Video Game Remake - Definition

Definition

A remake offers a newer interpretation of an older work, characterized by updated or changed assets. A remake typically maintains the same story, genre, and fundamental gameplay ideas of the original work. The intent of a remake is usually to take an older game that has become dated and update it for a new platform and audience. Remakes almost always include new graphics, but may also include expanded stories, and altered gameplay, often to conform to the conventions of contemporary games or later titles in the same series in order to make a game marketable to a new audience. For example, Sierra's 1991 remake of Space Quest, the developers used the engine, point-and-click interface, and graphical style of Space Quest IV, Another example: Kirby Super Star has been remaked to Kirby Super Star Ultra replacing the dated graphics and text parser interface of the original. However, elements that had not become dated, like the narrative, puzzles, and sets, were largely preserved on all games that have been remaked.

Games that use an existing brand but are conceptually very different from the original, such as Battlezone (1998) and Defender (2002) are usually regarded as reboots rather than remakes.

A port is a conversion of a game to a new platform that relies heavily on existing work and assets. A port may include various enhancements like improved performance, resolution, and sometimes even additional content, but differs from a remake in that it still relies heavily on the original assets and engine of the source game. However, a port that contains a great deal of remade assets may still sometimes be considered a remake.