19. Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire (3DS)
Pokémon Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire seem very similar to Pokémon X & Y, as you might expect, but the story and the environments you encounter feel — despite the fact that they are remakes — very fresh and unique. They’re not an extensive upgrade from their other 3DS counterparts, but any Poké-fan who’s played one of the series remakes in the past knows not to expect radical overhauls. These titles should be considered as more-than-worthy accompaniments to X & Y, even though they arguably surpassed those games by pushing new ideas such as the Soar ability.
18. Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia (3DS)
A remake of Fire Emblem Gaiden, the second game in the series, Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia stepped back from the triple-route complexities of its immediate predecessor, Fire Emblem Fates. Returning to the purity of an earlier time didn't mean a simpler game, though, as the original Japan-only Gaiden incorporated dungeon crawling and free-roaming RPG elements that were ideal fodder for a remake using systems developed for the previous 3DS entries.
Indeed, it served as a sterling farewell for the series on the 3DS — a platform which kicked the series into the big-time success it so deserved in the West — although we can't help wishing more people had got to experience it through a Switch release. Still, this is a fine game; yet another to benefit from the localisation talents of 8-4.
17. Star Fox 64 3D (3DS)
Post-Star Fox 64, subsequent entries in the series have had interesting elements and plenty of great moments, but none have quite captured — certainly not consistently — the cinematic formula we fell in love with back in 1997. Fortunately, this 3DS remake reminded everyone just how good it can be, with sumptuous autostereoscopic 3D added for good measure. Of course, we miss the chunky Rumble Pak and the N64’s peculiar pad, but Star Fox 64 3D is arguably the best way to find out why we still get a tiny buzz every time someone cracks out a tired ‘barrel roll’ reference.
16. Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen (GBA)
Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen were Game Boy Advance remakes of the classic games that started it all, Pokémon Red & Blue. Yes, the Game Boy originals were known as Red and Green in Japan, because reasons.
Did Pokémon really ever get better than this? That's up for debate, but vastly updated visuals, the ability to connect to various other Pokémon games to collect over 350 of the critters, and an enhanced user interface were just some of the upgrades offered in this 32-bit revamp. For players intimately familiar with the Kanto games, this was the first opportunity (of many to come, of course) to indulge in some nostalgia and catch the original 151 all over again. Who could possibly resist?
Watch out, Metapod. Or should we call you... Metapoo? Ah, the comedy! Happy days.
15. The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening (Switch)
This beautiful Switch remake of the classic Game Boy entry rebuilt everything from the ground up. On top of the beautiful new art style, it added modern conveniences, a dungeon creator, amiibo support, and lots of little quality-of-life improvements whilst infusing every single square inch of Koholint – every secret passage, Piranha, Pokey, and Pig Warrior – with a level of detail and depth that totally reinvigorated both its timeless story and classic Zelda gameplay for a new generation.
If there's anything holding The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening back, some frame rate issues might prove jarring for some players. Others may not even notice, but if you're sensitive to dropped frames, you may be distracted from the otherwise absorbing gameplay. It's a little thing, but with the heritage of technical wizardry behind the Game Boy original, it is a small dent in this game's otherwise glistening armour.
14. Super Mario RPG (Switch)
Super Mario RPG is here in all of its weird, wonderful glory for a new generation to experience, and sets a new standard for how to do a faithful remake right. Delivering a beautifully preserved, pure experience for fans of the original and an accessible entry-point for genre newcomers, the game's infectious charm, writing, and polished gameplay do so much to elevate this beyond what might have been merely a simple RPG starring Mario.
13. The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD (Wii U)
Twilight Princess was simultaneously Zelda's swansong on the GameCube and its introduction on the Wii. It's an excellent action adventure, but not without flaws. Perhaps its biggest problem is that it did little to shake up the Zelda formula, which was feeling a little tired at this point; it plays a bit too similarly to Ocarina of Time and Wind Waker.
The HD version on Wii U restored the GameCube's orientation — putting Kakariko Village back on the side of the map it should be — while retaining the Wii version's 16:9 aspect ratio and adding a host of minor improvements along with high-definition visuals; it is inarguably the best version of the game. Midna is an all-time great companion, and Twilight Princess hits some brilliant highs, though perhaps not as consistently as some other entries.
12. Kirby Super Star Ultra (DS)
Kirby Super Star Ultra is a magnificent update of the SNES original with high production values and all the charm you've come to expect from the pink puffball over the years. HAL added a host of new modes and minigames for veterans, but this is accessible to all age groups. Though it may be a little on the easy side, the Kirby series is hardly known for its teeth-grinding difficulty and this is an outing for the saviour of Smash that's worth rediscovering.
