Best Nostalgia games on Steam
Unlike generic lists, our strategy game recommendations use a rigorous analysis of Steam user reviews to identify and feature only the best, community-validated nostalgia games. For those who prefer not to search, lists of the most played and best free nostalgia games are available at the bottom of the page.
Filters & Lists
DRAGON QUEST III HD-2D Remake
DRAGON QUEST III HD-2D Remake is a stunning reimagining of the beloved masterpiece and narrative beginning to The Erdrick Trilogy.
The Black Grimoire: Cursebreaker
A story driven solo RPG inspired by oldschool games like RuneScape and Ultima Online! Explore a sprawling medieval fantasy world full of npcs with dialogue, level skills, fight varied monsters and uncover the story of Rothar Aercrest – the cursed lord to the remote woodlands of Imberthale.
Backyard Baseball '97
Rediscover the joy of the original Backyard Baseball 1997, now updated for modern systems! Build your roster from among the iconic Backyard Kids, aim for those home runs, and various game modes. Relive the magic of this classic baseball game!
Mirage Feathers
「Maybe one day, I won't have to fight when I fly.」
Old School Rally
A nostalgic racing game that combines the charm of classic retro style visuals with the thrill of international rally competitions.
METAL SLUG ATTACK RELOADED
Hard-core action with easy controls! The METAL SLUG we all love is back as a tower defense game!
Goofy Gorillas
Relive your childhood nostalgia at Goofy Gorillas, the largest virtual jungle gym! Battle it out with your friends in a wide range of casual but intense PvP gamemodes, or chill out and take part in some extra activities around the venue! Make the Goofy experience your own!
Strike Force Heroes
Strike Force Heroes is an oldschool arena shooter rebuilt with modern mechanics with full co-operative and PvP online multiplayer. It melds over the top action with epic story-telling in this intense remake of the hit Flash game.
Sea of Stars
Sea of Stars is a turn-based RPG inspired by the classics. It tells the story of two Children of the Solstice who will combine the powers of the sun and moon to perform Eclipse Magic, the only force capable of fending off the monstrous creations of the evil alchemist known as The Fleshmancer.
Punch Club 2: Fast Forward
Train, fight, and rise to the top in this knockout sequel to the smashing fighter management simulator! Mentor your fighter and guide him to become the ultimate champion: choose from different combat styles, control his routine, and watch him kick some butt like a proud sensei!
Pirate101
Assemble your ragtag crew and prepare to plunder the skyways in search of the legendary map to El Dorado! Danger lurks around every corner as you outsmart clockwork soldiers, uncover hidden mysteries, and unleash powerful combos in this pirate turn-based tactics MMORPG.
Papa's Freezeria Deluxe
Return to Calypso Island to serve seasonal sundae treats in Papa's Freezeria Deluxe! Craft sundaes in the Freezeria for all your quirky customers while earning tips, points and Special Recipes. Switch gears and take a trip in the Food Truck to concoct your own chilly creations and see who shows up!
2112TD: Tower Defense Survival
Get ready for the ULTIMATE tower defense onslaught. Build, deploy, research and upgrade your defenses in this epic, old school RTS inspired sci-fi adventure.
The Last Hero of Nostalgaia
The Last Hero of Nostalgaia is a satirical action-adventure, brought to life by a twisted and wicked tale. Featuring hard but fair combat, *full character customization, unique battle armor and engaging narrative mechanics rich in lore, Nostalgaia plunges you into almost certain death at every turn.
Lucy Dreaming
Discover a dark family secret and rid a young girl of her nightmares in this splendidly British point & click comedy adventure. Playing as sharp-witted Lucy, explore both dreams and reality to meet all the colourful characters who'll help you solve puzzles, gather clues and find a murderer.
Pixel Cup Soccer - Ultimate Edition
Pixel Cup Soccer is a retro-style arcade game. Play friendly matches, tournaments or create your team and lead it to glory in career mode! You can play it alone or with up to 8 friends, locally or through Steam remote, you can choose whether to play competitively, cooperatively, or even both!
Return to Monkey Island
Return to Monkey Island is an unexpected, thrilling return of series creator Ron Gilbert that continues the story of the legendary adventure games.
World of Talesworth: Idle MMO Simulator
Explore new lands, slay monsters, gather loot and level up in this idle MMO simulation experience. Packed with unique and meaningful upgrades, moments of discovery, and gaming nostalgia, World of Talesworth is an homage to all our favorite RPGs.
