Updated by Ivan Spasojevic on December 7, 2024
– added download links.
As a gamer who has spent countless hours immersed in the digital worlds of yesteryears, I find myself drawn to these classic games that have been brought to life once more for modern mobile devices. Each one transports me back to my childhood, filled with nostalgia and the thrill of discovery that comes with venturing into a new game world.
We have compiled a list of the best retro games for Android. It contains both freemium and paid Android titles. Although emulation is a viable option on Android where you can just grab emulator apps such as N64 or SNES, along with a ROM of your favourite retro game. There is still a wide variety of titles on Google Play that seek to recreate the “Renaissance” of the retro age expressed through the release of retro-inspired games, or direct ports from arcade consoles.
Retro gaming refers to titles from the 1980s to the late 1990s. It was an age when video gaming experienced its first boom. It is the era of great beginnings as it marks the birth of many beloved franchises such as Doom, Sonic, Pokemon, Tetris and many more. They were characterized by 8-bit graphics and retro music that shaped the childhoods of many. The most impactful part is the older console the games ran on, such as SNES, and Nintendo 64 and also good old arcade games such as Street Fighter and Metal Slug.
1 Crazy Taxi Classic
Available on:
iOS + Android
Find out more about Crazy Taxi Classic
As a gaming enthusiast, I’ve just discovered that an all-time favorite arcade classic from Hitmaker has made its way onto my smartphone! It’s none other than the legendary Sega Crazy Taxi. Jump behind the wheel and navigate the bustling downtown streets as a taxi driver with a mission: transport passengers swiftly and safely to their destinations.
Despite the occasional ads, they are not too intrusive and don’t ruin the gameplay experience.
Download Crazy Taxi Classic (free)
2 Another World – 20th Anniversary
Developer: Dotemu
Publisher: Dotemu
Available on: iOS + Android + PlayStation Vita
Find out more about Another World – 20th Anniversary
As a seasoned gamer, let me tell you, even though the title suggests it’s a 20-year-old game, it feels more like a 30-year-old classic to me. Some of you might not remember, but for us old-timers, games like this were around when legends walked the earth!
In Another World, you’ll find yourself in the role of a highly respected scientist whose experiment unexpectedly transported him to an alien planet. Unaware of the time or the air composition, he must adapt quickly to survive. Fortunately, this world follows Earth’s physical laws, but its inhabitants are not particularly welcoming towards you as they perceive you as an unwanted intruder.
Despite not being particularly lengthy or visually stunning, this game offers an exceptional adventure that transports you back to the ’90s gaming era. Compared to other titles on the list, it might not boast the most advanced graphics or gameplay, but if you’ve played Another World three decades ago, there’s nothing quite as nostalgic as revisiting it now.
3 Tomb of the Mask
Publisher: Happymagenta
Available on: iOS
Find out more about Tomb of the Mask
As a devoted fan, I’m excited to share that I’ve stumbled upon an engaging endless-runner game reminiscent of the iconic Pac-Man. In this thrilling adventure, I become the nimble yellow explorer navigating through an unending vertical maze. The objective is simple: collect stars, pellets, and coins while dodging treacherous traps and moving obstacles.
Download Tomb of the Mask (free)
4 Dragon Quest I
Publisher: Square Enix
Available on: iOS + Android
Find out more about Dragon Quest I
Known as one of the pioneers in the contemporary JRPG genre, this game boasts the distinctive art design by Akira Toriyama, renowned for creating the legendary Dragon Ball franchise. Immerse yourself in a straightforward fantasy narrative where you guide the chosen hero on a mission to defeat Dragonlord and rescue the princess of Alefgard Kingdom. Along your journey, engage with numerous characters, traverse the stunning landscape, battle creatures to accumulate experience and various resources essential for advancing further in the game.
Download Dragon Quest I ($2.99)
5 Metal Slug X
Developer: SNK Playmore
Publisher: SNK Playmore
Available on: iOS + Android + Steam
Find out more about Metal Slug X
I always find myself breaking out in a sweat after playing Metal Slug, an arcade game developed by SNK. Known for its vibrant, cartoon-like character sprites and detailed backdrops, this run-and-gun platform shooter is unique because it manages to maintain a comical tone even while depicting war themes. Each character, whether human or machine, has a distinct personality that is skillfully portrayed.
