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While new games usually take center stage in end-of-year awards, 2020 was a big year for giving older games another chance to shine. In this, Siliconera’s Best Remaster of 2020 award, we hope to honor these efforts. And hey, maybe we can pay back just a bit of the respect and attention they pay to the gems of the past.
These awards represent the consensus of the Siliconera staff. For more of the year’s award selections, check out our Game of the Year 2020 archive.
Winner: Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon & the Blade of Light
In a year full of great remasters, Shadow Dragon & the Blade of Light stood out with just how much it rehabilitated the original game’s playability. Famicom-era games are often tough to play in the modern era, without all the advancements in controls and systems. Fire Emblem bridges the gap, and it also localizes a game the West never saw. We’re bummed by the limited release, but it’s hard to find fault with any aspect of the game’s execution. That earns it our Best Remaster of 2020 honors!
Moon: Remix RPG Adventure
Fake? Real? Another fresh localization, Onion Games’ (and Tim Rogers’) Moon gave an audience to a game that was well ahead of its time. Western players, and really players in general, are a lot more prepared for Moon‘s quirks in the post-Undertale era. It’s got jokes. It’s got weird characters. Most of all, it’s got heart. (Still, it’s helps to look at the manual.)
Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition
Xenoblade Chronicles was a gem on the venerable Wii, and underappreciated in its New 3DS appearance. Definitive Edition is the game in its ideal form, bringing remastered visuals and increased fidelity together with new content. New difficulty options! Remastered music! It’s a love letter to the game, and a lot of players share that affection.
What are your favorite games of 2020? Share your thoughts (and check out recommendations from our staff and community) on our forums.
