The Best Retro Games to Play in 2023
If you’re looking for some good ol’ retro gaming to get stuck into in 2023, we have just the thing. These games take a core mechanic from the past and revamp it to bring it back into the modern age.
Whether it’s a rhythmic sense of movement or some pixel art style, these games speak to the nostalgic pits of gamers’ hearts. Here are some of our favourite neo-nostalgia trips for Switch and PlayStation 4.
1. Space Invaders
Space Invaders was one of the first shoot’em ups and it quickly became a legendary hit. Designed by Tomohiro Nishikado, the game changed the way shoot’em ups were played by replacing the traditional ball with projectiles.
The player controls a mobile cannon that moves left to right across the bottom of the screen, aiming at rows of descending alien ships that attack with laser fire. Your cannon is protected from attacks partially by a series of bunker-like shields.
Despite its age, Space Invaders is a fun and challenging high score game that will appeal to players looking for a simple challenge. The graphics are great, the gameplay is fast-paced and it’s easy to pick up and play.
The most modern-feeling game in the compilation is Space Invaders Extreme, which features a quicker gameplay loop and bolder colors that make it easier to see. It also includes leaderboards to keep the arcade feeling alive.
2. Wonder Boy: The Dragon’s Trap
If you’re a fan of retro gaming, Wonder Boy: The Dragon’s Trap is a game you should definitely add to your collection. This reimagining of the 1989 Sega Master System title from French developers Lizardcube and publisher DotEmu brings it to current-gen consoles with a fresh coat of paint and an updated soundtrack.
The story follows the titular Wonder Boy, who has been cursed into a fire-breathing lizard by the Meka Dragon. He must explore a sprawling, fantasy landscape and defeat a variety of dragons before finding the Salamander Cross to lift the curse.
As you progress through the game, you’ll be able to unlock new forms that allow you to explore new areas and defeat new creatures. These animal transformations are a fun twist on the familiar Metroidvania formula and will appeal to fans of the genre.
In the age of remasters and remakes, this one stands out because it’s been lovingly recreated by hardcore fans. With an art style that’s reminiscent of Sunday funnies, a jaunty soundtrack and challenging platforming, it’s a fantastic way to experience the original game again.
3. Crazy Taxi Classic
The earliest of SEGA’s classic arcade games, Crazy Taxi is a high speed racing game that has you take on the role of a cabbie and try to pick up passengers, deliver them to their destinations, and get the most money in the process. It’s a simple concept, but one that can become addictive when you get the hang of it.
The first Crazy Taxi was released in 1999, and the series has since expanded to multiple video game consoles and mobile devices. It is now available on iOS, Android, Xbox One, and PlayStation 4.
Like many other classic arcade games, Crazy Taxi is highly addictive; however, it can become very repetitive if you don’t have the patience to go through each level over and over again. That said, there are also several secret modes in this game that can help keep you entertained while still challenging your skills.
Featuring original music from Bad Religion and The Offspring, Crazy Taxi is a fun and addicting game that is sure to please fans of old-school racing games. It joins the SEGA Forever Classic Games Collection, a treasure trove of free SEGA console classics that have been remastered for mobile phones and tablets.
4. Pro Skater 2
One of the best games to ever hit consoles, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2 is a must-play for any fan of extreme sports. Its addictive gameplay, stellar level design and fun missions ensure it never gets old.
It’s not quite as polished as some of Activision’s other classic titles but Pro Skater 2 is an impressive effort that preserves the core experience while adding some modern conveniences. With a wide variety of challenges to complete, skaters to unlock, and cash to be earned through achievements, there’s plenty to keep players busy for a while.
The game also features a Park Creator, which lets players build and customize their own skate parks. This is a nice touch, as it adds a bit of life to the already-delightful arcade skating experience.
5. The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening
While it might not be the most unique Zelda game in terms of gameplay, The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening is a surprisingly good one that’s worth checking out. It’s a remake of the 1993 Game Boy game of the same name, and while it might not feel like a traditional Zelda experience, it has plenty of charm and surprises to keep you entertained throughout.
While this isn’t a particularly linear or expansive adventure, it does offer some impressively deep storytelling and a compelling moral ambiguity that keeps the game feeling fresh despite its age. That’s why it’s a must-play for anyone with a love of adventure games.
The world of Link’s Awakening is dense, full of secrets and mysteries that you can uncover as you explore its various dungeons. But it also contains a number of impassable points that you can’t cross until later in the game, such as rocks that Link isn’t strong enough to lift or bottomless pits that require him to jump across.
Luckily, there are a variety of different options to help you get past these obstacles. You can use bombs, arrows, and other Zelda staples to break down these walls and unlock secret locations, new biomes, and dungeons all over the island. It’s a fun and rewarding way to play, even if it can be a bit exhausting as you try to find your way out of the densest areas.
6. Crash Bandicoot
Crash Bandicoot is a video game franchise that was created by Naughty Dog as an exclusive for Sony’s PlayStation console. It has since expanded to include numerous spin-offs, including kart racing and party games.
The original Crash Bandicoot is a 2D platformer that borrows its graphical style from Super Mario World and Donkey Kong Country. Naughty Dog’s goal was to translate the feel and challenge of those games into a new dimension while still retaining their familiarity.
There’s a reason why people of all ages have enjoyed Crash Bandicoot: it’s fun and easy to play, yet difficult to master. It’s also a great example of why a classic video game can still be enjoyable years after its initial release.
Among the many features that make Crash Bandicoot such an addictive game are its witty humor, non-linear level design and collectibles. In fact, the N64 classic is considered one of the best collectathons of all time.
In addition to all that, the game has a gorgeous soundtrack that’s full of pounding jungle rhythms and funky basslines. Didgeridoos and virtuoso xylophones add to the mood. And if that wasn’t enough, there are even plenty of secret missions to find and bonuses to collect.
7. Grand Theft Auto III
If you want to experience a classic crime-based open world, then Grand Theft Auto III is definitely the game for you. It introduced a new 3D view to the series, allowing players to explore a huge, fictional version of Liberty City in a way that no other video game had done before.
While the game can be frustrating at times (especially when you have to rely on sat-nav for mission navigation), it’s also extremely fun. You could play for hours following your own whims and wreaking havoc throughout the city.
Another great thing about the game is that it had a variety of side activities for players to do outside of missions. These included taxi-cab driving, paramedic work, and hijacking police cars. This was an innovative idea at the time, but it also served as a way to keep the game fresh for players while also adding different perks and benefits to their character.
8. Final Fantasy VII
Originally released back in 1997, Final Fantasy VII remains one of the most iconic games in video game history and deserves to be preserved. Whether you’re a newcomer or an old school fan, Final Fantasy VII is a must play title for any retro lover.
Taking place in the city of Midgar, Final Fantasy VII revolves around a group of mercenaries and eco-terrorists who work to save the planet from a ruthless corporation that exploits the world’s life force, mako energy. The bleak premise isn’t necessarily depressing; the heroes do their part to bring hope to an otherwise hopeless world.
As for the gameplay, it’s pretty typical of the genre; turn based combat with an array of different items and abilities at your disposal. It’s also a great example of how old-school JRPGs can still be played to this day, with the addition of more modern features like item inventory and a variety of side content.
But despite all of these features, Final Fantasy VII Remake still manages to deliver an experience that will be enjoyable for players of all ages. It’s a good game to pick up if you’re looking for some nostalgia and an immersive gaming experience that will last you for hours on end.
