One thing that is more popular now than ever is video game remakes. Defunct series like Splinter Cell and System Shock previously didn't get brand-new sequels but remakes of classic entries. Horror titles are no exception, with recent Resident Evil, Dead Space, and Silent Hill remakes.

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Putting aside whether or not these remakes are necessary, most of them are great. They can expand and enrich the world with more details, improve gameplay mechanics, or focus more on the story. Standard remakes will count, but story remakes or reimaginings will also be included.
Updated by Dominic Allen on October 16, 2024: The video game remake train isn't derailing anytime soon. Many are coming out, and most recently, two big ones for horror: Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster and Silent Hill 2. Both of these remakes are really good and need to be included. With several horror remakes on the horizon, this probably won't be the last time this list is updated.
10 Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster
One feature makes all the difference
Capcom titled Dead Rising Remake Deluxe Remaster, as it is essentially the same base game. However, with the amount of changes and the fact that the game was completely rebuilt from the ground up in the RE engine, this is definitely a remake.
The Deluxe Remaster looks great, has better AI, and offers several quality-of-life improvements, but there's one reason, and one reason only, that makes it the best version of DR1: you can skip time. It's a game changer, and once you start skipping time, you'll never go back to the original, where you were waiting for events to begin.
9 Silent Hill 2
Exceeding all expectations
Silent Hill 2 Remake was a game that many didn't think would be good. While the Blubber team clearly has issues creating their own stories, when it comes to remaking an established masterpiece like Silent Hill 2, they did a near pitch-perfect job. All the nitty-gritty details that make the story so satisfying to understand on its own remain here, and it's surprising how little story material was cut from the original.
Silent Hill 2 remains terrifying with its all-time great sound design and atmosphere. Even the enemy redesign looks terrible. The original is still king in terms of artistry, with its intentionally small scale design, but this remake manages to capture the scare factor and storytelling, as far as you can tell the story is better in the remake.
8 Castlevania: Adventure Reborn
Making the worst Castlevania game the best
When you remake a game, you want to pick a title that could use a few touch-ups, not a flawless masterpiece. In that way, there aren't many better options than Castlevania: The Original Game Boy Adventure. This title is universally cited by fans as one of the worst Castlevania games, but the remake completely changes that.
It's a great traditional Castlevania with good levels and tight controls, and it was actually the second to last 2D game in the series. The only big downside is getting the title, as it was a WiiWare exclusive. Since the Wii Shop is closed, this game is very hard to get, but if you can somehow get a copy, it's worth it.
7 Super Castlevania 4
The best remake of Castlevania 1
The original Castlevania game has actually been remade several times with the same basic premise of Simon Belmont entering Dracula's castle to kill him. A lot of them are really good, like Castlevania Chronicles, for example. However, none of them can top Super Castlevania 4 for the SNES. The ability to whip in all eight directions was a game-changer and all previous titles look dull in comparison.

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Bloodlines was a great game for Genesis, but without those eight directions, it's not even in the same league. Not to mention, the levels are still the best designed in the series. In terms of traditional non-Metroidvania 2D games in the series, Castlevania 4 is the best.
6 Splatterhouse
An underrated horror gem
Year of release |
platforms |
developer |
publisher |
---|---|---|---|
2010 |
Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 |
BottleRocket, Namco Bandai Games |
of the name |
Splatterhouse is one of the earliest horror-themed series, with the first three games being among the few standout horror titles from before the PS1 era. A reimagining began in 2010, incorporating elements of all three games. Now Splatterhouse starts out rough, with the first few levels being pretty lacking, but once you get past that, it improves dramatically.
The combat is very satisfying once you get the hang of it, and the voice acting is top-notch. Jim Cummings voices Terror Mask, and he's the best figure in the game. They have a lot of creativity in the later levels, and it also comes with three original games as unlockables. That never happens these days, which makes this remake even more special.
5 dead space
Improved in almost every way
Looking at the pre-release footage of Dead Space, you probably thought it was a Bluepoint game-style remake where it's essentially the same title, but all rebuilt from the ground up. Once you get your hands on the game, though, you'll discover you were wrong. First, the story features all new voice performances, audio logs, scenes with added backstories, and most importantly, Isaac now talks.
All of this greatly improves the story, but the gameplay is equally changed and improved. The remake features a fully interconnected Ishimura with a new security clearance card and backtracking encouraged by side quests. Gunplay is also improved with better alternate fires for the roster of weapons. You couldn't ask for a better remake.
4 Siren: Blood Curse
A must-play PlayStation exclusive horror title
The third Siren title, Siren: Blood Curse for PS3, is a reimagining of the first game. It made sense since it was the first entry on the PS3, and the previous games were pretty obscure. Siren: Blood Curse has the perfect blend of traditional survival horror and more stealth-focused horror games. Most parts do a great job of disabling you to make it scary.
The standout level of the entire game takes place in a creepy Silent Hill-esque hospital, complete with evil nurses and patients. You don't play as a normal character, though, as you control a little girl. You have to use stealth the whole way, and it's scary because of how powerless you are. Unfortunately, this game was only released digitally in the States, making it a bit of a hidden gem.
3 Resident Evil
A video game remake remains the GOAT
Still, to this day, many would cite the 2002 Resident Evil remake as the best video game remake of all time. Shinji Mikami returns as director, which adds some authenticity to the project. Playing the game, it really feels like the developers tried to do things they couldn't do with the PS1 hardware that they envisioned in the first place.

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One great thing about this remake that not everyone does is that it works for both newcomers and players of the original. Mikami's team made sure to trip people who played the classic game because many of the scares and puzzles have changed slightly. Most of the other remakes would have similar puzzle solutions, but the developers wanted to make sure veterans couldn't enter the same password again.
2 Resident Evil 2
Still the best modern horror game remake
When the Resident Evil 2 remake was first shown, some die-hard fans were disappointed. Instead of the fixed camera angles of the original, the RE2 remake used a standard third-person perspective. However, when the game launched, all that disappointment went away, and the title is actually up there with the first remake as one of the best in gaming.
Despite the new camera system, it remains very faithful to the original with its large interconnected maps, monsters, and scare factor. RE2 Remake may very well feature some of the best looking and sounding zombies ever made in gaming. Not to mention Mr. X, one of the scariest stalking enemies you never want to face. The game has plenty of replay value and is one of the best current horror games you can buy right now.
1 Fatal Frame 2: Wii Edition
A solid remake
This next game was only released in Japanese and PAL regions, which is why you might not know that Fatal Frame 2 got a full blown remake. After the original Wii release of Fatal Frame 4, Koei Tecmo used many of the same resources to create a remake of the critically acclaimed second entry.
The remake features many of the same gameplay elements as the fourth title and even more endings than the Xbox port. All Fatal Frame games are fun, scary times, and this one is no different. While not as good as the original, it's still a great horror game and one of the best for the Wii.

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