Products You May Like
“Retro gaming” started to really become its own genre in the 2010s, as, while some gamers were clamoring for games with next-gen, 4K-ready graphics and massive budgets, many were also embracing the warm feeling of nostalgia that NES and SNES games brought them. Several indie developers who lacked the money to make expensive resource-heavy games began working on soon-to-be-classic titles that harkened back to the 90s, with pixelated graphics, chiptune music, and simple control schemes.
Along with cheap price tags, all of these games provide the same amount of fun that full-priced retail games made with teams of hundreds can and are some of the best experiences any retro gamers can find.
10 The Messenger
A throwback to Ninja Gaiden and other colorful action platformers, The Messenger is a perfect mix of exploration, combat, puzzles, and comedic storytelling all wrapped into a perfect retro package. The character design and bosses are all unique and imaginative, the music memorable and catchy, and the humor is sprinkled all throughout your interactions with side characters, with the shopkeeper arguably being the most hilarious.
The game shifts its style halfway through and has so much hidden throughout it that it would be a shame to spoil anything else. It’s a must-play title for retro game fanatics.
9 Bloodstained: Curse Of The Moon (1 & 2)
Classic Castlevania fans rejoice, as Bloodstained: Curse Of The Moon and its respective sequel are here to bring you back to the gothic goodness of the old-school-tough series. With several playable characters, all with unique weapons and abilities that can be swapped between on the fly, and with multiple branching paths in stages that are designed to be played multiple times to get the games multiple endings, these titles contains so much variety in how you approach them.
Much like The Messenger—the music is great, and it’s even composed by Castlevania composer Michiru Yamane—and the boss battles are epic. Players will be questioning if these titles were actually made back in the NES days.
8 Return Of The Obra Dinn
A recently-returned ghost ship is the setting for this simple-yet-expansive mystery game in which players are tasked with discovering the names and fates of every passenger that was aboard the doomed vessel. Crime scenes and moments in time can be returned to with a magic pocket watch, where the grim remnants of murders, attacks, and other very interesting moments can be analyzed in deep detail.
The graphical style of this title is even more retro than others so far, using “1-bit monochromatic” two-color graphics reminiscent of early Macintosh computer games. Everything appears blocky and dotted, and lines are scratchy and fuzzy. It adds to the charm of the title, and the music pushes the player through each crime scene with peaceful warm harmonies and the occasional uproarious theme scoring the madness that unfolds.
7 Shakedown: Hawaii
Players who grew up with both Super Nintendo and the early Grand Theft Auto titles will be right at home with Shakedown: Hawaii, a top-down adventure where havoc can be caused in open-world environments. Missions and challenges await around the map, and vehicles can be stolen, pedestrians can be killed, and property can be destroyed.
It’s very much GTA-inspired; the game features a darkly humorous storyline involving several characters trying to make as much money as possible, purchasing properties, and causing crimes everywhere they go.
6 Katana Zero
Katana Zero is a surreal action game where players control a sword-wielding assassin who consumes mind-altering drugs that allow him to slow-down time. The game feels very inspired by Hotline Miami, another violent surreal action game featuring old-school graphics, but it stands on its own as a character-driven storyline with many twists and turns.
One-hit kills are prevalent, and the side-scrolling levels with neo-noir colored graphics ooze with style. The title screen music also needs mentioning as being one of the most relaxing and beautiful pieces of music featured in any modern game.
5 Shovel Knight
One of the original—and most successful—modern retro games, Shovel Knight was crowdfunded to life and became a massive success, spawning countless expansions and eventually became a new gaming icon. The simple visuals made way for Ducktales-inspired combat and traversal, all while using a shovel, and, eventually, the game introduced new characters in the forms of Spectre Knight, Plague Knight, and King Knight, each with their own campaigns. There was even a multiplayer brawler included, Shovel Knight Showdown.
4 The Touryst
The graphical style of The Touryst may cause some players to cast judgment right away, but this game is way more Super Mario Sunshine than Minecraft. Players assume the role of a tourist who ventures between several islands filled with things to do and see.
Various characters, quests, shops, minigames, and areas to explore are at your disposal, and how players tackle them is up to them. The title is very charming and is essentially the 3D version of a 2D platformer, with simple controls and a breezy feel to the overall world.
3 Mark Of The Ninja
Platformers were all the rage in the 90s, but stealth gaming was also starting to make a large name in the gaming world. Mark Of The Ninja combines both elements into a cartoonish action thriller, with several ways to navigate the linear stages full of enemies and alarm systems.
The game can be tackled lethal or non-lethal and contains hidden collectibles and challenges all throughout its sprawling levels. Fans of Metroidvania‘s and the classic Metal Gear Solid will feel right at home with this title.
2 Owlboy
Owlboy features the title character in a whimsical but dark adventure where the main player is unable to attack any enemies. Owlboy himself can fly through levels, navigating puzzles and environmental dangers, but requires the help of allies to attack enemies and pass obstacles. The title becomes a shoot-em-up of sorts when using an ally with a gun, the ability to aim in multiple directions, and each ally has their own unique attacks and abilities to contribute.
The world is vast and full of puzzles and secrets to find, and colorful characters to interact with, and it feels very much like a title that could have been a classic on the original PlayStation.
1 Celeste
A critically-acclaimed masterpiece, Celeste is a tough-as-nails platformer featuring dashing and jumping mechanics that players must master to make it to the end. The cute graphics and loveable music may trick players into thinking this game is all smiles, but a sad undertone hides beneath the game’s exterior. Celeste is about overcoming obstacles, not letting them take you down, and remaining true to yourself.
The message of the game, as well as the presentation and gameplay, have made it universally praised and a worthy retro-inspired experience for all gamers to enjoy.
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