11. Donkey Kong (GB)
It's exceedingly rare that the echo triumphs over the voice, but if we had to pick between playing arcade DK or the Game Boy port, there's really no choice. Donkey Kong on Game Boy — Donkey Kong '94 as it's often called — is far more than just a simple sequel or port. After finishing the first four levels, you might assume that's it, but with over 101 levels in total, there's a whole other game awaiting you. In fact, it laid the groundwork for spin-off series Mario vs. Donkey Kong's gameplay.
Adding a metric ton of new features while still managing to keep the ‘arcadey’ feel of the original, the visuals and music are outstanding and complement this impressively expanded take on an icon. It's up there with the Game Boy's finest, and another wonderful portable title featuring Mr. D. Kong.
10. Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3 (GBA)
This game made navigating this series' obtuse naming conventions absolutely worth it, even if you played Super Mario Bros. 3 on NES (which of course you did). Assuming you had the requisite kit to access the e-Reader levels — many of which were never released in North America — Super Mario Advance 4 contained a bevy of fresh Nintendo-designed levels to play through, making it an essential purchase for the Mario connoisseur (and the Wii U Virtual Console release and the Nintendo Switch Online version actually include all 38 levels without the need to have the e-Reader, the cards, and a second GBA to scan them with).
Aside from the extra levels, this feels like playing the version of SMB3 from Super Mario All-Stars on a handheld. Whether you're a NES purist or you prefer the updated look and feel of the SNES version, Super Mario Bros. 3 shines brightly in any form.
9. The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask 3D (3DS)
The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask 3D was a magnificent refurbishment of a classic. The visual overhaul, streamlined features, and other improvements make this version even more enjoyable than the original N64 release. Minor flaws seem insignificant against its unique gameplay ideas, the dark and haunting theme, and a cleverly crafted game world which gets the chance to truly shine again.
It's strange, perhaps, that a game in which the main premise revolves around repeatedly travelling back in time was so ahead of its time. In its enhanced form, The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask 3D defies its age and stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the very best games on its host system or anywhere else. Simply put, it's a masterpiece that every 3DS owner should play.
Comments 64
Yeah, I mean, most of the top ones aren't really remakes, but they are very good games.
Link's Awakening was amazing. Should be higher on this list.
There should always be an option to buy the original instead/with the remake
No remake's gonna be better than/as good as the OG
Yeah Nr.1 makes perfect sense. Can't be beaten.
@Princess_Lilly That's not always the case. Sometimes a remake a can improve an original.
Sometimes an original wasn't that good to begin with, and a remake does it better.
It's a case by case sorta thing. Granted remakes can also be bad or worse, but not always.
Wasn't this an article a few days back?
Majora’s mask doesn’t belong anywhere near this list. It absolutely ruined the boss battles and zora swimming. Also where is Metroid Prime remastered? You can’t say that game wasn’t a complete remake
@gcunit Who knows. NL updates lists all the time from articles months ago and puts it on the front page.
I’m not entirely convinced that Wind Waker HD and Link’s Awakening DX shouldn’t be on this list.
I'm missing Metroid Prime! One of the best remakes I've seen (at least from Nintendo).
No matter if they call it "remaster", it's the perfect definition of a remake in my eyes.
Also Wind Waker HD should be here.
I would argue that WWHD was an HD remake. New graphics technology, altered sequences, quick movement, second screen, more storage, updated inputs, and more besides. It wasn’t a visual affair only, but a full remake of the under-the-hood of that game.
Some of these tread far closer to remaster than remake imo. Star Fox 64 3D is a remake? Really? I even have a hard time considering the Zelda 3DS games remakes. What makes those remakes but Wind Waker HD and Twilight Princess HD are not? Both OoT 3D and MM 3D are just visually cleaned up a bit with minimal changes in mechanics. Heck if we are going by this list’s standards of what makes something a remake then Mario Kart 8 Deluxe certainly deserves a spot here as it has one of the most meaningful mechanics changes with returning the ability to hold two items at a time and bringing back proper battle mode.
From NL’s own review:
“ In fact, this remake arguably serves a much greater purpose than any Legend of Zelda game since The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time made the successful jump to full 3D gameplay.”
https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/wiiu/legend_of_zelda_the_wind_waker_hd
Still holding out hope that we get a Samus Returns HD. Great remake but it deserves to really shine on Switch
@gcunit I believe the article a few days ago was just asking us to vote.
My favorite on the list Brilliant Diamond got last place. 😝 Personally I loved the gameplay and loved the art. I never played the original, so technically I only love it as a game, not as a remake.
No Metroid Prime Remastered? Better lay off that crack pipe.
@arabiansanchez That's a remaster, not a remake There is a difference.
Also I disagree with most of these, but I usually do with Nintendolife's "best of" lists
"If it came down to a duel, there are Nintendo Life staffers who would actually take this over the SNES game."
