Re-releasing the original game over it's remake

[mαrkαsscoρ]

I've mentioned this a few times but the N64 NSO is what egged me to make this. If a game has a remake or some sort of enhanced version, does it make sense to still re-release the original version? And if they do choose to re-release the original version and not the remake, then what's the point of the remake?

The main example I'm thinking is Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen. They are just flat out better versions of the Kanto games, but they've never been re-released outside of when they originally came out. Pokemon Red, Blue, and Yellow were re-released on the 3ds virtual console, but FireRed and LeafGreen didn't come to Wii U. I know there's more nostalgia for the original games, but the remakes are just better playing experiences, so why make the originals more accessible than the remakes? Another is the mobile versions of Sonic 1 & 2 which are seen as the best versions of those games, yet they so far haven't been re-released to homes consoles, we still just get the base versions of them whenever they re-release.

Mega Man Powered Up and Maverick Hunter X were also never re-released, not even in the collections, despite the Day of Sigma anime short being present in the X Legacy Collections. And there's also Castlevania Requiem which confuses me b/c it's just a bundle of Rondo of Blood and Symphony of the Night, so why not just remaster Dracula Chronicles X which ALREADY had those two games inside it as unlockables.

And like I mentioned w/ the N64 NSO, there exist remakes or enhanced versions of Super Mario 64, Ocarina of Time, Star Fox 64, and Majora's Mask (give or take), but we're still getting the original versions of them instead. Obviously its just more convenient for the service to bring the N64 versions, but it feels like this is coming at the expense of having the updated versions. Whether or not we actually will get the updated versions in the future remains to be seen, but at the moment, it feels like they're being glossed over.

If they wanted to remake or remaster a game, shouldn't that be the definitive version of the game going forward? If it is, then why isn't it the version that gets re-released?

 

[Link&Midna]

I think in cases like the 3DS virtual Pokemon games it's absolutely stupid not to bring the updated versions instead, but in the case of N64 online bringing the originals makes sense because after all, it's meant to focus on the N64 as a whole instead of just one of those games specifically. Now in the case of Mario All Stars or something, I don't care a whole lot but it probably would have made more sense for them to port the updated version of Mario 64 instead even if the OG one has more "nostalgia factor" or whatever.

 

[mαrkαsscoρ]

I think in cases like the 3DS virtual Pokemon games it's absolutely stupid not to bring the updated versions instead, but in the case of N64 online bringing the originals makes sense because after all, it's meant to focus on the N64 as a whole instead of just one of those games specifically. Now in the case of Mario All Stars or something, I don't care a whole lot but it probably would have made more sense for them to port the updated version of Mario 64 instead even if the OG one has more "nostalgia factor" or whatever.

I think the fact that they were going to come out w/ the N64 NSO anyway makes it all the more worse for them to not have gone w/ Mario 64 DS instead for 3d All Stars

 

[Mikey the Moblin]

They are just flat out better versions of the Kanto games

False
They are "visually enhanced", but they're missing all the fun glitches and broken-ness!

If they wanted to remake or remaster a game, shouldn't that be the definitive version of the game going forward? If it is, then why isn't it the version that gets re-released?

So, to answer the main conceit of the thread, my opinion is that the definitive version of a game is the one that should be ported. However, in nintendo's case their love of gimmicks can cause problems with figuring out which version is exactly the definitive one. Why aren't we getting OOT3D or MM3D? Well, because the switch doesn't support 2 screens or 3d or microphone or streetpass... Etc... Same deal with WWHD and TPHD. These versions are pretty much definitive, but they lose that status when you lose access to the gamepad screen to an extent. They're still arguably better in many ways, but simply porting the original games with a quick upscale a la 3D all stars would be, in my opinion, the best way for Nintendo to release updated versions of older games, rather than to port pre-existing remakes or remasters.

To return to the FRLG remake, those games are so bad. I'm glad we got Let's Go to really solidify the concept of the gen 1 games into a game with tasteful modern design sensibilities, even if it's at the cost of modern Pokemon mechanics. In this specific instance, I think the only reason to release FRLG ports is in addition to RBY ports, not instead of. They're just such a far cry from definitive in comparison to LGPE and they're a wildly different experience from the glitchy retro mess of RBY that they just can't exist as a definitive version no matter how nostalgic someone might be for the GBA era and the sevii islands

 

[Spiritual Mask Salesman]

The remakes don't classify as a game released on the console of the original. They aren't going to give us Ocarina of Time 3DS for ports of Nintendo 64 games, they'd either release it as an HD remaster, or add it to an online library of 3DS titles for their online service whenever that happens in the future (and if it even happens).

