Would you play a retro game in updated graphics?

[RCBH928]

This is an open discussion to see everyone's opinion. A lot of great games have been released in the past, due to newer technology, remasters and updated graphics were released. A very good example are Metal Gear Solid and RE on PSX then released on GameCube. Abe's Odyssey is another.

Would you prefer to play the newer updated graphics given its the same game with better visuals or play the original as it was released to relive that piece of history?

[Juan Aguacate]

I feel like I've already played most of the "classics" when they originally released. So for me, it's fun to play these newer versions of them. I'm hoping for more 16-bit games to get the Wild Guns Reloaded treatment. And the fact that such an obscure game like Wild Guns got remade and re-released makes me feel optimistic about the future.

I'm a shameless trophy hunter too, so it's awesome when they remaster something like Valkyria Chronicles since the original release had no trophy support. Same goes for something like The Warriors, available now on PS4 with trophy support, or Psychonauts. Now I feel like it actually matters when I get all of those metals in Valkyria Chronicles

I think if companies can maintain the spirit of the original game, then it's okay for first timers to experience a game in its re-released form rather than actually dig up the original. Again, looking at Wild Guns Reloaded, it feels like nothing was lost in this updated package, so I think it's cool that many people will experience Wild Guns for the first time with Reloaded.

And to make another point, I love having an excuse to replay a great game, so that is one more reason why I support updates, remakes, remasters, etc. Given how lousy a lot of modern games are, I fully support re-releasing the classics.

And sometimes, these games NEED the update. Odin Sphere Leifthrasir feels like the game Odin Sphere was always meant to be as the original was just a little bit overrated, but the new version is great. They took the opportunity to really make the game better

And lastly, it's nice to get content we missed out on here in the US. This happened when both Ico and Final Fantasy X got the remaster treatment, finally giving us US gamers all of Ico's original content as well as the extra content from FF X's international release

[Anapan]

The one situation I'm always a sucker for this is when really old monochrome sprite games are deliberately turned into green-screen vectors to make retro look like slightly-better retro. I cannot resist and usually prefer and favorite these deliberate post-retro remakes.

When older skilled sprite-based games do it, it's usually so face-palm bad... Remember all those bad final fantasy and megaman mobile games (Me neither, but show a screenshot and I'll re-cringe)

I'll admit, I've played more of Shadow of the Colossus on PS3 than PS2 over the years since I found out about it. Not much was added, I just tend to play this game often. I did buy the PS2 release 3 times for three different houses...

The new FF7? Of course, I've played every other incarnation and I will continue to play every one.

After all the horrible Castlevanias that have come out? No! I'd have to see and hear some really good things about a new one before I even considered trying one again. The good ones that were built by KCEN and their sister companies reused sprites shamelessly, but at least they re-colored or redrew them and tweaked them to match the system. The 3rd party ones that came out for the past bunch of years are worse than the free homebrew ripoffs and rom hacks.
Of course, I'm eagerly awaiting the release of Bloodstained.

If any oldschool game comes out with 3D green vectors, I'm in, otherwise, only probably...

[CRTGAMER]

Great Topic!

The great games that got a remake are just fine to me, though I wish more would include the original emulated incarnation for the history to the newer generation of gamers. The Remake keeping the original gameplay concept is great and if a remake instilling new gameplay done right, I consider a whole new game. This makes having the original special to the Classic gamer.

I find interesting that some brand new games have a retro graphic about them, a nice return of the large pixel bit graphic on cell phones and many consoles. The digital download has impact on some of the Retro Graphic games marketing; many which might not have survived the cost overhead of a physical release. Though I do wish more hard copies are available as the game gained sales such as Wii Bit Trip Generations.

PS2 Sega Nights Into Dreams
Yes the PS2 version, never played the Saturn version. It has an updated graphics yet maintains the original game game play. The Japan Import Sega Ages bring in the concept of updated graphics and keeping the original game play as well as providing the original game emulated. Of note, the only Sega Ages US release has a mix of games that have updated graphics, but do not include the original emulated games.

Wii Nights Journey Into Dreams
Love this game that brought in much cleaner graphics as well as adding to game play. The best feature is no more getting knocked out of the sky and having to walk a long distance to the next portal. The new game keeps the game concept alive to a new audience, the name would have been lost to the (Sega) Ages in time.

I compared the Nights series more in depth in my review - http://www.racketboy.com/forum/viewtopi ... 94#p570694

Namco and other Arcade Compilations
So cool that new generations can discover the Arcade Cabinets from the 80s. The newer console compilations that have the option of kicked up graphics are great too.

The mention of PS1 Metal Gear Solid remake on the Gamecube in the OP; look for the obscure PC version. A forgotten Microsoft title and very well done! Upped graphics, first person view while moving everywhere, keeping the original language voiced accents (was "politically correct" removed from the Gamecube version) and includes the VR Missions.

[Erik_Twice]

I wish many games actually had upgrated graphics, Thief II: The Metal Age comes to mind. The low-quality models, blurry textures and shadows hamper the enjoyment of an otherwise great game and improving them would make a great game better.

Many games would also benefit from improved balance, better controls or other tweaks. I wish someone could fix the unfinished hitboxes and unrecoverable checkpoints of Gradius III, for example.

However, you really can't improve the looks of say, Super Metroid. The game is fine as it is and wouldn't improve because you added 3D graphics. Inf act, if history is anything to go by, most remakes of sprite-based games end up looking worse than the originals.

[Xeogred]

I wish many games actually had upgrated graphics, Thief II: The Metal Age comes to mind. The low-quality models, blurry textures and shadows hamper the enjoyment of an otherwise great game and improving them would make a great game better.

I actually love the look of low poly late 90's / early 2000's first person games. As long as I can get sharp high resolutions up to 1080p then it looks perfect to me.

[casterofdreams]

I can think of two games off the bat: the Gen 1 and Gen 2 remakes of Pokemon.

I find it difficult to go back and play Red, Blue or Yellow due to the changes that came after the original release. The Gen 1 remakes are fantastic! It brought everything up to date in terms of item management and battle mechanics. I didn't mind the graphics of the originals but those two things I mentioned earlier are sticking points for me. The extra content added to the game were pretty cool too.

As for the Gen 2 remakes; while I don't have any issues playing the originals, they are great games in their own right. Having any Pokemon walk with you is pretty dope.

[Ack]

Yeah, I totally played through the DOS re-release of Ultima that had 16 colors versus 4!

[TSTR]

I did this with Phantasy Star. No regrets.

[samsonlonghair]

The remake of wind water was well received.