We’re rapidly approaching the end of 2021, and I’ve just got one observation to make: there’ve been a lot of ports/remasters this year. The business of updating older games and launching them on new hardware isn’t exactly a new one, but in 2021, it feels like some of the biggest releases of the year have been returns to some of the classics from yesteryear. But which are the best ports/remasters of 2021?
Before we get started, we’re not ranking these ports and remasters, purely on the basis that they’re completely different games. Trying to rank a horror game against a puzzle platformer with monkeys trapped in balls is harder than you’d think. We’re also limiting this to games that have been ported or remastered across generations, so no “Xbox Hades port lol” here, as much as I do love that game. Here’s the best ports and remasters of 2021.
1. Alan Wake Remastered

Remedy might have gone on to much bigger things after the original release of Alan Wake (I refuse to call Quantum Break “better things”), but the development team never forgot their roots. After establishing a connected Remedy universe with Control that ties into Alan Wake, Remedy pressed the emergency button and remastered the classic horror shooter. While functionally it’s the same game, the improved graphics make Alan Wake really shine. Also, the shooting mechanics are as fluid and lovely as they were back in 2010, making Alan Wake Remastered an essential purchase.
2. The Legend Of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD

The chance to move a game away from invasive and annoying motion controls is always a good one, so it’s no surprise that The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD has been an incredible success for Nintendo and the Switch, even if the pricing is a bit much. Yeah, sure, the motion controls are there for those who want them, but being able to play a classic Zelda adventure using classic buttons is just priceless. Couple that with graphical updates and a few quality of life improvements, and Skyward Sword is a huge improvement over the original release.
3. Mass Effect: Legendary Edition

Perhaps the most notable and recognisable remaster on this list, 2021 saw the return of Mass Effect, everyone’s favourite original sci-fi RPG series. The Legendary Edition included improved versions of the first three Mass Effect games, along with some more exhaustive changes for the first game in particular to bring it more in line with the gameplay seen in Mass Effect 2 and 3. All in all, ME: Legendary Edition is a smart, effective collection of some of gaming’s greatest hits.
4. Nier Replicant

Nier, far, wherever you are, I believe that this remaster/remake absolutely slaps. An updated version of one of the PS3/Xbox 360’s most overlooked RPGs, Nier Replicant is a beautiful and haunting post-apocalyptic tale about family and what it means to be human. It’s also one of the strangest games you’ll ever play, but its story will stay with you long after the credits have rolled. Multiple times.
5. Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World: The Game – Complete Edition
It feels a bit wrong to celebrate a game being re-released after it probably shouldn’t have been delisted in the first place, but there’s an undeniable charm that exists within the Scott Pilgrim game that’s hard to ignore. Simply put, Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World: The Game – Complete Edition is one of the best beat ‘em ups ever made, and the fact it’s been ported to modern consoles after being removed a few years ago, is absolutely wonderful.
6. Skyrim: Anniversary Edition

Look, it got enhanced for Xbox Series X | S and PS5, that qualifies. Sue me. I’ve said it multiple times, but there’s a reason why Skyrim keeps getting ported across generations, and the reason why is because the core mechanics of the game are just as engrossing now as they were back in 2011. Now, with the improved graphics, framerate and loading times that the next-gen enhanced versions offer, Skyrim has never been better. Those Creation Club items seen in the Anniversary Edition are just the icing on the cake.
7. Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury

Unofficially, the Switch has become a kind of refugee shelter for Wii U games that didn’t get the chance to succeed like they could have. While everyone who had a Wii U loved Super Mario 3D World there, not many had a Wii U, full stop. The Switch re-release was a chance for a top-tier, incredible platformer to shine on a grander stage. The excellent Bowser’s Fury expansion, which was entirely new for the Switch release, was the icing on the cake.
8. Super Monkey Ball: Banana Mania

Super Monkey Ball: Banana Mania is the best greatest hits collection fans could ask for from the long running series, enough said. A compilation of levels from the first three Monkey Ball games, Banana Mania adds a little extra spice to the mix by including missions, customisations, a revamped story and plenty of bonus modes, all of which up the replay value by a massive degree. Any self-respecting Super Monkey Ball fan should be all over Banana Mania, but even if you’re not, it’s well worth checking out.
9. Zombies Ate My Neighbors/Ghoul Patrol
If anyone put money down on the idea of Zombies Ate My Neighbors and Ghoul Patrol getting some kind of modern day re-release, they’re probably rich right now. The epitome of cult classic, these two retro shooters were brought to modern consoles as a dual release, containing all the schlocky horror parodies you could ever hope for. Is it as overhauled as other games on this list? No, not even close, but it’s also not the only game to launch in 2021 that has a giant baby. Take that, Resident Evil Village.
READ MORE: The Best Games of 2021
Some of the coverage you find on Cultured Vultures contains affiliate links, which provide us with small commissions based on purchases made from visiting our site.