90% of gamers have played a remake or remaster, finds new report

90% of PC and console gamers have played a remaster or remake in the last 12 months, a new report has found.

MTM, a specialist strategy and insights consultancy firm, published its findings in the ‘Remake vs Innovate: Is the past the future of gaming?’ report, published on September 15, 2025.

The report explored “the sentiment, tension, and economic impact of remakes and remastered video games on the market,” and saw MTM interviewing 1,500 monthly console/PC gamers in the US and UK (750 in each).

For this report, MTM specifically defined a remake as a “reimagining of an original game, built from scratch with updated graphics, gameplay mechanics, and sometimes story elements,” while the firm defines a remaster as “an enhanced version of the original game, improving visuals, sound, and performance without altering the core gameplay.”

MTM’s research found that 85% of those who played a remaster or remake in the last year did so despite not playing the original version of the game.

The research also found there’s a desire for remakes and remasters, with 76% of respondents saying they find them “appealing.”

In 2025 alone, we’ve seen several remakes and remasters, including Tomb Raider 4-6 Remastered, The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered, Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4, and the House of the Dead 2: Remake.

And there’s more to come, with Croc: Legend of the Gobbos, Gothic, Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, and Splinter Cell among the games set for revivals in 2025 and beyond.

According to MTM, many respondents said that they find remakes and remasters “help them reconnect with positive, comforting feelings and memories that they had when they first played the game.”

However, the firm noted that others raised concerns about studios “taking an easy, repetitive route to market” and that these remakes come at the cost of “sacrificing innovative, new experiences that could redefine the industry.”

“Our report shows that there is a strong appeal for remakes and remasters, but it’s a tight balancing act for studios to get right,” said Martin Bradley, head of gaming at MTM.”Many of these games are far out-selling their original release.

“Commercially, across games and other media, nostalgia is a trend set to continue well into 2026 and beyond, but gamers understand that remakes and remasters can come at the cost of creativity – potentially missing out on fresh narratives and experiences.”