Remakes, Remakes Everywhere
Everywhere we look these days, it feels like the classics are returning to us. From reboots of beloved ‘90s anime to Nintendo porting GameCube classics like Paper Mario to the Switch, our pop culture gardens are blossoming with returns of those childhood favourites we hold near and dear to our hearts. With remakes popping up left, right, and centre, it begs the question: why are we seeing so many make their way back to us?
Now we can admit, sometimes remakes can definitely feel like a bit of a cash grab. Its something that has an established fanbase, who are usually raring for content, so taking something easy to port, throwing it into a modern game engine, and calling it a day understandably leads to an underwhelming result. And we’ve all been there! The hype that surrounds a remake, and the crushing disappointment when it wasn’t as good as we remember can be frustrating. That being said, many remakes can bring new life and new love to an age old series.
One big draw of remakes is, quite simply, the power of technology. Tech advances at a rapid pace, and with more creatives pouring their talents into game development, art, animation, and storytelling, studios now have the tools to polish up old classics for the modern age. That means sharper graphics, smoother animation, and an overall richer experience that captures audiences in new ways. Think about Final Fantasy VII Remake: what began as low-polygon “blocky guys” has been reimagined with mind-blowing detail and a cinematic quality, making long-time fans fall in love with the game all over again while welcoming a new generation into the fold. Additionally, it brings series that have been lost to time, or locked to retro systems, and makes them accessible for the current era. Not everyone has a Nintendo 64 and game cartridge to whip out Paper Mario at a whim, so remaking media for current systems can let series that have been out of reach, able to be enjoyed again.
There’s no denying the timeless appeal of nostalgia. Remakes call to those who grew up with the originals, beckoning fans to dive back into a familiar world and rekindle memories of simpler times. Many fans feel a deep connection to their first anime, their first console game, or the series that introduced them to a genre. Revisiting an updated version can spark a warm sense of familiarity and comfort. Watching Sailor Moon Crystal or Tokyo Mew Mew New today, for instance, is like stepping back into a childhood dream, letting you connect with the wide-eyed wonder that once pulled you into magical girl adventures and stayed with you all these years.
Sometimes, the value of a remake lies in how it reframes the original, allowing creators to address outdated themes, evolve characters, or refine storylines to reflect current values and issues. The She-Ra and the Princesses of Power remake, for instance, took a beloved yet simple cartoon from the ‘80s (note: one that was originally designed to boost toy sales) and turned it into a heartfelt, inclusive series that speaks to modern audiences. By embracing diversity in characters’ body types, racial backgrounds, and sexual orientations, and by exploring deeper themes of trauma, self-worth, and empowerment, She-Ra managed to transform into a series that resonates even more powerfully than the original, bringing new fans along for the ride while honouring its roots.
At their core, remakes are about bridging past and present, allowing fans to celebrate the classics they love while exploring new interpretations. Technology gives them a fresh coat of paint, nostalgia makes them feel like coming home, and a modern take can make them even more meaningful than before. In a time when people are often looking for both the comfort of the familiar and the thrill of something new, remakes offer the best of both worlds. The characters and worlds we grew up with are growing alongside us, showing that some stories are timeless—and some, it turns out, are worth revisiting again and again.
Now we can admit, sometimes remakes can definitely feel like a bit of a cash grab. Its something that has an established fanbase, who are usually raring for content, so taking something easy to port, throwing it into a modern game engine, and calling it a day understandably leads to an underwhelming result. And we’ve all been there! The hype that surrounds a remake, and the crushing disappointment when it wasn’t as good as we remember can be frustrating. That being said, many remakes can bring new life and new love to an age old series.
One big draw of remakes is, quite simply, the power of technology. Tech advances at a rapid pace, and with more creatives pouring their talents into game development, art, animation, and storytelling, studios now have the tools to polish up old classics for the modern age. That means sharper graphics, smoother animation, and an overall richer experience that captures audiences in new ways. Think about Final Fantasy VII Remake: what began as low-polygon “blocky guys” has been reimagined with mind-blowing detail and a cinematic quality, making long-time fans fall in love with the game all over again while welcoming a new generation into the fold. Additionally, it brings series that have been lost to time, or locked to retro systems, and makes them accessible for the current era. Not everyone has a Nintendo 64 and game cartridge to whip out Paper Mario at a whim, so remaking media for current systems can let series that have been out of reach, able to be enjoyed again.
There’s no denying the timeless appeal of nostalgia. Remakes call to those who grew up with the originals, beckoning fans to dive back into a familiar world and rekindle memories of simpler times. Many fans feel a deep connection to their first anime, their first console game, or the series that introduced them to a genre. Revisiting an updated version can spark a warm sense of familiarity and comfort. Watching Sailor Moon Crystal or Tokyo Mew Mew New today, for instance, is like stepping back into a childhood dream, letting you connect with the wide-eyed wonder that once pulled you into magical girl adventures and stayed with you all these years.
Sometimes, the value of a remake lies in how it reframes the original, allowing creators to address outdated themes, evolve characters, or refine storylines to reflect current values and issues. The She-Ra and the Princesses of Power remake, for instance, took a beloved yet simple cartoon from the ‘80s (note: one that was originally designed to boost toy sales) and turned it into a heartfelt, inclusive series that speaks to modern audiences. By embracing diversity in characters’ body types, racial backgrounds, and sexual orientations, and by exploring deeper themes of trauma, self-worth, and empowerment, She-Ra managed to transform into a series that resonates even more powerfully than the original, bringing new fans along for the ride while honouring its roots.
At their core, remakes are about bridging past and present, allowing fans to celebrate the classics they love while exploring new interpretations. Technology gives them a fresh coat of paint, nostalgia makes them feel like coming home, and a modern take can make them even more meaningful than before. In a time when people are often looking for both the comfort of the familiar and the thrill of something new, remakes offer the best of both worlds. The characters and worlds we grew up with are growing alongside us, showing that some stories are timeless—and some, it turns out, are worth revisiting again and again.