Remakes that lose something in translation

[Anayo]

I'm noticing this weird occurrence where games are sometimes remade on a more advanced platform, but they lose some of their magic even though the improved graphics should make them better.

Mega Man: Wily Wars for the Sega Mega Drive is the main reason I started this topic. In the 16 bit version, the graphics are more detailed and the FM synth soundtrack is more nuanced than the 8-bit NES originals. But for some reason, the NES one just feels "right" to me. The weird thing is, my childhood had way more Sega Genesis in it than NES, and I didn't play Mega Man until 2016, so I don't think it's my nostalgia glasses making me say this.

I got a similar vibe from the Nintendo 3DS version of Star Fox 64. In the 3DS version, the graphics look way better and I think they cleaned up the sound, too, but whatever magic I feel playing this on the N64 is just lost here. I played a lot of Nintendo 64 in grade school, so I might be biased here, but I'm not sure.

Can anyone think of more examples of this, or any explanation as to why it feels this way? I'm mainly looking for almost 1:1 remakes that are basically the original with better graphics and sound, not sequels or "soft reboots".

[strangenova]

Dracula X Chronicles...this version of rondo of blood just looks wrong to me and lacks the charm of its 16 bit version.

[Xeogred]

Dracula X Chronicles...this version of rondo of blood just looks wrong to me and lacks the charm of its 16 bit version.

Dracula X is a pretty wacky and more complicated tale. Basically since Symphony of the Night was greenlit for an English release and Rondo of Blood was the prequel, Konami wanted to get something out to fill in the gaps... so they got a small team together to knock out Dracula X which sounds like a very rushed project (and it shows). It's just mind boggling it came out years after Super Castlevania IV, when it looks, plays, and sounds far worse. You'd think otherwise for a later installment...

It's worth a run for the curiosity, but yeah I'll probably never play it again after I beat it once. lol

I hear development for the TG16/PCE was really intricate to work with, so that might explain why there's barely been any ports from that system and might explain why they couldn't have just ported Rondo to the Saturn/PSX or something.

Dracula X probably could have been something great, since Super IV and Bloodlines are incredible in my book. But yeah it sounds like its development was rushed and they didn't get much time to work on it, so that's probably what sealed the deal.

[J T]

Sometimes there are subtle changes that create a tangible difference in how the game feels. Tanooki posted this interesting video that does side-by-side comparisons of the new NES Classic against the Wii U Virtual Console:



There are so many little factors related to proper emulation. What is supposed to be the same game, can feel pretty different across devices, and a remake has even more opportunities for differences. It can be hard to pinpoint what feels off though. Sometimes "better" isn't always better.

[Nemoide]

The original Panzer Dragoon is included as an unlockable on Panzer Dragoon Orta but it never felt quite right to me.

Nights into Dreams for PS2 feels a little more clunky which has a surprisingly large impact on the game. This was the basis for the XBLA and PS3 versions but I believe that those were patched to be closer to the original game in terms of responsiveness.

I'll always prefer the Saturn version of both games!

[Reprise]

The original Panzer Dragoon is included as an unlockable on Panzer Dragoon Orta but it never felt quite right to me.

Nights into Dreams for PS2 feels a little more clunky which has a surprisingly large impact on the game. This was the basis for the XBLA and PS3 versions but I believe that those were patched to be closer to the original game in terms of responsiveness.

I'll always prefer the Saturn version of both games!

Definitely. I think part of the problem is the Saturn's 3D pad has such a weird and different analogue stick, that was clearly made for NiGHTS. The fluid, analogue motion doesn't seen right with other controllers.

[Anayo]

This! The PC version of NiGHTS into Dreams just does not feel right compared to the Saturn version.

[noiseredux]

on the flip, I recently learned to love Nights because I loved how it felt on PC whereas when I tried it on Saturn several times over the years (with 3D controller) it felt weird to me.

[ElkinFencer10]

I'm not sure if it's a remake or a reboot, but Double Dragon Neon definitely lost a lot from the NES/SMS game (never played the arcade version, so I can't compare to that).

[noiseredux]

I'm not sure if it's a remake or a reboot, but Double Dragon Neon definitely lost a lot from the NES/SMS game (never played the arcade version, so I can't compare to that).

Neon is a sequel. Totally different games.