It feels like everywhere you look in the world of video games, you’re surrounded by remasters.

Oblivion’s remaster shadow dropped last year. Halo: Combat Evolved is getting remastered (again) while making its debut on the PlayStation 5 later this year. We also saw, before the release of Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, a very welcome remaster of the original Metroid Prime. We’re still waiting for the second and third Metroid Prime games to be remastered, though.

Those aren’t the only FPS remasters we’d love to see this year; there’s plenty to choose from, actually. Whether or not they come to fruition, however, remains to be seen. Hey, we can dream, though, right?

8

Metroid Prime 2 and 3

An Unfinished Trilogy

Starting with Metroid Prime 2 and 3 seems like the most logical choice, as these games feel like the most obvious candidates for a remaster in 2026.

Given the massive success of Metroid Prime Remastered, not to mention that previously mentioned return of the Metroid Prime franchise, you’d think that Nintendo would give players a chance to finish the original Metroid Prime story before Beyond’s release, right? Well, that turned out to be wrong, apparently.

On the one hand, we already have the Metroid Prime trilogy available in one package. However, it is available exclusively for the Nintendo Wii. Given that Metroid Prime 2 and 3 received the same TLC that the original got (updated graphics and modern controls), it will remind everyone how great the Metroid Prime franchise can be. Despite years of rumors, it hasn’t seen the light of day, but maybe it will in 2026!

7

Resistance: Fall of Man

Sony’s PS3 Era “Boomer Shooter”

Nintendo and Microsoft aren’t the only ones who should be getting in on the fun of remastering first-party FPS games.

During the PlayStation 3 era, Insomniac Games developed a trilogy of boomer shooter style shooters, starting with 2006’s Resistance: Fall of Man. It launched alongside the PS3 console itself, showcasing what the system was capable of far better than Sony’s marketing team could ever dream.

The Resistance trilogy nailed its weapons, immersion, and storytelling. Given Insomniac’s pedigree, this isn’t much of a surprise. However, some of the gameplay elements haven’t aged well today. Given the current trend in the FPS genre to lean more to the old-school style of gameplay, thanks to the success of the Doom reboot, a remaster that addresses the trilogy’s concerns would be very welcome.

6

Far Cry 2

The One That’s Unlike the Other Ones

I know what you’re thinking: the Far Cry franchise feels like it’s run its course after the middling reception from Far Cry 6. Here’s the thing, though: Far Cry 2 isn’t like any other game in the series.

Ironically, Far Cry 2 was also incredibly divisive at launch, with many being put off by its gameplay design. Over time, there’s been a new appreciation for what the game is trying to do. It’s an incredibly immersive, beautiful, and ahead-of-its-time open-world experience that doesn’t hold anything back. It’s all about survival, scraping by, and doing what it takes to survive. That may not have played in the mid-2000s, but it absolutely does today.

Like Marty McFly playing Johnny B. Goode at the Enchantment Under the Sea Dance, we just weren’t ready for Far Cry 2 when it was released. But our kids are gonna love it.

5

TimeSplitters Trilogy

The Spiritual Successor of GoldenEye and Perfect Dark

Both Perfect Dark and GoldenEye 007 have received remasters, but the fate of modernizing their spiritual successors lies in the hands of fans.

Developer Free Radical Design was founded by former Rare developers, notably David Doak, Steve Ellis, Karl Hilton, and Graeme Norgate. They would release an FPS trilogy called TimeSplitters that would find a devoted fanbase during the PS2/GameCube/Xbox era.

In many ways, the gameplay felt like a modernization of GoldenEye, complete with the added twist of time travel. Yes, it’s as much fun as it sounds, but sadly, it’s stuck on outdated hardware. As I hinted at earlier, fans are currently working on TimeSplitters Rewind, and that may be as close as we get to an official remaster.

4

No One Lives Forever

Stuck In Legal Limbo

One of the most underrated FPS games of all time, No One Lives Forever doubles not only as an incredible stealth-action shooter, but also one of the sharpest, most cleverly written games of all time.

Everything works together, from its story, its 1960s setting, Cate Archer as a protagonist, and its gameplay all worked together, delivering one of the best shooters from the late ’90s. Sadly, the gameplay hasn’t aged well, which would make it the perfect target for a remaster, right? Well, about that.

The question of who owns the rights is up in the air with uncertainty. As a result, never mind a remaster: you can’t even buy the game today. Nightdive Studios attempted to acquire the rights to the franchise in 2014, but sadly, that effort remains unsuccessful to this day.

3

F.E.A.R.

Atmospheric Horror

Speaking of immersion in an FPS, there may be no better example of that than F.E.A.R.

The runaway success of the Resident Evil franchise, both its recent reboots and modern releases, should prove that horror games can still sell. Add in the fact that F.E.A.R.’s gameplay and AI were already ahead of their time, and this should be a slam-dunk remaster decision. The core gameplay holds up extremely well today, too, so it’s not like you have to make any massive changes to the game.

There is, unfortunately, one small problem: The publisher for F.E.A.R., Vivendi Games, no longer exists. Warner Bros. Interactive currently holds the rights to the IP, but Warner Bros. as a company is currently being acquired by Netflix. If Netflix, who has made attempts to break into the video game industry, wants to make a splash, a F.E.A.R. remaster would be a slam dunk.

2

Star Wars Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II

Put Respect on Kyle Katarn’s Name

There’s something magical about the Star Wars PC games from the ’90s. They nail the heart and magic of what makes Star Wars great. They’re campy, don’t take themselves too seriously, but still deliver an unforgettable experience.

The mid-’90s to the early 2000s saw a string of PC games released under the “Jedi Knight” franchise, starting with 1995’s Star Wars: Dark Forces and running through Jedi Academy. 1997’s Star Wars Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II stands out above the others, though.

On the surface, it’s a low-budget Star Wars-skinned corridor shooter with entertaining gunplay. As you dive into the game, though, take in its FMV cutscenes, and get to experience everything it has to offer, it becomes so much more. Branching story resolutions based on your actions, force powers, lightsaber battles; it’s all here! This game rocks.

1

Hexen II

Whatcha Say, Phil?

Remember that time Phil Spencer wore a Hexen shirt and started rumors about an upcoming remake? Let’s all try to bring said remake into fruition in 2026.

The biggest flaw with Hexen II was that it sometimes fell under the weight of its ambition. It looks like your standard Quake clone, even using the modified Quake engine, but it borrows a lot of RPG elements. On the plus side, this helps it stand out from a sea of Quake clones that got lost in the shuffle. The downside here, though, is that it sometimes felt a little confused. In the end, it’s all well worth it, and if you can look past its flaws, Hexen II remains a delight today.

Despite being well received by critics, Hexen II was a commercial flop. The current gaming market seems better positioned to take an old-school shooter that isn’t afraid of new tricks, though. So again, what do you say, Phil? How about a Hexen II remaster?