Best Aspyr Games

Aspyr Media has slowly been building a name for itself since its inception in 1996. From its humble beginnings as the main specialist in porting PC games over to Mac, the publisher/developer set its sights on bigger things in 2005.

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9 Classic Games With Unique Console Ports

Porting a video game to another console isn’t an easy task, and these classic games received some unique ports.

Today, Aspyr stands as a titan in the porting industry, bringing games to nearly every platform. While they might have bitten off more than they can chew with the Knights of the Old Republic Remake, they’re still going strong, releasing some of the best remasters coming out today. They’re keeping classic video games alive, a mission worth celebrating.

9

Stubbs The Zombie In Rebel Without A Pulse

Rebel Without A Cause For Celebration

Stubbs the Zombie in Rebel Without a Pulse

Released

October 18, 2005

Developer(s)

Wideload

Stubbs the Zombie in Rebel Without a Pulse was Aspyr’s first foray into the AAA market, and what an opener it was. In this unconventional Xbox classic, players step into the rotting shoes of Stubbs, a zombie let loose on a retro-futuristic version of 1959 Pennsylvania.

The game gained even more attention due to a bizarre cannibalism controversy, with American senator Joe Lieberman having this to say: “It’s just the worst kind of message to kids, and furthermore, it can harm the entirety of America’s youth.” Remember, kids, eating the flesh of others is a big no-no!

8

Tomb Raider 1-3 Remastered Starring Lara Croft

A Remastered Collection Worthy Of Lara Croft

Released

February 14, 2024

OpenCritic Rating

Strong

The original Tomb Raider trilogy is sacred. With its revolutionary graphics, incredible gameplay, and now iconic star, the industry was forever changed following its release. Until 2024, console owners could only get their hands on these masterworks by digging out a yellowing PlayStation.

3:42

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Every Tomb Raider Game, Ranked

Tomb Raider is an all-time great franchise with many great games, but not all of Lara Croft’s adventures are equal.

But, before they could untangle their RCA cables, Aspyr made life easier with the release of Tomb Raider I-III Remastered Starring Lara Croft. It delivered everything a remaster should. Improved visuals? Check. Added gameplay features? Check. Staying true to the spirit of the originals? Ding ding, that’s another check.

7

Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic 2 – The Sith Lords

Knights Of The Old Remaster

Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic 2 (Nintendo Switch)

Considered one of the most complex and mature entries in the Star Wars franchise, Knights of the Old Republic II is an experience every fan should undertake. Luckily, doing that is as easy as ever. Players can now grab their iOS, Android, or even Switch to play this epic on the go.

Despite its flaws — largely due to being rushed to release in just a year — it remains a definitive Star Wars experience. However, this remaster would have ranked higher if not for Aspyr backtracking on its promised DLC, which would have restored the original’s sorely missed cut content.

6

Legacy Of Kain: Soul Reaver 1 & 2 Remastered

Kain And Able To Play

Action-Adventure

Platformer

Released

December 10, 2024

OpenCritic Rating

Strong

For over 20 years, the Legacy of Kain series laid dormant — until, to the delight of its dedicated fanbase, it was resurrected from the dead (much like Kain and Raziel themselves). While these cult classics may feel clunky by today’s standards, their superb storytelling, world-building, soundtrack, and voice acting remain undeniable.

The first game is undoubtedly stronger than its sequel, but both offer a compelling ride. Plus, with bonus content such as HD renders of classic artwork, the incredible soundtracks, and, most importantly, restored long-lost levels, this remaster is a treat for longtime fans. Now, all that’s left is to hope for a Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain remaster.

5

Observer

An Amazing Horror That’s Not a Remaster

Systems

Released

August 15, 2017

OpenCritic Rating

Strong

This one is special — an Aspyr-published game that isn’t a port. Observer was a brand-new IP developed by Bloober Team, a studio that has since found great success in the remake genre with Silent Hill 2. Perhaps Aspyr’s love of breathing new life into games rubbed off on them?

What sets Observer apart as a first-person psychological horror game is its bleak cyberpunk setting — 2084 Kraków, Poland. Paired with incredible sound design, engaging puzzles, and a relentlessly tense atmosphere, it stood out as one of the best games of 2017.

4

Activision Anthology

The Best Handheld Port These Classics Will Ever Get

• Release: November 21, 2002 (Aspyr port to GBA released on December 8, 2003)
• Platform(s): PlayStation 2, Windows PC, Mac, Game Boy Advance, digiBlast, PlayStation Portable, iOS, Android
• Developer(s): Barking Lizards (PS2), Contraband Entertainment (PS2), MumboJumbo (Windows PC), MacPlay (Mac) Game Boy Advance (Aspyr), Nikkō Europe (digiBLAST), Digital Eclipse (PSP), Code Mystics (Mobile)
• Publisher: Activision

The release of the Activision Anthology in 2003 on the Game Boy Advance is where things truly started to change for Aspyr. Until then, all of their ports had been exclusive to Mac — where they dominated an impressive 60% of their entertainment market.

But for this beloved port, they expanded to an unexpected platform: the GBA. The result was a collection of 56 Atari 2600 classics (including both commercially developed and homebrew games), making it the most content-packed handheld version. It even outdid the PSP release — though, less surprisingly, it also outperformed the ill-fated digiBlast.

3

Jade Empire Special Edition

Jade Empire was BioWare’s unexpected entry between KOTOR and Mass Effect. Drawing inspiration from ancient Chinese history and mythology — a fairly unexplored concept at the time in western role-playing games — the RPG delivered a rich fantasy experience unlike anything players had seen before.

In 2016, Aspyr expertly ported the game to iOS and Android. Compressing such a sprawling, complex title into the palm of players’ hands was an impressive feat, further cementing Aspyr’s reputation as a powerhouse in the mobile porting space. Hopefully, this special edition will make its way to home consoles one day.

2

Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic

Experience The Best Of Star Wars On The Go

Released

July 15, 2003

OpenCritic Rating

Mighty

Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic is generally considered the best Star Wars RPGs of all time — if not one of the franchise’s best stories of all time. Lucky for fans who never got to experience it, Aspyr brought this magical experience to Mac OS X, iOS, Android, and Nintendo Switch. What players received was a very faithful port that made only minor tweaks to the original masterpiece — which could be seen as either a positive or negative for fans.

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Best Star Wars Games Ever, Ranked

On top of many successful movies, the Star Wars franchise has also seen a whole host of incredible games that have brought its universe to life.

It’s still a shame that their planned Remake fell through, as they were replaced by Saber Interactive, but that shouldn’t tarnish such a great remaster.

1

Sid Meier’s Civilization 6

A Very Civilized And Impressive Port

Released

October 21, 2016

OpenCritic Rating

Mighty

Porting a turn-based strategy game to consoles is an almost Herculean task. Porting it to mobiles is even more daunting. Not only did Aspyr manage that with the already lauded Sid Meier’s Civilization 6, but they did it with flying colors.

Mapping such a complex system to a controller, let alone a mobile device touchscreen, is done so deftly that fans of the series can’t help but pat Aspyr on its proverbial back. Now, players without PCs can experience what they’ve been sorely missing out on. And they have Aspyr to thank for it.

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