The Top Retro-Inspired Games At The Centre Of 2025’s Gaming Scene
More than a feeling, nostalgia is also a driving force of market trends, and game developers know that very well. Indeed, the fan base of nostalgic games is vast and, quite ironically, their appetite for novelty is inexhaustible. So, it’s not surprising that the old-school gaming experience is kicking back, but with crucial updates.
Pixelated graphics have been elevated to a kind of art, and early 3D adventures haven’t lost their appeal amid nearly cinematic AAA releases. Yes, there’s still space for side-scrolling ninja fury, turn-based battles, and shield-surfing in a PS2-esque world. Here are the standout retro-inspired games in 2025 that can really throw players back in time.
Casino Games
Classic casino games can send players far back in time. After all, the first casino in the world emerged in baroque Venice. Games like roulette, blackjack, and craps have centuries of tradition, offering entertainment way before the internet. Still, the internet has undeniably changed the game.
Nowadays, players can enjoy retro-inspired live casino rooms or pick one of the many classic games available. Modern online casinos also offer a plethora of slot games, some of them inspired by the first slot machines, built in the late 19th century. The best part is that such games don’t require specific consoles or powerful computers, running on pretty much any mobile device.
Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound
Ninja-inspired games have been around since the dawn of video games, but somehow, they never get old. Ninja Gaiden is one of those franchises, being among the 80s’ classics that survived to this day. While fans are anxiously waiting for Ninja Gaiden 4 (the first big release of the franchise in the past 10 years), Ragebound is already available.
Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound brings back the side-scrolling action, cartoonish graphics, and pixelated art that defined this genre for so long. The game can be downloaded on Steam, and it’s available on most modern consoles, including PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series S, and also for Windows PC.
Tiny Bookshop
Magic battles and epic adventures don’t allure everyone; some players prefer laid-back, non-competitive games. Such is the case of Tiny Bookshop, available for Windows PC. Here, players must set up and decorate a bookshop on wheels. Instead of sword fighting, players must recommend good reads to their customers while making the shop look nice and comfy.
Naturally, buying new books to stock the shelves is part of the action. It’s also where nostalgia kicks in, as the catalogue must be built from classified ads, just like it was before the internet days. The story unfolds in Bookstonbury, an idyllic coastal town where, apparently, everybody loves books. The main point is to reinvest the money earned from book selling to create an even more inviting shop.
Artis Impact
Artis Impact beautifully combines pixelated art with manga-inspired scenes to create a turn-based post-apocalyptic game that doesn’t look so apocalyptic. Sure, the main character Arkane still needs to fight deadly, AI-powered robots with the help of her robotic companion, Bot.
Still, Arkane gets to enjoy the coziness of her home, sheltered from the collapsed world outside. It means players can control activities like cooking and even find ways to increase Arkane’s income. The graphics look somewhat like the first Legend of Zelda, from 1986; a trick that never fails to spark nostalgia. Artis Impact is available for Windows PC.
The Knightling
It may come as a shock for some “seasoned” players, but PS2 games are considered vintage already. Indeed, the Knightling looks very much like a PlayStation-era game, with a few modern tweaks here and there. Battles abound in the game (as the name suggests), but instead of swords and axes, the main character uses a Captain America-like shield that does everything from obliterating enemies to serving as a surfboard.
It’s an open-world adventure, where an aspiring knight must find Sir Lionstone, his missing tutor.
The Knightling’s demo version is already available on Steam, with an official release date scheduled for August 28. It can be played on Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series S, Windows PC, and PS5.
Dragon Quest I & II – HD-2D Remake
Nearly 40 years after its epic first release, Dragon Quest is back, looking sharper than ever. The first two editions of the franchise were released last May, marking its 39th anniversary. Meanwhile, the last chapter of the saga, Dragon Quest III, is receiving the same upgrade, and it’s expected to come out next October, but it’s already available for pre-ordering.
Not only have the graphics been revamped, but also the battle scenes and gameplay. Nostalgic fans will also be surprised by some pretty relevant story additions and an array of new content. It means players have new reasons to revisit the game and once again follow the footsteps of Erdrick’s descendants.
Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater
Speaking of remakes, here’s another hot one: Metal Gear Solid 3, which now comes as Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater. The PS2 classic from 2004 has improved with Unreal Engine 5, revamping 3D video and audio effects. Still, the original gaming experience hasn’t changed a bit, and it’s an excellent opportunity for younger players to try this timeless classic for the first time.
The release date has been announced for August 28, and there are speculations about the release of a physical version on the same date. However, Konami has been adjourning the event since 2023. According to the company, it’ll be available for Xbox Series X, PS5, and Windows PC.
Terminator 2D: No Fate
The movie franchise Terminator was more than a blockbuster; it was a cultural phenomenon back in the ’80s/’90s. Unsurprisingly, the video game version was just as catchy, attracting loads of fans to the joystick. The game was released for NES in 1991, and 34 years later, it kicks back as Terminator 2D: No Fate.
However, the new version isn’t a remake, but an impressive adaptation of the movie that originated the game: Terminator 2: Judgement Day. Even though it’s a new version, the graphics look exactly like the old arcades of the early ’90s, and it’s a must-try for nostalgic gamers of all generations.
