Best Retro Games on Steam

Steam currently has 10,589 Retro 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. Retro game rankings were last updated on 12/3/2024.

Looking for more? Explore other lists such as:

1. Vampire Survivors

Mow down thousands of night creatures and survive until dawn! Vampire Survivors is a gothic horror casual game with rogue-lite elements, where your choices can allow you to quickly snowball against the hundreds of monsters that get thrown at you.

Vampire Survivors banner

Vampire Survivors holds the #1 spot for "best Retro game on Steam" with a Player Score of 97. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 242,642 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 239,010 positive reviews and 3,632 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.

It is priced at $3.74 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 $3.74
Release Date 10/20/2022
Developer poncle
Publisher poncle
Steam App Id 1794680

2. Pizza Tower

Pizza Tower is a fast paced 2D platformer, with an emphasis on movement, exploration and score attack. Featuring highly stylized pixel art inspired by the cartoons from the '90s, and a highly energetic soundtrack.

Pizza Tower banner

Pizza Tower has achieved a Player Score of 97, placing it in the #2 spot for the best Retro games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 62,884 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 61,889 positive reviews and 995 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. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.

Steam Price $19.99
Release Date 1/26/2023
Developer Tour De Pizza
Publisher Tour De Pizza
Steam App Id 2231450

3. Aseprite

Aseprite is a pixel-art tool to create 2D animations, sprites, and any kind of graphics for games.

Aseprite banner

Aseprite has achieved a Player Score of 97, placing it in the #3 spot for the best Retro games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 19,764 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 19,590 positive reviews and 174 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.

It is priced at $19.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. At the moment, it is not possible to play or run Aseprite on the Steam Deck.

Steam Price $19.99
Release Date 2/22/2016
Developer David Capello
Publisher Igara Studio
Steam App Id 431730

4. ULTRAKILL

ULTRAKILL is a fast-paced ultraviolent retro FPS combining the skill-based style scoring from character action games with unadulterated carnage inspired by the best shooters of the '90s. Rip apart your foes with varied destructive weapons and shower in their blood to regain your health.

ULTRAKILL banner

ULTRAKILL has achieved a Player Score of 97, placing it in the #4 spot for the best Retro games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 136,099 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 133,196 positive reviews and 2,903 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.

It is priced at $18.74 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 $18.74
Release Date 9/3/2020
Franchise New Blood Interactive
Developer Arsi "Hakita" Patala
Publisher New Blood Interactive
Steam App Id 1229490

5. Katana ZERO

Katana ZERO is a stylish neo-noir, action-platformer featuring breakneck action and instant-death combat. Slash, dash, and manipulate time to unravel your past in a beautifully brutal acrobatic display.

Katana ZERO banner

Katana ZERO has achieved a Player Score of 96, placing it in the #5 spot for the best Retro games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 68,415 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 67,069 positive reviews and 1,346 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 4/18/2019
Developer Askiisoft
Publisher Devolver Digital
Steam App Id 460950

6. The WereCleaner

Kyle is a Janitor. He's also a Werewolf. And now he's got the night shift. Try not to kill anyone while working to get your paycheck - in a stealth-comedy game with surprises around every corner.

The WereCleaner banner

The WereCleaner has achieved a Player Score of 96, placing it in the #6 spot for the best Retro games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 7,707 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 7,671 positive reviews and 36 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.

It is completely free 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.

Release Date 5/7/2024
Developer Howlin' Hugs
Publisher USC Games
Steam App Id 2795000

7. Celeste

Help Madeline survive her inner demons on her journey to the top of Celeste Mountain, in this super-tight platformer from the creators of TowerFall. Brave hundreds of hand-crafted challenges, uncover devious secrets, and piece together the mystery of the mountain.

Celeste banner

Celeste has achieved a Player Score of 96, placing it in the #7 spot for the best Retro games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 110,783 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 107,982 positive reviews and 2,801 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.

