Best retro and retro-inspired games for iPad and iPhone (iOS)
Looking to play some retro games on your iPhone?
Whether a game is inspired by an older game, a remake of an older game allowing it to be playable on newer devices or a straight port of a classic onto new technology, retro games have a strong community behind them. They also retain the fun and character that they had around when they previously launched, and serve as a great reminder of how technology was previously.
When it comes to the number of retro games out there, so many classics have been revamped for iOS and so many new titles have come out of the ashes of older games, inspiring generation after generation of games for us to play now.
We’ve compiled some of the best iOS retro games and retro-inspired game on iPad and iPhone to bring some nostalgia to your mobile gaming life.
1
Doom Classic
Doom is a household name - a retro game held above many others. On Doom’s 25th anniversary, Bethesda bundled up the 1993 version of Doom to include the Thy Flesh Consumed expansion and placed it on iOS. This first-person shooter is challenging, fast-paced, and truly a classic of the genre.
If you’ve not tried Doom before, now’s really your chance.
2
Sonic The Hedgehog 2
Bringing this blue hedgehog to your phone, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 looks exactly like the original Sonic games, featuring the same protagonist, enemies, and environments you might have previously seen in its other games. There is additional content in the form of leaderboards, Time-Attack mode and Boss-Attack mode, which adds extra depth and worth to the mobile version.
3
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge
It is an old-school retro beat 'em up with many beloved characters from the TMNT universe. You will find 16 awesome levels, each with its cool boss at the end, seven playable characters, and a co-op mode. We've got a review with more details about this game. Also, we have a guide on all unlockable characters in TMNT: Shredder's Revenge. Cowabunga!
4
Retro Racing
Retro Racing is a modern remake by the original programmer of the racing game Nitro, taking all of the concepts of Nitro and bringing it to modern technology. Racing around the track is as simple as tapping the controls on the screen, grabbing power-ups and drifting as you move, hoping to make it to the end of the finish line first.
Retro Racing is minimalist in the way that it’s made, with a steep learning curve that can be rewarding once you have the movements and timings down!
5
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
San Andreas is one of Rockstar Games' most ambitious and action-packed titles. In this game, the player has access to a whole state with three huge cities, a desert, mountains, and forests.
In this game, it is interesting even just to ride around the world. And you can also participate in the story campaign, which lasts more than a dozen hours, work as an ambulance driver or a fireman, change hairstyles, get tattoos, go to the gym, meet girls, and take part in gang fights.
6
Williams™ Pinball
Williams Pinball is a retro-style desktop pinball game from the old days. If you still love pinball games, you should definitely try this one. Williams pinball machines have been around for decades, and in this game, you will find both original and updated versions of the pinball machines. You can play classic pinball games like Junk Yard and Black Rose. Moreover, you can play against other players from all over the world for real money and prizes. Also, there are many daily activities. Williams Pinball is a game that will bring you back to the old retro days.
7
Final Fantasy Dimensions
Final Fantasy Dimensions revisits the 2D look that Final Fantasy used to have, bringing you into a very nostalgic version of the Final Fantasy world. This game is meant to take the best of all Final Fantasy games and bring them together to a new game, which contains a battling system, the ability to grow and change your character, and a story that will probably feel very familiar. Final Fantasy Dimensions is meant to feel fresh, along with feeling quite retro, so it's an interesting addition!
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8
Super Mario Run
Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, and Bowser are characters well-known to any gamer. While there are many Mario games, Super Mario Run is one of the best for mobile devices. The game has a lot of content. You will have to complete 24 levels, and once you rescue Princess Peach, you'll be able to play nine unique World Star levels. The gameplay is extremely addictive but, at the same time, simple enough so you can play using only one hand. Super Mario Run is an old-school game with an incredible retro atmosphere.
9
Grim Fandango Remastered
Manny Calavera is a Department of Death agent who sells newly arrived souls tickets to the underworld. Due to the actions of some, he has to go on a four-year journey in the company of several colourful characters.
Such is the plot of Grim Fandango, a quest known for its impeccable design and dark humour. In 1998, the game was nicely rated by critics and players. And 17 years later, a version for mobile devices was released with high-resolution textures, improved lighting, and a re-recorded orchestral soundtrack.
10
2-bit Cowboy
Another game inspired by the GameBoy era, 2-bit Cowboy is a Castlevania and Metroid-inspired game where you can shoot down the town, ride horses or minecarts, and track down people who are WANTED dead or alive! There is a lot to do in this world, from drinking at salons and gambling in casinos to collecting rewards for the quests you’ve completed.
11
Double Dragon Trilogy
Double Dragon Trilogy is known as the game that started the golden age of beat-em ups in the late 90s, providing a challenging, street-fighting game with co-op gameplay. The iOS version of the game does include new features only on mobile devices, including new characters, combo attacks and updated graphics!
12
The VideoKid
TheVideoKid is an 80s-inspired game dripping with references and nostalgia. Playing a version of Paper Boy, you find yourself skateboarding down a busy road, throwing cassette tapes at mailboxes while avoiding characters from older movies and TV shows, grabbing power-ups and avoiding traffic. It’s a simple game, but quite well done.
13
Kick Ass Commandos
In a huge bullet frenzy of destruction, Kick Ass Commandos is a top-down shooter where you can use machine guns, flamethrowers, rocket launchers and more to destroy enemy bases - and well, basically everything you see. Everyone has been turned into mindless zombies, so there is no real reason not to kill everyone apart from your team.
