Not every game gets a second chance, but when a remake or remaster is done right, it can make something old feel brand new again. TheNintendo Switchhas seen its fair share of upgraded classics, some with complete graphical overhauls and others with subtle refinements that elevate the experience without losing what made the original special.
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From beloved RPGs to cult favorites, these games prove that sometimes revisiting the past is worth it.
7Story of Seasons: A Wonderful Life
A Farm that Never Forgets
Story of Seasons: A Wonderful Life
Few farming sims hold the same nostalgic weight as Harvest Moon: A Wonderful Life and its remake under the Story of Seasons banner brings this GameCube gem into the modern era. The heart of the game remains unchanged – players settle into Forget-Me-Not Valley, raising crops, tending to livestock and building relationships with the quirky townsfolk.
But beneath the familiar mechanics, this remake introduces quality-of-life improvements that make the experience smoother and more accessible than ever. Gone are the awkward movement controls and sluggish pacing that made the original feel restrictive. Instead, refined animations, an expanded character creation system and the ability to romance any marriage candidate regardless of gender add a welcome layer of modern inclusivity.
The melancholic undertone where time passes, children grow up and characters age remains intact, reminding players that change is inevitable even in a cozy farming sim.
6Diablo II: Resurrected
Hell Has Never Looked This Good
Diablo 2: Resurrected
Bringing back one of the most influentialaction RPGsof all time is no small task, but Diablo II: Resurrected manages to balance nostalgia with modern enhancements. The game rebuilds the 2000 classic from the ground up with 3D visuals that can be toggled back to the original pixelated sprites at the press of a button.
The remaster also smooths out frame rates, refines the UI and adds controller support, which is crucial for playing on the Switch without losing the signature gameplay loop of looting and dungeon crawling. Yet, at its core, Resurrected is still Diablo II. The sinister atmosphere, punishing difficulty and deep character customization remain untouched.
Even the expansion Lord of Destruction is included, allowing players to experience everything that made the original a benchmark for ARPGs. While the frequent requests to connect to the internet to authenticate the copy can be a drawback, the ability to take the grind-heavy gameplay on the go makes it one of the best ways to revisit Blizzard’s dark masterpiece.
The Divine Brushwork Returns
Some games age like fine wine and Okami is one of them. Originallyreleased on the PlayStation 2, this stunning adventure, inspired by Japanese mythology and told through a living ink painting, was already ahead of its time. The HD remaster enhances its visuals without losing the Sumi-e art style that made it so unique, ensuring that Amaterasu’s journey through a cursed world remains as breathtaking as ever.
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On the Switch, the Celestial Brush – a core mechanic that lets players draw symbols to solve puzzles and combat foes – feels more intuitive than ever, thanks to the touchscreen and motion controls.
With a story heavily-influenced by The Legend of Zelda, Okami offers exploration, dungeons and an emotional journey that many consider one of the most underrated experiences in gaming. The remaster only serves to reinforce its status as a cult classic that deserves every bit of recognition it gets.
4Pokemon Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Let’s Go, Eevee!
A Nostalgic Journey with a Modern Twist
Pokemon Let’s Go
While not a traditional remake in the sense of a one-to-one recreation, Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Let’s Go, Eevee! breathes new life into Pokémon Yellow with a fresh coat of paint and mechanics inspired by Pokémon GO. Kanto remains familiar, but this time it’s in full 3D, with a vibrant, cartoony aesthetic that makes the world feel more alive than ever.
Catching mechanics have been overhauled, doing away with random battles in favor of a motion-based capture system that lets players toss Poke Balls with the Joy-Con or touchscreen. While this change may alienate fans who prefer the classic battle-heavy experience, it makes the game more approachable for newcomers.
Partner Pokémon, Pikachu or Eevee, have unique interactions that deepen the connection players have with their starter, a feature that echoes the companionship of Pokémon Yellow while modernizing the experience for a new generation.
3Metroid Prime Remastered
Samus Returns in HD
Metroid Prime Remastered
More than two decades after Metroid Prime redefined first-person exploration, Metroid Prime Remastered delivers a version so polished it feels like a brand-new game. The remaster doesn’t just up the resolution – it completely reworks textures, lighting and models to bring Tallon IV to life in ways the GameCube couldn’t.
The eerie alien landscapes, the oppressive atmosphere and the detailed environmental storytelling all hit harder than ever, especially on the Switch OLED screen.
But the most significant improvement is the inclusion of multiple control schemes, allowing players to choose between the classic lock-on mechanics, modern twin-stick aiming or motion controls similar to the Wii version. For longtime fans, it’s a dream come true. For newcomers, it’s the best way to experience one of Nintendo’s finestsci-fiadventures.
2Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
A Thousand Reasons to Replay
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
There’s a reason Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door is often hailed as the peak of the franchise. The GameCube original struck a perfect balance between RPG depth and lighthearted storytelling, making it a fan favorite for nearly two decades.
The Switch remake enhances every aspect without losing the charm, keeping the turn-based combat, partner mechanics and witty dialogue intact while upgrading the visuals with a cleaner, more-polished look.
Character animations are smoother, environments pop with richer details and battles feel snappier thanks to refined UI and faster transitions. Even minor tweaks, like quality-of-life adjustments and accessibility options, make this version the definitive way to experience Mario’s most beloved RPG adventure.
1The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening
A Classic, Reimagined in Toy-Like Perfection
The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening
What started as a Game Boy experiment in 1993 became one of the most beloved entries in The Legend of Zelda series and the Switch remake of Link’s Awakening captures every bit of its magic while making it more accessible than ever. The most striking change are the visuals – gone are the monochrome pixels, replaced by a handcrafted, diorama-like world that looks like a living toy set. It’s a perfect match for the dreamlike story and surreal atmosphere.
Beneath the charming new art style, the game remains faithful to its roots. Koholint Island’s labyrinthine dungeons, quirky characters and unforgettable music all return, with refinements that smooth out the Game Boy-era stiffness.
Quality-of-life updates include better inventory management, reworked controls and a more fluid movement system. It’s still the same journey of an outsider trying to awaken the Wind Fish, but with a presentation that makes it feel more like a cherished bedtime story than ever before.
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