Shrek 2 video game remaster leaked via Xbox Store, then vanished

An Xbox Store page that went up early and then vanished revealed a remaster of the 2004 Shrek 2 video game, developed by Aspyr and coming with 4K visuals, online co-op and a photo mode.

The original Shrek 2 game launched in 2004 on PS2, Xbox and GameCube as a four-player co-op action game that let you play through the movie's story and beyond. It was one of those rare movie tie-ins that didn't stink—solid brawling, fun characters and local multiplayer that made it a go-to rental.

What the remaster adds

According to the leaked Xbox Store page, the remaster includes better textures, an enhanced UI and 4K resolution. New features include Photo Mode and Cheat Mode, and the game will support both local and online four-player co-op—a huge upgrade from the couch-only original.

Aspyr is handling the remaster. The studio has previously brought back Star Wars games and The Lord of the Rings games, so they know how to handle nostalgic IP without wrecking it.

What it could mean

The Xbox Store page is gone now, so no word yet on a release date or platforms beyond Xbox. If Aspyr is doing what they did with other remasters, expect it on PlayStation and PC as well. The online co-op addition suggests they're aiming for more than just a quick upscale—this could be a proper excuse to replay a game most of us haven't touched in 20 years.

Shrek 2 the movie came out in 2004 and was a monster hit. The game rode that wave and held up better than most licensed games of the era. If you still have your old copy, it's worth digging out. If not, the remaster might be the easiest way to see if it still plays as well as you remember.