Free 1980s Games on Steam
Steam currently has 4,221 1980s games available to download and play. Explore our list of the best free games ranked by popularity and ratings. Data for this list is calculated from reviews and player counts reported directly by Steam and will be updated in real-time. Free 1980s game rankings were last updated on 5/19/2024.
Looking for more? Explore other lists such as:
- Best 1980s games on Steam
- Best 1980s Steam Deck games
- Best 1980s Steam games for Mac OS
- Best 1980s Linux games on Steam
- Free Steam games
- Most played Steam games
- Best rated Steam games
1. Poppy Playtime
You must stay alive in this horror/puzzle adventure. Try to survive the vengeful toys waiting for you in the abandoned toy factory. Use your GrabPack to hack electrical circuits or nab anything from afar. Explore the mysterious facility... and don't get caught.
Poppy Playtime holds the #1 spot for "best free 1980s game on Steam" with a Player Score of 82. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 73,901 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 61,135 positive reviews and 12,766 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is not possible to play or run Poppy Playtime on the Steam Deck.
| Release Date | 10/12/2021 |
| Developer | Mob Entertainment |
| Publisher | Mob Entertainment |
| Steam App Id | 1721470 |
2. RetroArch
RetroArch is an open source and cross platform frontend/framework for emulators, game engines, video games, media players and other applications
RetroArch has achieved a Player Score of 87, placing it in the #2 spot for the best free 1980s games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 6,363 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 5,739 positive reviews and 624 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. At the moment, there is no confirmed information regarding Steam Deck support for this game.
3. Infinitode 2 - Infinite Tower Defense
Infinitode 2 - a strategy in the Tower Defense genre, in which the player will have to build towers to protect his base from endless waves of enemies. The game features huge maps, lots of towers, resource miners, upgrade tree and map editor.
Infinitode 2 - Infinite Tower Defense has achieved a Player Score of 88, placing it in the #3 spot for the best free 1980s games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 3,025 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 2,790 positive reviews and 235 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on both Windows and Linux systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Infinitode 2 - Infinite Tower Defense on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
4. Pinball FX
Pinball FX is digital pinball evolved. Get the highest score on tables inspired by the biggest brands in entertainment. New tables arrive frequently!
Pinball FX has achieved a Player Score of 63, placing it in the #4 spot for the best free 1980s games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 1,512 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 981 positive reviews and 531 negative reviews — making it "Mixed" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Pinball FX on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Release Date | 4/13/2023 |
| Franchise | Zen Studios |
| Developer | Zen Studios |
| Publisher | Zen Studios |
| Steam App Id | 2328760 |
5. Pinball FX3
Pinball FX3 is the biggest, most community focused pinball game ever created. Multiplayer matchups, user generated tournaments and league play create endless opportunity for pinball competition.
Pinball FX3 has achieved a Player Score of 85, placing it in the #5 spot for the best free 1980s games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 4,833 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 4,248 positive reviews and 585 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Pinball FX3 on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Release Date | 9/26/2017 |
| Franchise | Zen Studios |
| Developer | Zen Studios |
| Publisher | Zen Studios |
| Steam App Id | 442120 |
6. Moonring
A dark-fantasy, turn-based, retro-fusion of classic turn-based RPGs and roguelikes, all presented with a unique neon aesthetic.
Moonring has achieved a Player Score of 92, placing it in the #6 spot for the best free 1980s games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 1,221 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 1,188 positive reviews and 33 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
| Release Date | 9/28/2023 |
| Developer | Fluttermind, LLC |
| Publisher | Fluttermind, LLC |
| Steam App Id | 2373630 |
7. Contraband Police: Prologue
Take over the duties of a border guard inspector in a communist country of the 80's. Smuggling, corruption and forgery are the order of the day here. Be vigilant and earn the respect of your superiors.
Contraband Police: Prologue has achieved a Player Score of 86, placing it in the #7 spot for the best free 1980s games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 6,529 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 5,822 positive reviews and 707 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Contraband Police: Prologue on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Release Date | 2/16/2021 |
| Developer | Crazy Rocks |
| Publishers | |
| Steam App Id | 1396240 |
8. Motorbike Evolution 2024
The first-ever true MMO motorbike racing game is here! Play with up to 39 friends!
Motorbike Evolution 2024 has achieved a Player Score of 75, placing it in the #8 spot for the best free 1980s games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 156 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 127 positive reviews and 29 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, there is no confirmed information regarding Steam Deck support for this game.
| Release Date | 3/25/2024 |
| Developer | Petr Šimůnek |
| Publisher | Petr Šimůnek |
| Steam App Id | 2456070 |
9. Puppet Master: The Game
This free-to-play online multiplayer game celebrates the series' 30-year legacy. Revisit iconic locations, select from a large roster of playable characters from the movies, and play a variety of online multiplayer game modes, each inspired by the Puppet’s many adventures.
Puppet Master: The Game has achieved a Player Score of 82, placing it in the #9 spot for the best free 1980s games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 972 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 840 positive reviews and 132 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, there is no confirmed information regarding Steam Deck support for this game.
| Release Date | 5/3/2024 |
| Developer | October Games |
| Publishers | |
| Steam App Id | 1757610 |
10. Pinball Arcade
Pinball Arcade by FarSight Studios features exact recreations of the all-time greatest pinball tables from Stern Pinball® and Gottlieb® together in one game. Every flipper, bumper, sound effect, and display pixel has been painstakingly emulated in astonishing detail.
Pinball Arcade has achieved a Player Score of 71, placing it in the #10 spot for the best free 1980s games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 3,975 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 2,918 positive reviews and 1,057 negative reviews — making it "Mostly Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on both Windows and Mac systems. At the moment, it is not possible to play or run Pinball Arcade on the Steam Deck.
| Release Date | 11/4/2013 |
| Developer | FarSight Studios |
| Publisher | FarSight Studios |
| Steam App Id | 238260 |
More Free 1980s Games
Explore even more rankings for the 100 best free 1980s games available on Steam.
| Image | Name | Actions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 957 | 10/12/2021 | 82 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 645 | 9/14/2021 | 87 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 191 | 5/6/2021 | 88 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 146 | 4/13/2023 | 63 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 141 | 9/26/2017 | 85 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 82 | 9/28/2023 | 92 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 60 | 2/16/2021 | 86 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 52 | 3/25/2024 | 75 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 49 | 5/3/2024 | 82 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 30 | 11/4/2013 | 71 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 25 | 8/7/2023 | 70 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 25 | 4/20/2024 | 87 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 25 | 5/24/2021 | 53 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 20 | 7/20/2022 | 86 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 19 | 11/30/2023 | 73 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 15 | 7/22/2022 | 63 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 13 | 9/1/2023 | 61 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 11 | 1/23/2024 | 88 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 11 | 2/6/2024 | 85 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 4 | 10/28/2023 | 85 | Free | Steam Charts |
Soures & References
Steambase has best-in-class data powered directly by Steam, our data partners, and in-house experts. Player counts 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 19). Steam Store. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 19). Poppy Playtime on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 19). RetroArch on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 19). Infinitode 2 - Infinite Tower Defense on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 17). Pinball FX on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, February 28). Pinball FX3 on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 19). Moonring on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 17). Contraband Police: Prologue on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 19). Motorbike Evolution 2024 on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 19). Puppet Master: The Game on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, March 24). Pinball Arcade on Steam. Steam Store.