Best 1980s 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 1980s games. For those who prefer not to search, lists of the most played, top deals and best free 1980s games are available at the bottom of the page.
Filters & Lists
UnMetal
UnMetal is a 2D stealth action-adventure that pays homage to the classics with a healthy dose of humor and satire. You play as Jesse Fox, who is definitely NOT an elite commando, under arrest for a crime he didn't commit, and must escape a covert military base using his wits and fists.
Bright Lights of Svetlov
Bright Lights of Svetlov is a short, story-focused first person quest about a Soviet family facing harsh trials. Set in a fictional provincial town, it carefuly recreates the atmosphere and vibe of mid 1980s.
Bot Wars
Bot Wars is an action RTS about managing a squad of kill-bots and their bases as you work to take over all the capture points across the map. Featuring corporate kill bot armies, ranging from a firearms and beverage manufacturer to a lovecraftian burger cult.
Lake
It's 1986 - Meredith Weiss takes a break from her career in the big city to deliver mail in her hometown. How will she experience two weeks in beautiful Providence Oaks, with its iconic lake and quirky community? And what will she do next? It's up to you.
Blaster Master Zero 3
The Pinnacle of Mutant Blasting Action Is Here! — Blaster Master Zero 3's hybrid of sidescrolling and top-down action is back for its 3rd chapter, and more intense than ever before!
Wrestling Empire
The lightweight champion of wrestling comes full circle with higher resolution visuals and a smoother frame rate - whilst still retaining the retro style that puts the fun first! Now featuring whole other booking & roaming modes at no extra cost for the biggest Triple Threat in wrestling.
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!
Tennis Elbow 4
Created by and for tennis fans, Tennis Elbow 4 is the sequel of TE2013, and offers a tennis simulation with an easy and intuitive learning curve, but with exceptional gameplay depth.
Astalon: Tears of the Earth
Uphold your pact with the Titan of Death, Epimetheus! Fight, climb and solve your way through a twisted tower as three unique adventurers, on a mission to save their village from impending doom!
Ghosts 'n Goblins Resurrection
Watch as this nostalgic yet completely reimagined storybook world unravels before your very eyes. Taking cues from both Ghosts 'n Goblins and Ghouls 'n Ghosts and giving birth to something entirely new, Resurrection is a title worthy of its name.
HUNTDOWN
In the mayhem-filled streets of the future where criminal gangs rule and cops fear to tread, only the bounty hunters can free the city from the corrupt fist of felony. Lay waste to the criminal underworld and make a killing in this hard boiled action comedy arcade shooter.
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!
Evo\Wave
Evo\Wave is a 3D platformer featuring LAI-6, an A.I. with a goal to restore the world following the passage of MagnaVex who brought the world back to a retro era. Repair the Evo\Core to progress through the different graphic periods of the video game history!
Buddy Simulator 1984
Thanks to next generation AI technology, BUDDY SIMULATOR 1984 simulates the experience of hanging out with a best buddy! Your buddy learns from you, constantly adapting to your interests and personality. But most importantly, your buddy can play games with you!
Tiny Toy Tanks
In Tiny Toy Tanks you are in control of a small blue tank. Your Goal is to destroy all the opposing tanks in 40+ hand crafted levels. Opposing tanks have different AI with different strengths and weaknesses. Moreover, every level has many other mechanics like TNT, Magnets and more.
80's OVERDRIVE
80's OVERDRIVE is a 2D pixelart racing game, designed to take you back in time to when 8 and 16 bit consoles and arcade games ruled the world. Compete against opponents in career mode to unlock new races, buy new cars and upgrade them with state-of-the-art technologies!
Möbius Front '83
Defend America from an alternate-universe America using state-of-the-art 1980s military hardware in this intricate and tactical turn-based strategy game.
Murder House
A local news team breaks into an abandoned house to chase a salacious ghost story... until a MANIAC chases them! ...VHS era 80's slasher. PS1 style survival horror!
