5 Square Enix RPGs That Are Still in Desperate Need of HD-2D Remakes

The success of Square Enix’s HD-2D games has changed how many fans look at classic RPGs. Fans are always wondering what games will be next to receive a makeover in this beautiful style. The Dragon Quest games have shown how much older JRPGs benefit from it, while new series like Octopath Traveler, Triangle Strategy, and The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales show that it can create new JRPGs. And Square Enix’s catalog is full of classic games that are begging to be remade with an HD-2D facelift. The question is, which games deserve it most?

Square Enix has incredibly popular games that would benefit greatly from an HD-2D remake. But there are also forgotten games that could be given a second chance. Then there are the games that were never given a chance to shine because they never came to the West. Growing up, discovering older RPGs often meant borrowing cartridges, searching used game stores, or reading about titles that seemed impossible to play. There was always excitement in uncovering another forgotten adventure that deserved a wider audience. With HD-2D now established as one of Square Enix’s strongest remake styles, several classics stand out as obvious candidates for another chance in the spotlight.

5) Treasure Hunter G

Treasure Hunter G arrived on the Super Famicom in 1996 and was developed by Sting with publishing from Square. Although it launched late in the console’s life, the game introduced an impressive tactical combat system that blended traditional RPG progression with grid-based movement. Characters could reposition themselves during battles, making encounters feel far more strategic than many role-playing games released during the era. Despite its strong mechanics and colorful presentation, the game never received an official localization, leaving it unavailable to most players outside Japan.

An HD-2D remake would highlight one of the game’s greatest strengths: its vibrant world. The original already pushed the Super Famicom with detailed sprites and expressive animation. Reimagining those environments using modern lighting, layered effects, and dynamic camera work could make every town, dungeon, and battlefield feel alive while preserving the charm of its pixel art roots. The tactical combat would also translate naturally to today’s audiences, who have embraced strategy RPGs across multiple platforms.

Square Enix has already shown a willingness to revive overlooked classics. Live A Live transformed from a Japan-exclusive curiosity into a worldwide success after its HD-2D remake. Treasure Hunter G deserves the same opportunity, especially after seeing how well Final Fantasy Tactics’ remake did. Rather than remaining a hidden recommendation among retro RPG enthusiasts, it could finally reach the global audience that has been waiting to experience one of the Super Famicom’s most ambitious late-generation adventures.

4) Mystic Ark

Released exclusively for the Super Famicom in 1995, Mystic Ark remains one of Square’s most fascinating forgotten RPGs. The adventure follows a traveler exploring eight distinct worlds, each featuring its own characters, themes, and challenges. That structure gave the game an anthology-like format that stood apart from many role-playing games of its era. Despite never receiving an official English release, Mystic Ark became one of Japan’s bestselling games during October 1995, demonstrating that players immediately embraced its imaginative design.

The game’s unusual settings would benefit tremendously from HD-2D technology. Every world offers a unique visual identity, ranging from whimsical fantasy environments to darker and more mysterious locations. Modern lighting, water effects, and environmental detail would enhance those contrasts while preserving the original sprite work. The remake could also introduce quality-of-life improvements without changing the puzzle-solving and exploration that define the experience.

Perhaps the biggest reason Mystic Ark deserves another chance is accessibility. Unlike many classic RPGs that have been rereleased repeatedly, this adventure remains locked behind language barriers and aging hardware. An official worldwide release would finally introduce one of Square’s most creative Super Famicom titles to audiences who have heard about it for decades but never had an opportunity to play it legally.

3) Final Fantasy V

Among the Super Nintendo-era Final Fantasy titles, Final Fantasy V often receives less attention than its predecessor and successor. That is unfortunate because its Job System remains one of the deepest progression systems ever created for a role-playing game. Players can freely switch character classes, combine learned abilities, and experiment with countless party builds. Even decades later, many RPGs continue borrowing ideas introduced by this remarkably flexible system.

An HD-2D remake could emphasize the colorful fantasy world while modernizing visual presentation and interface design. Detailed spell effects, dynamic weather, and cinematic boss encounters would elevate memorable moments without changing the underlying gameplay. Since the Job System encourages experimentation, updated menus and streamlined character management could make customization even more satisfying for new players discovering the game for the first time.

Square Enix has already revisited the title through ports and the Pixel Remaster collection, but Final Fantasy V deserves the same ambitious treatment as Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake. Its combination of strategic combat, memorable characters, and replayability makes it one of the strongest candidates in the entire franchise for a full visual reimagining rather than another straightforward rerelease. Plus, it would help it step out of the shadow of other great Final Fantasy games.

2) Final Fantasy VI

Few RPGs are as widely regarded as Final Fantasy VI. Originally released in 1994 for the Super Famicom, the game is celebrated for its enormous cast, unforgettable soundtrack composed by Nobuo Uematsu, and one of the genre’s most iconic villains, Kefka Palazzo. Its blend of steampunk technology and fantasy created a distinctive world that continues to influence RPG developers decades later. For some, myself included, it is the pinnacle of the series.

The cinematic moments throughout the adventure seem perfectly suited for HD-2D. Opera performances, collapsing cities, massive airship sequences, and emotional character moments could all gain new life through dramatic lighting, enhanced animations, and modern visual effects. The original pixel art already looked incredible and conveyed everything it needed, but HD-2D would allow those scenes to become even more immersive without sacrificing their classic presentation.

Many fans consider Final Fantasy VI one of the greatest RPGs ever made, yet it has never received a full-scale remake comparable to Final Fantasy VII Remake. While that level of redevelopment may not suit every classic title, HD-2D offers an ideal middle ground. It preserves the game’s identity while introducing visual improvements capable of attracting an entirely new generation of RPG fans. When it comes to JRPGs that deserver this treatment, FF6 is at the top of my list.

1) Chrono Trigger

If one Square Enix RPG consistently appears near the top of greatest games of all time lists, it is Chrono Trigger. Released for the Super Nintendo in 1995, the game brought together an extraordinary development team that included Yuji Horii, Hironobu Sakaguchi, and artist Akira Toriyama. Its seamless battles, time travel narrative, multiple endings, and unforgettable soundtrack helped establish it as one of the defining RPGs of the 16-bit era and of all time.

An HD-2D remake feels like the natural evolution for such an iconic classic. Every historical period could become even more breathtaking through layered environments, advanced lighting, and updated visual effects while retaining the instantly recognizable sprite work. The Active Time Battle system would require very little alteration because its pacing remains engaging even by modern standards. The upcoming game, Threads of Time, makes me long to see Chrono Trigger get the remake it has deserved for decades.

That said, unlike many older RPGs, Chrono Trigger has aged remarkably well. That is exactly why HD-2D makes so much sense. The goal would not be to replace what already works but to celebrate and enhance it. A respectful remake could introduce one of gaming’s greatest adventures to millions of new players while giving longtime fans another reason to revisit one of Square Enix’s finest achievements.

What do you think? Leave a comment below and join the conversation now in the ComicBook Forum!