10 Best Retro Games: Exciting Blasts from the Past in 2026

The best retro games still have a way of pulling us back in, even with all the modern titles available today. There is something about their simplicity, challenge, and charm that just never gets old.

From the pixelated classics of the 80’s and 90’s to newer remakes that stay true to the originals, these games remind me how the industry grew into what it is now. They are not just about nostalgia either. Many of them are still genuinely fun to play today.

If you feel like revisiting some old favorites or trying them out for the first time, this list brings together 10 of the best retro games and their modern versions that I think are absolutely worth your time.

Our Top Picks for Retro Games

While each of the retro games on this list made huge names for themselves by creating video game history, some deserve special mention:

1. Pac-Man (1980/2016) – Eating pellets in a maze while running from ghosts makes for easy, addictive fun for literally everyone. 
2. The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (1991) – This Zelda game is a shining example of what makes the franchise so great.
3. Super Mario World (1991) – This SNES launch title elevated everything the NES Mario games did, and redefined platforming perfection.

And while these are the best of the best on this list, keep scrolling to see the full list of retro games here, as well as some more historical tidbits and great deals.

10 Best Retro Games That Still Hold Up Today

Narrowing down a massive pool of classics into a list of the best retro games was not easy. I looked beyond just popularity and nostalgia, considering how well each title still plays today, its impact on the industry, and how it has been received over time.

Some of these games have modern remakes that helped keep them relevant, while others remain timeless purely because of their design.

Now let’s get into the picks. How many of these classics have you played?

1. Pac-Man [The Arcade Icon That Started It All]

First up on this list is a game that predated even Mario’s debut: Pac-Man. This game was a massive commercial success (with over $14 billion made in 2016), and the eponymous yellow ball is now one of Bandai Namco’s faces and is frequently on the list of greatest games of all time.

You control Pac-Man, who must navigate a maze and eat all the pellets. Along the way, you’ll be chased by 4 ghosts (Blinky, Pinky, Inky, and Clyde), each of whom will move randomly, but at higher difficulties, they become much faster and attempt to cut off or preempt your moves. 

Pac-Man’s success came both from how addictive its gameplay was as well as how it was made to cater to as many gamers as possible. Lead designer Toru Iwatani wanted to make a game that would appeal to women and children, in contrast to the more masculine appeal of other games at the time. The rest, as they say, is history.

Even today, Pac-Man’s legacy is still strong. While Namco tried their hand at different genres such as platforming and action Pac-Man games, nothing beats the original. This gameplay is still incredibly strong today, as can be seen in 2016’s PAC-MAN 256, an endless take on the classic Pac-Man.

My Verdict: The original PAC-MAN epitomizes the simple yet highly addictive game design that dominated the early 80s, and it’s still very much worth playing today.

2. The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past [The Blueprint for Adventure Games]

The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past is a title I have a lot of history with, but in a nutshell, it utterly dominated my 8-year old gaming time. Mostly because my puzzle solving process involved banging my head against the metaphorical wall until something worked. I just couldn’t wrap my kid mind around how the parallel worlds mechanic worked.

This genre-defining action-adventure video game has Link once again embarking on a quest to save Hyrule from the evil Ganon. To do that, you’ll need to jump between two worlds: the bright and cheery Light World, and the gloomy, demented Dark World. On top of that, the addition of layered dungeons and a stronger story made this game truly remarkable.

Being just the third game in the series, A Link to the Past ran on the then cutting-edge SNES, meaning it was the first time that gamers could see Link’s adventures in 16-bit. Sure, it might not look like much now, but at the time, seeing Link’s non-pixelated sprite was mind-blowing.

My Verdict: A Link to the Past remains an incredible game, even today. If you’re looking for a starting point to play retro games, this is one title I would definitely recommend.

3. Super Mario World [Platforming Perfection on the SNES]

We can’t talk about retro games without talking about the Super Mario series. Regardless of what your stance on Nintendo is nowadays, the fact remains that Mario almost single-handedly saved the video game industry after the catastrophic crash of 1983.

Super Mario World was the series’ first foray onto the SNES, as well as a launch title, meaning the pressure was on to deliver a strong impression. And what an impression it was with its massive creative leap, combining fluid colors, colorful design, the introduction of Yoshi, and an utterly massive world bursting at the seams with secrets.

As with A Link to the Past, Super Mario World wasn’t just a smash game, but also set precedents for the franchise moving forward. While it’s still largely the same game today as it was back then (even on modern consoles), every Mario game builds upon its predecessors, and its tight design means that it doesn’t get old.

