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
Nomad Survival
Battle against hordes of enemies, conquer Boss encounters, and explore various character and skill combinations in this time-based auto-attacking Roguelite in your quest to become stronger and defeat the most menacing of creatures that lay in wait at the end of each run.
Bombergrounds: Reborn
BOMBERGROUNDS: Immerse in a free-to-play massive multiplayer action-packed arena inspired by classic bomber games. Dash, bomb, bat, and explode your way to victory. Your realm of relentless arcade action is just a click away—dive in and rule the grounds!
The Excavation of Hob's Barrow
The Excavation of Hob's Barrow is a folk horror narrative-driven adventure. Explore the isolated moors of rural Victorian England as you uncover the mysteries of Hob's Barrow. The answers lie in the soil...
Dome Keeper
Defend against waves of alien attackers in this innovative roguelike survival miner. Dig for resources and choose from powerful upgrade paths. Is there enough time to mine a little deeper and get back to defend before the monsters attack your dome?
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.
Shovel Knight Dig
Meet new friends and foes, visit strange lands, and outfit yourself in your quest to keep the entire land from collapsing underfoot! Jump, slash, and dig your way down an ever-changing chasm of mystery in Shovel Knight Dig, an all-new Shovel Knight adventure!
INCISION
All old-school FPS action. No Bullshit. Lots of blood & gore. Slaughter your way through nightmarish industrial mazes, transformed cityscapes and surreal alien structures to cut down the Growth in this ultraviolent, fast-paced, and merciless retro-styled first person shooter.
Plunder Panic
Chaotic Party Arr-cade Action for up to 12 players! Be the first to plunder all the treasure, sink the enemy ship, or defeat their captain. Featuring local & online play, crossplay, 18 stages, 30+ modify-arrs, and a single-player campaign!
Idle Skilling
Idle Skilling is the ultimate Idle Game with years of content! Meant to be played for 5-10 minutes a day, you gradually unlock new skills like mining, fishing, pet breeding, crusading, potion-making, lab-research, construction, and more! With new updates coming, you'll never run out of stuff to do!
Night At the Gates of Hell
From the sick mind behind Bloodwash, Jordan King, comes his latest experiment in terror. Inspired by the Italian zombie flicks from Lucio Fulci and Bruno Mattei, Night of the Gates of Hell promises to be a blood dripping, neon soaked, flesh rotting experience.
Freedom Planet 2
The fast paced platforming of Freedom Planet returns! Become a full-time cartoon heroine and use abilities and items suited to your play style to explore the world of Avalice and defend its animal citizens!
Little Orpheus
This definitive edition of the multiple-award-winning hit by master storytellers The Chinese Room is remastered for the big screen and includes all bonus content of the original. A HERO WILL EMERGE!
I Am Sakuya: Touhou FPS Game
Dodge bullets, shoot enemies and even stop time as you navigate through 15 beautiful levels in this perfect blend of bullet hell and FPS. Uncover the origins of Sakuya Izayoi's past and investigate the mansion where the scarlet vampires resides in this Touhou Project Fangame!
Gloomwood
Trapped in a dark, Victorian city consumed by an ancient curse, you must plan your survival and daring escape using nothing but stealth, an arsenal of eccentric weapons, and your wit in this haunting adventure inspired by the immersive sims and survival horror greats of the late 90s and early 2000s.
Ashen Empires
Ashen Empires is a classic MMORPG set in the fantasy world of Dransik. Dransik has been besieged by the sinister forces of Talazar, preying on mortals. Play with your friends, battle your foes, complete quests, defeat powerful bosses, pursue tradeskills in a player-driven market. Play YOUR way!
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Cowabunga Collection
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Cowabunga Collection contains thirteen prior released classic games. This collection is a great place for gamers to experience these popular titles on Steam.
PAC-MAN WORLD Re-PAC
PAC-MAN arrives home on his birthday to find the Ghosts have kidnapped PAC-MAN’s family and ruined his party! Off to the rescue, PAC-MAN sets out to Ghost Island!
Force Reboot
Force Reboot is a fast-paced FPS with rogue-lite elements. Force Reboot is entirely focused on nonstop gameplay. You need to get past all of the rooms as fast as you can.
MergeCrafter
Welcome to the magical world of Runaria! Explore dungeons, chop trees, mine rocks, and discover hidden treasure! Merge identical items to create valuable resources, Craft new tools and upgrade them with powerful enchantments! Setup passive mining drills and tree farms to rebuild your camp!
Tribal Hunter
An action platformer with size-changing mechanics. Be quick and nimble or large and in-charge!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 May 01st 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 7,908 reviews of which 7,095 were positive and 813 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 527 peak concurrent players over the last day.
8.7
7,095
813
527
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 6,110 reviews of which 5,852 were positive and 258 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.3 out of 10. While seeing 230 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #2 among retro games based on player count.
