UA RU EN

Classic 2000s Games Set for a Comeback Through Remakes

Ностальгія за іграми 2000-х: нові версії улюблених хітів повертають до життя старі спогади. Photo: НВ — Техно

Games from 2000–2009 That Could Be Revived as Remakes

This article explores which titles from the 2000–2009 era might be reimagined as full remakes. Unlike remasters—which enhance textures, resolution, and frame rates on existing code—remakes are entirely new games built from the ground up based on older classics. In recent years, several high-profile remakes have proven hugely successful. For example, the Resident Evil 2 remake had sold 18.3 million copies as of June 3, 2026, tripling the original's sales. Announced remakes of Max Payne and The Witcher show that this trend of reinterpreting beloved games is far from over.

The S.T.A.L.K.E.R. trilogy has already been re-released on PS5 and PC with upgraded visuals, further highlighting renewed interest in updating older projects. However, not every classic gets a remake. Todd Howard's Morrowind, for instance, has no official remake, though the fan-driven Skywind project—which ports Morrowind to a modern engine—has been in development for over a decade.

Titles That Might Receive the Remake Treatment

Among the other games mentioned:

  • Deus Ex, created by Ion Storm under Warren Spector, has yet to receive a remake in 26 years.
  • A planned Deus Ex remaster was canceled due to quality concerns.

Max Payne, originally developed by Finnish studio Remedy in 2001, is also getting attention: in 2022, remakes of Max Payne and Max Payne 2 were announced and are now in full production. Another major title is The Witcher, based on Andrzej Sapkowski's novels, for which CD Projekt Red has announced a full remake using Unreal Engine 5.

Other projects that could be ripe for remakes include:

  • Fahrenheit: Indigo Prophecy, which received an HD version in 2015.
  • Bully, which got a remaster in 2008.

Notably, Far Cry—which set a new PC graphics standard in 2004—has not been remade, nor has the original Manhunt, which remains banned in many countries.

Also worth mentioning is The Saboteur, the swan song of Pandemic Studios, set in Nazi-occupied Paris. The studio behind The Saboteur has since closed, but ongoing interest in the game could lead to its reimagining. In today's gaming market, where nostalgia for classics is increasingly popular, the chances of old projects being given new life continue to grow.

The rising demand for remakes of classic games shows that players want to revisit familiar worlds with modern graphics and refined gameplay.

This trend can drive new sales and attract younger audiences who never experienced the originals. At the same time, developers face the challenge of preserving the original spirit of these games—a factor that remains crucial for longtime fans.

As the gaming industry continues to explore the potential of remakes, it's worth considering other classic titles that may soon receive a similar revival. For instance, the Baldur's Gate duology is being discussed as a candidate for reimagining, highlighting the growing trend of revisiting beloved games from the past. This resurgence not only caters to nostalgia but also introduces these classics to a new generation of players.