Best Retro 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 retro games. For those who prefer not to search, lists of the most played, top deals and best free retro games are available at the bottom of the page.
Filters & Lists
Super Mustache
Super Mustache is a vintage styled platformer, filled to the brim with 8 bit pixel art juice! Join Captain Super Mustache in a journey to save the planet Uranus. If you enjoyed classic platformer games from the golden era of video games, then you’re going to love this.
Bit Blaster XL
Bit Blaster XL is a fast-paced, retro arcade shoot 'em up (shmup) inspired by the classic quarter-munchers of the ‘80s. Easy to pick up, hard to put down—boost, dodge, shoot, and chase high scores in this addictive, old-school action game!
Sven Co-op
Sven Co-op is a co-operative game originally based around Valve Software's Half-Life. In this game players must work together against computer controlled enemies and solve puzzles as a team.
Between Me and The Night
‘Between Me and The Night' is a surrealist action adventure game that walks the thin path between sanity and madness. Take on the role of a young boy and explore and interact with the mysterious house in which he lives.
The Deadly Tower of Monsters
Fire up your ray guns, crystal swords, and laser whips, and get ready for thrills and chills! With three incredible movie stars playing out decidedly B-level sci-fi exploits, Dick Starspeed, Scarlet Nova, and Robot will have you ready to jump off the side of the tower—right into adventure!
Punch Club
Train hard, fight crocodiles and find love. Earn your place in the Punch Club ranks, and discover who brutally murdered your father, in this choose your own adventure boxing management tycoon.
Princess Remedy in a World of Hurt
Remedy, a recent graduate from the Saturnian healing school, must descend to Hurtland and use her powers to heal everyone from stray ducks to dark lords, and finally cure the ailing Prince Hingst. It's a short, whimsical adventure with plenty of heart(s).
Total Annihilation
What began as a conflict over the transfer of consciousness from flesh to machines escalated into a war which has decimated a million worlds. The Core and the Arm have all but exhausted the resources of a galaxy in their struggle for domination.
Commander Cool 2
Commander Cool 2 is a four player local coop retro-styled adventure that is destined to be one of coolest game in 2015!
Bubsy Two-Fur
Bubsy returns in the first authorized digital release of his first two games! What could paws-ibly go wrong?
River City Super Sports Challenge ~All Stars Special~
This is the River City sports challenge! The Rule is simple, be the # 1 in 4 events by all means. That's it! Hitting and kicking? Of course! Wooden swords dumbbells and even bombs are available to use. The great sports challenge where anything's possible has just begun!!!
Taimumari: Definitive Edition
Retro-style platform game in keeping with the best traditions of games of our childhood! Take control of the Himari, the young female wizard travelling across various ages to settle the balance in time across the whole world!
Romance of the Three Kingdoms Maker
"Romance of the Three Kingdoms Maker" celebrates the 30th anniversary of the "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" series. It has been realized through a collaboration between the creators of the "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" series, Koei Tecmo Games, and the creators of the "TSUKURU" series, KADOKAWA.
DARIUSBURST Chronicle Saviours
DARIUSBURST Chronicle Saviours is the latest installment in Taito's DARIUS series of arcade-style shooting games. Blast hordes of alien sea-monsters, and blaze your own trail through branching environments.
One More Dungeon
One More Dungeon is a first person shooter roguelike with procedurally generated levels and pixel-art graphics.
Emily is Away
Emily is Away is an interactive story. Create a screenname and choose your path through the branching narrative.
Kero Blaster
C&F Inc. teleporters are going offline all over the place, and it's up to an intrepid frog employee to fix the situation.
Impossible Creatures Steam Edition
Impossible Creatures is a 3D RTS game that pits the player against an evil villain. Using Earth’s most formidable animals as building blocks, the player must create an army of genetically-altered mutant monsters in a titanic struggle to protect an unsuspecting world.
The Fall of the Dungeon Guardians - Enhanced Edition
In this tactical combat & dungeon crawler mash-up, explore a massive dungeon, full of danger, mystery and secrets. Fight your way through hordes of enemies and powerful creatures, with your tank, healer & damage dealers party.