Metal Slug X is essentially a revamped version of Metal Slug 2 with a few tweaks. In this game, you can choose to play as either Marco, Fio, Eri, or Tarma, embarking on a mission to thwart the Rebel Army’s ambition for global conquest. Throughout your journey, you’ll encounter and battle various advanced weapons of the Rebel Army, such as an amphibious warship, an excavator resembling Godzilla, a Leichter Panzerspahwagen (also known as Iron Nokana), and numerous other formidable foes. The gameplay is incredibly intense, requiring you to evade bullets, bombs, and shells that come from all directions. You can gather weapon power-ups like the famous heavy machine gun or use vehicles to speed through stages.
Metal Slug X offers a lot of repeat playability due to its challenging stages that encourage players to strive for perfection, rescuing all prisoners of war (POWs), and hunting down hidden items to achieve the top score. On the downside, the game’s controls may feel unresponsive at times, which could potentially diminish the overall gaming experience.
6 Streets of Rage 4
Developer: Playdigious
Available on: iOS + Android + Steam + Nintendo Switch
Find out more about Streets of Rage 4
Street Rage 4 is an outstanding follow-up to the beat ’em up series that we grew up with. I call it exceptional because it maintains the rush of adrenaline and retains a retro aesthetic, yet it’s contemporary enough to appeal to new fans. Even if you haven’t played the earlier editions, you can still enjoy this game, as they are accessible through Google Play. The storyline is easy to follow.
Once more, an evil syndicate has seized control of the city with the aid of corrupt officers. As a gamer, I’m stepping up to dish out justice. Let me tell you, I’ll be dishing it out in spades – fists, knees, pipes, and whatever else I can lay my hands on. The combat has seen some major updates; combos are now crucial, particularly during boss battles that are the crown jewels of each level. You’ll recognize many familiar faces, and some will become unlockable after achieving certain milestones – no spoilers here!
Download Streets of Rage 4 ($7.99)
7 Racing Moto
Available on: iOS + Android
Find out more about Racing Moto
In this throwback-inspired game, it delivers a nostalgic punch for enthusiasts of the classic Rally Bike arcade game from 1988. As a racer, you aim to endure as long as possible on the bustling roadway by skillfully maneuvering around the multitude of vehicles. Extra points are earned for skillfully dodging incoming traffic. The challenge intensifies as your survival time increases, prompting faster reactions from you. Ready for a thrill? You can boost your speed by tapping the screen and making your racer floor the gas pedal.
Racing Moto’s simplicity, due to its minimal complex upgrade systems, makes it accessible to people of all ages. It’s perfect for enjoying with your friends and family on a warm sunny day, as you race to see who can travel the farthest.
8 Stardew Valley
Publisher: Chucklefish
Available on: iOS + Android + Nintendo Switch
Find out more about Stardew Valley
For enthusiasts of the beloved Harvest Moon franchise, this enchanting game is a creation from independent developer Eric Barone. Every feature within it is an affectionate tribute to the original Harvest Moon series (now called Story of Seasons). This retro Android game invites you into a fantastical realm that functions as a farming simulator. You’ll have the opportunity to cultivate numerous crops, mine minerals, engage with the charming Pelican Town residents, court potential partners, traverse an intricately detailed overworld that adapts according to seasons, and fight creatures that appear spontaneously in dungeons.
Stardew Valley is more than just a farming game for me; it’s a treasure hunter’s paradise, filled with enigmatic items like scepters and artifacts waiting to be discovered! I strive to become the most accomplished farmer, honoring my late grandpa’s legacy. Additionally, it offers an integrated multiplayer mode that allows me to collaborate with friends and kin in cultivating a thriving farm together.
Download Stardew Valley ($4.99)
9 Bullet Hell Monday
Publisher: Masayuki Ito
Available on: iOS
Find out more about Bullet Hell Monday
Experience an engaging Android throwback game, seamlessly blending the lively aspects of the iconic Touhou series and traditional shooter games. It’s a fast-paced bullet hell shooter that puts you in control of a neon-hued fighter plane, reminiscent of Pacific Wings (or 1941), navigating through stages while dodging an onslaught of incoming projectiles and adversary aircraft. The fundamental mechanics are straightforward; the player primarily focuses on avoiding enemy fire and defeating bosses. However, the Touhou influence intensifies the challenge as you dodge a swarm of bullets that fill the screen. To sweeten the deal, the game offers an array of catchy tunes to keep you entertained, even though they don’t quite match the grandeur of Zun’s Touhou soundtracks.