Liquidators
Chernobyl, USSR, 1986. Three nuclear plant workers go on a daring mission to prevent a radioactive fallout that would affect half of Europe. Every moment is permanent, and all is at stake.
Most played 1980s games on Steam
Take a look at the top 1980s games that are currently attracting the largest player bases on the Steam platform, as of June 16th 2025.
1. 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 2,045 reviews of which 1,744 were positive and 301 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.2 out of 10. The game currently holds the #1 spot among the most played 1980s games.
8.2
1,744
301
47
players
2. Not For Broadcast
A new political Party has won a landslide in the General Election, and for some reason the editor at the news station you work at has done a runner. Now it’s up to you, the Janitor, to take over the editing booth in this tumultuous time - will you help the government, or stand in their way? Not For Broadcast is a adventure, 1980s and choices matter game developed by NotGames and published by tinyBuild. Released on January 25th 2022 has received 11,584 reviews of which 10,897 were positive and 687 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.1 out of 10. The game currently holds the #2 spot among the most played 1980s games.
9.1
10,897
687
35
players
3. Far Cry 3 - Blood Dragon
Far Cry® 3: Blood Dragon is THE Kick-Ass Cyber Shooter.Welcome to an 80’s vision of the future. The year is 2007 and you are Sargent Rex Colt, a Mark IV Cyber Commando. Your mission: get the girl, kill the baddies, and save the world. Far Cry 3 - Blood Dragon is a fps, 1980s and comedy game developed by Ubisoft Montreal and published by Ubisoft. Released on May 01st 2013 has received 17,734 reviews of which 15,566 were positive and 2,168 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. The game currently holds the #3 spot among the most played 1980s games.
8.6
15,566
2,168
35
players
4. Love, Money, Rock'n'Roll
Love, Money, Rock'n'Roll: the romanticism of the Eighties, mystery and intrigues, betrayal and sacrifice, hatred and passion — all this and more in the new game from the creators of the legendary visual novel Everlasting Summer! Love, Money, Rock'n'Roll is a visual novel, anime and 1980s game developed and published by Soviet Games. Released on August 04th 2022 has received 6,873 reviews of which 5,504 were positive and 1,369 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.8 out of 10. The game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played 1980s games.
7.8
5,504
1,369
25
players
5. Nitro Kid
Synthwave roguelike deckbuilder set in the neon 80's. Pick your agent. Build your deck. Hit card combos and fight through the floors of INFINITY tower. Featuring 30+ fresh Synthwave tracks by LudoWic, Tonebox and Jules Reves. Nitro Kid is a indie, roguelike deckbuilder and isometric game developed by Wildboy Studios and published by tinyBuild. Released on October 18th 2022 has received 484 reviews of which 430 were positive and 54 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.3 out of 10. The game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played 1980s games.
8.3
430
54
11
players
6. Retrowave
Neon lights, palm trees, synthwave, '80s supercars speeding down an endless highway... Welcome to the world of Retrowave! Retrowave is a racing, 1980s and indie game developed and published by RewindApp. Released on May 06th 2022 has received 15,207 reviews of which 14,516 were positive and 691 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.3 out of 10. The game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played 1980s games.
9.3
14,516
691
9
players
7. 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! Double Dragon: Neon is a beat 'em up, co-op and great soundtrack game developed by WayForward and Abstraction Games and published by Midnight City and Majesco Entertainment. Released on February 06th 2014 has received 2,477 reviews of which 1,909 were positive and 568 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.5 out of 10. The game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played 1980s games.
7.5
1,909
568
6
players
8. Murder House
A local news team breaks into an abandoned house to chase a salacious ghost story... until a MANIAC chases them! ...VHS era 80's slasher. PS1 style survival horror! Murder House is a horror, 1980s and retro game developed and published by Puppet Combo. Released on October 22nd 2020 has received 2,139 reviews of which 2,049 were positive and 90 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.1 out of 10. The game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played 1980s games.
