De-makes that wound up better than the original

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Video games often receive ports to consoles with far lower specs than what the game was originally developed for, essentially getting "de-made" to fit within the new console's constraints. This often goes quite poorly, but sometimes the de-makes wind up better than the original game. Give me your favorite examples! Here's a few of mine.

Chocobo's Mystery Dungeon released on the PSX in 1997. It's got repetitive and ugly graphics, the combat is incredibly janky and awkward, it's got very little content, among other problems. 2 years after release they slimmed that bad boy down to the WondeSwan and suddenly it's problems don't seem so bad. The combat it still weird but it's a lot more manageable now thanks to a slower pace. The repetitive graphics and low quantity of content suddenly don't really seem that bad considering it's on a tiny handheld running off 1 AA battery. It's almost like it was meant to be a WonderSwan game all along.

For another PSX game, there's Tetris Plus. The PSX version feels stiff and slow, whereas the GameBoy version feels just as good as regular Tetris on the GB does.

Lastly, I'll point out Monster Hunter Freedom. The original Monster Hunter was lambasted for it's extreme grind and bizarre controls, both of which were improved upon in Monster Hunter Freedom. Freedom also added the G-rank content from the Japan-only expansion, and allowed multiplayer content to be played offline, which the PS2 version actually didn't do.
 
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Probably controversial opinion, but here we go.

After playing Sonic Unleashed Recomp, after only ever having access to the wii/ps2 version... I'm gonna say it, the demake is superior. Yes, it doesn't look as pretty compared to the full thing; yes, it's missing a world, but it's just so much more enjoyable to play. Having nighttime stages split into smaller more manageable chunks which you can speed through is so much better than 20-30 minutes slogs which aren't even fun. Daytime stages are still just as fun even if on a smaller scale.

Also, while technically optional, I just wanna say ps3 unleashed's DLC is utterly miserable. Hope whoever made that hell no longer works on level design 😩
 
Console versions of Minecraft used to be (not sure now) worse in just about every way, with clunky menus and smaller worlds, but I remember having the most fun with the PS3 release because it felt cool to have it released in physical form like that. It was the first time it kind of felt like a "complete" package for me, and it was fun to play with my siblings in split-screen.

Also had a really nice looking box art.

minecraftps3.jpg
 
For me it's TMNT fighting game for the NES. Not only it looked beautiful on the 8bit console, it also was snappy and responsive. I like it when fighting games are simple and fun. What a gem that was!
 
If you count ports, I actually prefer Sonic Unleashed on Wii for its streamlined pacing and story progression (no medal hunting. Yay). I also find Nicktoons Racing on GBA far superior to the one on ps1. Better controls, better rubberbanding, better item balance.
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Probably controversial opinion, but here we go.

After playing Sonic Unleashed Recomp, after only ever having access to the wii/ps2 version... I'm gonna say it, the demake is superior. Yes, it doesn't look as pretty compared to the full thing; yes, it's missing a world, but it's just so much more enjoyable to play. Having nighttime stages split into smaller more manageable chunks which you can speed through is so much better than 20-30 minutes slogs which aren't even fun. Daytime stages are still just as fun even if on a smaller scale.

Also, while technically optional, I just wanna say ps3 unleashed's DLC is utterly miserable. Hope whoever made that hell no longer works on level design 😩
my thoughts exactly. I think the hd version has better platforming and combat mechanics, but the streamlined design of the ones on ps2/wii makes them more fun to simply run through.

Also, framerate isn't nearly as rough (even on the much maligned ps2 port).
 
