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RPG Grind Time – SNES Classics I'd Love To See Remade
It’s no secret that the 16-bit era was influential in shaping me as an RPG fan, especially games on the SNES. Secret of Mana ranks highly on my Best-RPGs-of-All-Time list. It was one of the first games that affected me with its storytelling, and I’ll always share a special bond with my grandpa over playing it. That’s why I couldn’t be more excited for a remake. I know a lot of fans have trepidation with remakes. What if they don’t capture the essence of the original, or make changes for the worse? Those are valid concerns, but I enjoy being able to experience my favorite games with a fresh coat of paint and some tweaks, especially as technology continues to improve. It also allows a younger generation who missed out on the originals a chance to experience these classics – often with refinements that make them more user-friendly. With the Secret of Mana remake official, it got me thinking of other SNES RPGs I’d love to get the same treatment. Here are my top three.
Chrono Trigger
Chrono Trigger is my pick for best RPG of all time. I consider it an essential for all RPG fans. The game was a collaboration of top-tier RPG talent – from Final Fantasy creator Hironobu Sakaguchi to Dragon Quest creator Yuji Horii – and it shows. The time-traveling adventure has aged well, but that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t like to see it get the remake treatment. Chrono Resurrection, a fan remake that got shut down, tantalized me with updated graphics and sounds. Ever since, I’ve been pining for Square Enix to take note and create it on its own terms. Spruced up character designs and voiced dialogue could be a delight. Imagine how much more spectacular the varied overworlds and combo attacks could be. Most importantly, considering how many variants of Yasunori Matsuda’s lovely soundtrack have come out over the years, hearing a symphonic rendition of those songs would be pure joy.
Earthbound
This is a long shot, but I feel like Earthbound never got its time in the sun as it should have. It became a cult hit after its release window, but the game is beloved for a reason. This charming and zany title referenced popular culture, broke the fourth wall, and parodied the RPG genre. Its real-world setting was refreshing for the time, but Earthbound also took you to some memorable locales, such as the cultist-filled Happy Happy Village and the bizarre Moonside, where people talk backwards. I would love to see these worlds recreated with more detail. When Earthbound 64 was canceled, it broke my heart, so I’ve been itching to see Ness and friends in updated 3D visuals (that aren’t Smash Bros.) ever since. I’d love to see more gamers experience the magic of Earthbound with some updates, like easing the inventory restrictions, modernizing the interface, and enhancing the appearance of the backdrops.
Final Fantasy VI
While we’ve seen plenty of Square’s games on other consoles, Final Fantasy VI hasn’t been bandied about quite as much. A fan favorite and one of the best games in the series, FF VI was successful on the back of its deep customization, varied characters, and literally world-busting plot twists. Imagine seeing the famous Opera scene, but playing out with fully-orchestrated music, authentic vocals, and modern visual flair. It would be any RPG fanatic’s dream scenario, especially after what we’ve seen going into the Final Fantasy VII remake. On top of that, FF VI contains a glut of locations, summons, and other cool special moves that could be rendered beautifully with today’s technology. We all think summoning Shiva or visiting Narshe in both the World of Balance and the World of Ruin would be incredibly impressive, but, let’s be honest, there’s only one thing that would need to happen for the FF VI remake to be top notch…
Sabin suplexing a ghost train on your PS4.
Which of these games would you most like to see remade? Let me know in the comments below!
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