Best Classic Games on Steam
Steam currently has 1,581 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 3/22/2024.
Looking for more? Explore other lists such as:
- Free classic games on Steam
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- 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 156,060 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 153,704 positive reviews and 2,356 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. 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 43,848 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 43,249 positive reviews and 599 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
1998. HALF-LIFE sends a shock through the game industry with its combination of pounding action and continuous, immersive storytelling. Valve's debut title wins more than 50 game-of-the-year awards on its way to being named "Best PC Game Ever" by PC Gamer, and launches a franchise with more than eight million retail units sold worldwide.
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 191,275 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 186,720 positive reviews and 4,555 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. 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 236,606 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 230,588 positive reviews and 6,018 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. 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 #5 spot for the best Classic games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 124,739 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 121,684 positive reviews and 3,055 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 |
6. 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 #6 spot for the best Classic games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 8,138 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 8,080 positive reviews and 58 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 |
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 153,961 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 149,234 positive reviews and 4,727 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 35,699 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 34,844 positive reviews and 855 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 95, placing it in the #9 spot for the best Classic games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 29,003 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 28,308 positive reviews and 695 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $9.89 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 | $9.89 |
| 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 8,601 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 8,474 positive reviews and 127 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $15.74 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 | $15.74 |
| 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 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 423 | 10/10/2007 | 97 | $9.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 116 | 8/7/2020 | 97 | $14.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 841 | 11/16/2004 | 96 | $9.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 10,960 | 11/1/2000 | 96 | $9.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 1,934 | 5/5/2009 | 96 | $4.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 170 | 3/31/2023 | 96 | $5.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 981 | 1/24/2019 | 96 | $39.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 2,479 | 5/25/2010 | 96 | $19.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 775 | 4/9/2019 | 95 | $9.89 | Steam Charts | |
 | 62 | 11/23/2015 | 95 | $15.74 | Steam Charts | |
 | 88 | 10/11/2012 | 95 | ??? | Steam Charts | |
 | 894 | 11/19/1998 | 95 | $9.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 383 | 11/2/2012 | 95 | $9.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 165 | 10/10/2007 | 95 | $7.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 56 | 12/10/2018 | 95 | $19.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 16,720 | 9/21/2010 | 95 | $29.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 10 | 8/5/2014 | 95 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 65 | 8/3/2007 | 94 | $4.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 54 | 9/16/2022 | 94 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 287 | 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. (2024, March 22). Steam Store. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, March 22). Portal on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, April 30). The Henry Stickmin Collection on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, March 22). Half-Life 2 on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, March 22). Counter-Strike on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, February 28). Plants vs. Zombies GOTY Edition on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, April 26). Papa's Freezeria Deluxe on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 1). Resident Evil 2 on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 6). STAR WARS™ Empire at War - Gold Pack on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, April 27). Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 7). CLANNAD on Steam. Steam Store.