There is no need to go pick up or try to find an old game to get that retro nostalgia. There are many retro games that you can buy right now that have been designed and made for the modern-day, giving you that retro feel but with the modern benefits.
There are a ton of exciting new games selections that will fulfill your retro needs, while still being able to be played on modern-day PCs or consoles. Here are a few of the best modern retro games.
Cuphead
A game that has been receiving rave reviews since it was released back in 2017, is Cuphead. Currently sitting on a 10/10 rating on Steam, the run and gun style game has the same graphics as an old Looney Tunes cartoon, already hitting the retro nail on the head.
The game is simple enough, battle your way through levels with an ever-increasing difficulty, and defeat bosses until you repay your debt with the devil. The game has incredible graphics and AI, a great soundtrack, and a level of difficulty that will appeal to everyone.
Stardew Valley
Another game that has become a firm favorite amongst gamers is Stardew Valley. Made in the same pixelated style as the old Pokemon games, Stardew Valley is similar to Animal Crossing in many ways.
It is open-ended, with players able to do different activities, grow crops, raise livestock, mining, getting married, and having children. You can also play online and live your best pixelated life.
Shovel Knight
While not as new as some of the other games on this list, Shovel Knight was released back in 2014 and became an instant success. The 2-D scroller is 100% retro, is still being regarded as one of the best games ever, and has a great plot to back it all up.
Traverse through the many levels, find treasure, and defeat your enemies in the first game of the series, Shovel of Hope. You can then take on a new adventure in the spin-off games, Shovel Knight Dig, and Shovel Knight Pocket Dungeon.
Undertale
Released in 2015, Undertale is a 2D role-playing game that sees you take control of a child who is stuck in the Underground, a world below the surface of the Earth, and you have to make your way out and escape.
The artwork and music are completely old-school, but the gameplay is far more detailed than you might expect. This isn’t a game you can finish quickly, and you aren’t going to want to. The story is engaging, the characters are very likable, and there is a surprise around every corner.
Celeste
Released at the beginning of 2018, Celeste is the full version of the 2016 PICO-8 game of the same game. It follows the title character as she climbs a mountain, coming to terms with her own personal demons as she makes her way to the summit.
Celeste received critical acclaim upon release and was widely regarded by many as one of the best games of 2018. The story is incredibly engaging, the gameplay is fluid and well thought out, the graphics and music are beautiful, and the game has a feel-good factor that is very hard to match.
Sonic Mania
You can’t have a retro game list without one of the most iconic figures in gaming. Sonic Mania was released in 2017 and was made as a celebration of the 25th anniversary of the franchise.
It has 12 levels for you to conquer, being able to take control of your favorite Sonic characters too. The game was rated as one of the best in the series in 15 years, returning the franchise to the heights it was once at in the ’90s. A true Sonic masterpiece for any fan of the series.
Hellbound
A combination of Quake, Doom, and Duke Nukem, Hellbound is a first-person shooter that only has one goal, fit as much violence and heavy metal music into one game, and it accomplishes this goal brilliantly.
It is non-stop action as you make your way through levels destroying various enemies using a wide range of weapons. It is a classic 90’s shooter game that just wants you to have as much fun as possible.
The Messenger
Based on the well-known Ninja Gaiden series, The Messenger sees you take on the role of a ninja who has to deliver a scroll. The side-scroller starts off simple enough, but you gain more skills and abilities as you move through the game.
What makes this game unique is the difference in graphics between the past and the present in the game. The present is 16-bit, with the past being 8-bit. Later on, the game transforms into a Metroidvania-style game. A must play if you haven’t given it a go.
As you can see, there are a number of brilliant retro-style games available to play. All have their own styles and stories, but all fit into the retro category and have that modern touch that the older games didn’t. These are only a handful of the best, and are must plays if you haven’t had the chance yet.