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
Dustoff Heli Rescue
"I need a Dustoff!" became an all-too-familiar call on the airwaves of jungle wars. Now take off with your rescue helicopter and search and save the life of the wounded soldiers in the field, often under fire. If you can't, nobody else can!
THE KING OF FIGHTERS 2002 UNLIMITED MATCH
KOF 2002 UM is the 2nd title in the UM Series and a fully upgraded ver. of KOF 2002, a masterpiece of the KOF Series deserving its place of honor alongside KOF ’98. Based on THE NESTS CHRONICLES, 2002 UM includes the most characters of any title in the KOF Series, and fighting game history!
Over 9000 Zombies!
Over 9000 Zombies! is top-down arcade action blown out of all reasonable proportions. An endless horde of zombies is coming your way, how long can you survive?
Greyfox RPG
You play as a new arrival to a foggy and mysterious town. You find yourself waking up in the bodies of the town's inhabitants at pivotal moments of their lives. Make tough choices as you discover the truth about this town called Greyfox.
Camera Obscura
An ancient tower in a forgotten land. A lone photographer on a desperate search. Facing dangerous animals, crumbling architecture, and perilous pitfalls, can you reach the summit of the Tower, and perhaps, redemption?
SanctuaryRPG: Black Edition
SanctuaryRPG: Black Edition is a humorous and strategic turn-based dungeon crawling ASCII adventure. Drawing heavy inspiration from both Roguelikes and Japanese RPGs, the game offers a robust action-RPG inspired combat system.
Raptor: Call of The Shadows - 2015 Edition
The great action-crazed, guns blazing, shoot ‘em up game comes back straight out of the ‘90s. Raptor: Call of the Shadows and its futuristic world are ready to challenge your flying skills.
Pixel Heroes: Byte & Magic
Enter the world of PIXEL HEROES and prepare yourself for a thrilling RPG/Roguelike experience like you have never seen before!
Castle In The Darkness
Castle In The Darkness is a fun and challenging shout out to the early days of video games! It's an action exploration platformer with some RPG elements, much like games from the Castlevania or Metroid series. It's super fast-paced, challenging, and full of secrets!
Seven Kingdoms 2 HD
Get ready for an exciting real-time strategy game experience like no other with Seven Kingdoms 2! Say goodbye to the monotony of resource gathering and army building, its unique gameplay offers a thrilling blend of city management, trade, industry, espionage, diplomacy, and conquest!
Pix the Cat
Pix the Cat is a critically acclaimed intense arcade game that will challenge your reflexes and your wits, pitting you against your friends and the world in a race to the highest score!
Heroes® of Might & Magic® III - HD Edition
The most popular Heroes® title of all time is back in HD! Fifteen years later, rediscover the epic tale of Queen Catherine Ironfist, as she re-embarks on her critically acclaimed quest to unite her ravaged homeland and re-conquer the kingdom of Erathia.
Grim Fandango Remastered
One of the most acclaimed adventure games of all time is now back, better than ever. Grim Fandango Remastered has the all the beautiful art and engaging story fans remember, but has also been remastered to look, sound, and control even better than the award-winning original release.
Super Galaxy Squadron EX Turbo
Super Galaxy Squadron is a fast-paced vertical shooter designed for human beings as well as SHMUP veterans. Featuring multiple game modes, a challenging but merciful difficulty curve, forgiving health system, and SEVENTEEN playable ships.
PARTICLE MACE
A space game about swinging trash into things and dying.
Avernum 2: Crystal Souls
Huge indie fantasy role-playing adventure in a massive, underground land. Packed with over 100 towns and dungeons and an epic story. Fight to complete up to three distinct game-winning quests. Master over 60 spells and abilities. Hunt for hundreds of magical artifacts. Over 50 hours of gameplay.
Outcast 1.1
Outcast 1.1 is an enhanced version of the critically acclaimed action-adventure game developed in 1999 by Appeal for the PC.
THE KING OF FIGHTERS '98 ULTIMATE MATCH FINAL EDITION
After “KOF '98”, often praised by the fans as the best installment in the “KOF” series, and “KOF ’98 UM” 10 years later, “KOF ’98” returns now on the Steam PC gaming platform in an ultimate and final version with THE KING OF FIGHTERS ’98 ULTIMATE MATCH FINAL EDITION
Strife: Veteran Edition
Hailed as the original FPS-RPG game that spawned countless imitators, Strife: Veteran Edition is a love letter to the classic from 1996.
Xeodrifter
Xeodrifter is the story of an interstellar drifter traveling the stars on a simple mission of exploration. We join our nomad as he embarks on the investigation of a small cluster of four planets in the omega sector, after a collision with a rogue asteroid damaged his warp core.
Potatoman Seeks the Troof
Potatoman will put your reflexes and worldview to the test as you journey through scorching deserts, dark forests, busy cities, the tallest mountains and eventually your own potato-consciousness in search of the ultimate answer. Are you prepared to face the TROOF?
Lumino City
The BAFTA award winning handmade puzzle adventure game made entirely by hand. Explore the city and use your ingenuity to piece together puzzling mechanisms and bring back power to this unique world. Three years in the making, it's handmade entirely out of paper, card, miniature lights and motors.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 897 reviews of which 826 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
826
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