A Trip Down Memory Lane: New Report Finds the Era of Video Game Remakes is Just Getting Started

For years, a debate has raged in the gaming community: are video game remakes and remasters a creative crutch, a sign of a lack of innovation, or are they a valuable way to preserve and reintroduce classic titles to a new audience? A new report from the strategy and insights consultancy MTM has definitively answered one part of that question: they are a massive commercial success. The report, titled “Remake vs. Innovate: Is the past the future of gaming?”, finds that the era of video game remakes is far from over and is, in fact, just getting started. The study has some eye-opening findings, including the fact that a staggering 90% of gamers have played a remake or remaster in the last 12 months, proving that this trend is not a fleeting fad but a major economic force in the industry.

The Data: Nostalgia is a Core Driver of Sales

The MTM report, which surveyed 1,500 PC and console gamers in the US and UK, reveals a number of key insights that explain the financial success of remakes. The most compelling finding is that 85% of those who played a remake or remaster in the last year had not played the original version. This suggests that the appeal of these games is not just about nostalgia for older players, but about discovery for a whole new generation. The report also found that 76% of gamers find remakes and remasters “appealing,” which is a powerful signal to developers and publishers that there is a strong and active audience for these titles. The report’s authors believe that the craze for this type of game will continue well into 2026 and beyond, solidifying remakes as a crucial part of the modern gaming landscape.

This data comes at a time when the gaming industry is seeing a number of major remakes and remasters hitting the market. In 2025 alone, we have seen the release of Tomb Raider I-VI Remastered, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered, Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, and Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4. The success of these titles is not just in sales; it’s in a renewed interest in the franchises themselves, with many remakes far outselling their original releases. This strategy is also seen as a way for publishers to mitigate risk, as they are relying on known intellectual property rather than launching a costly and unproven new IP.

The Double-Edged Sword: The Cost of Creativity

While the report paints a clear picture of commercial success, it also highlights the “tension” that exists in the industry. As Martin Bradley, head of gaming at MTM, stated, “gamers understand that remakes and remasters can come at the cost of creativity—potentially missing out on fresh narratives and experiences.” This is a crucial point that many in the community have been making for years. The fear is that a heavy reliance on remakes will stifle the development of new, original titles. While it’s great to be able to play a visually stunning and modernized version of a classic game, there is a risk that the industry becomes too comfortable relying on past successes instead of investing in the future.

The report suggests that developers must strike a delicate balance between a perfect homage and creative innovation. The most successful remakes, like the Resident Evil series, are those that not only update the graphics and gameplay but also add new elements and a modern sensibility that makes the game feel fresh. Conversely, a remake that is simply a graphical overhaul without any meaningful changes can feel like a “blatant cash grab,” as some gamers have put it. This highlights the tightrope walk that developers must undertake to make a remake feel both new and familiar.

Conclusion: The Past is the New Future

The MTM report makes one thing abundantly clear: the video game remake is not a passing trend. It is a powerful, long-lasting force in the industry that is being driven by both nostalgia and a new generation of players eager to experience classic stories for the first time. While there are valid concerns about the impact on innovation, the commercial data is impossible to ignore. For the foreseeable future, we can expect to see a continuous stream of classic titles getting a second life on modern consoles. So, whether you’re a long-time fan or a newcomer to the hobby, get ready to revisit some old favorites, because the past is the new future of gaming, and this journey is just getting started.