Raises hand.
I would. 100%
Super Metroid is unquestionably the more influential release, but when I'm deciding on a Metroid game to play, this wins almost every time. Perfectly paced, perfect controls, and one of the coolest climax setpieces in the entire series.
@sanderev Metroid Prime is as much as a remake as most of the games in the list lol
In that case... @nintendolife WHERE IS METROID PRIME REMASTERED?!?!
Hrmm too many variables in play for this list to have any credibility. Need a clearer definition of what's being ranked in the first place...!
Man why do people hype up samus returns so much. I get that it did a lot of things right but the things they did wrong just completely ruin the gameplay
Seeing this list really does put into perspective just how many remakes they did for GBA and 3DS specifically because WOW there's a lot XD
I've always been an avid fan of remakes in general myself, especially in regards to comparing both the new and original versions and seeing what was changed, improved, removed, etc. Having said that then, I oddly enough haven't played that many Nintendo remakes in my time (I think I've played about 8-9 of the games here?) but I don't think my overall favourite is going to be changing any time soon: Link's Awakening 2019. Utterly gorgeous aesthetically, super fun gameplay-wise with great modernisations and the game that turned me into a Zelda fan; absolutely adore LA 2019 myself 💖
This prompt seems like a strange candidate for user ratings. Those are generally absolute and don't factor in the improvement over the respective predecessor(s). This would make more sense coming from NL staff directly.
Also, to add a layer to the remake/remaster debate, some of these (N64 to DS, SNES to GBA), just seem like ports.
@FishyS Same here honestly: while I also can't compare it to the originals as I started the series at Gen 5, BDSP was a blast from a gameplay standpoint with the impressively high difficulty compared to other modern entries and the chibi style, while it certainly benefitted some characters more than others (poor Cyrus/Volkner), looks really well done for the most part!
@CaleBoi25 @arabiansanchez In the voting process that happened last week, they specifically outlined that they wouldn't be including remasters like MPR or Skyward Sword HD as they fall into a sort of grey area between ports and remakes.
@Darthmoogle If it were actual remakes, this list would be 1 page long.
@gcunit Yep, it was posing the question and requesting ratings, and this is the result.
@CaleBoi25 As we covered before, it's in the title!
As I said before, there's a fine line and several grey areas, and we haven't been consistent in our own categorisation over the last two decades. I think a game that has the word Remastered in its title is a pretty open-shut case, though.
Yeah Nintendo Life, we’re going to need a remake of this list (see what I did there?) Based off other points made in the comments section. Also…no Xenoblade Chronicles DE? Wack
@Vexx234 I don't really recall such situation, but if you have any, do tell, I'm curious (not malicious btw)
I mostly don't like how remakes modernize the old classics, and we all know that modern is bad
@Princess_Lilly I think 2-5 on this list are all better than the originals. And Ocarina and Majora's Mask are my favorite games of all time.
@sanderev Neither are some of the top games on this list
I feel like there were more than 30...
Also, a lot of those devs are wrong. FDC was MAGES and Advace Wars was Wayforward.
I actually happen to have all the games on this list.
@Princess_Lilly Well Non-Nintendo related, but I would argue a game like Resident Evil 2 Remake is a good example.
The lack of some of the 3DS' best remakes being ported to switch is a bit of a travesty IMO. Although to look good on modern TVs they'd have to upscale all the textures.
Metroid 2's remake would have been the perfect follow up to Dread on switch.
@nbell31b as a first timer, MM3D is really enjoyable. So much quality of life injected to it. Gladly for the N64 we now have save states in the Wii U and SO ports.
@Talasian The big N works in strange ways.
It actually annoys me how little Nintendo remakes some of their games which are locked into specific systems. And I'm not saying they should 'do a Sony' and release updates of games the way they do. But seriously, F-Zero GX, Fire Emblem Radiant Dawn, Chibi Robo. Even Mario Paint would have been perfect for DS/3DS.
Super Mario All-Stars, the Mario Advance series, the Pokémon Gen 1-3 remakes, Metroid Zero Mission and Samus Returns, the Zelda remakes, and Fire Emblem Echoes Shadows of Valentia are the high points of Nintendo's remakes for me.
I know it's not perfect and didn't score well on this list, but a part of me always really likes Mario 64 DS. It could've just been a simple 1:1 version of the game, but instead they decided to almost remix the game. Plus Luigi gambling is iconic.
Majora's Mask 3D, Ocarina of Time 3D, then Super Star Ultra for me. The Switch Metroid Prime & Link's Awakening are outstanding as well.
Where are the other Zeldas like Twilight Princess HD Wii U, Skyward Sword HD Switch and Windwaker HD Wii U? Windwaker HD would be another top 5 level remake. In terms of work done maybe the best?
