Best Nostalgia games on Steam
Unlike generic lists, our strategy game recommendations use a rigorous analysis of Steam user reviews to identify and feature only the best, community-validated nostalgia games. For those who prefer not to search, lists of the most played and best free nostalgia games are available at the bottom of the page.
Filters & Lists
The Disney Afternoon Collection
Starring a cast of beloved Disney characters, The Disney Afternoon Collection takes you back to a golden era of gaming and afternoons filled with adventure. All six classic games feature new and improved visuals and include filtering options that replicate a retro look and feel.
Poi
Poi is a 3D platformer featuring two kids on a grand adventure to unravel the mysteries of the Milky Way Globe. Explore uncharted lands, compete in challenge levels, meet quirky characters and defeat comical creatures on a journey to become a Master Explorer.
TY the Tasmanian Tiger
G'day, Mate. Explore the wilds of Australia with TY the Tasmanian Tiger, the charming Aussie platformer.
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.
Trove
Grab your friends, hone your blades, and set off for an epic procedurally generated adventure in Trove! Battle the Shadow in realms filled with dungeons and items created by your fellow players. Whether hunting treasure or building realms of your own, it’s never been this good to be square!
Streets of Fury EX
Fight the gangs of Paris in this action packed Beat'Em up. Up to 4 players can join in, to cooperate, or fight against each other! Many unlockables, game modes, crazy combos and devastating furies await you in this deep fighting game.
Chip's Challenge 1
Before Chip can join the Bit Busters computer club and hang out with the girl of his dreams, Melinda the Mental Marvel, he must solve all 144 challenging puzzles. Your bird's-eye view can help Chip rush through the puzzles and mazes before he's deleted by monsters, traps and the passage of time.
Disney•Pixar Cars
Play as Lightning McQueen, a rookie racecar looking to win fame and fortune at the Piston Cup Championship, in the video game adaptation of Disney•Pixar's Cars.
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.
Quake Live
Experience the most exciting and fast-paced FPS gameplay while competing with players from around the world in over 100 arenas, a dozen game modes, and with persistent career stats tracking, in this online features-focused successor to Quake III Arena.
Putt-Putt® Saves The Zoo
Today's the grand opening of the Cartown Zoo, and there's still so much to do: zoo chow is running low, and all the baby animals are missing.
Rise of Nations: Extended Edition
Rise of Nations is back! Play the updated classic with full Steamworks integration and enhanced features!
RollerCoaster Tycoon®: Deluxe
One of the best games from acclaimed Tycoon series, with well designed gameplay mechanics, appealing graphics, and really high re-playability value. There’s no limit to what you can create so design and build the most thrilling roller coaster the world has ever seen!
RollerCoaster Tycoon® 2: Triple Thrill Pack
This compilation includes the entire RollerCoaster Tycoon 2 series, with the original game as well as the Time Twister and Wacky Worlds expansions.
Pajama Sam 3: You Are What You Eat From Your Head To Your Feet
Pajama Sam chases down some snickering cookies, only to find himself in the midst of a food squabble!
Freddi Fish 3: The Case of the Stolen Conch Shell
The Great Conch Shell has been stolen and it's up to Freddi Fish and Luther to catch the culprit!
Putt-Putt® Travels Through Time
Mr. Firebird's time machine has gone haywire and Putt-Putt's® best pal Pep, is lost somewhere in time.
Age of Mythology: Extended Edition
Age of Mythology is back! Choose your god and take to the battlefield in this classic, upgraded with full Steamworks integration and enhanced features.
Pajama Sam 2: Thunder And Lightning Aren't So Frightening
Join Pajama Sam, the world's youngest superhero as he journeys to World Wide Weather, the storm-stirring factory in the sky!
Freddi Fish 2: The Case of the Haunted Schoolhouse
So who is haunting the schoolhouse, taking the toys and practically scaring the scales off all the guppies?
