25 Years Later: The Original Quake Gets a Remaster for PC and Consoles

Quake Remastered
(Image credit: Bethesda Softworks)

The original Quake videogame was a pretty forward-looking first-person shooter (FPS) that set an example for many of today's best FPS games. Today, at the QuakeCon virtual event, id Software published an update to its legendary shooter with the remaster of the original Quake with support for the 4K resolution, enhanced visuals, and more.

The first installment in the Quake game series arrived in 1996, a full 25 years ago, when id Software partnered with GT Interactive to publish one of the most game-changing game series of all time. The game implemented new technologies (at that time) like 3D acceleration through OpenGL, and later on, brought support for multiplayer.

Presented at today's virtual QuakeCon conference, id Software and Machine Games partnered to develop a Quake remaster with various visual improvements for nostalgic players.

The game remained the same. It includes all the classic exploring of maze-like medieval environments, including battling monsters using a portfolio of different weaponry. That means that the game is still preserved at its core; however, visuals are in for an overhaul. The game now supports 4K displays with widescreen options, new extension bundles, and an online multiplayer experience. You can check out the video trailer below to see what the fuss is all about.

The newly remastered game is available for purchase for $9.99. It will also be available for Steam on PCs, consoles including Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4 and 5, and most notably, the Nintendo Switch. All players that already own the game are in for the free upgrade with enhanced visuals, and id Software offers crossplay options for everyone. That means that whatever you are rocking a PC or a console, you can meet in an online match and try out who is better at this retro shooter. Check out this official FAQ for more information.

  • USAFRet
    "All players that already own the game are in for the free upgrade "

    I'm in... :hot:
    Reply
  • Giroro
    I'm no quake expert, but visually it looks like the upgraded...exactly nothing.
    The selling point is it installs the Ultimate Quake Patch for you?

    No new models? No quake RTX?
    Reply
  • plateLunch
    USAFRet said:
    "All players that already own the game are in for the free upgrade "
    Hmm. Did I own the game? So turned around and looked on my bookshelf and wow. There it was. A real black Quake box, next to a Myst and Microsoft Arcade box. It says "Full Registered Version" on the box so I guess I'm good.
    Reply
  • I owned the game on cd many years ago but I can’t find that
    Reply
  • USAFRet
    Mandark said:
    I owned the game on cd many years ago but I can’t find that
    I have it directly in my Steam lib.

    Bought it (again) about 5 yrs ago.
    Reply
  • I think I’m gonna have to buy it from steam
    Reply
  • kato128
    Uh how is this improved? I had Quake GL back in the day and it seemed sharper.
    Reply
  • Heat_Fan89
    I was HUGE into Doom back in the early 90's and then Quake was announced. So much HYPE surrounded that game, it delivered in spades and then some. John Carmack was an software engineering genius. The 3D models, the real time lighting were his creation. There was absolutely nothing like it back then. It was a trend setter.

    I remember buying my 1st 3D GPU (Rendition), then I come to find out ti did not support or take advantage of OpenGL so I went and bought a 3Dfx card. Good times.

    I found the game even in Nightmare mode to be rather easy. I did love the medieval look to the game which is why i'm so fond of Demon Souls.
    Reply
  • GenericUser
    Some of my fondest PC gaming memories are of original Quake and Team Fortress on it (and the little sub-variants of TF).
    Reply
  • excalibur1814
    Giroro said:
    I'm no quake expert, but visually it looks like the upgraded...exactly nothing.

    Is 'Exactly Nothing' a new upgraded game?

    Anyway, Quake purchased (again). They DAMN well know that people probably bought this on CD, outside of Steam.
    Reply