5 Best Modern Games That Appear to Have Been Made Decades Ago

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It’s fantastic to see so many modern video game developers paying homage to classic games. As someone who grew up with older consoles, I especially enjoy playing new games that intentionally mimic the look and feel of those retro titles – even if I know blowing on a cartridge to make it work was actually bad for it! There’s a growing number of these wonderful games available, and I’ve collected some of the best ones. Here’s a look at a few, presented in no specific order, that successfully capture the spirit of games from decades past.

1) Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge

Released in 2022, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge cleverly captures the feel of classic arcade games from the early 1990s. Developed by Tribute Games, this beat-’em-up is widely considered one of the best TMNT games ever created. Players take on the roles of the Turtles and their friends as they battle Shredder and Krang’s latest scheme to conquer New York City. The game was a massive success, selling over a million copies in its first week. The developers have continued to support it with updates and downloadable content since its launch.

2) Shovel Knight

Released in 2014, Shovel Knight intentionally feels like a game from the classic Nintendo Entertainment System era. It recreates the gameplay and graphics of 8-bit games, putting players in control of a hero who uses a shovel as his primary weapon for attacking, digging, and even bouncing. The game includes multiple levels, challenging boss battles, and everything you’d expect from an 8-bit title. Shovel Knight quickly became a commercial and critical hit, selling over 3 million copies and launching a full franchise, including remakes.

3) Prison City

Released in 2023, Prison City is a delightfully retro game that cleverly sets its dystopian future in 1997. Developed by Retroware and Programancer, it’s impressive they created a game in 2023 imagining a future that’s actually 26 years in the past! Everything about Prison City – the setting, music, pixel art, and story – feels authentically old-school. It could easily pass for a game from the early 1980s, and it’s genuinely enjoyable to play. It’s a bit of a hidden gem, which is why I wanted to bring it to your attention. If you’re a fan of classic 80s side-scrolling action games, be sure to check it out on Steam. You can download a free demo or purchase the full game for $9.99.

4) Dwarf Fortress

Released way back in 2006, Dwarf Fortress is the oldest game here, but it’s included because of its unique visual style. Instead of the colorful graphics you’d find in older console games, it uses simple text characters (ASCII) – a style popular when computers had limited graphics power in the early 1980s. The game creates a huge, randomly generated world where you manage a colony of dwarves, and it’s grown massively over the years with tons of added content. It’s famously complex, with gameplay that unfolds in unexpected ways, meaning it takes a lot of effort to learn, but that’s a big part of what makes Dwarf Fortress so appealing.

5) Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon

The Metroidvania genre is full of games inspired by the classic NES Castlevania titles. One standout is Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon, released in 2018 by Inti Creates. This game is a loving throwback to Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse from 1989, capturing the same visuals and gameplay. Remarkably, it was developed in just six months! Originally funded through a Kickstarter campaign, Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon has become a very popular modern platformer, and continues to receive updates.

What modern game best captures the feeling of classic retro games? Share your pick in the comments below and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!

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2026-03-18 17:16