9.1
2,049
90
5
players
9. Indiana Jones® and the Last Crusade™
Europe, 1938: The lost Ark was just a warm-up! Now Adolf Hitler is after the most powerful talisman of all - the Holy Grail. A few brave men stand in his way. Fortunately, one of them is Indiana Jones, and this time he has his dad with him. Indiana Jones® and the Last Crusade™ is a point & click, adventure and classic game developed by LucasArts and published by LucasArts, Lucasfilm and Disney. Released on July 08th 2009 has received 348 reviews of which 273 were positive and 75 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.4 out of 10. The game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played 1980s games.
7.4
273
75
4
players
10. I am not a Monster: First Contact
Retro sci-fi tactical turn-based strategy with an exciting storyline. The Albatross space liner is overrun by lizard-like monsters that can infect humans and turn them into their own kind. Save the passengers and defeat the hostile creatures. I am not a Monster: First Contact is a turn-based tactics, strategy and sci-fi game developed by Cheerdealers and published by Alawar. Released on September 27th 2018 has received 1,259 reviews of which 967 were positive and 292 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.4 out of 10. The game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played 1980s games.
7.4
967
292
3
players
Best deals on 1980s games on Steam
Discover fantastic savings with the best discounts on a variety of 1980s games available on Steam right now, updated on June 16th 2025. Looking for even more deals? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of discounted 1980s games.
1. Nitro Kid
Synthwave roguelike deckbuilder set in the neon 80's. Pick your agent. Build your deck. Hit card combos and fight through the floors of INFINITY tower. Featuring 30+ fresh Synthwave tracks by LudoWic, Tonebox and Jules Reves. Nitro Kid is a indie, roguelike deckbuilder and isometric game developed by Wildboy Studios and published by tinyBuild. Released on October 18th 2022 has received 484 reviews of which 430 were positive and 54 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.3 out of 10. Featuring a massive 99% discount, this game currently holds the #1 spot in the best deals for 1980s category.
8.3
430
54
-99%
19.50€
0.35€
2. Not For Broadcast
A new political Party has won a landslide in the General Election, and for some reason the editor at the news station you work at has done a runner. Now it’s up to you, the Janitor, to take over the editing booth in this tumultuous time - will you help the government, or stand in their way? Not For Broadcast is a adventure, 1980s and choices matter game developed by NotGames and published by tinyBuild. Released on January 25th 2022 has received 11,584 reviews of which 10,897 were positive and 687 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.1 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 98% discount, this game is now the #2 best deal in 1980s games.
9.1
10,897
687
-98%
24.50€
0.52€
3. Neon Drive
Neon Drive is a slick retro-futuristic, '80s inspired arcade game that will make your brain melt. You've been warned.From beautiful cityscapes and ocean roads to exploding enemy spaceships, Neon Drive has it all. Neon Drive is a 1980s, retro and great soundtrack game developed and published by Fraoula. Released on May 12th 2016 has received 2,093 reviews of which 1,748 were positive and 345 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.0 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 94% discount, this game is now the #3 best deal in 1980s games.
8.0
1,748
345
-94%
9.99€
0.66€
4. 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! Double Dragon: Neon is a beat 'em up, co-op and great soundtrack game developed by WayForward and Abstraction Games and published by Midnight City and Majesco Entertainment. Released on February 06th 2014 has received 2,477 reviews of which 1,909 were positive and 568 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.5 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 94% discount, this title has earned the #4 position in the best deals for 1980s games.
7.5
1,909
568
-94%
9.75€
0.65€
5. 198X
Part 1 of arcade epic 198X. A coming-of-age story told through multiple games and genres. Experience the thrill of shooting, driving, jumping, fighting and role-playing in 5 full-blown arcade stages – combined with cinematic pixel-art storytelling. 198X is a indie, retro and pixel graphics game developed and published by Hi-Bit Studios. Released on June 20th 2019 has received 2,070 reviews of which 1,574 were positive and 496 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.3 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 94% discount, this title has earned the #5 position in the best deals for 1980s games.
