Is remaking games the latest trend

In recent month, we have seen lots of last generation console games being remade for the current generation console. Though some of the current gen console offers backward compatibility with older games, games developer probably find it more profitable to touch up on the old game and give the title a new lease of life.

As we can seen from all the remakes, the efforts that developers put into converting the game into a HD experience varies greatly. Let's recap some of the remake titles:

Shadow of the Colossus + ICO
God of War collection
Metal Gear Solid HD Collection for XBox 360 and PS3 (includes MGS3 which used to be PS2 exclusive)
Prince of Persia Collection
Splinter Cell collection
Tomb Raider Trilogy
Resident Evil 4 HD
Final Fantasy X (announced)
Okami Wii (formerly a PS2 exclusive)
House of the Dead Overkill Extended Cut

Remake Hybrid
Ninja Gaiden Sigma for PS3 (HD version of XBox Ninja Gaiden)

The trend of remaking a last gen console game for the latest gen console is not something new. E.g. various capcom, sega genesis collection, various Final Fantasy series. The risk involved in creating a franchise from scatch is big. Lots of money are involved and there's no promise that it will sell enough copies to recoup the monies committed.

Remake are usually are attempt to cash in on the newer generation of gamers that were too young to played them when they were first released. Most of the remakes have not become huge hits. Partly because majority of the gamers would have played them if the original game was released on a last generation console. (E.g. MGS2, Splinter Cell, Prince of Persia, RE4).

Though the remake leverage on HD version of the older game as selling point, the graphics are usually souped up version of the SD game. It will not be as crisp and sharp as those created solely for the current gen console. Some of the remakes are perceive to be half hearted attempts. E.g. Resident Evil 4 HD does not support Playstation Move.

On the other hand, games like House of the Dead Overkill Extended Cut (not really a remake since it was only released on Wii) leverages on PS3 processing power and Playstation Move feature to deliver a truly HD rail shooter.

Remaking is not a new trend. We see it to a certain extent in fashion, movies, TV drama and songs. It is not something good or bad. Its just a natural response to tap into a tried and tested formula that had worked in the past.