Not even an honorable mention of Luigi's Mansion for 3DS?
Edit: also Diddy Kong Racing DS
If I could map the DS's L and R to the Wii U GamePad's ZL and ZR respectively, that would be the definitive way to play Super Mario 64 DS for me.
In fact, if I could do that mapping, the Wii U Virtual Console would've been my go-to version for those available that use L and R.
I don't understand why The Wind Waker HD was'nt considered as a remake contrary to Ocarina of Time 3D and Majora's Mask 3D. TWW HD was also "totally revised, remodelled, and rebuilt from the ground up" though.
Anyway, I don't particularily like some remakes of the top, like Majora's Mask 3D (Ocarina of Time 3D is just OK), Link's Awakening Switch, or Super Mario All-Stars.
Famicom Tantei Club was a great remake (there was also a very good remake of the second game on SNES), though not having included the third game is a pity.
And Metroid Prime on Switch is missing.
The Game & Watch collections are really good. Didn't expect to like them, but Nintendo's game design was strong enough to make most of their LCD games more interesting than the competition. I went back to Mario 64 a couple of years ago and I came away from that experience unhappy. Some people say it has not stood the test of time, and I would agree. The controls were among my complaints, so if the DS version is worse in that regard, then that sounds painful. I get why it's on the list, though. Super Mario All Stars is a good compilation, but it's also very sloppy, in my opinion. Hackers have made it a better experience. But the games themselves are super strong, so even a sloppy compilation is very good. (Doki Doki)Super Mario 2 is the best of the remakes on there, that I agree with.
Where the heck are the superb DS remakes of Final Fantasy III and IV?
@sanderev I accept it’s not a remake per se but it’s also much more than a lick of paint. I’d also say it didn’t NEED to be a full remake because the original was just that damn good.
Anyway, I love it; put it on the damn list 😂
Zero Mission should be #1. But I can't be upset with Heartgold and Soulsilver being there. Best versions of the best Pokemon games.
@Ultimapunch And I know everyone hates Shining Pearl and Brilliant Diamond. But I would totally take a Johto remake in the vein of those on Switch or Switch 2.
Is it a stretch to count Mario Bros. in the original SMB3 and in all the SMA's as a remake of the original NES Mario Bros.?
🤔
Link's Awakening is far too low the Top Ten, but I can respect Ocarina of Time 3D being almost at the top. It was my first proper introduction to that game and finally got me into the Zelda series in general.
Kirby Super Star Ultra is also a stellar remake that happens to be my first serious Kirby game. I watched family members play Kirby 64 when I was little but didn't actually play it and I didn't get into the series until Super Star Ultra. It was a revival for Kirby at the time. It greatly influenced future 2D Kirby games with things like the cutscenes and multiple boss rushes.
@highscore Yes, in a world of 8.1 billion people, you are one of super rare ones who do not care for remakes.
One correction: Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon (2009) released after Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn (2007), the Wii sequel to Path of Radiance.
Really surprised there’s no Metroid Prime Remastered on this list, or did I just miss it
Where is Super Mario Advance 3: Yoshi’s Island? That’s my personal favorite
No Metroid Prime on Switch??
@dartmonkey Why not straight up include remasters then considering what you mentioned and the fact that there's clearly high demand for the inclusion of games like Metroid Prime Remastered, Wind Waker HD etc.?
I get that this ranking would become even longer than it already is, but on the other hand we've seen much bigger lists here on Nintendo Life.
Of course it's up to you, but I feel that would put to rest most if not all the complaints!
MM3D is a much better remake than OoT3D. OoT3D rates so highly due to fondness for the original. As a remake, this version of the game does almost nothing to merit such a high placement.
Why are you guys still using bootleg art of FireRed?
@JohnnyMind You know, I might just do that when we add Mario vs. DK in due course. I enjoy exploring the delineation between remakes and remasters, and it created some good discussion on the previous post where we canvassed opinion, but it is nebulous and seems to be derailing things here.
@NerdyBoutKirby You're right — thanks for the heads-up.
@Sisilly_G You're also right! I've replaced the box and banner art.
@dartmonkey Thank you for taking my suggestion into consideration and couldn't agree more with you, it can be quite an interesting topic to explore even though here it does seem to have derailed the discussion more than anything!
@Princess_Lilly
Resident Evil, Tales of Destiny Directors Cut,Romancing SaGa Minstrel Song,Lunar Silver Story Complete, Lunar 2 Eternal Blue Complete and Ys The Oath in Felgana are remakes that easily match or clear the orginal. Ys III Wanderers from Ys is one of the worst in the series while Ys The Oath in Felgana is one of if not the best.
This is gonna sound stupid, but. . .I kinda feel like Return to Dreamland Deluxe should be on here. I mean, they gave it a new art style and everything.
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