The Odyssey: Winds of Athena
As the Greek Goddess Athena, control the wind, seas, and air to guide the hero Odysseus home from the Trojan Wars. The incredibly realistic water current simulation will amaze and challenge you, as you use your powers to protect the Hero's fleet.
Dungeon Warfare
Dungeon Warfare is a challenging tower defense strategy game where you become a dungeon lord to defend your dungeons with deadliest of traps and insidious contraptions against greedy adventurers and wanna-be heroes.
Fallout: A Post Nuclear Role Playing Game
You've just unearthed the classic post-apocalyptic role-playing game that revitalized the entire CRPG genre. The Fallout® SPECIAL system allows drastically different types of characters, meaningful decisions and development that puts you in complete control. Explore the devastated ruins of a golden age civilization.Most played retro games on Steam
Take a look at the top retro games that are currently attracting the largest player bases on the Steam platform, as of April 20th 2025.
1. RetroArch
RetroArch is an open source and cross platform frontend/framework for emulators, game engines, video games, media players and other applications RetroArch is a free to play, retro and software game developed and published by Libretro. Released on May 27th 2022 has received 7,870 reviews of which 7,059 were positive and 811 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.7 out of 10. The game has hit the top spot as the #1 most played retro game, thanks to its 688 peak concurrent players over the last day.
8.7
7,059
811
688
players
2. UFO 50
UFO 50 is a collection of 50 single and multiplayer games that span a variety of genres, from platformers and shoot 'em ups to puzzle games, roguelites, and RPGs. Our goal is to combine a familiar 8-bit aesthetic with new ideas and modern game design. UFO 50 is a indie, pixel graphics and action game developed and published by Mossmouth. Released on September 18th 2024 has received 6,092 reviews of which 5,836 were positive and 256 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.3 out of 10. While seeing 329 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #2 among retro games based on player count.
9.3
5,836
256
329
players
3. Mouthwashing
The five crew members of the Tulpar are stranded in the empty reaches of space, shrouded in perpetual sunset. God is not watching. Mouthwashing is a psychological horror, story rich and horror game developed by Wrong Organ and published by CRITICAL REFLEX. Released on September 26th 2024 has received 28,726 reviews of which 27,656 were positive and 1,070 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.4 out of 10. While seeing 155 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #3 among retro games based on player count.
9.4
27,656
1,070
155
players
4. Sonic Mania
Sonic Mania is an all-new adventure with Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles full of unique bosses, rolling 2D landscapes, and fun classic gameplay. Sonic Mania is a great soundtrack, 2d and platformer game developed by Christian Whitehead, Headcannon and PagodaWest Games and published by SEGA. Released on August 29th 2017 has received 25,898 reviews of which 24,272 were positive and 1,626 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.2 out of 10. With 136 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played retro games.
9.2
24,272
1,626
136
players
5. Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun
Load up your Boltgun and unleash the awesome Space Marine arsenal to blast your way through an explosion of sprites, pixels and blood in a perfect blend of Warhammer 40,000, frenetic gameplay and the stylish visuals of 90’s retro shooters. Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun is a boomer shooter, fps and warhammer 40k game developed by Auroch Digital and published by Focus Entertainment. Released on May 23rd 2023 has received 14,599 reviews of which 13,288 were positive and 1,311 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.9 out of 10. With 132 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played retro games.
8.9
13,288
1,311
132
players
6. Lunacid
Cast into the Great Well, unwanted by the world above. You delve the dark in search of the Old One, your last salvation. Lunacid is a dark fantasy dungeon crawler inspired by Shadow Tower and King’s Field. Lunacid is a dungeon crawler, dark fantasy and first-person game developed by KIRA LLC and published by KIRA LLC and CRITICAL REFLEX. Released on October 30th 2023 has received 8,540 reviews of which 7,770 were positive and 770 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.8 out of 10. With 124 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played retro games.
8.8
7,770
770
124
players
7. DUSK
Battle through an onslaught of mystical backwater cultists, possessed militants & even darker forces as you attempt to discover just what lurks beneath the Earth in this retro FPS inspired by the '90s legends. DUSK is a boomer shooter, fps and retro game developed by David Szymanski and published by New Blood Interactive . Released on December 10th 2018 has received 23,226 reviews of which 22,604 were positive and 622 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.5 out of 10. The game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played retro games.