Sonic Origins
Experience the collected adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog in Sonic Origins Plus! With 16 legendary Sonic titles, including 12 Game Gear games, new playable characters, modes, challenges, behind-the-scenes content, and more, this is the definitive way to play these classic games!
American Theft 80s
From the THIEF SIMULATOR developers. It's the 80s. Steal VCRs, tapes, classic cars, and if you get caught, outrun the police!
CHRONO CROSS: THE RADICAL DREAMERS EDITION
CHRONO CROSS is an RPG that transcends time and space, unfolding across two interlinked parallel worlds. With over 40 party members to meet, people and dimensions will intertwine in this epic drama about the planet itself.
A Perfect Day
Revisit and repeat the final moments of China's turn of the century in this narrative puzzle adventure. Play a 6th-grade student and greet classmates, explore secrets, play mini-4WD, or just wander around town. Make your choices to create a perfect day for everyone!
FINAL FANTASY VI
The original FINAL FANTASY VI comes to life with completely new graphics and audio! A remodeled 2D take on the sixth game in the world-renowned FINAL FANTASY series! Enjoy the timeless story told through charming retro graphics.Most played nostalgia games on Steam
Take a look at the top nostalgia games that are currently attracting the largest player bases on the Steam platform, as of April 15th 2025.
1. Old School RuneScape
The best retro fantasy MMORPG on the planet. Old School is RuneScape but… older! This is the open world you know and love, but as it was in 2007. Saying that, it’s even better than that – Old School is shaped by you, its players, with regular new content, fixes and expansions voted for by the fans! Old School RuneScape is a mmorpg, free to play and nostalgia game developed and published by Jagex Ltd. Released on February 24th 2021 has received 18,081 reviews of which 15,004 were positive and 3,077 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.1 out of 10. The game has hit the top spot as the #1 most played nostalgia game, thanks to its 892 peak concurrent players over the last day.
8.1
15,004
3,077
892
players
2. Putt-Putt® Saves The Zoo
Today's the grand opening of the Cartown Zoo, and there's still so much to do: zoo chow is running low, and all the baby animals are missing. Putt-Putt® Saves The Zoo is a adventure, family friendly and casual game developed by Humongous Entertainment and published by Humongous Entertainment and Nightdive Studios. Released on July 03rd 2014 has received 742 reviews of which 718 were positive and 24 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.0 out of 10. The game currently holds the #2 spot among the most played nostalgia games.
9.0
718
24
29
players
3. Pirate101
Assemble your ragtag crew and prepare to plunder the skyways in search of the legendary map to El Dorado! Danger lurks around every corner as you outsmart clockwork soldiers, uncover hidden mysteries, and unleash powerful combos in this pirate turn-based tactics MMORPG. Pirate101 is a mmorpg, turn-based tactics and grid-based movement game developed by KingsIsle Entertainment and published by KingsIsle Entertainment and gamigo group. Released on May 31st 2023 has received 371 reviews of which 305 were positive and 66 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.7 out of 10. The game currently holds the #3 spot among the most played nostalgia games.
7.7
305
66
26
players
4. Freddi Fish and the Case of the Missing Kelp Seeds
Help underwater detective Freddi Fish and her finny friend Luther solve the case. Explore underwater caves, deep canyons and colorful reefs, and discover fascinating places like King Crab's Castle and A Sunken Ship Out of Time, in an effort to save the reef. Freddi Fish and the Case of the Missing Kelp Seeds is a point & click, adventure and family friendly game developed by Humongous Entertainment and published by Humongous Entertainment and Nightdive Studios. Released on April 17th 2014 has received 664 reviews of which 643 were positive and 21 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.0 out of 10. The game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played nostalgia games.
9.0
643
21
19
players
5. Pajama Sam: No Need to Hide When It's Dark Outside
There's no reason to be afraid of the dark. Fed up with his fear of the dark, Sam transforms himself into Pajama Sam - world's youngest superhero and resolves to confront Darkness! With help from King the mine car, Otto the boat, and a host of fascinating characters. Pajama Sam: No Need to Hide When It's Dark Outside is a point & click, adventure and nostalgia game developed by Humongous Entertainment and published by Humongous Entertainment and Nightdive Studios. Released on April 17th 2014 has received 1,225 reviews of which 1,195 were positive and 30 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.2 out of 10. The game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played nostalgia games.
