Remakes have been a staple in the video game industry that predates even the console market. The first remakes tended to be reprogrammed arcade games that would be given upgraded visuals and mechanics when being ported over to stronger cabinets. The remakes of today follow the similar song and dance of reimagining older titles on newer hardware. But are remakes starting to become controversial? In an era of recycled products and sequels getting prequels, remakes have gained a reputation unlike the decades before.
It’s probably fair to say that people have grown tired of the entertainment industry with its recent trend of reviving or bringing back projects through remakes or sequels. Just like every other aspect of our daily lives, entertainment has grown expensive, and the video game industry understands that if we are to now drop $70 for a game, it would need to be something people already recognize or are fans of. Companies like CAPCOM understand this and have publicly stated that it has plans to revive its older franchises for this exact reason.
The upcoming Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake has been great news for many, but is an unfortunate reminder to me that remakes feel more unnecessary now then ever. A byproduct of companies looking to maximize profit without having to splurge on new creative leads or risking brand new projects takes the magic out of remakes for me. Another factor is with the popularity of generative AI content in our entertainment, my crave for originality has never been worse. Remaking Ocarina of Time specifically is really just a nail in coffin given how it’s now the most ported over and remade title compared to other Zelda games.
If Nintendo announced this remake in a climate where remakes were still respected instead of a business tactic to boost Switch 2 sales, I would be excited. It’s the fact that I’m not that I’m writing this article. What went wrong in the industry for Ocarina of Time to leave an empty hole in my heart? In today’s age I want nothing more than an original title to really sell me on Nintendo’s new phase with the Switch 2, but that potential game has yet to exist. To go back to a world where remakes are respected means we shouldn’t continue to prove to companies that they’re more than just “get rich quick” schemes. Remakes should be a necessity for preservation not a necessity to justify purchasing a $500 console. Maybe I’m being too harsh, but in this industry, I’d rather be harsh than complacent.
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