Best Nostalgia Steam Deck Games
Steam currently has 246 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 5/30/2024.
Looking for more? Explore other lists such as:
- Best nostalgia games on Steam
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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 93. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 2,488 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 2,439 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 1,154 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 1,125 positive reviews and 29 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 5,736 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 5,421 positive reviews and 315 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. 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 #4 spot for the best Nostalgia Steam Deck games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 16,624 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 15,410 positive reviews and 1,214 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 |
5. 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 #5 spot for the best Nostalgia Steam Deck games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 5,372 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 5,021 positive reviews and 351 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.
6. 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 #6 spot for the best Nostalgia Steam Deck games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 696 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 670 positive reviews and 26 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 |
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 2,597 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 2,434 positive reviews and 163 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. 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 #8 spot for the best Nostalgia Steam Deck games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 8,081 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 7,437 positive reviews and 644 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 |
9. 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 #9 spot for the best Nostalgia Steam Deck games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 1,864 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 1,744 positive reviews and 120 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 |
10. GigaBash
GigaBash is the ultimate Kaiju Fighting Game for 1-4 players, where you battle as film-inspired Kaijus and giant Heroes in fully destructible cityscapes.
GigaBash has achieved a Player Score of 88, placing it in the #10 spot for the best Nostalgia Steam Deck games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 1,229 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 1,148 positive reviews and 81 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $24.99 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 | $24.99 |
| Release Date | 8/4/2022 |
| Developer | Passion Republic Games |
| Publisher | Passion Republic Games |
| Steam App Id | 1546400 |
More Nostalgia Steam Deck Verified Games
Explore even more rankings for the 10 best Nostalgia games available on Steam.
| Image | Name | Actions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 10 | 12/12/2016 | 93 | $14.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 15 | 4/17/2014 | 92 | $6.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 53 | 7/28/2021 | 91 | $11.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 219 | 6/29/2018 | 90 | $39.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 16 | 5/15/2018 | 90 | $19.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 1 | 6/25/2015 | 90 | $9.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 1 | 9/19/2018 | 90 | $19.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 51 | 9/19/2022 | 89 | $24.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 32 | 7/28/2021 | 89 | $17.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 33 | 8/4/2022 | 88 | $24.99 | 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, May 30). Steam Store. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 30). TY the Tasmanian Tiger on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 30). Pajama Sam: No Need to Hide When It's Dark Outside on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 23). FINAL FANTASY on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 23). Crash Bandicoot™ N. Sane Trilogy on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 30). Horizon Chase Turbo on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 19). Streets of Fury EX on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 24). The Gardens Between on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 30). Return to Monkey Island on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 27). FINAL FANTASY III on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 29). GigaBash on Steam. Steam Store.