Best Classic Games on Steam
Steam currently has 1,700 Classic games available to download and play. Explore our list of 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. Classic game rankings were last updated on 2/14/2025.
Looking for more? Explore other lists such as:
- Free classic games on Steam
- Best classic Steam Deck games
- Best classic Linux games on Steam
- Best classic Steam games for Mac OS
- Free Steam games
- Most played Steam games
- Best rated Steam games
1. Portal
Portal™ is a new single player game from Valve. Set in the mysterious Aperture Science Laboratories, Portal has been called one of the most innovative new games on the horizon and will offer gamers hours of unique gameplay.
Portal holds the #1 spot for "best Classic game on Steam" with a Player Score of 97. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 173,083 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 170,418 positive reviews and 2,665 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $9.99 to play and can be played and ran on both Windows and Linux systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
2. The Henry Stickmin Collection
A choose-your-own-path where failing is more fun than succeeding.
The Henry Stickmin Collection has achieved a Player Score of 97, placing it in the #2 spot for the best Classic games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 48,860 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 48,206 positive reviews and 654 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $14.99 to play and can be played and ran on both Windows and Mac systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
| Steam Price | $14.99 |
| Release Date | 8/7/2020 |
| Franchise | Innersloth |
| Developer | PuffballsUnited |
| Publisher | Innersloth |
| Steam App Id | 1089980 |
3. Half-Life 2
Reawakened from stasis in the occupied metropolis of City 17, Gordon Freeman is joined by Alyx Vance as he leads a desperate human resistance. Experience the landmark first-person shooter packed with immersive world-building, boundary-pushing physics, and exhilarating combat.
Half-Life 2 has achieved a Player Score of 96, placing it in the #3 spot for the best Classic games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 236,238 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 230,551 positive reviews and 5,687 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $9.99 to play and can be played and ran on both Windows and Linux systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
4. Counter-Strike
Play the world's number 1 online action game. Engage in an incredibly realistic brand of terrorist warfare in this wildly popular team-based game. Ally with teammates to complete strategic missions. Take out enemy sites. Rescue hostages. Your role affects your team's success. Your team's success affects your role.
Counter-Strike has achieved a Player Score of 96, placing it in the #4 spot for the best Classic games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 247,236 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 240,900 positive reviews and 6,336 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $9.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Counter-Strike on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
5. Papa's Freezeria Deluxe
Return to Calypso Island to serve seasonal sundae treats in Papa's Freezeria Deluxe! Craft sundaes in the Freezeria for all your quirky customers while earning tips, points and Special Recipes. Switch gears and take a trip in the Food Truck to concoct your own chilly creations and see who shows up!
Papa's Freezeria Deluxe has achieved a Player Score of 96, placing it in the #5 spot for the best Classic games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 10,722 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 10,645 positive reviews and 77 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $5.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Papa's Freezeria Deluxe on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Steam Price | $5.99 |
| Release Date | 3/31/2023 |
| Franchise | Papa Louie Games |
| Developer | Flipline Studios |
| Publisher | Flipline Studios |
| Steam App Id | 2291760 |
6. Plants vs. Zombies GOTY Edition
Zombies are invading your home, and the only defense is your arsenal of plants! Armed with an alien nursery-worth of zombie-zapping plants like peashooters and cherry bombs, you'll need to think fast and plant faster to stop dozens of types of zombies dead in their tracks.
Plants vs. Zombies GOTY Edition has achieved a Player Score of 96, placing it in the #6 spot for the best Classic games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 136,714 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 133,415 positive reviews and 3,299 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $4.99 to play and can be played and ran on both Windows and Mac systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Plants vs. Zombies GOTY Edition on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Steam Price | $4.99 |
| Release Date | 5/5/2009 |
| Franchise | PopCap EA |
| Developer | PopCap Games, Inc. |
| Publishers | |
| Steam App Id | 3590 |
7. Resident Evil 2
A deadly virus engulfs the residents of Raccoon City in September of 1998, plunging the city into chaos as flesh eating zombies roam the streets for survivors. An unparalleled adrenaline rush, gripping storyline, and unimaginable horrors await you. Witness the return of Resident Evil 2.