9.5
22,604
622
100
players
8. Baldi's Basics Classic Remastered
Escape Baldi's schoolhouse again in this new remastered version of Baldi's Basics Classic! Use stealth and strategy to collect all 7 notebooks and win! Featuring three games in one, gameplay improvements, a more authentic art style, accessibility improvements, and brand new ways to play! Baldi's Basics Classic Remastered is a horror, stealth and retro game developed by Basically Games and published by Basically Games and LLC. Released on October 21st 2022 has received 11,702 reviews of which 10,834 were positive and 868 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9 out of 10. The game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played retro games.
9
10,834
868
94
players
9. Pinball FX
Pinball FX is digital pinball evolved. Get the highest score on tables inspired by the biggest brands in entertainment. New tables arrive frequently! Pinball FX is a free to play, pinball and arcade game developed and published by Zen Studios. Released on April 13th 2023 has received 2,055 reviews of which 1,429 were positive and 626 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.8 out of 10. The game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played retro games.
6.8
1,429
626
93
players
10. Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove
Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove is the complete Shovel Knight collection, containing all 5 games in the epic saga! Dig, blast, slash, and bash your way through a fantastical, 8-bit inspired world of pixel-perfect platforming, memorable characters, and world-class action-adventure gameplay. Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove is a platformer, pixel graphics and retro game developed and published by Yacht Club Games. Released on June 26th 2014 has received 16,043 reviews of which 15,372 were positive and 671 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.3 out of 10. The game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played retro games.
9.3
15,372
671
82
players
Best deals on retro games on Steam
Discover fantastic savings with the best discounts on a variety of retro games available on Steam right now, updated on April 20th 2025. Looking for even more deals? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of discounted retro games.
1. Prodeus
Prodeus is a first-person shooter of old, re-imagined using modern rendering techniques and technology. Experience the quality you’d expect from a modern AAA game, designed with retro aesthetics and gameplay that invoke the tech-imposed limits of older hardware. Prodeus is a boomer shooter, fps and retro game developed by Bounding Box Software Inc. and published by Humble Games. Released on September 23rd 2022 has received 7,436 reviews of which 6,913 were positive and 523 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9 out of 10. Featuring a massive 95% discount, this game currently holds the #1 spot in the best deals for retro category.
9
6,913
523
-95%
25.00€
1.25€
2. Last Call BBS
Boot up your Z5 Powerlance and dial into Last Call BBS, the last game from Zachtronics! The Barkeep’s loaded up his retro computer with a full set of puzzle games for you to download and play. No need to worry about copy protection, they’re all fully cracked and ready to enjoy! Last Call BBS is a puzzle, retro and automation game developed and published by Zachtronics. Released on August 03rd 2022 has received 1,378 reviews of which 1,275 were positive and 103 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.8 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 95% discount, this game is now the #2 best deal in retro games.
8.8
1,275
103
-95%
20.00€
1.00€
3. Narita Boy
Become symphonic in Narita Boy! A radical action-adventure as a legendary pixel hero trapped as a mere echo within the Digital Kingdom. Discover the mysteries behind the Techno-sword, lock swords with the corrupt and tainted Stallions. Save the world! Narita Boy is a action, retro and adventure game developed by Studio Koba and published by Team17. Released on March 30th 2021 has received 1,608 reviews of which 1,254 were positive and 354 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.5 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 94% discount, this game is now the #3 best deal in retro games.
7.5
1,254
354
-94%
24.33€
1.46€
4. Blazing Chrome
In Blazing Chrome, bring your best pal and kick some metal butts to free the humankind while enjoying a classic run’n’gun, fully loaded with action and exciting fights! Blazing Chrome is a retro, action and pixel graphics game developed by JoyMasher and published by The Arcade Crew and CE-Asia. Released on July 11th 2019 has received 1,753 reviews of which 1,538 were positive and 215 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.4 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 92% discount, this title has earned the #4 position in the best deals for retro games.
