Best Nostalgia Steam Deck Games
Steam currently has 308 Nostalgia games, but not all of them can be played on the Steam Deck. Explore our list with the best picks ranked by Player Score. Our Player Score rankings are calculated directly from reviews left on the Steam store and will be updated in real-time as more players leave their feedback. Nostalgia game rankings were last updated on 9/30/2024.
Looking for more? Explore other lists such as:
- Best nostalgia games on Steam
- Best nostalgia Steam games for Mac
- Best nostalgia Linux games on Steam
- Free nostalgia games on Steam
- Free Steam games
- Most played Steam games
- Best rated Steam games
1. TY the Tasmanian Tiger
G'day, Mate. Explore the wilds of Australia with TY the Tasmanian Tiger, the charming Aussie platformer.
TY the Tasmanian Tiger holds the #1 spot for "best Nostalgia Steam Deck game" with a Player Score of 94. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 2,536 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 2,487 positive reviews and 49 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $14.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
| Steam Price | $14.99 |
| Release Date | 12/12/2016 |
| Developer | Krome Studios |
| Publisher | Krome Studios |
| Steam App Id | 411960 |
2. 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 has achieved a Player Score of 92, placing it in the #2 spot for the best Nostalgia Steam Deck games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 1,185 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 1,157 positive reviews and 28 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $6.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
| Steam Price | $6.99 |
| Release Date | 4/17/2014 |
| Developer | Humongous Entertainment |
| Publishers | |
| Steam App Id | 283960 |
3. FINAL FANTASY
The original FINAL FANTASY comes to life with completely new graphics and audio! A remodeled 2D take on the first game in the world-renowned FINAL FANTASY series! Enjoy the timeless story told through charming retro graphics.
FINAL FANTASY has achieved a Player Score of 91, placing it in the #3 spot for the best Nostalgia Steam Deck games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 6,120 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 5,789 positive reviews and 331 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $11.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
| Steam Price | $11.99 |
| Release Date | 7/28/2021 |
| Developer | Square Enix |
| Publisher | Square Enix |
| Steam App Id | 1173770 |
4. Backyard Baseball '97
Rediscover the joy of the original Backyard Baseball 1997, now updated for modern systems! Build your roster from among the iconic Backyard Kids, aim for those home runs, and various game modes. Relive the magic of this classic baseball game!
Backyard Baseball '97 has achieved a Player Score of 91, placing it in the #4 spot for the best Nostalgia Steam Deck games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 880 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 855 positive reviews and 25 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $9.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
| Steam Price | $9.99 |
| Release Date | 10/10/2024 |
| Developer | Mega Cat Studios |
| Publisher | Playground Productions |
| Steam App Id | 3170540 |
5. Crash Bandicoot™ N. Sane Trilogy
Your favorite marsupial, Crash Bandicoot™, is back! He’s enhanced, entranced and ready-to-dance with the N. Sane Trilogy. Relive all your favorite moments in Crash Bandicoot™, Crash Bandicoot™ 2: Cortex Strikes Back and Crash Bandicoot™ 3: Warped, now in fully-remastered graphical glory!
Crash Bandicoot™ N. Sane Trilogy has achieved a Player Score of 90, placing it in the #5 spot for the best Nostalgia Steam Deck games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 17,271 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 15,990 positive reviews and 1,281 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $39.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
| Steam Price | $39.99 |
| Release Date | 6/29/2018 |
| Developers | |
| Publisher | Activision |
| Steam App Id | 731490 |
6. Horizon Chase Turbo
Thrilling arcade racing game, inspired by the super-fun-straight-to-the-point classic racing games from the 90s.
Horizon Chase Turbo has achieved a Player Score of 90, placing it in the #6 spot for the best Nostalgia Steam Deck games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 5,486 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 5,113 positive reviews and 373 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $19.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
7. The Gardens Between
The Gardens Between is a surreal puzzle adventure that follows best friends, Arina and Frendt, as they fall into a mysterious world of beautiful garden islands. Manipulate time to solve puzzles and discover the secrets of each island.
The Gardens Between has achieved a Player Score of 90, placing it in the #7 spot for the best Nostalgia Steam Deck games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 2,647 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 2,481 positive reviews and 166 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $19.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
| Steam Price | $19.99 |
| Release Date | 9/19/2018 |
| Developer | The Voxel Agents |
| Publisher | The Voxel Agents |
| Steam App Id | 600990 |
8. 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.
Streets of Fury EX has achieved a Player Score of 90, placing it in the #8 spot for the best Nostalgia Steam Deck games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 721 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 691 positive reviews and 30 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $9.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
| Steam Price | $9.99 |
| Release Date | 6/25/2015 |
| Developer | Guard Crush |
| Publisher | Guard Crush |
| Steam App Id | 350910 |
9. Return to Monkey Island
Return to Monkey Island is an unexpected, thrilling return of series creator Ron Gilbert that continues the story of the legendary adventure games.
Return to Monkey Island has achieved a Player Score of 89, placing it in the #9 spot for the best Nostalgia Steam Deck games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 8,290 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 7,609 positive reviews and 681 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $24.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
| Steam Price | $24.99 |
| Release Date | 9/19/2022 |
| Franchise | Monkey Island Franchise |
| Developer | Terrible Toybox |
| Publisher | Devolver Digital |
| Steam App Id | 2060130 |
10. FINAL FANTASY III
The original FINAL FANTASY III comes to life with completely new graphics and audio! A remodeled 2D take on the third game in the world-renowned FINAL FANTASY series! Enjoy the timeless story told through charming retro graphics.
FINAL FANTASY III has achieved a Player Score of 89, placing it in the #10 spot for the best Nostalgia Steam Deck games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 1,988 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 1,853 positive reviews and 135 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $17.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
| Steam Price | $17.99 |
| Release Date | 7/28/2021 |
| Developer | Square Enix |
| Publisher | Square Enix |
| Steam App Id | 1173790 |
More Nostalgia Steam Deck Verified Games
Explore even more rankings for the 10 best Nostalgia games available on Steam.
| Image | Name | Actions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 12/12/2016 | 94 | $14.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 19 | 4/17/2014 | 92 | $6.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 44 | 7/28/2021 | 91 | $11.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 224 | 10/10/2024 | 91 | $9.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 104 | 6/29/2018 | 90 | $39.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 15 | 5/15/2018 | 90 | $19.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 1 | 9/19/2018 | 90 | $19.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 1 | 6/25/2015 | 90 | $9.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 60 | 9/19/2022 | 89 | $24.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 28 | 7/28/2021 | 89 | $17.99 | Steam Charts |
Soures & References
Steambase has best-in-class data powered directly by Steam, our data partners, and in-house experts. Reviews and rankings are enriched, analyzed, and updated in real-time to ensure we surface the most up-to-date insights. Learn more about the Steambase approach to data collection and our review methodology.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, September 30). Steam Store. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, September 30). TY the Tasmanian Tiger on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, October 23). Pajama Sam: No Need to Hide When It's Dark Outside on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, November 8). FINAL FANTASY on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, November 11). Backyard Baseball '97 on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, October 30). Crash Bandicoot™ N. Sane Trilogy on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, October 16). Horizon Chase Turbo on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, October 17). The Gardens Between on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, October 25). Streets of Fury EX on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, November 11). Return to Monkey Island on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, November 12). FINAL FANTASY III on Steam. Steam Store.