Resident Evil 2 has achieved a Player Score of 96, placing it in the #7 spot for the best Classic games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 167,786 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 162,716 positive reviews and 5,070 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly 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 | 1/24/2019 |
| Developer | CAPCOM Co., Ltd. |
| Publisher | CAPCOM Co., Ltd. |
| Steam App Id | 883710 |
8. STAR WARS™ Empire at War - Gold Pack
Command or corrupt an entire galaxy in the definitive Star Wars strategy collection. It is a time of galactic civil war. Will you take up the reins of the Rebellion, assume control of the Empire, or rule the Star Wars Underworld?
STAR WARS™ Empire at War - Gold Pack has achieved a Player Score of 96, placing it in the #8 spot for the best Classic games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 38,314 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 37,403 positive reviews and 911 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $19.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is possible to play STAR WARS™ Empire at War - Gold Pack on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Steam Price | $19.99 |
| Release Date | 5/25/2010 |
| Developer | Petroglyph |
| Publishers | |
| Steam App Id | 32470 |
9. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy
Become Phoenix Wright and experience the thrill of battle as you fight to save your innocent clients in a court of law. Play all 14 episodes, spanning the first three games, in one gorgeous collection.
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy has achieved a Player Score of 96, placing it in the #9 spot for the best Classic games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 35,663 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 34,817 positive reviews and 846 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $29.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Steam Price | $29.99 |
| Release Date | 4/9/2019 |
| Developer | CAPCOM Co., Ltd. |
| Publisher | CAPCOM Co., Ltd. |
| Steam App Id | 787480 |
10. CLANNAD
From the world renowned visual novel studio Key, the highly rated story of CLANNAD is now available on Steam! Improved visuals, achievement integration, and Dangopedia make this the best version of CLANNAD to date.
CLANNAD has achieved a Player Score of 95, placing it in the #10 spot for the best Classic games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 9,369 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 9,232 positive reviews and 137 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $44.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is not possible to play or run CLANNAD on the Steam Deck.
| Steam Price | $44.99 |
| Release Date | 11/23/2015 |
| Franchise | VISUAL ARTS |
| Developer | VisualArts/Key |
| Publisher | Sekai Project |
| Steam App Id | 324160 |
More Classic Games
Explore even more rankings for the 100 best Classic games available on Steam.
| Image | Name | Actions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 858 | 10/10/2007 | 97 | $9.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 120 | 8/7/2020 | 97 | $14.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 3,707 | 11/16/2004 | 96 | $9.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 16,976 | 11/1/2000 | 96 | $9.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 113 | 3/31/2023 | 96 | $5.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 3,213 | 5/5/2009 | 96 | $4.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 2,419 | 1/24/2019 | 96 | $39.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 2,309 | 5/25/2010 | 96 | $19.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 1,776 | 4/9/2019 | 96 | $29.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 136 | 11/23/2015 | 95 | $44.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 1,249 | 11/2/2012 | 95 | $0.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 1,081 | 11/19/1998 | 95 | $9.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 122 | 10/11/2012 | 95 | ??? | Steam Charts | |
 | 30 | 10/10/2007 | 95 | ??? | Steam Charts | |
 | 26 | 12/10/2018 | 95 | $19.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 19 | 8/5/2014 | 95 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 22,136 | 9/21/2010 | 95 | $29.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 2,032 | 3/7/2019 | 95 | $29.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 57 | 9/16/2022 | 95 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 289 | 11/12/2009 | 94 | $19.99 | 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. (2025, February 14). Steam Store. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, February 14). Portal on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, February 1). The Henry Stickmin Collection on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, February 11). Half-Life 2 on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, January 22). Counter-Strike on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, January 17). Papa's Freezeria Deluxe on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, February 8). Plants vs. Zombies GOTY Edition on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, February 11). Resident Evil 2 on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, February 11). STAR WARS™ Empire at War - Gold Pack on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, February 14). Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, February 1). CLANNAD on Steam. Steam Store.