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PC, XBOX ONE F THERE’S one thing gamers of a certain vintage enjoy, it’s a bit of nostalgia. I only have to hear a few tinny pings of chip music to be transported back to the heady days of 8-bit graphics, and run and gun platformers so tough you literally wept with frustration.

I lost count of the number of joysticks which fell victim to the likes of Ghosts and Goblins, Bomb Jack and Double Dragon.

It’s this wave of nostalgia that Sony and Microsoft are hoping to surf with the release of two golden oldies from the not too dim and distant.

The first game, PaRappa The Rapper, is celebrating its 20th anniversary. Widely considered to be one of the first modern rhythm games, when it first appeared on the PlayStation it was something totally new.

Quirky urban visuals combined with a catchy soundtrack to produce a toe-tapping game which was really good fun to play.

Now remastered in 4K for the PS4, poor old PaRappa is looking – and feeling – his age. Despite the shiny new graphics, the gameplay itself feels barren.

PaRappa’s vocals consistently feel divorced from the groove of each track, and the hi-res levels mixed with 20-year-old untouched cut-scenes make for a disjointed experience.

That being said, Instructor Mooselini’s driving lesson skit was still just as wonderful as when I first played it.

Rhythm sequels Um Jammer Lammy or VibRibbon (which created unique levels from your music) might retain more of their original boom.

It would have been nice to see PaRappa given something new to do – fresh levels, with a new vibe for the next generation of gamers.

Sadly, PaRappa just feels too much of a museum piece.

So what hope is there then for Voodoo Vince?

Vince made his Xbox debut a little later than PaRappa, appearing in 2003. A charming little puzzle/platformer, the game followed the fortunes of a sarcastic little Voodoo doll brought to life in a burglary gone wrong. Its humour, cute graphics, simple gameplay and surprisingly challenging levels made Vince a cult classic – and one that never made the leap to the 360 thanks to some pesky ‘custom’ code.

So it feels right that he’s been given a new lease of life – or should that be death? – on the Xbox One and on Steam for the PC. Much like PaRappa, this Remaster is just tinkering with the graphics, the gameplay remains untouched – and in Vince’s case, that’s absolutely fine with me.

I have to admit, the swamps, graveyards and New Orleans have scrubbed up well and look gloriously creepy in 1080p.

A spookily good remaster that is deserving of your attention. ■ BUY IT: PaRappa The Rapper: Remastered £11.99 (£9.95 for PS Plus members) at store.playstation.com ■ BUY IT: Voodoo Vince: Remastered £11.99 from store. steampowered.com/xbox.com