9.3
5,852
258
230
players
3. Golden Lap
Step into the polished shoes of a racing team manager in the heart-stirring Golden Era of motorsport where every decision can lead to glory or gravel. With sleek minimalist charm and deep strategic gameplay, Golden Lap offers a unique experience in the motorsport management genre. Golden Lap is a simulation, management and racing game developed by Funselektor Labs Inc. and Strelka Games and published by Funselektor Labs Inc.. Released on September 26th 2024 has received 353 reviews of which 309 were positive and 44 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.1 out of 10. While seeing 212 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #3 among retro games based on player count.
8.1
309
44
212
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 25,924 reviews of which 24,299 were positive and 1,625 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.2 out of 10. With 147 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played retro games.
9.2
24,299
1,625
147
players
5. 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 2,079 reviews of which 1,449 were positive and 630 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.8 out of 10. With 107 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played retro games.
6.8
1,449
630
107
players
6. 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 11,783 reviews of which 10,912 were positive and 871 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.0 out of 10. With 105 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played retro games.
9.0
10,912
871
105
players
7. Sonic Origins
Experience the collected adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog in Sonic Origins Plus! With 16 legendary Sonic titles, including 12 Game Gear games, new playable characters, modes, challenges, behind-the-scenes content, and more, this is the definitive way to play these classic games! Sonic Origins is a action, adventure and 2d platformer game developed by Sonic Team and published by SEGA. Released on June 22nd 2022 has received 4,776 reviews of which 3,461 were positive and 1,315 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.1 out of 10. With 104 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played retro games.
7.1
3,461
1,315
104
players
8. 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 4,144 reviews of which 3,212 were positive and 932 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.5 out of 10. The game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played retro games.
7.5
3,212
932
88
players
9. 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 29,071 reviews of which 27,994 were positive and 1,077 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.4 out of 10. The game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played retro games.
9.4
27,994
1,077
77
players
10. 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 8,651 reviews of which 7,875 were positive and 776 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.8 out of 10. The game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played retro games.
8.8
7,875
776
77
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 May 01st 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 7,473 reviews of which 6,947 were positive and 526 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
6,947
526
-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 1,384 reviews of which 1,280 were positive and 104 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
1,280
104
-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 1,613 reviews of which 1,257 were positive and 356 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
1,257
356
-94%
23.83€
1.43€
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 1,756 reviews of which 1,540 were positive and 216 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
1,540
216
-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. UBERMOSH Vol.5
The fifth volume of the arcade series UBERMOSH. UBERMOSH Vol.5 is a indie, action and arcade game developed and published by Walter Machado. Released on May 25th 2017 has received 341 reviews of which 321 were positive and 20 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
321
20
-90%
4.99€
0.49€
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 2,009 reviews of which 1,713 were positive and 296 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
296
-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 1,962 reviews of which 1,667 were positive and 295 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
1,667
295
-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 5,567 reviews of which 4,602 were positive and 965 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
4,602
965
-90%
15.30€
1.53€
10. Dread Templar
Dread Templar is a fast-paced hardcore old-school FPS, combining classic 90s shooter and modern FPS elements. Unlock and combine dozens of weapon upgrades and skills, embrace the Dread Force and obliterate hordes of fiendish enemies. Become the scariest thing in hell and get your revenge! Dread Templar is a boomer shooter, fps and retro game developed by T19 Games and published by Fulqrum Publishing. Released on January 26th 2023 has received 1,484 reviews of which 1,241 were positive and 243 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.0 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 89% discount, this title has earned the #10 position in the best deals for retro games.
8.0
1,241
243
-89%
19.73€
2.17€
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 May 01st 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 7,908 reviews of which 7,095 were positive and 813 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.7 out of 10. With 527 active players enjoying it for free, this strategy game has reached the #1 spot among the top free retro games on Steam.
8.7
7,095
813
527
players
2. 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 2,079 reviews of which 1,449 were positive and 630 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.8 out of 10. Thanks to its free to play tag and a daily player base of 107, this retro game has secured the #2 spot in the ranking of free retro games on Steam.
6.8
1,449
630
107
players
3. 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 11,783 reviews of which 10,912 were positive and 871 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.0 out of 10. Thanks to its free to play tag and a daily player base of 105, this retro game has secured the #3 spot in the ranking of free retro games on Steam.
9.0
10,912
871
105
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 2,064 reviews of which 1,986 were positive and 78 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
1,986
78
17
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 1,663 reviews of which 1,590 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
1,590
73
14
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 750 reviews of which 682 were positive and 68 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
682
68
8
players
7. 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 1,359 reviews of which 1,269 were positive and 90 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.8 out of 10. The game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played free retro games on Steam.
8.8
1,269
90
4
players
8. 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 1,034 reviews of which 827 were positive and 207 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.6 out of 10. The game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played free retro games on Steam.
7.6
827
207
4
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 5,670 reviews of which 5,268 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
5,268
402
3
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 3,280 reviews of which 2,810 were positive and 470 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
2,810
470
3
players