As a gamer of a certain age, I truly love the classics I grew up with. But even I’ll admit that sometimes, they lack the proper balance to be a totally enjoyable game.
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New, old school cool.
Luckily, many modern adventures mix convenience with old-school flair. Nailing that vibe takes true craftsmanship. Thankfully, each of these modern adventures manages it very well.
They range from platformers to arcade games, RPGs, and even some rogue adventuring. Regardless, each of these modern games manages to expertly nail that sexy retro vibe.
10
Cyber Shadow
Ninja Upgrade
Cyber Shadow was a surprise, both in that Yacht Club Games was publishing it, but also that it was one of the better modern retro adventures.
Visually, it nails the aesthetic style pioneered by Ninja Gaiden, but adds many flourishes all its own. That’s mandatory when you’re playing a cybernetic ninja.
As far as gameplay, it alternated between pure platformer and lite Metroidvania, and offered a robust challenge for those who played it.
A great game, and far from the only pleasant surprise on this list!
9
Panzer Paladin
Flame and Grit
Panzer Paladin is almost like a lost classic NES game, but one that runs perfectly well on modern consoles. It’s a testament to the creative dedication of Tribute Games, and a rousing platformer with great replay value.
Whether you’re creating custom weapons, fighting in a giant mech, or popping out as a teeny pilot to solve puzzles, you’ll find something that’s both charming and well-designed.
Just get ready for a steep challenge, because the demonic forces arrayed against you in Panzer Paladin will put up one hell of a fight.
8
Astalon: Tears of the Earth
Reptilian Reverie
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Platforms |
PC, Switch, PS4 |
|---|---|
|
Publisher |
DANGEN Entertainment |
|
Genre |
Metroidvania |
|
Release Date |
June 3rd, 2021 |
Astalon: Tears of the Earth is the type of game I would have been spellbound by as a child, as well as intimidated by.
This gorgeous, retro-inspired adventure is one that demands excellence as you explore the Tower of Serpents, and strategic acumen as you fight brutal, reptilian bosses.
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It’s also a game where death is an inevitability, but thankfully not the end. Each one affords new opportunities in the way of upgrades as you make a deal with a literal devil, the Titan of Death.
Combine that with three different heroes to alternate between, both for puzzle and combat, and you have one epic adventure.
7
Prison City
Take Down the Techno-Terrorists
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Platforms |
PC, Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S |
|---|---|
|
Publisher |
Retroware |
|
Genre |
Platformer |
|
Release Date |
August 28, 2023 |
I remember when I first saw Prison City at PAX West. It had a sweet little booth full of merch and banners, and I instantly knew I wanted to play it.
Once I did, I saw it was inspired by many classic adventures. There are elements of the NES TMNT games, Bionic Commando, and even Contra all mixed together.
What they all combine to give us is a thoroughly retro, undeniably challenging platformer.
You’ll need all your twitch reflexes to survive the dystopian world where everything wants to kill.
6
Sea of Stars
Retro Eclipse
I have backed a lot of games over the years via Kickstarter. But one of the titles I’m most proud of backing was Sea of Stars.
Not only did Sabotage Studio give us a stunning prequel set in the world of The Messenger, but they did Chrono Trigger proud as well.
This isn’t just a game inspired by one great RPG, though. It proved to be a massive success all its own, thanks in part to the artwork, storytelling, and riveting gameplay.
While this is one story I didn’t want to end, when it does, you can always try the Throes of the Watchmaker DLC campaign.
5
Celeste
One Hell of a Climb
It’s not every day a game resonates as much with me as Celeste did.
Not because I’m a mountain climber, far from it. It’s because I know what it feels like to sometimes be my own worst enemy.
Sure, Celeste is about climbing a mountain, but it’s also about surmounting the dark voices in our heads telling us we’re never enough.
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It’s also a stunning, surprising, and completely diabolical platformer that will regularly seem impossible, and then demand you achieve a new feat of greatness. Again and again.
If this were a list based on my favorite games of all time, it would have been much closer to the top. But we’ve saved some equally special games for the last few entries.
4
Sonic Mania
Gotta Go Fast!
Even though I grew up as a Nintendo kid, I’ve always appreciated Sonic from afar.
I’ve just never been very good at this blazing-fast platformer series, even though I was blown away by its visual flair.
Sonic Mania managed to tap into that nostalgia and give us something utterly new that still felt classic.
It has super speedy 2D levels, devious robotic bosses, and even three different playable characters in Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles.
Even if you’ve never played a Sonic game before, you probably owe it to yourself to check out Sonic Mania.
3
Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon
One Heck of a Stretch Goal
Due to my love of Igavanias, you can bet I backed Bloodstained: Ritual of the Moon.
So imagine my surprise when the game that actually blew me away originally started as a mere stretch goal called Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon!
In many ways, it played out like an NES Castlevania game, though with some modern conveniences like multiple playable characters and difficulties.
You’ll need all the help you can get to defeat monstrous bosses and explore twisty secret paths.
Not only was this a successful retro adventure, but it’s one that spawned an equally amazing sequel in Curse of the Moon 2.
2
TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge
Cowabunga, Dude!
It wouldn’t be a proper modern retro list without another contender from Tribute Games.
They’ve proven they’re quite adept at channeling old style into a new format, and they did just that with TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge!
While Shredder’s Revenge looks like an arcade adventure, it plays like the best of modern beat ’em ups. You can upgrade your turtles and find the perfect combos to smash Shredder’s goons.
The game is fun solo, but even better with a group of friends, just like many classic adventures.
Best of all, this pixel-perfect experience not only lets you play as the turtles but also as Casey Jones, Splinter, and April O’Neil!
1
Shovel Knight
Can You Dig It?
There were a lot of amazing modern retro games on this list, and I honestly am fond of all of them. But only Shovel Knight could dig up the gold trophy.
Yacht Club made its mark on the world with this stunning adventure. And while I did back it, I wish I had thrown even more money its way.
Not only is Shovel Knight full of retro flair and challenging platforming, but it tells a mournful and memorable tale of love lost.
Throw in tons of epic achievements to collect, DLC campaigns, sweet Amiibo and even spiritual successors, and you have a lot of reasons why this blue knight was crowned king.
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