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
Hidden Deep
Hidden Deep is an atmospheric sci-fi action game heavily inspired by Aliens, The Thing, and Half-Life. Explore, climb, swim, scan, blast and shoot your way through dangerous missions in a huge sub oceanic mining and research facility. Fear the horrors that lurk below…
Voice of Cards: The Isle Dragon Roars
Voice of Cards: The Isle Dragon Roars is an RPG set in a world of swords and sorcery, told entirely through the medium of cards.
FINAL FANTASY IV
The original FINAL FANTASY IV comes to life with completely new graphics and audio! A remodeled 2D take on the fourth game in the world-renowned FINAL FANTASY series! Enjoy the timeless story told through charming retro graphics.
FINAL FANTASY III
The original FINAL FANTASY III comes to life with completely new graphics and audio! A remodeled 2D take on the third game in the world-renowned FINAL FANTASY series! Enjoy the timeless story told through charming retro graphics.
FINAL FANTASY II
The original FINAL FANTASY II comes to life with completely new graphics and audio! A remodeled 2D take on the second game in the world-renowned FINAL FANTASY series! Enjoy the timeless story told through charming retro graphics.
FINAL FANTASY
The original FINAL FANTASY comes to life with completely new graphics and audio! A remodeled 2D take on the first game in the world-renowned FINAL FANTASY series! Enjoy the timeless story told through charming retro graphics.
Alex Kidd in Miracle World DX
A legend returns in stunning new detail with Alex Kidd in Miracle World DX! Fire up your power bracelet and relive a platforming classic alongside new modes, levels and features!
Motesolo : No Girlfriend Since Birth
On a late afternoon in Seoul, you discover two people talking at a local cafe, and you spy on their conversation.
Emily is Away <3
Emily <3 is a brand new story set on an old-new social media. Customize your facenook profile, send some friend requests and determine the outcome of your senior year.
Sword and Fairy 3
*** This Game is only available in Chinese *** 《仙剑奇侠传三》是经典仙侠RPG游戏，主题为「轮回」。故事环绕在两把剑，述说着主角两个前世与今生的纠葛。『魔剑养成』、『阵战』等趣味玩法，加上多支线多结局的经典游戏剧情，带你领略一次荡气回肠的仙侠历险、体验一段凄美委婉的浪漫旅程。
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!
DORAEMON STORY OF SEASONS
Japan's adored Doraemon meets Story of Seasons in this new, fresh take on farming, now on Steam! The setting is Natura, and the theme is creating bonds. While doing so, enjoy the heartwarming interactions through each character in the story!
ToeJam & Earl: Back in the Groove!
ToeJam & Earl: Back in the Groove! is a mash-up of the very best features of the classic console games with a ton of fresh improvements! Explore Earth as funky aliens from planet Funkotron trying to find your missing ship pieces to get back home in this casual co-op roguelike.
Fireboy & Watergirl: Elements
Help Fireboy and Watergirl explore the 7 Elemental temples!
Parkitect
Parkitect is a business simulation game that charges you with the construction and management of theme parks! Bringing back the best of classic theme park games with many new features and content on top. Now supports online co-op with up to 8 players!
The Gardens Between
The Gardens Between is a surreal puzzle adventure that follows best friends, Arina and Frendt, as they fall into a mysterious world of beautiful garden islands. Manipulate time to solve puzzles and discover the secrets of each island.
Wizard101
Unleash your inner magic and prepare to unravel the mysteries surrounding a death professor gone rogue. Darkness threatens to engulf the Spiral as you master powerful spells, explore over 22 whimsical worlds, and team-up with friends in this nostalgic wizard turn-based deckbuilding MMORPG.
Crash Bandicoot™ N. Sane Trilogy
Your favorite marsupial, Crash Bandicoot™, is back! He’s enhanced, entranced and ready-to-dance with the N. Sane Trilogy. Relive all your favorite moments in Crash Bandicoot™, Crash Bandicoot™ 2: Cortex Strikes Back and Crash Bandicoot™ 3: Warped, now in fully-remastered graphical glory!
Horizon Chase Turbo
Thrilling arcade racing game, inspired by the super-fun-straight-to-the-point classic racing games from the 90s.
The Curse of Monkey Island
The only pirate adventure that asks the question: What's sharper, your sword or your wit?
Swords and Sandals 2 Redux
The world's favourite gladiator game has returned, bigger and more action packed than ever. Swords and Sandals 2: Emperor's Reign, remastered with all new graphics, music and powerful new skills and awesome Arena Champions Pharoah King, John the Butcher and Ultra Flavlus
The Disney Afternoon Collection
Starring a cast of beloved Disney characters, The Disney Afternoon Collection takes you back to a golden era of gaming and afternoons filled with adventure. All six classic games feature new and improved visuals and include filtering options that replicate a retro look and feel.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