My Verdict: Super Mario World’s same-yet-fresh gameplay and memorable levels make it an excellent choice for anyone looking to play retro games.

4. Tetris [The Ultimate Retro Puzzle Game]

Next up is Tetris, a game that by all rights should have failed. Remember: this was released in 1985 at the height of the Cold War by Russian developer Alexey Pajitnov. Despite this, Tetris was just so dang good that it transcended geopolitical barriers and became one of the biggest names in the gaming world.

On paper, Tetris is a neat little puzzle game about stacking blocks that fall from the sky. Arrange them in a line and they vanish, but reach a certain height and you lose. It’s very zen and kind of hypnotic, really…until you start hitting the higher levels, at which point you’ll need to perform lightning-fast calculations and do tons of improvisation. 

While most games on this list had a clear path to modernization, it’s hard to improve on perfection. Thus, modern games in the franchise focus on adding new QOL, such as multiplayer with friends or randoms or difficulty options.

My Verdict: Tetris is a timeless classic that’s sure to entertain even modern gamers with its deceptively straightforward gameplay.

5. Sonic The Hedgehog 2 [Speed, Style, and Peak Retro Attitude]

Mario was undoubtedly a big hit, but some designers realized something important: Mario was too family-friendly. To capitalize on this, game designers Yuji Naka and Naoto Ohshima created Sonic, a spunky blue hedgehog who was cooler than Mario in every way one could think of.

As a direct competitor to Mario,Sonic the Hedgehog sought to outdo its rival not only in attitude, but also in gameplay. While both franchises are platformers, each of the great Sonic games distinguishes itself via blindingly fast and tremendously punchy gameplay, which I believe really matured starting from Sonic the Hedgehog 2.

While the technological advantage was bridged by the release of the SNES in 1991, Sonic successfully carved out his own niche and was largely to thank for Sega’s survival in the 16-bit console wars. These days, he’s more of a guest star in other games, but few will debate just how different he and his games were from the usual crowd back then.

One more thing I should point out: while a lot of Sonic games are available via the Sonic Origins collection, it is possible to buy single Sonic titles. These titles have also all been delisted, meaning that a single Sonic the Hedgehog 2 key is a very rare item indeed.

My Verdict: With its high-speed, dynamic gameplay as a perfect counterpoint to other games, Sonic the Hedgehog was a milestone in gaming and showed players just how the industry could evolve.

6. GoldenEye 007 [The Birth of Console FPS Multiplayer]

If you’ve never held an N64 controller, go ahead and look one up. Now, imagine using that clunky thing to play an FPS game. And yet people would willingly subject themselves to using it. That’s just how good GoldenEye 007 was.

GoldenEye follows the storyline of the James Bond movie of the same name. This first-person shooter incorporated both action and stealth to deliver the ultimate spy movie experience. While this was fun, it was GoldenEye’s multiplayer deathmatch mode that elevated it to legendary status and made it a social and technical landmark.

While the original GoldenEye was not without its faults, its success cannot be understated. And yes, FPS combat evolved outside of GoldenEye, but one can’t deny GoldenEye’s importance in pushing for cross-platform shooters, as well as just how enjoyable it is.

My Verdict: GoldenEye 007 revolutionized FPS games by its slick action and incredibly fun multiplayer mode.

7. Final Fantasy VI [Epic Retro Storytelling in Pixel Form]

Trust me: it was hard just picking out one Final Fantasy title for this list. But I decided that, since we’re going with retro, to take one step back from the ever-popular Final Fantasy VII and shed some light on the last 2D title: Final Fantasy VI. Yes, Kefka was a big part of this decision.

Unlike other Final Fantasy titles, this one stands out in the series for its much darker setting and more mature themes (such as tyranny, rebellion, arms races, and potentially world-ending weapons) compared to earlier games in the franchise.

This major paradigm shift in tone and story paid off immensely, and many agree that VI is one of the greatest Final Fantasy games of all time, a sentiment I fully agree with. While every Final Fantasy title is a great JRPG, there’s just something special about VI, with its grim setting, epic storytelling, and impeccable presentation.

My Verdict: Anyone looking to play retro games should take a deep dive into the Final Fantasy series, and Final Fantasy VI is a fantastic starting point.

