It's hard to believe the 2000s were 20 years ago. For many, it feels like yesterday when players were huddled around their standard definition television and playing classics such as Final Fantasy X and Halo 2. But, of course, the 2000s did begin the transition to high-definition gaming that saw the introduction of series such as Uncharted and Assassin's Creed, as well as the surging popularity of the Call of Duty series.

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Overall, the 2000s were a marvelous time in gaming, where visuals made a massive leap toward realism, and online play began to reign supreme. Games from the 2000s are very popular choices for remasters, but there is already a slew of remakes of games from the 2000s already released, with others such as Resident Evil 4 and Dead Space on the way.

10 Destroy All Humans! Series Has Received Two Remakes In The 2020s

Crypto using telekenesis on a cow in Destroy All Humans

With so many video games tasking players with fending off an alien invasion, the Destroy All Humans! series was a breath of fresh air. In Destroy All Humans! Players play as Crypto, a member of an alien race who comes to Earth to investigate and prevent his race's extinction.

The original Destroy All Humans! received a remake in 2020. Its sequel, Destroy All Humans! 2, also received a remake in Destroy All Humans! 2: Reprobed in August 2022. Hopefully, the renewed interest in the series will lead to a much-needed sequel.

9 Kingdom Hearts: Chain Of Memories Produced One Of The Fastest Remake Turnaround Times

Sora fighting enemies in Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories and Re:Chain of Memories

When Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories was released for the Gameboy Advance in 2004, there was only one other Kingdom Hearts game with another on the way. Life was simple for Kingdom Hearts fans back then, as the Kingdom Hearts series was still young. Kingdom Hearts has since produced numerous sequels, prequels, and spinoffs, leading to an increasingly complex narrative.

Chain of Memories was remade in 2008 for the PlayStation 2 as Kingdom Hearts: Re:Chain of Memories in one of the quickest turnaround times for a remake in gaming history. The once 2D Chain of Memories is now fully fleshed out in 3D while maintaining the same structure and card-based combat system.

8 Mafia Was In Need Of A Definitive Version

Driving in Mafia and Mafia Definitive Edition

The Mafia series was a dream come true for players who had become infatuated with the glorified mobster dealings of crime families, such as the Corleone family from the iconic movie series The Godfather, which also saw video games throughout the 2000s.

The Mafia series has since released two sequels, with a recently announced fourth entry in the works. The original 2002 Mafia was remade as Mafia: Definitive Edition in 2020 and was released alongside remasters of Mafia II and Mafia III. So with a fourth Mafia game on the way, now's the perfect time to revisit Lost Heaven, Illinois.

7 The Yakuza Remakes Tied More Easily To Their Prequel, Yakuza 0

Kiryu using large blunt weapons in Yakuza and Yakuza Kiwami

It's not just 1930s-era American mobsters that have allowed players to dip their toes in the world of crime. The Yakuza series also debuted in the 2000s, beginning in 2005. Unlike the Mafia series, the Yakuza series is among the most comical video game series of all time. Although, the Yakuza series is not afraid to get serious when it needs to.

The original Yakuza and Yakuza 2 saw remakes in Yakuza Kiwami and Yakuza 2 Kiwami in 2016 and 2017. On top of modernizing gameplay, these Yakuza remakes also include new story elements based on the prequel Yakuza 0.

6 Pokémon Saw Two Sets Of Remakes

Player running through a beach in Pokemon Platinum and Pokemon Brilliant Diamond/Shining Pearl

Pokémon and remakes are two Caterpies in a Metapod, or however the saying goes. The Pokémon series is not afraid to produce remakes of their immensely popular and influential games. So far, the first four generations of games, alongside Pokémon Yellow, have seen remakes.

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The third and fourth generations of Pokémon, initially released in the 2000s, have each received remakes. Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire were released in 2014 during the sixth generation on 3DS, while Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl were released in 2021 during the eighth generation on Nintendo Switch. However, many Pokémon fans were disappointed that the Sinnoh remakes opted for a traditional top-down design instead of fully 3D like the third generation remakes, leaving them nervous for the inevitable fifth generation remakes.

5 Luigi's Mansion Remake Was Thanks To Its Sequel

Luigi receiving a key in Luigi's Mansion

Sometimes, developing a remake is an impulsive decision. Maybe it was an idea that came up through the development of a sequel, or it was riding the wave of another game's success. Such was the case with Luigi's Mansion.

Nintendo previously prototyped the original Luigi's Mansion to test the power of the 3DS. This led to work on a sequel in Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon, which was released in 2013. The success of Dark Moon compelled Nintendo to revisit the original Luigi's Mansion to fully produce a remake in 2018, followed by another sequel in 2019. Much like Dark Moon, the Luigi's Mansion remake also includes a fun cooperative mode, which wasn't in the original GameCube version.

4 Ratchet & Clank Was A Tie Into An Animated Movie

Ratchet and Clank explore a new world both in the HD remaster and remake

Some video game series from the 2000s don't need to be reintroduced to a new generation of players. Such as the Ratchet & Clank series, which has consistently released new entries for PlayStation systems since its debut in 2002.

However, with a Ratchet & Clank movie in the works, Insomniac Games decided to remake the original Ratchet & Clank to serve as a tie-in. The Ratchet & Clank remake, released in 2016, retells the story of the original Ratchet & Clank game, but follows the story more closely with the movie version, with new characters and characterizations met with mixed opinions from long-time fans.

3 Fans Had Long Had Their Eyes On A Majora's Mask Remake

Deku Link in The Legend of Zelda Majoras Mask

The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask is easily one of the most bizarre entries in The Legend of Zelda series. In Majora's Mask, Link must relive a three-day period to slowly build up enough strength, and a collection of masks, to save Clock Town from impending doom.

Majora's Mask was remade for the 3DS in 2015. This remake brought with it numerous quality-of-life updates, such as the Bombers' Notebook, making it easier for players to organize the many sidequests Majora's Mask has to offer. Majora's Mask's boss fights also saw a revamp by including a more obvious weak point.

2 Fighting The Control Scheme Has Never Looked More Beautiful Than In Shadow Of The Colossus

Wander encountering the 15th Colossus, Argus, in Shadow of the Colossus

Shadow of the Colossus is a work of art. While other video games were set on emulating cinema, Shadow of the Colossus took a more simplistic note by focusing on the atmosphere. Wander rides along his trusty horse, Agro, as they pursue a series of 16 Colossi in an attempt to revive their deceased love.

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Shadow of the Colossus is an emotional journey with intense colossus fights, and its 2018 remake makes the experience more beautiful than ever. Shadow of the Colossus remake also introduces a new controller scheme, slightly alleviating the biggest complaint of the original. However, it's not perfect, as the control scheme is still one of the biggest obstacles in this otherwise masterpiece.

1 Demon's Souls Started A Phenomenon

Player sneaking by the dragon of Boletarian Palace in Demon's Souls

It isn't easy to kickstart a phenomenon in gaming. Most good ideas have long been established, whether it's cross-over platform fighting games or an open-world sandbox. However, the innovation made by Demon's Souls in 2009 opposed a trend seen throughout the gaming world. While video games have increasingly lowered the difficulty, Demon's Souls went the opposite direction with its punishing combat and boss fights.

Demon's Souls would be followed up by the Dark Souls series and other "Soulslike" games such as Bloodbourne and Elden Ring. With the launch of the PlayStation 5, Sony tapped Bluepoint Games to remake the game that kicked off one of the biggest gaming phenomenons in recent memory. As a result, demon's Souls got the recognition it long deserved while being one of the best remakes ever made.

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