14
1942 Classic Arcade
If you love the retro-style atmosphere and dynamic air combat gameplay, you should definitely try 1942 Classic Arcade. You will have to become a brave pilot in World War II, and your goal is to go to Tokyo to destroy the Japanese army. Along the way, you will encounter dangerous enemies and bosses. The graphics of the game complement the perfect retro atmosphere. You will have to complete 20 different levels with a huge boss at the end of each. If you want to have a challenge, the 1942 Classic Arcade won't disappoint you.
15
Stardew Valley
Stardew Valley is a game where you have to create and develop your farm. The gameplay is simple, and you won't find any dangerous enemies or complex tasks in the game. However, there are many different things that you can do. One of those things is creating relationships with your neighbours and taking part in different events in their lives.
16
Mortal Kombat Mobile
Mortal Kombat is a game that basically everyone remembers. You can create a team of Mortal Kombat warriors and use them to fight against others in 3 vs 3 battles or in multiplayer faction wars, where you can play against other players' entire teams. There are tons of characters from the older games, as well as new characters that you can discover and master. It's a mix of old and a mix of new, but a really fun game to play - especially when it comes to mastering epic knockouts!
In case you decide to try it out, we suggest taking a look at our Mortal Kombat tier list of characters, as it will give you a better insight into who you should choose.
17
McPixel
I remember playing McPixel on my first mobile phone as a kid. It’s a point-and-click game full of wacky humour where you will probably die more times than you expect, as it’s trial and error if you click the right place and end up advancing the story. With that said, there is something simply hilarious about the different paths you can go down in this random game!
18
Super Hexagon
Super Hexagon is a game that you’ll end up playing from muscle memory, trying to move a triangle through a small gap that’s slowly moving down the screen, then adjusting for the next gap, and continuing as the world changes around you. It’s a really addictive game that you’ll end up playing for quite some time, getting just a little further as you go.
19
Flipflop Solitaire
I feel like card games like Solitaire are so retro, they go beyond devices! But, not to worry, Flipflop Solitaire isn't as boring as playing with a deck of cards on your own. If you are a fan of Spider, Klondike or any solitaire, you can find some fun in this mobile game. Here, you can stack up and down, as long as you are only moving stacks of a single suit. It's quite simple to follow, and the card designs are cute too!
20
Micro Breaker
Micro Breaker brings me back to Big Fish Games, and using their free trial coins to play through a bunch of 3D brick-breaking worlds. This game is pretty straightforward, and if you like Brick Breakers, it's one you'll likely be able to pick up and play quickly. You can move a paddle across the bottom of the screen, knocking a ball upwards to destroy bricks. However, there are some needed improvements in the genre.
You can also purchase power-ups and upgrades that can help you keep your ball in the air. There are over 130 different stages and a bunch of zones to categorise them, along with daily quests and prizes for making it through stages. It's just got a lot more going on!
21
Retro Bowl
For fans of sports, we have a solid one for you. Retro Bowl puts you in the shoes of the NFL manager that had just taken a team of half-witted players, and he needs to set them on the winner's path. You know, like some of those cheesy movies. You'll have to sort out the finances, fine your players whenever they cause a drunken accident and maintain a good relationship with fans, as well as the owner of the club.
That's not all, you'll have to play the games yourself, and although the controls may seem simple, gameplay will hook you up right from the start. On the offensive, you'll lead the team, while the defensive actions are automatic, and you can only impact them by having a good setup of defensive players.
22
Chrono Trigger
Chrono Trigger is a retro RPG. However, the mobile version has been updated to work better on mobile devices and include some small changes to the game, while still giving you that retro feel and nostalgia if you have played the previous version. This is an RPG game, made by the developers of Final Fantasy, where you travel through different time periods to take on an epic quest as time unravels.
A lot of people are wondering whether Chrono Trigger will be released on Switch, and what's the best version of Chrono Trigger at the moment. Well, we can help you with both!
23
Baldur's Gate
In the classic RPG Baldur's Gate, the player has to save the world by controlling a group of several heroes. The game is deep and thoughtful: you can talk to almost every NPC you meet in it, and the actions of the characters affect the results of the quests and even the ending.
There is also an extensive role-playing system, an excellent scenario, several companions, and unique combat. Understanding Baldur's Gate systems takes time, but the game can make you play it for more than a dozen hours.
24
Tetris
You can also play Tetris on your phone - and I am sure you’ve played some form of Tetris before. It’s nearly impossible not to have. The mobile version of this game benefits from different control options and online leaderboards, if you want to take on the challenge of pros.
25
Pacific Wings
Pacific Wings is essentially a re-titled game called 1941, which allows you to play as a fighter pilot - moving your plan around the screen, shooting down enemies as you go. There isn't any difference between this mobile adaptation and the original game - the graphics even look nearly identical. You can easily move your plane around by using your finger, and can find power-ups as you make it further. There have been loads of newer games, following the same format, but Pacific Wings feels like a replicate of 1941, exactly.
26
Snake '97: retro phone classic
If you had one of the old Nokia phones, you are in for a flash from the past. Everyone knows the classic game of Snake, but if you'd like to play this game - for whatever reason - on your smartphone, you can find it! This version of Snake comes with the look of an old phone, giving you a digital phone screen to interact with in order to control your snake. It's a simple game, but quite quirky in its visuals.
