Grand Theft Auto is back, sadly not in the form of GTA 6, but in the return of three of the franchise's finest in a remastered collection for the modern generation. Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy - The Definitive Edition is set to release in late 2021 with graphical improvements and enhancements to gameplay.
The announcement has many gamers excited and has many more now pondering what other controversial classics Rockstar could revive with a remaster. With a catalog matched by few game studios, there are plenty of greats waiting for their opportunity for a comeback. Not all were created equal, however, and some of the studio's titles belong in the past.
10 Should: State Of Emergency Is Controversial, Crazy, Rockstar Chaos
Lost in the shuffle during what many consider Rockstar's greatest era, that of the Playstation 2, State of Emergency is a beat 'em up with a heavy focus on over-the-top, insane action.
The gameplay was simple even for its time, but like with the upcoming GTA Trilogy - The Definitive Edition, some quality of life improvements would go a long way in making this classic a frenzied, fun, must-play game for a whole new generation.
9 Shouldn't: Bully Needs A Sequel, Not A Remaster
It may be a huge fan favorite, yet the reason for a Bully remaster being unwanted is simple: players want a sequel. Despite what many uninitiated parents believed at the time of release in 2006, Bully is actually an excellent takedown of teenage tyrants, and there's arguably never been a better time for another collection of school showdowns.
Talk of a second installment has yet to die down amongst the Bullworth Academy faithful, and for good reason. Putting Jimmy Hopkins up against a new generation of bullies, perhaps at college, would make for a fantastic time and give Rockstar a chance to add an update to one of their greatest games.
8 Should: A Red Dead Redemption Remaster Would Give Fans Even More Of The Scarred Cowboy They Love So Dearly
To some gamers, John Marston's original adventure is Rockstar's greatest ever game. Red Dead Redemption 2 may have stepped the franchise up in almost every imaginable way, yet another ride through the West on Johnny Boy's horse would be a most welcome journey.
Updated graphics and gameplay would make revisiting Red Dead Redemption an absolute joy, and if a fully functioning Undead Nightmare were to be included, this would be one remaster flying off shelves upon release.
7 Shouldn't: Red Dead Revolver Just Can't Match Up To Its Redemption Brothers
Though undoubtedly significant within Rockstar's catalog particularly because it spawned the hugely successful Red Dead Redemption series, Red Dead Revolver simply wouldn't benefit enough from it to warrant a modern update.
The rootin' tootin' shooter is still great fun to play today and is the kind of retro-gaming goodness that fans regularly enjoy on re-releases of classic consoles and downloadable ports. Most fans would agree that alongside cowboy classics like Sunset Riders is where Red Dead Revolver belongs, and that is nothing to be ashamed of.
6 Should: Manhunt Is A Macabre Masterpiece Than Many Never Got To Experience
Perhaps the most controversial of any Rockstar release, which is quite a statement considering the history of the Grand Theft Auto franchise, Manhunt sees the player controlling a death row inmate as he is forced to perform in snuff films.
A Manhunt remaster remains in high demand and the gruesome kills in HD would certainly bring fans new and old onboard. Though a new installment may well be more warranted, this seems highly unlikely considering the backlash a new installment would attract in 2021.
5 Shouldn't: Nostalgia Serves The Warriors Best
Given that this classic beat 'em up holds up well today, remastering The Warriors seems like time wasted that could go into one of Rockstar's other projects. The game is also available on current-gen, so an update could feel somewhat redundant.
Based on the 1979 film of the same name, this Rockstar romp features one of the studio's most immersive worlds, and thanks to voice acting from the film's original cast, The Warriors stands tall of one of the truly great movie games.
4 Should: Max Payne Is Guts And Guns Galore In Any Era
A game great enough to inspire multiple sequels and even a feature film, Max Payne is yet another Rockstar classic. A third-person shooter considered by some to be one of gaming's best, the former NYPD detective and his struggle through the criminal underground would benefit greatly from some graphical and gameplay upgrades.
Influenced by the high-octane action of films from legendary director John Woo, Max Payne is hard-hitting, stylish, and an undeniable Rockstar classic that doesn't get brought up nearly as much as it deserves.
3 Shouldn't: Thrasher: Skate And Destroy Is Far From Skate Park Royalty
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater this is not, and a modern remaster is unlikely to change this fact. While there are things to be enjoyed in Thrasher: Skate and Destroy, the gameplay can quickly become tedious and a few hours with a remaster would likely have skate fans switching over to more recent skateboarding games or the excellent updates to the Tony Hawk classics.
Most Rockstar titles are at worst simply decent games, and Skate and Destroy isn't terrible, but it doesn't do nearly enough to justify being resurrected from its gaming grave over 20 years after its release.
2 Should: The Original Grand Theft Auto Deserves A Place In The Modern Age
Even with fan anticipation for GTA 6 in mind, it's hard to argue that a remaster of the original game, particularly with the GTA: London expansions included, wouldn't be music to many car theft enthusiasts' ears.
The simple top-down graphics and gameplay, the locations including 1960's London, and the simple fact that this is the original Grand Theft Auto experience all make a case for a remaster of the very first installment in the franchise.
1 Shouldn't: A GTA IV Remaster Would Be Redundant
Many gamers are growing tired of waiting for the sixth installment of Grand Theft Auto, and because of this, a remaster of the fourth outing would likely be met with groans rather than applause.
Not as iconic as the PS2 Trilogy, nor old enough to really be considered a classic or really need updating, Grand Theft Auto IV may well have another chance to shine in the spotlight, but that day is likely many years from now.