8.4
1,538
215
-92%
17.75€
1.42€
5. 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. ToeJam & Earl: Back in the Groove! is a adventure, indie and casual game developed and published by HumaNature Studios. Released on February 28th 2019 has received 1,087 reviews of which 957 were positive and 130 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.3 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 92% discount, this title has earned the #5 position in the best deals for retro games.
8.3
957
130
-92%
12.50€
1.00€
6. Old School Musical
What has 50 amazing chiptune tracks, a loony story mode, 32 different chicken types to fight, and takes you on a tour of all your favorite retro games? It's Old School Musical! Tib and Rob are the heroes of a wacky adventure that will teach them where all of the bugs in our favorite games come from. Old School Musical is a indie, action and adventure game developed by La Moutarde and published by Dear Villagers. Released on September 13th 2018 has received 898 reviews of which 827 were positive and 71 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.7 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 90% discount, this title has earned the #6 position in the best deals for retro games.
8.7
827
71
-90%
12.99€
1.29€
7. Razortron 2000
RAZORTRON 2000 is a retro top-down endless racing game. Try to beat your highscore, unlock new cars and climb your way to the top of the leaderboards on this love letter to coin eater arcade machines era! Razortron 2000 is a casual, racing and indie game developed and published by NukGames. Released on October 12th 2016 has received 2,008 reviews of which 1,713 were positive and 295 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.2 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 90% discount, this title has earned the #7 position in the best deals for retro games.
8.2
1,713
295
-90%
4.99€
0.49€
8. Planes, Bullets and Vodka
Fly through danger filled procedurally generated tunnels, avoiding thousands of enemies, on this throwback to the golden age of arcade games. Planes, Bullets and Vodka is a casual, action and shoot 'em up game developed and published by NukGames. Released on December 13th 2016 has received 1,961 reviews of which 1,665 were positive and 296 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.1 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 90% discount, this title has earned the #8 position in the best deals for retro games.
8.1
1,665
296
-90%
4.99€
0.49€
9. Beat Cop
A retro, pixel art style adventure in New York, inspired by ’80s cop shows. You are Jack Kelly and you’ve been framed for murder. Now as a regular beat cop you have to find out, who did that. Expect thick crime story, a lot of black humour and all the other things you can find on the streets of Brooklyn. Beat Cop is a pixel graphics, indie and retro game developed by Pixel Crow and published by 11 bit studios. Released on March 30th 2017 has received 5,556 reviews of which 4,594 were positive and 962 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.0 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 90% discount, this title has earned the #9 position in the best deals for retro games.
8.0
4,594
962
-90%
15.30€
1.53€
10. WRATH: Aeon of Ruin
Blast, slice and shred through your enemies in this hardcore FPS inspired by the icons of the '90s, powered by the legendary Quake-1 Tech. Taking place in a realm left to rot, take up arms, unearth long-forgotten secrets and hunt down the Guardians of the Old World. WRATH: Aeon of Ruin is a action, boomer shooter and fps game developed by KillPixel Games and Slipgate Ironworks and published by 3D Realms and Fulqrum Publishing. Released on February 27th 2024 has received 2,582 reviews of which 1,918 were positive and 664 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.2 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 90% discount, this title has earned the #10 position in the best deals for retro games.
7.2
1,918
664
-90%
25.50€
2.55€
Free retro games on Steam
Check out this fantastic list of free-to-play retro games you can enjoy on Steam right now, updated on April 20th 2025. Looking for even more free titles? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of free to play retro games.
1. RetroArch
RetroArch is an open source and cross platform frontend/framework for emulators, game engines, video games, media players and other applications RetroArch is a free to play, retro and software game developed and published by Libretro. Released on May 27th 2022 has received 7,870 reviews of which 7,059 were positive and 811 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.7 out of 10. With 688 active players enjoying it for free, this strategy game has reached the #1 spot among the top free retro games on Steam.
