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
Skyborn
Life under the iron rule of the winged Skyborn race isn’t so bad for Claret Spencer, the star mechanic of a successful airship repair shop, present her with broken machinery and she’s sure to fix it. She’s one of the fortunate ones, not all who live under the watchful eye of the Skyborn are so lucky…Little does she know that her stable,...
STRIDER™ / ストライダー飛竜®
Strider returns in a brand new adventure, complete with incredible side-scrolling action, and lightning fast combat all in a massive interconnected world! Download the full game February 19th and become the original assassin!
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.
Double Dragon: Neon
BRO-TACULAR! Legendary martial artists, Billy and Jimmy Lee return in this creative re-imagining of the classic beat ‘em up, Double Dragon Neon. Fight your way through countless henchmen including Linda and Abobo on your way to rescue the love of your life, Marian!
Little Racers STREET
Little Racers STREET fuses the fun-oriented simplicity of top-down racing games with the excitement of street racing, and the results couldn't be better!
Oniken: Unstoppable Edition
When a global war nearly decimated humankind, an evil military organization called Oniken takes advantage of the situation to dominate and oppress the few remaining survivors. Even though any resistance to this organization seemed hopeless, a small rebel movement organizes strikes against Oniken.
Jets'n'Guns Gold
Jets'n'Guns is a heavy piece of ground shaking rock blasting action with graphics and special effects that will blow you eyes out! Enjoy yourself in almost-insane action adventure of saving the universe from the deadly threat of more than 270 unique monsters in the campaign of 43 levels.
Aqua Kitty - Milk Mine Defender
Aqua Kitty is a fast paced retro styled submarine arcade shooter with optional 2 player local Co-op.Blast through hordes of mechanical sea monsters in your kitty sub and defend the deep sea milk mining kittens!THE MILK MUST FLOW!
Saturday Morning RPG
Saturday Morning RPG is an episodic JRPG set in world heavily inspired by 1980s Saturday morning cartoons and pop culture.
Broken Age
A family friendly, hand-animated, puzzle-filled adventure game with an all-star cast, including Elijah Wood, Jack Black and Masasa Moyo. Funded by a record breaking crowdfunding campaign and designed by industry legend Tim Schafer, Broken Age is a timeless coming-of-age story.
Might & Magic X - Legacy
After a decade, a Might & Magic® RPG is back with both the unique core formula and a new set of improved and fine-tuned features. The best RPG of its class!In the wake of the spectacular events in Might & Magic® Heroes® VI, you will play in a party of four adventurers entangled in intrigue and political machinations unfolding in...
3089 -- Futuristic Action RPG
3089 is a futuristic, procedurally generated, open-world action role-playing game. All terrain, enemies, weapons, items, quests & more are uniquely generated. Will you obey your creator, the Overlord, or find your own path?
Deadly 30
Can you survive the horror? … a retro-style survival horror game developed by the two-man indie team of Gonzossm and Iggy Zuk. Survive 30 days and nights in a zombie-infested world by recruiting companions, upgrading weaponry and fortifying your position.
Teslagrad
A journey begins... A treacherous tower... Unravel its mysteries!Discover the secrets kept in the long abandoned Tesla Tower!Magnetism and other electromagnetic powers will help you explore a non-linear world of beautiful hand-drawn environments, in a steampunk-inspired vision of old Europe.
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...
Speedball 2 HD
Speedball 2 HD is a modern reincarnation on the classic, futuristic cyberpunk sports game Speedball, originally developed by the Bitmap Brothers and first released for the Atari ST in 1990. A brutal mix of handball and ice hockey placed at break-neck pace.
Savant - Ascent
A malicious orb has cast Savant out of his tower and transformed his surroundings into dangerous enemies!Dodge and shoot your way back up the tower, and blast down waves of enemies as you make your way towards the top! As you progress, you unlock CDs that not only give you new tracks to play to, but also grant you powerful new abilities!
Mutant Mudds Deluxe
Love pixels? Fond of platformers? Is there a special place in your heart for the 8-bit and 16-bit era? Want to have fun? Yes!? Well, you’ve come to the right place, my friend. Mutant Mudds Deluxe is a “12-bit” action platformer full of pixels and platforming fun!
The Shivah
Russell Stone is a Jewish Rabbi at a poor synagogue in New York City. He is a devout man with a problem. Membership is way down and he lacks the funds to keep his synagogue open. Things are looking very bleak, and he has grown progressively more cynical and bitter with the passage of time.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 19th 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 674 peak concurrent players over the last day.
8.7
7,059
811
674
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 307 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
307
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 170 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
170
players
4. 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 141 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played retro games.
8.9
13,288
1,311
141
players
5. 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 133 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played retro games.
8.8
7,770
770
133
players
6. 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. With 114 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played retro games.
9.5
22,604
622
114
players
7. 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 111 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played retro games.
9.2
24,272
1,626
111
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
86
players
10. Mega Man X Legacy Collection
Mega Man X Legacy Collection includes the legendary 16-bit titles and the series’ exciting foray into the 32-bit era: Mega Man X, Mega Man X2, Mega Man X3, and Mega Man X4. Test your skills in the new X Challenge mode, which pits players against two deadly bosses at once. Mega Man X Legacy Collection is a action, platformer and classic game developed and published by CAPCOM CO. and LTD. Released on July 24th 2018 has received 4,137 reviews of which 3,202 were positive and 935 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.5 out of 10. The game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played retro games.
7.5
3,202
935
83
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 19th 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 19th 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 674 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
674
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
86
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
30
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
18
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
11
players
7. 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 #7 spot among the most played free retro games on Steam.
9.0
5,267
402
9
players
8. 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 #8 spot among the most played free retro games on Steam.
8.8
1,269
91
6
players
9. 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 #9 spot among the most played free retro games on Steam.
7.6
822
207
4
players
10. Missing Hiker
Missing Hiker is a short indie horror game, where your brother Ethan went missing while hiking and you need to find him. Missing Hiker is a horror, free to play and psychological horror game developed and published by Gemezl. Released on February 14th 2023 has received 3,268 reviews of which 2,800 were positive and 468 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.3 out of 10. The game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played free retro games on Steam.
8.3
2,800
468
3
players