8. DOOM [The Retro Game That Defined a Genre]

Now for another genre-defining FPS: DOOM. Few will debate just how big of a splash this classic FPS game had, and while the 2016 reboot which we’ll be talking about wasn’t as influential, it’s still every bit as hardcore as the original.

As with pretty much every retro game, DOOM doesn’t need much of a story. You play as Doomguy, a demon-killing space marine who’ll march from Mars to the bowels of Hell itself. All the while, you’ll shoot, blast, and gib demons of every sort in visceral, bloody combat. Simple, manly, and super badass. And yes, that describes both the 1993 and 2016 versions.

Even though DOOM itself would reboot the franchise in 2016, not much has changed. It’s still the same enjoyable demon-killing romp, this time utilizing modern hardware for an even more immersive experience. And while it’s not as influential as the original (it’s hard to make history twice), DOOM 2016 is still very much worth a look for those looking to play retro games.

My Verdict: The original DOOM was a true milestone for video games, and even in its modern incarnation, it’s still very entertaining.

9. Street Fighter II [The Retro Fighting Game Revolution]

Street Fighter II is a game that I believe requires no introduction. Despite the meager performance of the original Street Fighter, Street Fighter II was and still is an incredibly influential title; I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that it’s a cornerstone of the fighting video game genre.

Street Fighter II does have a token story, but it just gets in the way of gameplay. Besides, it’s much more fun to pick your favorite from 8 characters and beat the crap out of the AI or other people in strategic, tense 1v1 combat, all of which makes for some pretty wild fun.

Today, we’ve got stuff like Tekken and Mortal Kombat on consoles ranging from PC to Xbox. But without Street Fighter II laying the foundations, these fighting games (and heck, the entire genre) would not exist as we know them.

My Verdict: Street Fighter II’s fast and furious battles make it a title worth your time, even with the advent of more modern video games.

10. Streets of Rage 2 [Retro Beat ’Em Up Excellence]

Last, but definitely not least on this list is the formidable Streets of Rage 2. While Sonic was Sega’s flagship series, they had other excellent games as well, such as this perfect mix of action, rhythm, and co-op fun.

In this game, you and up to one other friend pick from one of 4 characters (Axel, Blaze, Max, and Skate), each of whom have their own fighting styles. Story-wise, you’re supposed to be fighting against the Syndicate, a crime organization that’s utterly infested their city. This translates to walking around and taking down bad guys with punches, kicks, throws, and more.

While there were a ton of side-scrolling beat-em-ups in the 80s and 90s (especially in arcades), none of them could quite reach the quality that Streets of Rage 2 had. Sure, the beat-em-up genre was nothing new, but Streets of Rage 2’s superb presentation and refinements to gameplay makes it a video game that’s still worth diving into today.

Lastly, I should point out that Streets of Rage 2 is part of the Sega Genesis Collection, which as of writing can only be redeemed via key, making it a true collector’s item.

My Verdict: Streets of Rage 2 is a short and sweet game that’s a great pick not just for retro players, but those looking for some uncomplicated fun.

My Overall Verdict on the Best Retro Games

There’s something special about going back to the best retro games. Even after all these years and all the technological leaps, they still manage to feel fresh in a way many modern titles don’t. Maybe it’s the tighter design, the immediate gameplay, or just the fact that they had to get everything right without relying on flashy extras.

Each game on this list offers a completely different experience, so your “best” pick really comes down to what kind of fun you’re looking for right now.

Best starting point for retro games today?

• For Endless, Challenging Retro Puzzle Gamers → Tetris is your best bet, and there are a ton of newer Tetris games that offer the same pure, addictive loop as the original.
• For Fans of Retro Platformers → Go with Super Mario World. Play the original via Nintendo Online or grab a copy of Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury for a slightly newer game experience with a similar level design and game flow.
• For Retro Adventure Gamers → Try The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past to experience the timeless adventure, or choose any other Zelda game. They’re all great!
• For Classic Retro FPS → The clear answer is Doom. Play the original on the Nintendo Switch or grab a remastered copy of DOOM if you want a fast, intense, and still incredibly satisfying shooter experience.

At the end of the day, the best retro games aren’t just important because of their history. They’re worth playing because they’re still genuinely fun. Whether you’re revisiting old favorites or discovering them for the first time, these games prove that great design never goes out of style.

If anything, this list is just a starting point. There’s a whole era of classics out there waiting to be explored, and once you dive in, it’s easy to see why retro gaming continues to hold such a strong place in the industry today.

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