Street Racing Syndicate
The raw, high-stakes world of illegal street racing comes to life in Street Racing Syndicate. Trick out over 40 authentic licensed cars with parts from over 15 real-world manufacturers, then turn your customized ride loose on the streets of 3 cities across the USA.
RC Cars
R.C. Cars is an exciting arcade racing game featuring the world of highly realistic toy radio controlled cars. Jump, accelerate, perform acrobatic feats in the air, and bounce on big hummocks, pits and bumps while contending with opponents for victory.Most played nostalgia games on Steam
Take a look at the top nostalgia games that are currently attracting the largest player bases on the Steam platform, as of April 30th 2025.
1. Old School RuneScape
The best retro fantasy MMORPG on the planet. Old School is RuneScape but… older! This is the open world you know and love, but as it was in 2007. Saying that, it’s even better than that – Old School is shaped by you, its players, with regular new content, fixes and expansions voted for by the fans! Old School RuneScape is a mmorpg, free to play and nostalgia game developed and published by Jagex Ltd. Released on February 24th 2021 has received 18,161 reviews of which 15,073 were positive and 3,088 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.1 out of 10. The game has hit the top spot as the #1 most played nostalgia game, thanks to its 1,105 peak concurrent players over the last day.
8.1
15,073
3,088
1,105
players
2. Putt-Putt® Saves The Zoo
Today's the grand opening of the Cartown Zoo, and there's still so much to do: zoo chow is running low, and all the baby animals are missing. Putt-Putt® Saves The Zoo is a adventure, family friendly and casual game developed by Humongous Entertainment and published by Humongous Entertainment and Nightdive Studios. Released on July 03rd 2014 has received 744 reviews of which 720 were positive and 24 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.0 out of 10. The game currently holds the #2 spot among the most played nostalgia games.
9.0
720
24
28
players
3. Pirate101
Assemble your ragtag crew and prepare to plunder the skyways in search of the legendary map to El Dorado! Danger lurks around every corner as you outsmart clockwork soldiers, uncover hidden mysteries, and unleash powerful combos in this pirate turn-based tactics MMORPG. Pirate101 is a mmorpg, turn-based tactics and grid-based movement game developed by KingsIsle Entertainment and published by KingsIsle Entertainment and gamigo group. Released on May 31st 2023 has received 371 reviews of which 306 were positive and 65 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.7 out of 10. The game currently holds the #3 spot among the most played nostalgia games.
7.7
306
65
19
players
4. Pajama Sam: No Need to Hide When It's Dark Outside
There's no reason to be afraid of the dark. Fed up with his fear of the dark, Sam transforms himself into Pajama Sam - world's youngest superhero and resolves to confront Darkness! With help from King the mine car, Otto the boat, and a host of fascinating characters. Pajama Sam: No Need to Hide When It's Dark Outside is a point & click, adventure and nostalgia game developed by Humongous Entertainment and published by Humongous Entertainment and Nightdive Studios. Released on April 17th 2014 has received 1,229 reviews of which 1,199 were positive and 30 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.2 out of 10. The game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played nostalgia games.
9.2
1,199
30
13
players
5. Freddi Fish 2: The Case of the Haunted Schoolhouse
So who is haunting the schoolhouse, taking the toys and practically scaring the scales off all the guppies? Freddi Fish 2: The Case of the Haunted Schoolhouse is a adventure, casual and family friendly game developed by Humongous Entertainment and published by Humongous Entertainment and Nightdive Studios. Released on May 01st 2014 has received 301 reviews of which 294 were positive and 7 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.9 out of 10. The game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played nostalgia games.
8.9
294
7
13
players
6. Putt-Putt® Travels Through Time
Mr. Firebird's time machine has gone haywire and Putt-Putt's® best pal Pep, is lost somewhere in time. Putt-Putt® Travels Through Time is a adventure, casual and point & click game developed by Humongous Entertainment and published by Humongous Entertainment and Nightdive Studios. Released on May 15th 2014 has received 342 reviews of which 322 were positive and 20 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.7 out of 10. The game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played nostalgia games.
