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In computer and video games, an enhanced remake (also called updated classics) is an updated version of a game that was originally developed for a less advanced system. Remakes with resolution upgrades are called high-resolution remakes. Remakes for high-definition video game consoles, such as PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, and on par with HDTV are called high-definition remakes (or HD remakes). A remake with revisions in the plot, gameplay, and overworld is called a reimagined remake. The practice of updating old games began in the 16-bit era but was popularized during the Sixth Generation Era. The basic features of an enhanced remake are graphical and audio enhancements (or "facelifts"). The methods of graphical enhancement include re-touching, decompression, polygon upgrade, texturization or texture resolution upgrade, additional animations, and two-dimensional to three-dimensional transformation (hence three-dimensional remakes, or the "Wild Arms: Alter Code F format"). Audio enhancements include new music, better sound quality, and remixes of the old music. Sometimes extra levels or other features are added, and the game engine may be improved. In most cases, however, the majority of gameplay itself is left unaltered. Enhanced remakes occur mostly on video game consoles. They have occurred mostly during the 128-bit era. The system that the game is being enhanced from is called the source system, and the system it is been enhanced for is called the target system. The earliest enhanced remakes are 16-bit remakes of 8-bit games. Also, occasionally games that were originally released only in Japan are remade and re-released in the West, most notably Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels, Final Fantasy II of Final Fantasy Origins, and Final Fantasy III for the Nintendo DS. (See also Fan translation.) Some examples of enhanced remakes include Super Mario All-Stars (from NES to Super NES) and Final Fantasy Origins (from NES to WonderSwan Color to Sony PlayStation). The enhanced remakes of Dragon Quest I-V were Japan-only, but some were unofficially translated into English, and Dragon Quest I-III remakes ported to Game Boy Color were officially translated into English but did not sell well outside Japan. The original version of Dragon Quest V was also Japan-only. The enhanced version still has a chance to be localized to North America. Sometimes, a publisher makes an unauthorized copy of another publisher's game. This "remake" is called a "clone". Making and publishing a clone is legal if no copyright or patent covers any essential aspect of the game (for example, Tetris), as long as the clone is published under a name that is not confusingly similar. Most clones, however, do not fall under this rule and are illegal. Some are even pirated versions of the game they are supposedly remaking.
Controversy Often times changes made in remakes are scrutinized, by the purist or traditionalist, as being unnecessary or frivolous, such as the addition, alteration, or removal of plot elements, characters, voice acting, or new features. With 2D to 3D remakes, such as , some feel 3D doesn't effectively convey the same artistic style or feeling as 2D. Typically when a game is remade, it is done so on a different platform on which it first appeared, such as Mega Man Anniversary Collection, Midway Arcade Treasures, or Sonic Mega Collection, via emulation of the original platform. This can lead to sound, graphical effects, or gameplay to differ from the originals, thus being an "imperfect" conversion. Arcade games are thought of as arcade perfect if all effects are as they were in the original. Such are called direct ports. Conversely, some gamers believe that these remakes give the games more vitality, and welcome new content. Purist gamers can perhaps believe that the enhanced version lives up to the original's quality, but typically do not accept it as canon, unless future games reference it as such. Although the original game is usually not included with their remakes, some enhanced remakes do include their respective original versions. , includes the original Metroid as an unlockable. List of enhanced remakes This list does not include reissues (or direct ports) of original games, nor does it include clones: See also | ||||||||
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