We’re only halfway through the decade, and still, gamers have gotten their hands on remarkable, award-winning releases. While we’ve been introduced to eye-popping new worlds, fresh mechanics, and underdog dev teams, we’ve also gotten to revisit some of our favorite hits from our salad days.

The nuanced and polarizing popularity of re-releases is exactly that. Still, revitalized versions of old-school favorites can introduce all-new audiences to the same stories that profoundly impacted so many of us when they first hit store shelves. Feeling nostalgic? These 10 reimaginings are among the best of the last five years, each one a time machine capable of teleporting even the most stoic, unmoved gamer back to their childhood.

Metroid Prime (2023)

“Touch grass,” you say? Well, I’d argue that the lush Tallon Overworld terrain in this delightful remaster counts. Intergalactic heroine Samus Aran has never looked so good; the game’s improved controls and breathtaking audio only enhance your seemingly all-new adventure.

Metroid Prime hit Nintendo GameCube in 2002, and, amazingly, Remastered feels like an entirely fresh game. If you’ve not returned to the Chozo Ruins in 20 years, there’s no time like the present, especially as the franchise’s antsy and optimistic fan base anticipates the next installment.

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered (2025)

A downloadable time capsule! The shadow-dropped remaster stayed faithful to many of the same quirky storytelling elements that first catapulted the RPG to its long-held position as a cult fave.

Clean visuals honor the source material, NPCs are odd as ever, and some of the newly recorded dialogue retains the same bloopers heard in the original lines.

Pikmin 1  + Pikmin 2 (2023)

These head-scratching strategy games rely on players’ sheepherding abilities to lead these plant-like critters through each in-game day. This port cleans up camera controls as well as Olimar’s capabilities, both of which helped me lose a little less hair to stress.

The eccentric sound effects, dreamy and ambient audio, and oh-so-cute characters maintain the same goofy charm we’ve come to know and love.

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Grand Theft Auto V Enhanced (2022)

Mint rides, new NPC interactions, faster load times, refreshed visuals, added weapons, additional tunes, and an even better look at my guy Trevor?! Don’t tempt me with a good time.

After Rockstar Games dropped its second Grand Theft Auto VI trailer (and after I stopped playing “Hot Together” repeatedly), I returned to Los Santos with the trusty trio to tide myself over. Some 200 hours later, I’m still jonesin’ for VI, but my God, this one’s good.

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth (2024)

Rebirth expands an already-sprawling universe to retell one of the role-playing genre’s most beloved stories.

With the addition of an immense and exploration-conducive map, new side quests, shifting storytelling perspectives, unique combat, and a snazzy soundtrack, Rebirth feels less like a remake and more like an entirely unique release.

Diablo II: Resurrected (2021)

Diablo II: Resurrected is more of a re-skin, adding little more than modern minutiae like quality of life changes, improved visuals, and new classes. Purists needn’t worry, because Resurrected leaves the bulk of the game’s plot in its original state.

If you’re a purist, you can even manually import your old save file and pick up right where you left off, this time, with modernized visuals and user-friendly functionality.

Donkey Kong Country Returns HD (2025)

Donkey Kong Country Returns HD modernizes the franchise’s monkey business, making it less maddening and more magical. An easier-to-lead DK, rewarding item collection and story completion, as well as cleaner, more precise platforming.

Ultimately, it’s a tasteful, true-to-the-original remaster that perfectly preps Kong fans for the Nintendo Switch 2’s forthcoming funky platformer, Donkey Kong Bananza.

Mass Effect Legendary Edition (2021)

Two words: Garrus. Vakarian.

That’s it. That’s the blurb.

In all seriousness, the refreshed and inclusive character customizations and cosmetics, remarkable graphical improvements, immersive audio, and a satisfying new Photo Mode (which, at this point, is a genre must) put my adventures aboard the Normandy among my all-time favorite gaming experiences. Superior quality of life improvements — HUD, overall weapon usability, inventory capacity — certainly help, too.

Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2 (2020)

Rarely does a game tug on my heartstrings quite like Tony Hawk Pro Skater 1 + 2, and I’ve only got nostalgia to blame. The refresh gives in-game skaters enhanced move sets as well as improved trick type toggling, but seeing the OG game’s skaters return to that same old Warehouse as their current age infected me with acute “Remember when”-itis.

Alexa, play “Jerry Was a Race Car Driver” by Primus.

Super Mario RPG (2023)

Nintendo’s beloved role-playing game from the 1990s, Super Mario RPG, finally got the affection and attention it deserved after its 2023 refresh.

Modern gameplay improvements across the board — music, combat, maps, monsters — build upon existing gameplay elements rather than replacing them. Nintendo’s first foray into the genre is better than ever, giving it a chance to popularize among younger gamers who’ve likely never seen Mallow or Geno outside of Smash.

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