7.3
1,574
496
-94%
9.99€
0.67€
6. Saturday Morning RPG
Saturday Morning RPG is an episodic JRPG set in world heavily inspired by 1980s Saturday morning cartoons and pop culture. Saturday Morning RPG is a rpg, indie and turn-based game developed by Mighty Rabbit Studios and published by Critical Depth. Released on January 29th 2014 has received 539 reviews of which 413 were positive and 126 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.3 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 94% discount, this title has earned the #6 position in the best deals for 1980s games.
7.3
413
126
-94%
6.99€
0.42€
7. Atari 50: The Anniversary Celebration
Atari 50: The Anniversary Celebration takes players on an interactive journey through 50 years of video games via interviews with designers, developers and industry leaders, documentary footage, product design documents, high-res original artwork, and a curated list of more than 90 playable games. Atari 50: The Anniversary Celebration is a retro, 1980s and shoot 'em up game developed by Digital Eclipse and published by Atari. Released on November 11th 2022 has received 413 reviews of which 382 were positive and 31 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 93% discount, this title has earned the #7 position in the best deals for 1980s games.
8.6
382
31
-93%
33.99€
2.39€
8. Gold Rush! Classic
Gold Rush! takes you back to the year 1849, when gold was discovered in California. It was certainly one of the most exciting times in American history. Gold Rush! includes the three routes tens of thousands took to the gold regions. Become Jerrod Wilson and experience each trek as you travel from New York to California. Gold Rush! Classic is a adventure, action and pixel graphics game developed by The Software Farm, Sunlight Games and Sierra Entertainment and published by Sunlight Games. Released on July 25th 2014 has received 407 reviews of which 293 were positive and 114 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.8 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 92% discount, this title has earned the #8 position in the best deals for 1980s games.
6.8
293
114
-92%
2.99€
0.24€
9. I am not a Monster: First Contact
Retro sci-fi tactical turn-based strategy with an exciting storyline. The Albatross space liner is overrun by lizard-like monsters that can infect humans and turn them into their own kind. Save the passengers and defeat the hostile creatures. I am not a Monster: First Contact is a turn-based tactics, strategy and sci-fi game developed by Cheerdealers and published by Alawar. Released on September 27th 2018 has received 1,259 reviews of which 967 were positive and 292 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.4 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 91% discount, this title has earned the #9 position in the best deals for 1980s games.
7.4
967
292
-91%
10.79€
1.00€
10. Retrowave
Neon lights, palm trees, synthwave, '80s supercars speeding down an endless highway... Welcome to the world of Retrowave! Retrowave is a racing, 1980s and indie game developed and published by RewindApp. Released on May 06th 2022 has received 15,207 reviews of which 14,516 were positive and 691 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.3 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 85% discount, this title has earned the #10 position in the best deals for 1980s games.
9.3
14,516
691
-85%
2.99€
0.46€
Free 1980s games on Steam
Check out this fantastic list of free-to-play 1980s games you can enjoy on Steam right now, updated on June 16th 2025. Looking for even more free titles? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of free to play 1980s games.
1. The Lancaster Leak - Entity Exam
YOU CONTROL THE FOUND FOOTAGE. Another tape has been leaked, this time a recording of a training protocol. By answering questions and resisting jumpscares, can you beat the Entity Exam? The Lancaster Leak - Entity Exam is a horror, action and text-based game developed by Jeremy Fischer and published by Jflyer Games. Released on February 05th 2024 has received 455 reviews of which 409 were positive and 46 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.4 out of 10. The game currently holds the #1 spot among the most played free 1980s games on Steam.
8.4
409
46
1
players
2. Mega Serval
Serval's friends are in danger and it's up to her to save the day! Progress through 12 action-packed platforming stages in this "Kemono Friends Project" derivative work! Mega Serval is a action, singleplayer and adventure game developed and published by Syaxamaphone. Released on November 30th 2022 has received 319 reviews of which 314 were positive and 5 were negative resulting in a rating of 9.0 out of 10. The game currently holds the #2 spot among the most played free 1980s games on Steam.
9.0
314
5