I think it also takes less time to port the original games and do some minor upscaling than it does to bring over remakes of games, especially because many of those remakes were designed to function with the specific console features it was remade for, that aren't possible on the Switch currently.

TL;DR Nintendo wants to do the option that takes less time and gives more profit, and just porting original games is their way of doing that right now.

I don't mind them porting the original games honestly, because in some cases the remake can be different than the original, and there are some things I might like better in the original. For example, I like how they streamlined inventory in OoT and MM 3D, but I don't like the brighter lighting because it ruins the atmosphere of certain places and scenes. I also like the boss fights of MM in the original and dislike the changes of the 3DS remake.

 

[mαrkαsscoρ]

False
They are "visually enhanced", but they're missing all the fun glitches and broken-ness!

s u b j e c t i v e

So, to answer the main conceit of the thread, my opinion is that the definitive version of a game is the one that should be ported. However, in nintendo's case their love of gimmicks can cause problems with figuring out which version is exactly the definitive one. Why aren't we getting OOT3D or MM3D? Well, because the switch doesn't support 2 screens or 3d or microphone or streetpass... Etc... Same deal with WWHD and TPHD. These versions are pretty much definitive, but they lose that status when you lose access to the gamepad screen to an extent. They're still arguably better in many ways, but simply porting the original games with a quick upscale a la 3D all stars would be, in my opinion, the best way for Nintendo to release updated versions of older games, rather than to port pre-existing remakes or remasters.

I guess this is more of a deal w/ how nintendo's console gimmicks affected the longevity of these games on how easily they'd be ported or not. Even so, it hasn't stopped them from updating and porting stuff like Pikmin 3 and New Mario U. Are they compromised b/c of no 2nd screen? Maybe, but they're still perfectly playable and available to more people b/c of it

To return to the FRLG remake, those games are so bad. I'm glad we got Let's Go to really solidify the concept of the gen 1 games into a game with tasteful modern design sensibilities, even if it's at the cost of modern Pokemon mechanics. In this specific instance, I think the only reason to release FRLG ports is in addition to RBY ports, not instead of. They're just such a far cry from definitive in comparison to LGPE and they're a wildly different experience from the glitchy retro mess of RBY that they just can't exist as a definitive version no matter how nostalgic someone might be for the GBA era and the sevii islands

To amend something real quick, I don't mean to never port the old games period, but rather if it's going to be one or the other, I think the updated version should take priority. On the PS3, you can play both the original RE 1 and REmake, but on the PS4, REmake is only available, but I think that's more ideal than having only RE 1 be available.

 

[Mikey the Moblin]

I understood that you think FRLG should take priority over RBY
I disagree

 

[A Link In Time]

SMS definitely raised a good point about Nintendo releasing the actual version that was on the N64. But, man, is it hard to go back to the tediousness of switching to the menu to put on and take off the iron boots after getting used to the 3DS version. I definitely feel the same with Pokémon. I bought Yellow off the 3DS VC in 2016 and played up to Saffron City and have not gone back since. The game feels too dated.

 

[Bowsette Plus-Ultra]

I think there's benefit to releasing the original version.

To me, the obvious reason is software preservation. It's important that people be able to readily access the original version of something, not just the prettied up remake that the company would prefer they see. It's why the Link's Awakening remake is nice, but would also be good if the original were more easily available.

 

[MW7]

I think each version of the game still has utility, but I agree that some versions are better than others although it is subjective. In some cases the fixes in a remake are removing some glitches that can actually be fun, and in the case of Majora's Mask 3d the changes are a net negative in my opinion even though some of the changes are fantastic (song of double time change and game saving). In the particular case of NSO, I was hoping for original versions mostly due to Majora's Mask. Ocarina of Time 3d and Twilight Princess HD are relatively safe remakes with few negatives and many positives. Wind Waker HD and Majora's Mask 3d had more substantial changes, and in my opinion it worked extremely well for Wind Waker HD and not so much for Majora's Mask 3d. Also from a selfish perspective, but I'm probably not alone, my 3ds still works fine and my N64 is not doing so well anymore. The remakes are more accessible at the moment at least for me.

For Pokemon I feel similarly. The originals are clunky in some respects, but they still have some unique value not captured by remakes. I have missed out on a majority of the games in the series and appreciate the remakes though. I have looked at some of the Pokemon communities, and it appears that there are still people interested in virtually every game because each generation has its own unique rules. The pokemon type chart itself has gone through several stages of balance. Most games in the series have high levels of replayability.