Bloodborne, without a doubt. The game on PS4, although it is a good game, does not give me the feel I want to play it but the PS1 looking one gives me good vibes :)
 
Dark Void was one of those brownshit realism cover shooter games that the PS3/XBOX360 era had.
darkvoid.jpg

It's one of the many titles of the generation that people have just forgotten about.
But after it's release it had kind of a demake/kind of it's own game that was released on the DS and passed as a "lost" Capcom game. It's kinda cool, very akin to 80's Capcom Platformers.
proxy-image.jpg
 
Video games often receive ports to consoles with far lower specs than what the game was originally developed for, essentially getting "de-made" to fit within the new console's constraints. This often goes quite poorly, but sometimes the de-makes wind up better than the original game. Give me your favorite examples! Here's a few of mine.

Chocobo's Mystery Dungeon released on the PSX in 1997. It's got repetitive and ugly graphics, the combat is incredibly janky and awkward, it's got very little content, among other problems. 2 years after release they slimmed that bad boy down to the WondeSwan and suddenly it's problems don't seem so bad. The combat it still weird but it's a lot more manageable now thanks to a slower pace. The repetitive graphics and low quantity of content suddenly don't really seem that bad considering it's on a tiny handheld running off 1 AA battery. It's almost like it was meant to be a WonderSwan game all along.

For another PSX game, there's Tetris Plus. The PSX version feels stiff and slow, whereas the GameBoy version feels just as good as regular Tetris on the GB does.

Lastly, I'll point out Monster Hunter Freedom. The original Monster Hunter was lambasted for it's extreme grind and bizarre controls, both of which were improved upon in Monster Hunter Freedom. Freedom also added the G-rank content from the Japan-only expansion, and allowed multiplayer content to be played offline, which the PS2 version actually didn't do.
The fanmade Mega Man X8 demake fixed the biggest issue I had with the original. Actually fun level design that doesn’t feel like a singular gimmick stretched out like a bad joke.
 
Whenever I play Donkey Kong Country, I go for the Game Boy Color version. It's the one I grew up playing, I prefer the vibes, and it has a couple minigames that I like too.
DKC is one of those ganes I feel was NOT better downsized. The smaller screen made it hell for me to just make it past the second stage.
 
Unofficial and not exactly a demake, but Super Mario Bros Mini for the GBC. It reminds me of Super Mario Land a lot
View attachment 56092
Still have to play this one, it looks really good
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Whenever I play Donkey Kong Country, I go for the Game Boy Color version. It's the one I grew up playing, I prefer the vibes, and it has a couple minigames that I like too.
So I'm not the only one! 😮

Nice!
 
Don't know if It counts but, when It comes to Bloostained, I like the Classicvania inspired Curse of the moon games better than Ritual of the might( still a good game tho).
 
Rodea The Sky Soldier is always my go-to. The game was originally made on Wii, but the publisher - Kadokawa Games - wanted to wait until a version was finished for the upcoming 3DS to release them side-by-side and so delayed the release of the now fully finished game by like 2-3 years. The 3DS version was handled by different developers internal to Kadokawa and as such it changes a lot of things visually and gameplay wise that are almost all for the worst. They then weirdly decided to port the 3DS version to the WiiU as the official version, only making the original and superior Wii version of the game a second disc bonus for people who bought the game physically on WiiU. Absolutely baffling stuff all around.

I have only played the PS2 version of 2006, but I also know that Madden 2006 thru 2008 are considered way better on 6th gen consoles than they were on the then next-gen 360/PS3. From what I recall the games went through a lot of development hell when the studios were trying to create their next-gen engine and assets, so a lot of features were gutted or outright cut on new hardware. Meanwhile the last-gen versions were able to just build off the bones of the existing engine and assets, making for a far more complete and familiar experience. I assume there are other generational leaps for sports where this sort of stuff happened. I know the Saturn's sports games were almost all reviled outside of the baseball games, so I assume if there are any Genesis parallels the 16-bit versions are considered better.

I haven't played gen 4 of Pokemon yet (god I need to get on that) but I know that Pokemon Platinum is considered vastly superior to the gen 4 remakes on Switch in nearly every way. I've heard some people say that even the base gen 4 versions on DS are better than the remakes, but I'm a bit more skeptical of that claim despite having no real knowledge either way.

