Some games take up all the oxygen in the room, crowding out all others. For the remake and remaster scene in 2020, that game was the Final Fantasy VII Remake. — ightfully so, as it is one of the most beloved and famous games in history, but there wasn’t much digital ink left for any other games that hit the market.

Of course, there were many other remakes and remasters that debuted last year. Some were much-requested titles, others surprised everyone when they dropped. But, they all continued the decade-long trend of bringing classic games to the modern age. These titles represent slices of nearly every genre in gaming, so there’s sure to be something for everyone.

10 Trials of Mana

Originally a 2D RPG set in the Final Fantasy universe that released in 1995 for the Super Nintendo, the second act for Trials of Mana is a fully 3D action RPG adventure that upholds the game’s legacy quite well. The gameplay stays very faithful to the original, keeping the same combat menus and overall feel that made it such a hit back in the day.

The soundtrack, long considered one of the best in the 16-bit era, has received loving attention in the remake as well. The original MIDI tracks sit side-by-side with the modern version, with the player able to switch between them at any time. Square Enix definitely had a good year in 2020 making their old catalog new again.

9 Panzer Dragoon: Remake

Mention the Sega Saturn to old-school gamers, and the subject of Panzer Dragoon is likely to come up. Few games inspire the imagination and adoration that this one has over the years, so it was only surprising that it took so long for a remake to arrive. With polished graphics bringing the game to modern standards, the experience looks better than ever.

Game design has come a long way since 1995, however, so on-rails shooters, even ones that have players riding around on dragons and blasting other dragons out of the sky, don’t hold the appeal they once did. The remake benefits from enhanced controls that make the action more palatable, but it’s likely this one will appeal more to devotees of the original than to new fans.

8 Command & Conquer: Remastered Collection

These days, Command & Conquer is widely credited for having launched the real-time strategy (RTS) genre back in 1995. The simplicity of the gameplay, the mostly unintentional humor of the FMV cut scenes, and the incredible soundtrack all conspired to make this game beloved in its time, and one of the most anticipated remastered games in years. Fortunately for fans, the game was created by many of the same developers that created the original game, and the results didn’t disappoint.

The graphics received a modern polish but can be changed to their original pixelated brilliance at the press of a key. The iconic soundtrack was created by the original composer and carries with it all the funk that made it stand out all those many years ago. The controls have been modernized without destroying the charm of the original. Ultimately, the game receives the ultimate compliment for a remaster: it plays how it did in the memories of its fans, not how it actually played at the time.

7 Crysis Remastered

Now more than 13 years old, Crysis is remembered more for the technology that powered it than the game itself. The Crytek engine became the standard by which all games, especially FPS, would be judged for years. Unsurprisingly, Crysis Remastered is still a great-looking game, though one that now has a few peculiar issues with textures and the like.

As with other remasters, the gameplay is a mixed bag. Destructible environments, always a crowd-pleaser, are still top-notch here. Weapon and suit customization to fit particular situations remain exciting as well. But some aspects of the game have been done better in other modern games, leaving the action as something to be desired. Players will come to see if the graphics hold up to the reputation, but they may not stay to the end.

6 Destroy All Humans!

Another surprising remaster, Destroy All Humans was a PS2-era action game, where players controlled an alien named Crypto causing havoc in 1950s America. The remastered version looks quite attractive, with nice lighting effects to show off Crypto’s collection of human-destroying weapons.

Blowing things up and killing humans is still just as fun as it was 15+ years ago, and the game controls even better than it did then, too. There’s not a lot more to it than that, but as with summer popcorn flicks, sometimes it just works to have a game that doesn’t require a lot of thinking.

5 Bayonetta

One of gaming’s most iconic characters, Bayonetta revels in its slightly sexy and naughty heroine and her killer moves. Playing much like a Devil May Cry game, Bayonetta was a PS3-era actioner that turned players on with its stylish design and kinetic gameplay.

All that stylishness is back with an improved framerate and load times, making combat feel better than ever. The graphics aren’t up to par with modern titles, but the game always had a muted color palette so there was only so much to be done, even with a bump to 4K. The draw here is the action though, and the remaster has it in spades.

4 Vanquish

Released along with its Platinum Games-published counterpart Bayonetta, Vanquish was a quality action game that was overlooked at its original release. Typical of the era, the story is bonkers, putting players in the power suit of an engineer saving the world from a sinister group trying to destroy the US with the sun.

What really matters is the action, lots of 3rd person shooting and super-fast traversal, usually via the knee-sliding mechanic that somehow was never used much in other games. The graphics only show so much improvement, as the remaster pushes the framerate all the way to 60 fps, making the gameplay better than ever before. This is one not to miss.

3 Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit Remastered

One of the most popular titles in the long-running Need For Speed franchise, Hot Pursuit introduced police cars to the arcade racer. Insane speed was always a trademark for the games, but running from the law upped the ante and overjoyed fans.

Even better, players were able to play as both the cops and the racers, appealing to those who wanted to walk on both sides of the law. There’s very little done to the game in this remaster, with the graphics touched up and a few cosmetic additions here and there. The game’s mix of Burnout insanity with Need For Speed’s stable of exotic cars created an irresistible mix that still holds strong more than 10 years later.

2 Age of Empires III Definitive Edition

The third entry in the venerable Age of Empires series was probably least loved of its brethren back in its original day. The Definitive Edition improves what was there, but that’s likely only welcome news for those who enjoyed it back in the day.

The historical RTS has a large collection of single-player missions, and all DLC content as well. Unfortunately, the game suffers the same quality of life problems as many other remasters, where old interface and control issues cause problems that have since been solved by newer games. Fans of the original will love it, but there’s no guarantee it will find a new audience.

1 Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning

Back in 2012, before action-RPGs had their moment, Kingdoms of Amalur surprised many with its quality gameplay and story. It would ultimately be remembered more for issues surrounding the studio and its founder Curt Schilling. Thus, it was quite a surprise when the announcement arrived that the game would receive a remaster and new DLC in 2020.

The remaster keeps the satisfying story and combat, which is more dependent on the player’s skill than finding the right combination of equipment and upgrades. But it also keeps some of the design ideas that have become problematic in the intervening nine years. Most glaringly, the graphics received only the barest of upgrades, which might keep new players from giving it a chance.

NEXT: 10 Games That Need An HD Remaster Or HD Remake For The PS5