Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced and Nintendo’s Switch 2 version of Ocarina of Time are both leaning heavily into nostalgia, and it’s a fascinating look at how many different age groups that gaming appeals to now. There is a lot of anticipation surrounding Black Flag Resynced and the new Ocarina of Time, and it’s just the tip of the iceberg of all the remakes that are set to launch in 2026. This year is packed with big releases in general, but the sheer number of high-profile remakes among brand-new original games is an interesting phenomenon.
Remakes have become quite common over the years, but 2026 feels like a different beast. Many long-time gamers have grown older and have had kids of their own now, and it only makes sense for companies to be inspired to bank on that nostalgia in a way that can entice both gamers and their children to jump in on a new and improved version of a beloved game. Even for gamers who don’t have kids, though, it’s exciting to revisit a favorite game via better graphics and improved mechanics. Nostalgia is powerful, and Black Flag Resynced and the Ocarina of Time remake are clear examples of how the industry is appealing to a wider reach of generations now.
After Ocarina of Time and Star Fox, Switch 2’s Next N64 Remake Feels Obvious
After Ocarina of Time and Star Fox, Switch 2 already has the perfect opening to give another classic N64 title the remake it deserves.
Black Flag and Ocarina of Time Getting Remakes in the Same Year Show Just How Far Gaming Has Come
The original Ocarina of Time came out in 1998, while Black Flag hit the scene in 2013. Gamers who were teenagers in the 90s are now well into their 40s, while those who were teens at the time of Black Flag‘s original release are now in their late 20s to mid 30s. It’s not like that’s an old age, of course. However, as someone who was a teenager at the time of Black Flag‘s launch, it feels very strange that my generation is getting a remake of a game that still feels like it came out only a few years ago.
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It’s a shocking reminder of just how much time has passed since I and many others my age have come since we first started our gaming journeys. As exciting as it is, a Black Flag remake still feels like something that shouldn’t be happening for another decade or so; at least in my mind. However, according to the industry, that time has come. Nostalgia-fueled remakes are in full swing, and it’s more clear than ever that reworks of beloved games are now targeting peak audiences from not just the 90s and the 2000s, but also the 2010s, too.
2026’s Gaming Calendar Has Been Padded With Major Remakes
- Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced
- The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
- Halo: Campaign Evolved
- Star Fox
- Dragon Quest 7 Reimagined
- Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties
- Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter
- Rayman Legends Retold
- Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly Remake
- Gothic 1
That’s a lot of remakes, and they span nearly two decades worth of gaming. The Star Fox remake is the oldest game on the list, while Black Flag Resynced is the most recent on the timeline. Comparing just how far gaming evolved between Star Fox 64 and the original Black Flag is already mind-boggling enough, so it’s wild that the industry has finally reached a point where even the Assassin’s Creed entry feels outdated and in need of a fresh coat of paint.
Black Flag Resynced and the Switch 2’s Ocarina of Time Remake Are Exciting, But Gaming Can’t Rely on Nostalgia Forever
There have been plenty of great game remakes over the years. In some cases, there are even game remakes that beat the original. Shadow of the Colossus and Resident Evil 4 are just a few of the games that have been greatly improved through remakes. Constantly relying on nostalgia and trying to bring long-gone games back for both the original and new audiences is going to get old quickly, though, if the industry continues to go so hard on remakes.
Gaming Is Having Its Hollywood Moment, But That Isn’t Necessarily a Good Thing
Hollywood has been fixated on unnecessary remakes for a long time now. Creating long-lasting franchises that can generate money instead of standalone stories that offer something more meaningful has turned the movie industry on its head. Live-action Disney remakes have been one of the most recent demonstrations of how focusing too much on remakes can go too far. The original animated Moana is only 10 years old, but that didn’t stop Disney from already remaking it with a live cast.
Sometimes it’s best for a game to remain a product of its time. Outdated gameplay and graphics can often be part of a game’s entire charm. Instead of certain games being remade, it would be more beneficial to create brand-new original additions to a franchise. Horror games may have the most to gain from remakes, because the improved graphics can really help drive home the atmosphere and scares that were intended for the original. Games like Dead Space and Silent Hill 2 are good examples of how great remakes can be for the horror genre.
2026’s Stacked Remake Lineup Is Hopefully a One-Off
Remakes are here to stay, but this year harboring so many of them needs to be a rare occurrence. Last year saw remake releases like Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, while 2024 brought forth the Silent Hill 2 remake, Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, and Until Dawn. There were also some major remakes in 2023 with Resident Evil 4 and Dead Space, and that’s just scratching the surface when it comes to remakes released over the past few years.
Every year is going to have its key remakes, but they hopefully will stay more selective. A great remake can be a fantastic trip down memory lane, but it can also feel like a cash grab. It needs to truly feel necessary. With highly anticipated projects like the KOTOR remake and Resident Evil Veronica on the way, it’s going to be interesting to see what other remakes get announced in the future.
- Released
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July 9, 2026
- ESRB
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Mature 17+ / Blood, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Use of Alcohol, Violence / In-Game Purchases, Users Interact