8.7
7,059
811
688
players
2. Baldi's Basics Classic Remastered
Escape Baldi's schoolhouse again in this new remastered version of Baldi's Basics Classic! Use stealth and strategy to collect all 7 notebooks and win! Featuring three games in one, gameplay improvements, a more authentic art style, accessibility improvements, and brand new ways to play! Baldi's Basics Classic Remastered is a horror, stealth and retro game developed by Basically Games and published by Basically Games and LLC. Released on October 21st 2022 has received 11,702 reviews of which 10,834 were positive and 868 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9 out of 10. The game currently holds the #2 spot among the most played free retro games on Steam.
9
10,834
868
94
players
3. Pinball FX
Pinball FX is digital pinball evolved. Get the highest score on tables inspired by the biggest brands in entertainment. New tables arrive frequently! Pinball FX is a free to play, pinball and arcade game developed and published by Zen Studios. Released on April 13th 2023 has received 2,055 reviews of which 1,429 were positive and 626 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.8 out of 10. The game currently holds the #3 spot among the most played free retro games on Steam.
6.8
1,429
626
93
players
4. Moonring
A dark-fantasy, turn-based, retro-fusion of classic turn-based RPGs and roguelikes, all presented with a unique neon aesthetic. Moonring is a rpg, retro and medieval game developed and published by Fluttermind and LLC. Released on September 28th 2023 has received 2,046 reviews of which 1,969 were positive and 77 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.2 out of 10. The game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played free retro games on Steam.
9.2
1,969
77
25
players
5. 重生之我是小虾米
With armor-clad horses and swords in hand, we roam the world, fighting for justice in a martial arts realm full of change and turmoil. Clad in cold garments and wielding iron swords, we march thousands of miles; who in the world does not know of us? 重生之我是小虾米 is a rpg, dungeon crawler and choices matter game developed and published by ForeverNo.2 Game Studio. Released on August 13th 2024 has received 1,662 reviews of which 1,589 were positive and 73 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.1 out of 10. The game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played free retro games on Steam.
9.1
1,589
73
16
players
6. Death Rally (Classic)
You start out from the bottom of the ranking list. Your objective: earn money in the fast-paced battle races. Fight hard for each precious championship point. Fellow competitors are showering you in a constant hail of bullets. Each race is deadly contest - a matter of life or death. Death Rally (Classic) is a racing, retro and top-down game developed by Remedy and published by 3D Realms (Apogee Software). Released on May 05th 2014 has received 746 reviews of which 679 were positive and 67 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.5 out of 10. The game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played free retro games on Steam.
8.5
679
67
6
players
7. A.W.O.L.
A.W.O.L. is a first-person, mil-spec shooter developed using the Build engine (Duke Nukem 3D, Ion Fury). A.W.O.L. is a fps, action and shooter game developed and published by Shotspark Studios. Released on September 15th 2022 has received 1,029 reviews of which 822 were positive and 207 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.6 out of 10. The game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played free retro games on Steam.
7.6
822
207
6
players
8. Mimic Search
Mimic Search is a short indie horror game, in which you take the role of a police officer investigating a recent mimic attack. Mimic Search is a horror, free to play and psychological horror game developed and published by Gemezl. Released on May 02nd 2024 has received 791 reviews of which 696 were positive and 95 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.3 out of 10. The game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played free retro games on Steam.
8.3
696
95
5
players
9. You Have to Win the Game
You Have to Win the Game is a free exploration platformer with a retro 1980s PC aesthetic. You Have to Win the Game is a metroidvania, free to play and retro game developed and published by Minor Key Games. Released on May 06th 2014 has received 5,669 reviews of which 5,267 were positive and 402 were negative resulting in a rating of 9.0 out of 10. The game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played free retro games on Steam.
9.0
5,267
402
4
players
10. Halls of Torment: Prelude
Slay hordes of terrifying monsters in this horde survival roguelite. Descend into the Halls of Torment where the Lords of the underworld await you. Treasures, magical trinkets, and a growing cast of heroes will grant you the power to vanquish these horrors from beyond. How long can you survive? Halls of Torment: Prelude is a bullet hell, dark fantasy and retro game developed and published by Chasing Carrots. Released on March 09th 2023 has received 1,360 reviews of which 1,269 were positive and 91 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.8 out of 10. The game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played free retro games on Steam.
8.8
1,269
91
3
players