 

[mαrkαsscoρ]

I think there's benefit to releasing the original version.

To me, the obvious reason is software preservation. It's important that people be able to readily access the original version of something, not just the prettied up remake that the company would prefer they see. It's why the Link's Awakening remake is nice, but would also be good if the original were more easily available.

right but my thing is that not even the prettied up version is available, just the original

 

[Bowsette Plus-Ultra]

right but my thing is that not even the prettied up version is available, just the original

Oh, I get that. That's the sort of situation that emphasizes how important third party emulation is. I can't play the original Link's Awakening on my Switch, but I can play it on my Vita.

 

[Fig]

I've mentioned this a few times but the N64 NSO is what egged me to make this. If a game has a remake or some sort of enhanced version, does it make sense to still re-release the original version? And if they do choose to re-release the original version and not the remake, then what's the point of the remake?

The main example I'm thinking is Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen. They are just flat out better versions of the Kanto games, but they've never been re-released outside of when they originally came out. Pokemon Red, Blue, and Yellow were re-released on the 3ds virtual console, but FireRed and LeafGreen didn't come to Wii U. I know there's more nostalgia for the original games, but the remakes are just better playing experiences, so why make the originals more accessible than the remakes? Another is the mobile versions of Sonic 1 & 2 which are seen as the best versions of those games, yet they so far haven't been re-released to homes consoles, we still just get the base versions of them whenever they re-release.

Mega Man Powered Up and Maverick Hunter X were also never re-released, not even in the collections, despite the Day of Sigma anime short being present in the X Legacy Collections. And there's also Castlevania Requiem which confuses me b/c it's just a bundle of Rondo of Blood and Symphony of the Night, so why not just remaster Dracula Chronicles X which ALREADY had those two games inside it as unlockables.

And like I mentioned w/ the N64 NSO, there exist remakes or enhanced versions of Super Mario 64, Ocarina of Time, Star Fox 64, and Majora's Mask (give or take), but we're still getting the original versions of them instead. Obviously its just more convenient for the service to bring the N64 versions, but it feels like this is coming at the expense of having the updated versions. Whether or not we actually will get the updated versions in the future remains to be seen, but at the moment, it feels like they're being glossed over.

If they wanted to remake or remaster a game, shouldn't that be the definitive version of the game going forward? If it is, then why isn't it the version that gets re-released?

Funny timing regarding FireRed and LeafGreen but Pegi (Europe's version of the ESR just updated their regulations/law stating that any form of gambling will make a game Rated 18+. There was a whole day's worth of conversation that took place when it happened because this would mean that if Nintendo/Game Freak does not update FRLG to remove the casino area or at least the imagery of gambling in the casino area of Celadon City, they would have re-release the game under the new 18+ ruling. Personally I find it stupid but it does mean that should FRLG return, content of it is going to be removed or altered/censored.

As for the N64 games that got a remake from the 3DS, the main reason why they aren't in the N64 line-up for the NSO is because while the 3DS isn't a main selling point for Nintendo right now, it's still being sold even in 2021, 10 years since the original 3DS launch. Nintendo is probably aware there's still money to be made with the 3DS still being functional so they will probably wait it out a couple more years before they actually kick the bucket for the 3DS. Also for us older gamers, nostalgia is the bigger factor for bringing back the original game. Remembering those 90's 3D graphics is how you would entice the average 20+ year old to be excited about N64 games officially coming back if they aren't aware of Nintendo's terrible corporatism that they have been indulging in for the past decade now.

 

[Uwu_Oocoo2]

I say definately re-release them. The first zelda game I played was oot 3d, which is an excellent game. I would have been lost playing the original without my extra item slot and sheikah stone hints. But now that I'm better at playing games in general, I would love to play the original. All of that chunky n64 goodness gives the game charm and character. It's a part of the games history, and makes it special. I like the original FF VII way better than the remake. It's graphics and style give it this goofy undertone to a serious title. Remakes are cool and all, and may be better than the original versions, but they can never fully replace the classics.

 

[Farore's Chosen]

Of course. Plenty of people still love the original version. Some people may even love both versions. And that's a-ok.

Plus porting old favorites means easy money. And vg companies exist to make money.

Although I will say I'm not a fan of Nintendo's Online rental service. I understand the point of them, and rentals were good ways to try out and play games you aren't sure about buying, or can't find. But I vastly prefer their virtual console and they took that option away.