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The Google Play Store is home to all the most modern games for modern audiences. But you’re not looking for that; you’re looking to relive those memories of staying up past your bedtime playing video games back in the 80s or 90s. While those days are gone, they’re not really gone. Here’s a list of the best Retro games you can play on your Android device.
This is a list of games that transport us back through time. They’re either re-releases of classic games or modern games that strive to give a classic feeling. These include pixelated games. Be sure to check back to see more titles added each month.
DRAGON QUEST I
- Download Cost: $2.99
- In-App Cost: None
- Size: 31MB
- Google Play Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5
One of the games that defined the RPG genre, Dragon Quest is a franchise that’s still relevant today. If you want to relive playing the original game, or if you want to experience it for the first time, well there’s good news. The original Dragon Quest is available on the Play Store.
This game was re-released by Square Enix, the original developer, and it’s been rebuilt from the ground up to work on mobile. You’ll use the on-screen joystick and buttons to control the characters and do battle. It will take a little getting used to if you’re used to playing the original. However, you’ll get the hang of it.
Game Dev Story
- Download Cost: $4.49
- In-App Cost: None
- Size: 40MB
- Google Play Rating: 4.8 stars out of 5
You play games, but what if you want to actually make them? In Game Dev Story, this is exactly what you’ll do. While Game Dev Story is a pretty old game itself, it’s not exactly a 90s title. However, the pixelated graphics and limited animations give you that classic game feeling. It reminds you of the 16-bit games on the Sega Genesis and Super Nintendo.
In this game, you’ll create your own game dev studio and get to work making your games. When you start a project, you’ll choose the platform/console you want it on, then you’ll start choosing the genre, game type, and the aspects you want to focus on. After that, you’ll choose an artist, writer, and composer for the game. Lastly, you’ll finish up by naming the game and fixing the bugs.
You’ll focus on other aspects of running a gaming studio. You’ll hire and train staff, attend conventions, keep an eye on which gaming platforms are still relevant, and do side jobs to earn more money. Also, as you play, you’ll move to bigger game studios.
Pocket Trains
- Download Cost: Free
- In-App Cost: $0.99 – $19.99
- Size: 62MB
- Google Play Rating: 4.1 stars out of 5
The world has not moved on from good old 8-bit graphics. Pocket Trains is a fun and relaxing game where you manage your own train empire. If you’re a fan of retro graphics, then you’ll like the 8-bit graphics that are in the game. While they’re 8-bit, they still look really nice.
The point of this game is to grow your train empire by delivering packages to different cities around the world. You’ll start off with a handful of trains in the heart of Europe. You’ll use those trains to deliver packages to their designated locations. When you do, you’ll either earn money, bux (the premium currency), or crates (you’ll open those for parts to build and repair trains).
As you play, you’ll unlock more tracks and expand your empire. Also, you’ll build more trains that you can name and customize. It’s a fun and relaxing game to play and pass the time.
Tetris
- Download Cost: Free
- In-App Cost: $0.99 – $79.99
- Size: 118MB
- Google Play Rating: 4.2 stars out of 5
It doesn’t get much more classic than Tetris. We’ve seen this re-released about a thousand times, and the mobile market is no different. Right now, you can download the official Tetris game on the Google Play Store. While it’s the classic game, it’s been modernized with newer graphics and some new mechanics.
While this is a game that needs no introduction, here’s a quick rundown. You’ll see an empty column, and there will be blocks slowly dropping to the bottom. As they fall to the bottom, they’ll stack up. What you need to do is make sure that you make complete rows of the blocks. When that happens, you’ll see those rows disappear. You’ll need to make as many complete rows before the blocks reach the top. It’s almost 40 years old, and the gameplay still hasn’t changed.
Sonic The Hedgehog 2 Classic
- Download Cost: Free
- In-App Cost: $1.99
- Size: 83MB
- Google Play Rating: 4.3 stars out of 5
This is a game that’s survived the test of time, and you can have it on your phone/tablet for only $2. Sonic 2 was one of the most memorable games on the Sega Genesis. The sequel to the smash hit Sonic The Hedgehog (the game that single-handedly saved the Sega Genesis), Sonic 2 takes Sonic and Tails through 11 zones with boss battles at the end of most of them.
This was the first game to use the classic spin dash, and it broke boundaries with its faux-3D special stages. It’s still as fun today as it was back in 1992. If you’re feeling nostalgic, you should pick it up.
Download Sonic The Hedgehog 2 Classic
PAC-MAN
- Download Cost: Free
- In-App Cost: $0.99 – $99.99
- Size: 152MB
- Google Play Rating: 4.3 stars out of 5
Whether you were playing this game in the arcades in the 80s or as a port in later decades, Pac-Man still remains one of the most famous classic games in the world. While not many of those arcade cabinets still stand, you can still experience this game. Pac-Man is live on the Google Play Store. We’re not talking about a remake or rip-off. This was posted by Bandai-Namco itself, the company that owns the rights to this game.
Since this is the original game, the gameplay is the exact same. You’re collecting pellets, avoiding ghosts, and wracking up a high score.
Minesweeper Classic
- Download Cost: Free
- In-App Cost: $0.99 – $9.99
- Size: 31MB
- Google Play Rating: 4.6 stars out of 5
We all remember the torment of going onto the family computer and trying to figure out how Minesweeper worked. Many of us still feel bad about killing that poor yellow guy on the top of the window. Well, there are those of us who still want to re-experience and finally beat this guessing game.
You’ll start by picking one space. When you do that (if it’s not a mine, that is), you’ll see a seemingly random assortment of numbers appear on the board. Those numbers represent the number of adjacent blocks that are mines. You’ll need to use your power of deduction to side-step all of the potential mines.
Gameloft Classics
- Download Cost: Free
- In-App Cost: None
- Size: 96MB
- Google Play Rating: 4.3 stars out of 5
You might not be familiar with the name Gameloft, but you’re most likely familiar with one of this company’s most popular games Asphalt 9: Legends. Well, the company has been around since 1999, and it has a library of classic games that it made before it became a mobile game empire.
To commemorate its 20th year anniversary, the company released a collection of its older games. It’s a launcher that you can use to play a plethora of Gameloft hits. These include games like the original N.O.V.A and Modern Fight. You can switch between these games and play them at your fancy.
The Way Home
- Download Cost: Free
- In-App Cost: $6.99
- Size:174MB
- Google Play Rating: 4.6 stars out of 5
The Way Home is a modern-day rogue-like that has the pixelated art style of a classic game from the 90s. Not only are the graphics pleasantly archaic, but the music and sound effects also have that classic sound.
In this game, you’re stranded on a strange island, and you’re trying to make your way back home. While you’re on the island, you’ll encounter different strange creatures that you need to fend off. You’ll do this while you’re gathering materials to craft the essentials you need to survive. It’s a great game to play if you’re looking for some light nostalgic fun.
Retro Bowl
- Download Cost: Free
- In-App Cost: $0.99 – $9.99
- Size: 18MB
- Google Play Rating: 4.7 stars out of 5
This one is for all you sports fans out there. Retro Bowl, as the name indicates, is a retro football game that lets you create and manage your own football team. You get a classic pixelated look with the 8-bit-style graphics.
This isn’t as much a football simulator as it is a football manager simulator. So, you won’t take direct action in the matches. You will see a sped-up version of the matches so that you can see how they go. Rather than playing in the matches, you’ll be managing your team. Tasks include choosing and managing your roster, managing the finances, choosing the games you’ll play, etc. It’s a very behind-the-scenes type of game.