With each new game release, comes the excitement and wonder of exploring a new world. But in recent years many developers have looked to the past to revisit nostalgia for this generation’s benefit.
Remastering and remaking games have brought some of these timeless classics into the hands of old players wanting to revisit these worlds and new players that get to experience them for the first time. Bridging the gap between an old generation and the new. (Gamecrate)
A classic for the Nintendo 64, Super Mario 64 is a gaming classic and from its release in 1996 has seen a remake for the Nintendo DS in 2004. This allowed different gameplay elements, such as playing as new characters. (Polygon)
Nintendo remade another Nintendo 64 classic with Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, which released initially in 1998. Nintendo enhanced this title and released it for the Nintendo 3DS in 2011. (IGN)
Following fan feedback, Ocarina of Time’s sequel Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask (released in 2000) was also remade for Nintendo’s handheld in 2015. (NintendoLife)
This was primarily due to a fan petition called “Operation Moonfall” which saw many fans of “Majora’s Mask” band together in hopes their nostalgia could be revisited. Due to the demand, this shows fan response and nostalgia is incredibly important to the company. (destructoid)
This franchise is so popular, fans even suggest other titles that should be revisited through the new Nintendo system (fans can’t get enough of Majora’s Mask). (Keengamer)
Another classic game series titled “Final Fantasy” by developer Square Enix has seen numerous titles return from the past with fresh visuals and gameplay. (Lifewire)
Final Fantasy VIII (released in 1999) was recently rereleased for this new console generation as a remaster in 2019, which saw new graphics for gamers that wish to revisit and gamers that wish to play for the first time. (Kotaku)
Also from Square Enix, Final Fantasy VII (released in 1997) had revolutionized graphics for that year. With massive fan demand, a total remake was put into development and saw the first part release this year. (TheVerge)
All of these classic titles see their lifespan extend due to massive demand and developer response. With remastering and remaking titles, classic games have a chance to shine even in new generations.
Not only does this bridge the relationship between developer and consumer, but it also bridges the old generation that receives nostalgia from these games to the new generation coming around for the first time.