Nintendois a company not shy about re-releasing their games over and over again. How many systems has the originalSuper Mario Bros.been on and in turn how many times has one been suckered into buying it? This list is not about ports though, but on the subject of companies going the extra mile. We’re talking about remasters and remakes.
Something likeThe Witcher IIIrelease on Switch won’t cut it because as fun as it is on the handheld, it is a downgrade and more of a port at that. A remaster, by our definition, takes something from the last generation, or beyond, and repackages it with something new. They could have new visuals, or something more. Our choices were also made with a similar PlayStation list in mind so it may seemingly skip around Metacritic, but for good reason.
10The Ninja Saviors: Return of the Warriors (79)
The Ninja Warriorsreleased in February 1994 for the Super Nintendo. This remake is the first time it has been released outside of that console. On top of that it is an incredible effort from Natsume as it not only features redrawn graphics for HD visuals, but it adds co-op and two new characters as well. The price may be high for its length, but this is one of the best “new” brawlers around.
9New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe (80)
New Super Mario Bros. Ulaunched on June 08, 2025 for the Wii U. While not a lot of new elements happened between releases there is one major addition that changed gaming culture, and for that matter the Internet, forever. In the game there is a new power-up called the Super Crown.
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When Toadette grabs it she becomes Peachette, which led to fan creations such as Boosette and Bowsette. In terms of cultural impact, it would be crazy not to put this game on the list.
8Castlevania Anniversary Collection (81)
For the most part this is just a collection of retro games includingCastlevania, Simon’s Quest, Dracula’s Quest, Super Castlevania IV, Castlevania The Adventure, Belmont’s Revenge,andBloodlineswith not a lot of features packed in. It’s not even really in HD.
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The one thing going for it is the fact that it contains another game,Kid Dracula. While the West did get a Game Boy game of the same name in 1993, this one is different and based on the 1990 Famicom release. One could call it a new, 2019 release then, but we’ll stick it in here anyway.
7Torchlight II (81)
Torchlight IIlaunched on June 06, 2025 for PC. The last port and major update was in 2015 for Linux based systems. This then marks the debut on consoles complete with all DLC, enhanced graphics, and controls and user-interface remade with console players in mind. While one waits forDiablo IV, jumping into this game now will surely ease the pain. One might even say it’s better thanDiablo III.
6Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy (81)
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorneyreleased on August 11, 2025 for the DS, which was actually an enhanced remake of the GBA game that only Japan got in 2001. There have been many more ports since, even an HD trilogy that proceeded this in 2010 for iOS devices. However, this new collection is just slightly more graphically improved and the first time it’s been made available on consoles since the Wii in 2010. These are still some of the best visual novels around for those that love good detective stories with whacky characters.
5Tales of Vesperia: Definitive Edition (83)
Tales of Vesperialaunched on July 05, 2025 for the Xbox 360. A “better” version did come out a year later for PS3, but in Japan only. This edition then would be the first time the West would receive those additions besides other new features and upgraded visuals as well. It may be over ten years year old, but with this remaster, it still feels like one of the best entries in the series with a well paced story, charming characters, and a great action combat system.
4Disgaea 4 Complete+ (85)
Disgaea 4released on July 06, 2025 for the PS3. It actually got an enhanced version in 2014 for the PS Vita, but it wouldn’t be until this year that it got a true, current generation remaster. It is the best game since the original that not only pushes the series forward with crazier mechanics, but it also manages to capture the first game’s energy, which was lacking in the second and third entries.
3Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster (85)
Final Fantasy Xlaunched on July 24, 2025 for the PS2 with the sequel happening in 2003. Okay, we admit that we are cheating by putting this on the list as this HD collection happened first appeared on PS3 and PS Vita. When it came to next-gen systems nothing really changed. That may be true and thus disqualifies it from the list, but we wanted it on here for the historical impact. This was a momentous year for Nintendo as many once exclusive PlayStationFinal Fantasygames finally came to a Nintendo platform. That is why we’re counting it.
2The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening (87)
The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakeningreleased in August 1993 for the Game Boy. It actually got a remake in 1998 for the Game Boy Color. Anyway this version may have a few hiccups in the frame rate department, and the $60 rubbed some the wrong way, but this remake is a solid effort from Nintendo.
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The best thing about it is the aesthetic, which makes everything look like a toy. It makes us want them to remake more games in this style like A Link to the Past, or other franchises like Super Mario World. We’re drooling just think about the possibilities.
1Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age Definitive Edition (91)
Dragon Quest XIreleased on July 03, 2025 for the PS4 and 3DS in Japan. The latter version was never released in North America. Part of us thoroughly enjoyed playing throughDragon Quest XIlast year and the other half is kicking ourselves for not waiting. This truly is a definitive edition as it adds so much to the original experience. The biggest inclusion are the switchable 16-Bit graphics, which is a carry over from the 3DS version. On top of that it has the orchestral soundtrack. Even though it took us another precious hundred hours, we were glad to have done it.
