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There are numerous amazing pixel art styles to explore. You might have noticed that "Star Ocean: The Second Story R" wasn’t on the earlier list. That’s because it’s not HD-2D. While it shares some similarities, it differs in lighting, camera angles, and pixel art style. I’m glad Gemdrops chose a distinct approach for this remarkable remake.
One of my favorite retro HD styles in recent years – Image: Nintendo Life
Beyond Square’s creations, the indie game scene showcases how diverse pixel art can be. "Sea of Stars" stands out with its stunning visuals, reminiscent of a vibrant SNES-era pixel and color palette, slightly exceeding 16-bit aesthetics.
Team Ladybug is another developer excelling in pixel art, especially with "Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth" and the upcoming "Blade Chimera." Their games feature fluid animations and highly detailed sprites and backgrounds. Check out our list of the best pixel art games on Switch to see more examples of this variety.
The indies can do it — Images: Nintendo Life, PLAYISM
I would be content if Square Enix focused on remastering many of its classics. But please, no blurry filters over the pixels (I’m looking at you, Grandia HD). I want something that preserves and enhances the original art. The Pixel Remasters are a great example of this – the vibrant colors really stand out. Even though Final Fantasy VI’s Opera scene slightly blends into the HD-2D style, I think the PSP rereleases of I, II, and IV are the best-looking versions of those games.
HD-2D aims to evoke nostalgia for the past, but it feels like people want it to recreate classic games as they remember them. While that’s fine, some visual diversity would be refreshing. Not every game needs to be a fully 3D undertaking like "Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven," but I’d love to see more variety in styles through remasters, reimaginings, and remakes.
I know you look good, Hero, don’t worry. — Image: Nintendo Life
Remaking and remastering games is neither cheap nor easy, and HD-2D itself is costly – as Octopath and Triangle Strategy producer Tomoya Asano mentioned in an interview a few years back. That’s why it’s not ubiquitous, though it is quite common now.
HD-2D should be reserved for games like Octopath Traveler and Triangle Strategy. These games, as Lena Raine has said about music and nostalgia, “bring [retro] into a conversation with the present day,” blending inspiration with modern elements.
I’m certain the Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake will be fantastic, and I’ll likely enjoy its visuals. But I hope Square Enix and other developers don’t rely solely on one visual style. I’d be thrilled to see ports of games like Chrono Trigger or Xenogears to the Switch.
What do you think about the HD-2D style after nearly eight years? Do you want Square Enix to remake more games in this style, or do you think we have enough? Vote in the polls below and share your thoughts in the comments.
Alana has been with Nintendo Life since 2022, and while RPGs are her first love, Nintendo is a close second. She enjoys nothing more than overthinking battle strategies, characters, and stories. She also wishes she was a Sega air pirate.