8.7
322
20
13
players
7. Pajama Sam 2: Thunder And Lightning Aren't So Frightening
Join Pajama Sam, the world's youngest superhero as he journeys to World Wide Weather, the storm-stirring factory in the sky! Pajama Sam 2: Thunder And Lightning Aren't So Frightening is a adventure, casual and point & click game developed by Humongous Entertainment and published by Humongous Entertainment and Nightdive Studios. Released on May 01st 2014 has received 331 reviews of which 325 were positive and 6 were negative resulting in a rating of 9.0 out of 10. The game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played nostalgia games.
9.0
325
6
11
players
8. Freddi Fish and the Case of the Missing Kelp Seeds
Help underwater detective Freddi Fish and her finny friend Luther solve the case. Explore underwater caves, deep canyons and colorful reefs, and discover fascinating places like King Crab's Castle and A Sunken Ship Out of Time, in an effort to save the reef. Freddi Fish and the Case of the Missing Kelp Seeds is a point & click, adventure and family friendly game developed by Humongous Entertainment and published by Humongous Entertainment and Nightdive Studios. Released on April 17th 2014 has received 665 reviews of which 644 were positive and 21 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.0 out of 10. The game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played nostalgia games.
9.0
644
21
10
players
9. Pajama Sam 3: You Are What You Eat From Your Head To Your Feet
Pajama Sam chases down some snickering cookies, only to find himself in the midst of a food squabble! Pajama Sam 3: You Are What You Eat From Your Head To Your Feet is a adventure, casual and point & click game developed by Humongous Entertainment and published by Humongous Entertainment and Nightdive Studios. Released on May 15th 2014 has received 393 reviews of which 381 were positive and 12 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.9 out of 10. The game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played nostalgia games.
8.9
381
12
10
players
10. Putt-Putt® Joins the Parade
What does it take to be in a parade? Hard work, a bright shiny chassis and a little help from your friends. Putt-Putt® Joins the Parade is a adventure, point & click and nostalgia game developed by Humongous Entertainment and published by Humongous Entertainment and Nightdive Studios. Released on April 17th 2014 has received 324 reviews of which 303 were positive and 21 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. The game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played nostalgia games.
8.6
303
21
7
players
Free nostalgia games on Steam
Check out this fantastic list of free-to-play nostalgia games you can enjoy on Steam right now, updated on April 30th 2025. Looking for even more free titles? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of free to play nostalgia games.
1. Old School RuneScape
The best retro fantasy MMORPG on the planet. Old School is RuneScape but… older! This is the open world you know and love, but as it was in 2007. Saying that, it’s even better than that – Old School is shaped by you, its players, with regular new content, fixes and expansions voted for by the fans! Old School RuneScape is a mmorpg, free to play and nostalgia game developed and published by Jagex Ltd. Released on February 24th 2021 has received 18,161 reviews of which 15,073 were positive and 3,088 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.1 out of 10. With 1,105 active players enjoying it for free, this strategy game has reached the #1 spot among the top free nostalgia games on Steam.
8.1
15,073
3,088
1,105
players
2. Pirate101
Assemble your ragtag crew and prepare to plunder the skyways in search of the legendary map to El Dorado! Danger lurks around every corner as you outsmart clockwork soldiers, uncover hidden mysteries, and unleash powerful combos in this pirate turn-based tactics MMORPG. Pirate101 is a mmorpg, turn-based tactics and grid-based movement game developed by KingsIsle Entertainment and published by KingsIsle Entertainment and gamigo group. Released on May 31st 2023 has received 371 reviews of which 306 were positive and 65 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.7 out of 10. The game currently holds the #2 spot among the most played free nostalgia games on Steam.
7.7
306
65
19
players