If you’re looking to hone your reaction skills with a fast-paced shoot ’em up featuring a basic plane, then this could be just what you need!
Download Bullet Hell Monday (free)
10 Golden Axe Classics
Publisher: Sega
Available on: iOS + Android
Find out more about Golden Axe Classics
This one is truly nostalgic (using a pun). It offers the three games I fondly remember from my childhood. Essentially, Golden Axe is a brawler game designed for multiplayer experience in the arcade mode, and that’s how it was initially intended to be enjoyed. However, you can still go solo if you’re feeling adventurous, but the real excitement comes when you find a partner to join in the action. The fun level skyrockets!
Differing from Streets of Rage, this game takes place in a magical realm, evidently influenced by Conan, Dungeons and Dragons, and similar materials, where characters are actual heroes boasting gleaming muscles. In this title, your figures will wield swords, axes, assorted weapons, and even special abilities to vanquish numerous foes aiming to thwart you. The 16-bit pixelated graphics remain as captivating as the moment I initially fired up this classic game.
Download Golden Axe Classics (free)
11 Sonic The Hedgehog
Developer: Sonic Team
Publisher: Sega
Available on: iOS + Android
Find out more about Sonic The Hedgehog
In 1991, the initial Sonic the Hedgehog game was launched on the Sega Genesis console. Since then, this speedy hedgehog icon has continued to appear in new games developed by Sega. If you owned a Sega system back then, chances are you remember the delight of collecting gold rings and the disappointment when they were lost. Don’t forget that Sonic The Hedgehog is an action-packed platformer featuring our hero Sonic the Hedgehog battling against the villainous Doctor Eggman.
Ever since its debut, it’s earned the title of a classic, primarily due to its swift gameplay and endearing characters. The original Sonic The Hedgehog has made a comeback on Android and iOS devices, cementing its spot among the finest retro games you can enjoy on your Android.
Download Sonic The Hedgehog (free)
12 Pac-Man
Developer: Bandai Namco Entertainment
Available on: iOS + Android + Windows Phone
Find out more about Pac-Man
Just recently, the classic game Pac-Man, initially launched on arcade machines, celebrated its 35th birthday. This makes it the oldest iconic game from the retro era featured here. The concept of Pac-Man should be familiar to most: players navigate characters whose goal is to consume all the rewards scattered across the board while avoiding being caught by ghosts. Given its enduring popularity, Bandai Namco has made it available on Android devices.
Additionally, a Japanese studio frequently introduces fresh titles in the Pac-Man collection. For instance, the latest addition, Pac-Man 256, was inspired by a glitch in level 256 of the original game. You can find this retro game on Android devices too.
13 Carmageddon
Developer: Impressionware SRL
Publisher: Stainless Games
Available on: iOS + Mobile + Android
Find out more about Carmageddon
The destructive game known as Carmageddon has gained classic status and been revived for Android devices. While its title may sound harsh, it’s important to note that the original Carmageddon remains one of the top choices for those who enjoy running down pedestrians and colliding with rival drivers if you’re into such violent gameplay.
As an old-school gamer, I’ve got to admit, Carmageddon might look a bit dated with its graphics, but the gameplay, it never ages! It’s perfect for those touch screen devices we’ve got today. You see, Carmageddon first hit the PC scene back in 1997, and it set a new standard of brutality and driving excitement that still resonates within the gaming industry today.
14 Baldur’s Gate
Developer: In-house
Publisher: Glu Mobile
Available on: iOS + Mobile + Android
Find out more about Baldur’s Gate
Enthusiasts of vintage hardcore role-playing games aren’t purchasing Android devices without reason; these devices house the timeless Baldur’s Gate series, a collection of games still dominating the RPG genre. Few other computer role-playing games (cRPGs) have matched the complexity they’ve managed to achieve.
As a gamer, diving back into the world of Baldur’s Gate on my Android feels like stepping into an epic tale spun by a master storyteller. At first, I must admit, the gameplay of this classic RPG took me aback, but as time passed, I began to grasp its intricacies, immersing myself deeper in its rich narrative.
