksteady. This is the perfect opportunity to fulfill that desire.

Just like Insomniac Games did with the release of a proper Spider-Man title in 2018, surpassing the less impressive 2000 Spider-Man game on Nintendo 64 and PlayStation platforms, a remake of Superman 64 could be exactly what fans have been waiting for. Especially if it includes a morality system similar to Infamous: Second Son or Mass Effect. It would be like a dream come true for fans of the iconic extraterrestrial orphan from Kansas.

2 The Legend Of Zelda: Twilight Princess (Nintendo Gamecube)

Fans eagerly anticipated the release of a new game in the Legend of Zelda series following the success of both Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask. However, subsequent games were deemed less impressive in terms of their visual style and overall appeal. In this context, the arrival of the Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess was a refreshing and well-received change.

Despite its positive reception, Twilight Princess remains largely overlooked due to its limited availability. Fans have long been requesting a remake of Ocarina of Time, but an updated version of Twilight Princess, featuring the stunning graphics and improved mechanics seen in Breath of the Wild, would be truly extraordinary.

1 Star Fox 64 (Nintendo 64)

Super Mario 64 revolutionized Mario's 3D world, and similarly, Star Fox 64 expanded the boundaries of Fox McCloud's cosmic quests. The inclusion of multiple planets provided a refreshing and distinctive experience, while the branching narratives added immense replayability. Additionally, the outstanding multiplayer mode was truly impressive.

Although a remake of Star Fox 64 was released in 2011, it wasn't considered a true port due to the absence of an online multiplayer feature. Considering the long-awaited release of a new Star Fox game, this decision seems like a no-brainer.