Some games stick with us long after we’ve put the controller down. They had the right mix of story, style, and gameplay to spark something real. But not every beloved series makes it to the next console generation. Some fade quietly into the background, while others stall after a single great release. Still, fans hold out hope that one day these games will come back stronger than ever.
A reboot isn’t just a remake. It’s a chance to start fresh, bring back old favorites, and give new players a way in. When done right, it honors the legacy of the original while updating it for today’s standards. And for a lot of gamers, it’s not about nostalgia—it’s about unfinished business.
Games We Still Want to See Come Back
This list isn’t about which games were technically flawed or overlooked. It’s about those titles that had something special and deserve another shot. Below, we’ll highlight a few iconic franchises that could thrive with a second chance:
Titles that made a splash in their time but vanished too soon
Games with great ideas that deserve modern mechanics
Fan-favorite series that were ahead of their time or crushed by market trends
There’s no shortage of love for these games, and with the right studio and vision, a reboot could bring them back to life.
Dino Crisis
Ask a longtime PlayStation fan what game they’d like to see return, and Dino Crisis almost always makes the list. It was Resident Evil with dinosaurs—an idea that still feels fresh even now. The first game mixed survival horror with science fiction and had a pace that felt more frantic than its zombie-themed cousins.
The series eventually shifted to a more action-focused tone, but the magic of the original was never fully recaptured. With modern graphics and smarter AI, a reboot could finally deliver on that prehistoric panic the original aimed for. The atmosphere, the tension, the setting—it all still holds up in concept. It just needs a fresh coat of paint and the right creative team behind it.
Legacy of Kain
This franchise offered dark storytelling, layered lore, and one of the most complex narratives of the PS1 and PS2 era. Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver, in particular, gained a strong following thanks to its haunting world and memorable characters. Raziel and Kain were more than just video game antiheroes—they were tragic figures in a broken world.
The mechanics may feel clunky by today’s standards, but the story still hits hard. A reboot could reintroduce the world of Nosgoth with refined combat, smoother exploration, and the kind of visual style that the series always deserved but never quite reached. With the rise of narrative-driven games, now would be a perfect time to bring it back.
Jak and Daxter
Naughty Dog has moved on to more grounded, cinematic titles, but many fans still remember the wild charm of Jak and Daxter. It blended platforming with story-driven gameplay in a way that was both fun and ambitious. The series went from lighthearted exploration to darker, more complex themes, but it never lost its sense of character.
A reboot could refocus the tone, polish the platforming, and bring back the kind of adventure games we rarely see anymore. With the right balance, it could appeal to both fans of the originals and a new generation of players who never got to experience it firsthand.
Chrono Trigger / Chrono Cross
Technically, these are two separate entries in a loosely connected universe, but they’re both begging for a modern return. Chrono Trigger is often called one of the best RPGs ever made. Its follow-up, Chrono Cross, divided fans but still carved out a unique identity.
These games had big ideas—time travel, alternate realities, massive casts. But they’ve been left behind while other RPG series continue to grow. A full reboot or reimagining could do justice to the themes while updating the visuals, dialogue, and combat. With the success of recent RPG remakes, this feels like a reboot waiting to happen.
SSX
Snowboarding games had a moment, and SSX was the king of that mountain. Wild tricks, colorful characters, and over-the-top tracks made it a favorite during the early 2000s. Later entries tried to be more realistic, and the series lost its spark.
A reboot could return to the arcade-style fun that made SSX stand out. With current hardware, the physics could be even more outrageous and the tracks even more dynamic. It’s a genre that’s been quiet for too long, and SSX could be the title to bring it back in style.
Splinter Cell
Stealth fans have been waiting a long time for Sam Fisher to make his return. Splinter Cell was the gold standard for tactical espionage, combining tight gameplay with smart design. While Ubisoft has shifted focus to other franchises, fans still ask for one thing: a true reboot.
That means going back to what made the early games work. Shadow-based movement. Strategic gadgets. Real consequences for detection. A reboot doesn’t need to reinvent the genre—it just needs to respect the pacing and creativity that once made Splinter Cell special.
Prince of Persia
Before Assassin’s Creed, there was Prince of Persia. It had parkour, puzzles, and a time-rewind mechanic that made every mistake feel fixable. The Sands of Time trilogy is fondly remembered, but the series has struggled to find footing since.
With today’s physics engines and control systems, a reboot could bring the movement and style of the Prince into a new era. There’s already a remake of Sands of Time in progress, but a full reboot could go further. A new story. A new prince. A new way to experience that same sense of grace and danger.
Resistance
The Resistance series offered something different in the crowded shooter genre. It had alt-history storytelling, grotesque enemies, and weapons that felt unlike anything else. It didn’t rely on trends—it built its own identity.
The market has changed a lot since the PS3 days, but there’s room for shooters that think differently. A Resistance reboot could focus on its strengths: atmosphere, creativity, and emotional stakes. With modern tools, it could offer a fresh alternative to the usual war games.
Why These Reboots Matter
Every one of these games had a voice. A point of view. Something that stood out. That’s why fans still talk about them. A reboot isn’t just about nostalgia. It’s a second chance to refine, reimagine, and introduce these stories to new players.
Games that once pushed boundaries still have more to give. With the right care and creativity, these franchises could become leaders again—not because they’re old, but because they still have something to say.