Many fans of Naughty Dog and their consistently breathtaking games are likely excited for the upcoming The Last of Us Part 1 remake, but it’s one of many remakes and reboots in recent years that has fans asking the question, “Why?” The original game is a masterpiece of the genre, and it’s hard to think of many ways it can be improved.
Since the video game industry seems happy to fix games that aren’t broken, fans on Reddit have been discussing which games shouldn’t be remade under any circumstances. From Fallout: New Vegas to Portal, these are the ones they think should never be touched.
Fallout: New Vegas (2010)
Fallout: New Vegas is considered a masterpiece, but performance issues with the game that are going unfixed due to its age have led to some calling it the best game that’s impossible to play. Of course, performance issues and bugs have been the main point of criticism even when critics and fans heaped praise on the game for its writing and gameplay.
Redditor theoroboro doesn’t consider this enough to justify a remake, however: “I feel like remaking this game will take away the real charm that was achieved with this title.” It’s true that the glitches never stopped New Vegas from being considered among the very best of the series, and there is a real concern some of that unique flavor could be lost along the way.
Silent Hill (1999)
Still rated as one of the best ever Silent Hill games on Metacritic, Silent Hill is a true classic of the horror game genre that has inspired so much of what came after it. The game has aged a ton in the more than 20 years since it was released, but modern graphics and improved controls wouldn’t actually improve the whole experience.
Redditor OnlyFreshBrine explains that they should “leave Silent Hill 1 & 2 alone” because they are “better for their limitations.” After all, it’s the intense atmosphere that really made fans fall in love with the early Silent Hill games. Clunkier controls and ambiguous visuals only add to this.
Thief: The Dark Project (1998)
There may be more popular stealth games out there but Thief: The Dark Project was one of the defining moments in the genre as it demonstrated how light and sound could be used as game mechanics in a way that struck fans as revolutionary. Redditor JarlFrank considers this a big part of why the game shouldn’t be remade.
According to them, the “way the engine handles light, and the low res art style of the models and textures lends it a surreality that fits the game’s mood perfectly.” High-res graphics might look better on the game’s cover, but there’s a danger that the game would lose the visual clarity and simplicity that made it so iconic.
The Last Of Us (2013)
Though it is already happening and some fans have already moved on to trying to glean what they can about the upcoming remake from the little marketing material that’s out there, some fans still haven’t quite gotten over the fact that The Last of Us is getting a remake. That’s because the game received universal acclaim less than a decade ago for its memorable, breathtaking story, and so much more.
Redditor Bengijo is one of the fans who isn’t sold on the idea, saying “the original is an amazing game already and if it ain’t broke then don’t fix it.” The original was by no means a perfect game, with many critiquing the melee combat but, when it’s hard to think of much they could update aside from the graphics, it seems an odd decision.
Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic (2003)
Although a remake has been in the works for a long time, some fans still aren’t sold on the idea of “fixing” Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. The original did an amazing job of combining the action and wonder of the Star Wars world with complex and well-developed RPG mechanics, and it was a winning formula.
The Star Wars video game empire has had a mixed track record since then, which may be why Redditors like Dark-Mall states that they’re “not excited for it” and “it should’ve been left alone”. The way the beautiful storyline and engrossing gameplay of KOTOR united fans and critics felt a little like catching lightning in a bottle and, even with an unlimited budget, it might be impossible to recapture.
Super Metroid (1994)
Though Metroid Dread proved just last year that Nintendo still knows how to produce incredible side-scrolling action for the Metroid universe but that still doesn’t have fans like Redditor warlockchronicles convinced about a Super Metroid remake. Nintendo hit its stride with the SNES title and gained almost unprecedented acclaim for its gameplay, music, and graphics.
That’s why they aren’t alone in saying “Super Metroid does not need a remake.” With other series, a lot changes over time, making earlier titles feel so different that an update is needed to bring them in line. That’s not the case with Super Metroid, which still feels like one of the quintessential series titles nearly 30 years later.
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed (2008)
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic is the Star Wars game set to receive a full-scale remake, and the idea of a remake of the other Star Wars game in which the player can decide if the main character is a hero or villain seems just as likely in the future. The dated graphics and technical issues of The Force Unleashed do detract from the game’s excellent story now but that doesn’t mean everyone’s sold on remaking the title.
Redditor Jaegamer is opposed to the idea, saying they should “leave that gem alone.” A problem with games in which the story and characters are the main appeals is that players connect so strongly with it that they are never going to be happy with the inevitable changes made to it.
Devil May Cry 3: Dante’s Awakening (2005)
DmC: Devil May Cry showed all the way back in 2013 that Capcom is more than willing to reimagine their older titles to make them appeal to a contemporary audience but, aside from small updates, Devil May Cry 3: Dante’s Awakening has been left alone for now. DMC 3 may be an origin story but its blistering gameplay makes it one of the best hack-and-slash games of all time.
Whereas some fans might think trying to update and change the title is akin to sacrilege, Redditor MaverickHunterBlaze has a much more practical reason why it shouldn’t be remade, saying “DMC1 and ESPECIALLY DMC2 need it more”. Dante’s Awakening still feels fresh but its predecessors have aged far worse.
Chrono Trigger (1995)
Even by the standards of old-school JRPGs, Chrono Trigger is a game treasured by a huge amount of fans around the world. With a beautiful story, excellent gameplay, and stunning 16-bit visuals, it’s little wonder the game holds a special place in the hearts of fans like Redditor MarshmelloStrawberry who considers the original game “perfect”.
They explain that everything about the original is “done really really well” and, unless a remake could somehow achieve perfection in basically every aspect in the same way, “there’s no way that a remake won’t ruin it.” Square Enix would have a mountain to climb to please fans.
Portal (2007)
A Switch release for Portal and Portal 2 earlier this year meant even more fans could get to experience one of the most unique and unforgettable experiences in gaming. Set up as a simple puzzle game, Portal‘s innovative use of different mechanics and sharp sense of humor have made it a favorite of countless fans.
That’s why when Redditor Maetryx commented that no one should touch Portal as it’s “already a triumph”, they received a huge amount of agreement from other players. Though graphical improvements can help to bring it into the modern era, the game is so refined that it could never feel old. Portal has a claim to being timeless that few other games do.