9.2
1,195
30
17
players
6. Freddi Fish 2: The Case of the Haunted Schoolhouse
So who is haunting the schoolhouse, taking the toys and practically scaring the scales off all the guppies? Freddi Fish 2: The Case of the Haunted Schoolhouse is a adventure, casual and family friendly game developed by Humongous Entertainment and published by Humongous Entertainment and Nightdive Studios. Released on May 01st 2014 has received 301 reviews of which 294 were positive and 7 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.9 out of 10. The game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played nostalgia games.
8.9
294
7
15
players
7. Putt-Putt® Travels Through Time
Mr. Firebird's time machine has gone haywire and Putt-Putt's® best pal Pep, is lost somewhere in time. Putt-Putt® Travels Through Time is a adventure, casual and point & click game developed by Humongous Entertainment and published by Humongous Entertainment and Nightdive Studios. Released on May 15th 2014 has received 341 reviews of which 321 were positive and 20 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.7 out of 10. The game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played nostalgia games.
8.7
321
20
11
players
8. Spy Fox in "Dry Cereal"
The super-suave agent, SPY Fox, must find Mr. Udderly, rescue all the cows, and stop William the Kid from depleting the worlds supply of milk. Using ingenious SPY gadgets, keen wits, and daring moves, SPY Fox, jumps out on an udderly exhilarating adventure! Spy Fox in "Dry Cereal" is a adventure, point & click and casual game developed by Humongous Entertainment and published by Humongous Entertainment and Nightdive Studios. Released on April 17th 2014 has received 632 reviews of which 601 were positive and 31 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.9 out of 10. The game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played nostalgia games.
8.9
601
31
9
players
9. Pajama Sam 3: You Are What You Eat From Your Head To Your Feet
Pajama Sam chases down some snickering cookies, only to find himself in the midst of a food squabble! Pajama Sam 3: You Are What You Eat From Your Head To Your Feet is a adventure, casual and point & click game developed by Humongous Entertainment and published by Humongous Entertainment and Nightdive Studios. Released on May 15th 2014 has received 392 reviews of which 380 were positive and 12 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.9 out of 10. The game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played nostalgia games.
8.9
380
12
8
players
10. Pajama Sam 2: Thunder And Lightning Aren't So Frightening
Join Pajama Sam, the world's youngest superhero as he journeys to World Wide Weather, the storm-stirring factory in the sky! Pajama Sam 2: Thunder And Lightning Aren't So Frightening is a adventure, casual and point & click game developed by Humongous Entertainment and published by Humongous Entertainment and Nightdive Studios. Released on May 01st 2014 has received 330 reviews of which 324 were positive and 6 were negative resulting in a rating of 9.0 out of 10. The game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played nostalgia games.
9.0
324
6
7
players
Free nostalgia games on Steam
Check out this fantastic list of free-to-play nostalgia games you can enjoy on Steam right now, updated on April 15th 2025. Looking for even more free titles? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of free to play nostalgia games.
1. Old School RuneScape
The best retro fantasy MMORPG on the planet. Old School is RuneScape but… older! This is the open world you know and love, but as it was in 2007. Saying that, it’s even better than that – Old School is shaped by you, its players, with regular new content, fixes and expansions voted for by the fans! Old School RuneScape is a mmorpg, free to play and nostalgia game developed and published by Jagex Ltd. Released on February 24th 2021 has received 18,081 reviews of which 15,004 were positive and 3,077 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.1 out of 10. With 892 active players enjoying it for free, this strategy game has reached the #1 spot among the top free nostalgia games on Steam.
8.1
15,004
3,077
892
players
2. Pirate101
Assemble your ragtag crew and prepare to plunder the skyways in search of the legendary map to El Dorado! Danger lurks around every corner as you outsmart clockwork soldiers, uncover hidden mysteries, and unleash powerful combos in this pirate turn-based tactics MMORPG. Pirate101 is a mmorpg, turn-based tactics and grid-based movement game developed by KingsIsle Entertainment and published by KingsIsle Entertainment and gamigo group. Released on May 31st 2023 has received 371 reviews of which 305 were positive and 66 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.7 out of 10. The game currently holds the #2 spot among the most played free nostalgia games on Steam.
7.7
305
66
26
players