It is priced at $4.99 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 $4.99
Release Date 1/25/2018
Franchise EXOK Games
Developers
Publisher Maddy Makes Games Inc.
Steam App Id 504230

8. Firework

An accidental fire at a funeral forces the police to re-investigate a closed case of massacre. Lin Lixun participates the re-investigation by chances. As the investigation goes deeper, the past of the victims gradually emerges. However, the case becomes more bewildering.

Firework banner

Firework has achieved a Player Score of 96, placing it in the #8 spot for the best Retro games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 40,229 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 39,393 positive reviews and 836 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.

It is priced at $4.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is not possible to play or run Firework on the Steam Deck.

Steam Price $4.99
Release Date 2/3/2021
Developer Shiying Studio
Publisher Gamera Games
Steam App Id 1288310

9. Hotline Miami

Hotline Miami is a high-octane action game overflowing with raw brutality, hard-boiled gunplay and skull crushing close combat.

Hotline Miami banner

Hotline Miami has achieved a Player Score of 96, placing it in the #9 spot for the best Retro games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 99,937 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 97,123 positive reviews and 2,814 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.

It is priced at $1.99 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 $1.99
Release Date 10/23/2012
Developer Dennaton Games
Publisher Devolver Digital
Steam App Id 219150

10. Papers, Please

Congratulations. The October labor lottery is complete. Your name was pulled. For immediate placement, report to the Ministry of Admission at Grestin Border Checkpoint. An apartment will be provided for you and your family in East Grestin. Expect a Class-8 dwelling.

Papers, Please banner

Papers, Please has achieved a Player Score of 96, placing it in the #10 spot for the best Retro games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 71,502 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 69,550 positive reviews and 1,952 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.

Steam Price $9.99
Release Date 8/8/2013
Developer Lucas Pope
Publisher 3909
Steam App Id 239030

More Retro Games

Explore even more rankings for the 100 best Retro games available on Steam.

ImageName
Actions
Vampire Survivors steam charts
5,748
10/20/2022
97
$3.74
Steam Charts
Pizza Tower steam charts
413
1/26/2023
97
$19.99
Steam Charts
Aseprite steam charts
4,596
2/22/2016
97
$19.99
Steam Charts
ULTRAKILL steam charts
2,195
9/3/2020
97
$18.74
Steam Charts
Katana ZERO steam charts
166
4/18/2019
96
$14.99
Steam Charts
The WereCleaner steam charts
24
5/7/2024
96
Free
Steam Charts
Celeste steam charts
1,945
1/25/2018
96
$4.99
Steam Charts
Firework steam charts
54
2/3/2021
96
$4.99
Steam Charts
Hotline Miami steam charts
368
10/23/2012
96
$1.99
Steam Charts
Papers, Please steam charts
336
8/8/2013
96
$9.99
Steam Charts
Undertale steam charts
1,534
9/15/2015
96
$2.49
Steam Charts
Baba Is You steam charts
209
3/13/2019
95
$14.99
Steam Charts
Finding Paradise steam charts
30
12/14/2017
95
$2.49
Steam Charts
SANABI steam charts
417
11/8/2023
95
$9.74
Steam Charts
Broforce steam charts
385
10/15/2015
95
$2.99
Steam Charts
Half-Life steam charts
1,848
11/19/1998
95
$1.99
Steam Charts
Cuphead steam charts
2,263
9/29/2017
95
$13.99
Steam Charts
DUSK steam charts
20
12/10/2018
95
$9.99
Steam Charts
CULTIC steam charts
14
10/13/2022
95
$7.99
Steam Charts
Mouthwashing steam charts
539
9/26/2024
95
$11.69
Steam Charts
Page 1 of 5

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, December 3). Steam Store. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, December 3). Vampire Survivors on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, October 1). Pizza Tower on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, November 22). Aseprite on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, November 27). ULTRAKILL on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, November 4). Katana ZERO on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, November 28). The WereCleaner on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, November 29). Celeste on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, November 29). Firework on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, November 27). Hotline Miami on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, November 6). Papers, Please on Steam. Steam Store.

Explore

Discover the best of Steam. Find your next game, free weekend, or even track the next Steam Sale all in one spot.