Download Baldur’s Gate ($9.99)
15 Worms 2: Armageddon
Developer: Team17
Publisher: Team17
Available on: iOS + Android
Find out more about Worms 2: Armageddon
As a gaming enthusiast, I’ve dabbled in various parts of the legendary Worms series, and let me tell you, if you haven’t given it a shot yet, now’s your chance! There’s nothing quite like the original Worms 2: Armageddon out there. These pint-sized critters wage war in the most ingenious ways possible – from guns and explosives to bats and even aerial bombardment.
Download Worms 2: Armageddon ($5.49)
16 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge
Developer: Tribute Games
Publisher: Netflix
Available on: iOS + Android + Steam + Nintendo Switch
Find out more about Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge
Shredder’s Revenge is an outstanding throwback to ’90s side-scrolling fighters such as Double Dragon, Streets of Rage, TMNT fighters, and more! It retains the same nostalgic feel, making it perfect for fans of retro games. Characters like Rocksteady, Bebop, Backster Stockman, Foot Clan soldiers, and others you’ll occasionally encounter are all present. Additionally, Krang is manipulating events from his robotic suit, with the main antagonist being none other than Shredder himself. The combat is fluidly smooth, and controls work well on a touch screen, although we found it more enjoyable to play using a gamepad.
Grab a couple of pals for some high-octane side-scrolling action – multiplayer is where the real fun lies! Besides the Turtles, you’ll find a host of other characters at your fingertips too. Want to get your hands on Casey Jones? Check out our guide on how to unlock him! Onwards, turtle power!
Download Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge (free)
17 Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
Publisher: Rockstar Games
Available on: iOS + Android + Windows Phone
Find out more about Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
Follow the damn train CJ!
That line will forever get stuck in the minds of players who had any experience with San Andreas. That, and the damn chopper mission. Years went by and they still give me PTSD, even on my mobile phone. For those of you unfamiliar with GTA, it’s one of the bloodiest and well represented games in modern history, but with a great story and characters that are quite memorable. Action is also unprecedented, there aren’t many titles around that can stand side by side with San Andreas. It’s a solid port, that you can easily fall in love with.
Download Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas ($6.99)
18 Max Payne Mobile
Publisher: Rockstar Games
Available on: iOS + PlayStation Phone (Xperia Play) + Android
Find out more about Max Payne Mobile
Initially, Max Payne debuted in 2001, establishing new standards for third-person shooter games. Its sequel, developed by Remedy Entertainment, introduced a distinctive and captivating narrative reminiscent of film noir, combined with a comic-style plotline, and maintained exceptional gameplay for shooters, offering a time-slowing mechanic.
Max Payne isn’t particularly suited for mobile gaming. While you can certainly reacquaint yourself with its mechanics, completing it is a challenging task. The original Max Payne posed difficulties even on personal computers.
Download Max Payne Mobile ($2.99)
19 Castlevania: SotN
Developer: Konami
Publisher: Konami
Available on: iOS + Android
Find out more about Castlevania: SotN
Symphony of the Night” is a fantastic adaptation of the original game, offering some contemporary enhancements. These include full support for game controllers, on-screen controls, numerous achievements, multi-language compatibility, and a revamped continue option. The game shares similarities with the classic Castlevania, being an arcade platformer that blends action, adventure, and horror themes.
Castlevania boasts straightforward yet classic pixelated visuals, coupled with an exceptional narrative and gameplay that remains unmatched. If you’re in search of a terrifyingly fun retro-flavored arcade platformer, give it a whirl!
Download Castlevania: SotN ($2.99)
20 Old School RuneScape
Publisher: Jagex
Available on: iOS + Android
Find out more about Old School RuneScape
Jagex, a British game studio, has reintroduced RuneScape, their browser-based massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG). This project has made two entries into the Guinness World Records. Initially, it was recognized as the MMORPG with the highest number of software updates. Later, it earned the title as the most globally played free MMORPG.
Initially launched in 2001, RuneScape debuted when many gamers were still unfamiliar with MMORPGs. Over time, an estimated 260 million individuals have experienced this game. Now, thanks to advancements in technology, RuneScape has been adapted for mobile devices like smartphones and tablets. While the graphics may not be impressive, the game boasts a vast array of engaging features. Many beloved elements from the original version, such as items and bosses, have returned, making it a faithful adaptation overall.
Download Old School RuneScape (free)
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2024-12-06 16:49