Also, while technically optional, I just wanna say ps3 unleashed's DLC is utterly miserable. Hope whoever made that hell no longer works on level design 😩
I always encourage people to give the PS2/Wii version of Unleashed a shot because it rly is a unique and worthwhile experience, glad to see it get some love here! Also my god remembering the DLC for 06 and Unleashed is so funny. They clearly didn't wanna put the amount of effort in needed to actually create whole new levels so they just shoved spikes and enemies everywhere and called it "hard mode". Hilarious first steps at creating DLC lol.
 
Monster Truck Madness on the GBA has shockingly cool 3D visuals and a great framerate, and is a nice little addition to the series. The one on N64 is kinda foggy (a given with the hardware) and has some cool options, but it feels like a lesser game than the GBA version.
 
Probably controversial opinion, but here we go.

After playing Sonic Unleashed Recomp, after only ever having access to the wii/ps2 version... I'm gonna say it, the demake is superior. Yes, it doesn't look as pretty compared to the full thing; yes, it's missing a world, but it's just so much more enjoyable to play. Having nighttime stages split into smaller more manageable chunks which you can speed through is so much better than 20-30 minutes slogs which aren't even fun. Daytime stages are still just as fun even if on a smaller scale.

Also, while technically optional, I just wanna say ps3 unleashed's DLC is utterly miserable. Hope whoever made that hell no longer works on level design 😩
this reminds me of Star Wars: The Force Unleashed. You've got the Xbox 360/PS3 original, the "lesser" ports to PS2 and Wii that have some unique features and are still great games. Then that version was even further demade onto the PSP, which is the best version of the game imo. Aside from being nearly 1/1 with the PS2 version, it's got extra unique content and it cuts some of the worst parts of the PS3/Xbox versions (looking at you Star Destroyer scene and absurd fanservice darth maul boss fight)
 
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Dunno if it really counts as a de-make because it's a different game with the same title however Batman Returns on the Game Gear and Master System are fantastic games whereas the Genesis version is mediocre.
 
Probably controversial opinion, but here we go.

After playing Sonic Unleashed Recomp, after only ever having access to the wii/ps2 version... I'm gonna say it, the demake is superior. Yes, it doesn't look as pretty compared to the full thing; yes, it's missing a world, but it's just so much more enjoyable to play. Having nighttime stages split into smaller more manageable chunks which you can speed through is so much better than 20-30 minutes slogs which aren't even fun. Daytime stages are still just as fun even if on a smaller scale. Also, while technically optional, I just wanna say ps3 Unleashed's DLC is utterly miserable. Hope whoever made that hell no longer works on level design 😩
If you count ports, I actually prefer Sonic Unleashed on Wii for its streamlined pacing and story progression (no medal hunting. Yay).
my thoughts exactly. I think the hd version has better platforming and combat mechanics, but the streamlined design of the ones on ps2/wii makes them more fun to simply run through.

Also, framerate isn't nearly as rough (even on the much maligned ps2 port).
It's funny how the SD version of Unleashed traded medals (well, they are still present in the game but served a different purpose) for tablets that required only two NPCs to talk to so you'd unlock the levels.

In fact I prefer the 2D hubs with a faster pacing and instant day/night transition over what they've done in HD.

Also the RPG elements for the game were steamlined into one big progression bar for the Werehog instead of having to collect those yellow octaedrons (that reminds me of the Mesetas in Phantasy Star).

Savannah Citadel day was not that interesting as a level (just one big 2.5D level like Sweet Mountain Act 2 in Colours) and even if I regret the lack of Empire City I think that I'd just launch SA2 again if I wanted an urban level in an American inspired city.

I largely prefer the left right hand system over the weak/strong attack pattern.
 
Baku Baku Animals on the Game Gear from Saturn
SFA3 on the GBA from the PSX/DC/PSP/etc..
DKC on the GB/GBC from the SNES
 

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