Free 1980s Games on Steam
Steam currently has 5,212 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 8/1/2025.
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. Sword of Convallaria
Fantasy Tactical RPG revitalizing the beloved Japanese turn-based & pixel art genre. Collect & train a roster of mercenaries, customize your squad, and use your own strategy to save the nation of Iria. Journey through a world of plot twists where every choice you make will reshape your destiny.
Sword of Convallaria holds the #1 spot for "best free 1980s game on Steam" with a Player Score of 72. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 4,009 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 2,978 positive reviews and 1,031 negative reviews — making it "Mostly Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Sword of Convallaria on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Release Date | 7/31/2024 |
| Franchise | XD International |
| Developer | XD |
| Publisher | XD |
| Steam App Id | 2526380 |
2. Galaxy Idle Clicker
Embark on an interstellar journey with Galaxy Idle Clicker! Conquer galaxies, upgrade your spaceship, and face off against a myriad of enemy ships. With engaging minigames, powerful upgrades, GIC delivers an unparalleled idle space adventure. Join the cosmic conquest today and dominate the universe!
Galaxy Idle Clicker has achieved a Player Score of 72, placing it in the #2 spot for the best free 1980s games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 707 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 531 positive reviews and 176 negative reviews — making it "Mostly Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Galaxy Idle Clicker on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Release Date | 7/18/2024 |
| Developer | Soehnle |
| Publishers | |
| Steam App Id | 2962810 |
3. 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 #3 spot for the best free 1980s games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 8,308 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 7,428 positive reviews and 880 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.
4. Wizardry Variants Daphne
3D Dungeon RPG The portal of despair opens again. The labyrinth calls you to destruction. Revel in the endless dangers, relish the risk, devour the rewards. Savor the risk.
Wizardry Variants Daphne has achieved a Player Score of 53, placing it in the #4 spot for the best free 1980s games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 2,214 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 1,170 positive reviews and 1,044 negative reviews — making it "Mixed" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Wizardry Variants Daphne on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Release Date | 3/5/2025 |
| Franchise | Wizardry Official |
| Developer | Drecom Co., Ltd. |
| Publisher | Drecom Co., Ltd. |
| Steam App Id | 2379740 |
5. 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 has achieved a Player Score of 84, placing it in the #5 spot for the best free 1980s games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 100,679 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 85,720 positive reviews and 14,959 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 |
6. 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 #6 spot for the best free 1980s games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 3,756 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 3,431 positive reviews and 325 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).
7. Vigor
Outlive the apocalypse! Dive into intense Encounters and extract the most valuable spoils the Outlands have to offer! Loot, shoot, and build to become the absolute Outlander and explore the landscape of a post-war Norway in Vigor, a free-to-play looter shooter.
Vigor has achieved a Player Score of 47, placing it in the #7 spot for the best free 1980s games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 6,804 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 3,155 positive reviews and 3,649 negative reviews — making it "Mixed" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Vigor on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Release Date | 9/18/2024 |
| Franchise | Bohemia Interactive |
| Developer | Bohemia Interactive |
| Publisher | Bohemia Interactive |
| Steam App Id | 2818260 |
8. 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 68, placing it in the #8 spot for the best free 1980s games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 2,191 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 1,545 positive reviews and 646 negative reviews — making it "Mostly Positive" 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 |
9. 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 #9 spot for the best free 1980s games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 5,205 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 4,576 positive reviews and 629 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 |
10. Capcom Arcade 2nd Stadium
Play more of your favorite arcade hits from yesteryear. Includes SONSON for free!
Capcom Arcade 2nd Stadium has achieved a Player Score of 66, placing it in the #10 spot for the best free 1980s games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 1,020 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 696 positive reviews and 324 negative reviews — making it "Mixed" 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.
| Steam Price | $59.99 |
| Release Date | 7/21/2022 |
| Franchise | Capcom |
| Developer | CAPCOM Co., Ltd. |
| Publisher | CAPCOM Co., Ltd. |
| Steam App Id | 1755910 |
More Free 1980s Games
Explore even more rankings for the 100 best free 1980s games available on Steam.
| Image | Name | Actions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,230 | 7/31/2024 | 72 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 868 | 7/18/2024 | 72 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 715 | 5/27/2022 | 87 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 691 | 3/5/2025 | 53 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 594 | 10/12/2021 | 84 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 189 | 5/6/2021 | 88 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 189 | 9/18/2024 | 47 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 103 | 4/13/2023 | 68 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 82 | 9/26/2017 | 85 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 47 | 7/21/2022 | 66 | $59.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 43 | 7/19/2022 | 76 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 41 | 4/20/2024 | 91 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 40 | 2/16/2021 | 86 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 37 | 11/4/2013 | 72 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 33 | 3/28/2024 | 84 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 31 | 5/24/2021 | 54 | $59.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 29 | 7/17/2024 | 77 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 27 | 9/1/2023 | 61 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 26 | 6/20/2025 | 71 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 25 | 11/5/2024 | 90 | 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. (2025, August 1). Steam Store. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, August 1). Sword of Convallaria on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, August 2). Galaxy Idle Clicker on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, August 1). RetroArch on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, August 3). Wizardry Variants Daphne on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, July 31). Poppy Playtime on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, July 5). Infinitode 2 - Infinite Tower Defense on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, August 1). Vigor on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, August 1). Pinball FX on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, June 27). Pinball FX3 on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, August 1). Capcom Arcade 2nd Stadium on Steam. Steam Store.