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
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.
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!
Putt-Putt® Joins the Parade
What does it take to be in a parade? Hard work, a bright shiny chassis and a little help from your friends.
Hard Truck Apocalypse / Ex Machina
In a post-apocalyptic wasteland of diesel and dust, bandits and mobsters rule the last remaining cities, controlling all vital trade routes and destroying any hope of a return to a lawful world.
METAL SLUG 3
“METAL SLUG 3”, the masterpiece in SNK’s emblematic 2D run & gun action shooting game series, still continues to fascinate millions of fans worldwide to this day for its intricate dot-pixel graphics, and simple and intuitive game controls, heads out to the Steam gaming platform!
Descent
Prepare To Start Your Descent.Sensory overload in 360° 3-D.Welcome to Descent™ - 27 levels of the most mind-bending, stomach-churning action game ever. Featuring true 3-Dimensional worlds with light source shading, texture mapping, 3-D morphing, directional sound effects and sizzling music, this is technology taken to the limit.
realMyst: Masterpiece Edition
Released in 2014, experience one of the first 3D adaptations of the renowned puzzle-adventure game Myst! Each discovery you make, every puzzle you solve, will bring you closer to reversing a wrong that has gone unchecked for ages.
Saturday Morning RPG
Saturday Morning RPG is an episodic JRPG set in world heavily inspired by 1980s Saturday morning cartoons and pop culture.
FINAL FANTASY VIII
It is a time of war. Galbadia, a Global Superpower, has declared war on Dollet, a country whose training academy is home to two personalities: the hot-headed Seifer and the 'lone wolf', Squall Leonhart. Both are equally at conflict with each other as their country is with Galbadia; to others, Squall appears lacking in team spirit, while...
Space Rangers HD: A War Apart
Space adventure, open world RPG, strategy, arcade, quest and more!
Knights and Merchants
KNIGHTS and MERCHANTS recreates the era of the Middle Ages. Apart from the purely fictitious geography of our world, all game elements and scenes are based on the Anglo-Saxon period, 1200 A.D. And we haven't used imaginary elements like fabled creatures, either. The player takes on the role of an ordinary captain in the Palace Guard.
DuckTales: Remastered
DuckTales: Remastered is a beautiful hand-crafted reimagining of one of the most cherished 8-bit titles of all time. Go back to one of the golden ages of gaming, now refined with a level of detail that will please the most hardened devoted Disney or retro Capcom fan alike.
Rise of the Triad
Apogee Software and Interceptor Entertainment proudly present the rebirth of the cult-classic first-person shooter, “Rise of the Triad”. Bigger, better and more ludicrous than ever before.
The Apogee Throwback Pack
The Apogee Throwback Pack is a collection of four classic Apogee Software titles all in one kick ass package. Blast your way across the galaxy as British Special Agent Blake Stone in "Aliens of Gold" and "Planet Strike", then take on an ancient evil menace as the H.U.N.T in "Rise of the Triad".
Rune Classic
Experience an exciting single player storyline where you thwart Loki and his minions from bringing Ragnarok to Midgard.
Worms Ultimate Mayhem
Load your weapons and experience a whole new dimension in destructive turn-based cartoon action!
RIFT
Dive into a world of epic adventure! Create your perfect hero thanks to a uniquely customizable class system. Collect, craft, and customize your gear. Go it alone or group up to challenge dungeons, raids, dynamic open-world content, and your fellow players.
Cossacks: Back to War
Cossacks: Back to War contains all of the gameplay features of Cossacks: European Wars and Cossacks: The Art of War, this is a complete care package for all current and future Cossacks fans. This add-on contains two new nations: Switzerland and Hungary.
Riven (1997)
Released in 1997 as the original sequel to Myst, one of the best-selling puzzle adventure games of all time. Prepare to enter a world "torn asunder" by timeless, unresolved conflicts -- a world of incomparable beauty, intrigue, and betrayal.
Monkey Island™ 2 Special Edition: LeChuck’s Revenge™
Wannabe pirate Guybrush Threepwood, and the now zombie pirate LeChuck, return in what has long been considered one of the greatest LucasArts adventure games of all time.
STAR WARS™ Dark Forces (Classic, 1995)
Behind a veil of secrecy the evil Empire is creating a doomsday army - one that, if finished, will become the final cog in the Empire's arsenal of terror and domination. Your Mission? Join the Rebel Alliance's covert operations division, infiltrate the Empire.
The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition
Back by popular demand, The Secret of Monkey Island™: Special Edition faithfully re-imagines the internationally-acclaimed classic game (originally released in 1990) for original and new audiences alike.
Sacred Gold
A shadow of evil has fallen on the kingdom of Ancaria. It is a time for champions - a time to journey into the perilous world of SACRED. Battle blood-thirsty orcs & lumbering ogres... Destroy undead wizards & rotting mummies... Slay hellish demons & legendary dragons.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 16th 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 978 peak concurrent players over the last day.
8.1
15,004
3,077
978
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 nostalgia games.
7.7
305
66
27
players
3. 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 #3 spot among the most played nostalgia games.
9.2
1,195
30
22
players
4. 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 #4 spot among the most played nostalgia games.
8.9
294
7
20
players
5. 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 #5 spot among the most played nostalgia games.
9.0
718
24
18
players
6. 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 #6 spot among the most played nostalgia games.
9.0
643
21
18
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
15
players
8. 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 #8 spot among the most played nostalgia games.
9.0
324
6
8
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
7
players
10. 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 #10 spot among the most played nostalgia games.
8.9
601
31
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 16th 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 978 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
978
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
27
players