A remaster Croc: Legend of the Gobbos was just announced. Croc. A PS1 classic that has been lovingly nestled in my memory bank for decades. Never in a million years did I imagine I’d play it again and yet, here we are. Croc, the a lovable little green crocodile with big eyes and a stubby tail, is making a come back. With all the excitement, there’s no denying the truth: video game remakes and remasters are here to stay. They’re not just a passing trend—they’ve become a key pillar of the gaming industry’s business model. The magic of nostalgia (Croc’s announcement hit me right in the feels) combined with the budget-friendly nature of updating classic content makes remakes and remasters too irresistible for publishers to pass up. As long as they keep raking in the dough, we’ll keep seeing these beloved games on store shelves.
The Nostalgia Factor: A License to Print Money
Nostalgia is a potent force, and publishers are masters at tapping into it. Players who grew up with beloved games are eager to revisit them with modern graphics and gameplay upgrades. This isn’t just a theory—it’s proven by impressive sales figures. Take the Resident Evil 4 Remake, for instance. Released in March 2023, it sold over 7 million copies in under a year, making it one of the best-selling titles in the franchise. This success isn’t limited to Resident Evil 4 alone; other remakes in the series have also thrived, like the Resident Evil 2 Remake, which has sold nearly 14 million copies since its release. But it’s not just the heavyweights like Resident Evil that reap the rewards. Consider Crash Bandicoot: the N. Sane Trilogy has surpassed 20 million copies sold, demonstrating that even beloved mascots from the past can achieve monumental success.
Remakes & Remasters: A Sure Bet for Publishers
From a business perspective, remakes and remasters are a low-risk, high-reward strategy. Developing a new IP or even a sequel often requires a significant investment with uncertain returns. In contrast, remastering a beloved classic or recreating a fan-favorite title offers a much more predictable outcome. According to a 2024 white paper from Virtuos, between March and June 2023, remakes and remasters made up 9 of the 10 top-rated games and 3 of the top 10 best-selling titles. Hits like Resident Evil 4, The Last of Us Part I, and Metroid Prime Remastered showcase the excitement of updating classics, while the Resident Evil 2 Remake, Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy, and Final Fantasy VII Remake demonstrate how this strategy rakes in impressive sales. This isn’t just a one-off—it’s a clear pattern.
The Financial Appeal: Costs vs. Rewards
The financial appeal of remakes and remasters is hard to overstate. These projects usually have lower production costs because they build on existing foundations—story, characters, and core gameplay mechanics. Yet, the returns can be substantial. Take the Final Fantasy VII Remake, for example: it sold over 5 million copies within a few months of its release, demonstrating the potential for massive revenue from a relatively modest investment
A Future Dominated by the Past
Given their profitability, it’s no wonder that remakes and remasters have become a staple in gaming release schedules. Gamers might grumble about the endless stream of old favorites making a comeback, but the sales figures tell a different story. As long as these games keep selling—and they will—publishers will continue to cash in on the power of nostalgia. So, whether you’re nostalgic for the past or yearning for new experiences, remakes and remasters are here to stay. It’s clear that the industry’s focus on reviving these classic titles isn’t going away anytime soon, so we might as well embrace it.
