There’s an interesting trend in gaming happening right now. A growing number of players are choosing to power down their PS5s in favour of going off-grid with N64s, Gamecubes, and more.
Given that you’ve landed here on Infinite Frontiers, we’ll hazard a guess that you’re no stranger to retro gaming yourself! According to one survey, 66% of British gamers have acquired retro gaming tech in the past two years alone. Add that to the rising popularity of emulators and niche console reissues, like the Analogue Duo, and it’s clear there’s a huge appetite for all things old school—even among those who weren’t present the first time around.
What’s different about this current obsession is that it seems as though we’re diving into the games of yesteryear as an antidote to the hyper-connected world of today. We’re looking for ways to “switch off” and get back to playing video games for the sheer enjoyment of it…
Do you really need to dust off old hardware to get that retro buzz? Maybe not. We’ve been digging into the best modern games that channel the spirit of the 1980s and ‘90s—with none of the pesky cartridge-blowing or CRT glare.
Are you ready to check them out?
Why Neo-Retro Works So Well in 2025
Why do we still go wild for lo-fi textures and crunchy soundtracks? Part of the retro appeal is in the nostalgia factor: these games remind us of the good times in life! There’s also something uniquely satisfying about getting straight to the action—no surprise updates or bloated intros. Just well-executed, proper gaming!
It’s about more than just nostalgia, though. After all, the games we’re looking at today have been developed right here in the 21st century. Since they’re largely made by solo devs or smaller studios, they take more risks and keep things fun rather than formulaic.
These ‘neo-retro’ games also tend to be more respectful of our time as players, offering intense gameplay in shorter bursts, rather than stretching it out over 80-hour campaigns. We’re all a bit screen-weary these days, right?
Interestingly, this same thinking is at the core of the iGaming sector, where the most successful titles take old formats (think: card games and one-armed bandits) and update them with sleek interfaces and smooth action. Video poker is a great example…
A throwback to the 1970s, video poker first emerged as a slot machine-style take on draw poker. Having balanced retro mechanics with modern convenience, it’s now one of the most popular verticals in the online casino realm. If you haven’t tried them before, you’ll find that some of the most popular video poker games even lean into that old-school aesthetic.
With sound effects and animations that wouldn’t feel out of place being played on a Game Boy Color, they deliver a hit of unfussy gaming. How do instant action and maximum strategy sound? The enthusiasm for video poker has climbed in recent years, with more and more players keen to check out video poker games and take them for a metaphorical spin when they want to kick back and relax.
Our Pick of Neo-Retro Games
Okay, okay, we know you’re here for the modern stuff! Let’s move on to the best neo-retro titles available right now.
Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider
Developer: JoyMasher
Release Year: 2023
Platform: PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Amazon Luna
There’s a reason Moonrider has been compared to the legendary Shinobi—this game wears its 16-bit inspo with pride. More than just nostalgia-bait, behind its chunky visuals and retro colour palette lies razor-sharp gameplay.
You play as a bio-engineered super soldier on a journey to break free from its creators. Standard Sci-Fi fare, sure, but it’s just so well-executed. Combat feels tight and responsive, levels are short but packed with secrets, and boss fights feel like they could’ve been ripped straight from a lost Mega Drive gem.
Infernax
Developer: Berzerk Studio
Release Year: 2022
Platform: PC, Xbox One-Series X|S, PS4, Switch
Love those old Nintndo staples? Coming straight from the playbook of Castlevania II, we present Infernax. A pretty savage action-RPG/Metroidvania mash-up, it’s not for the faint-hearted. But if moral ambiguity and getting straight down to business are your jam, you’ll lap this one up.
Will you be the hero and save the townsfolk from the clutches of demonic evil? Or is there truth in that old adage of “if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em”? The choices are yours, and there’s real impact for each and every one you make.
Shadow Labyrinth
Developer: Noctra Studios
Release Year: 2024
Platform: PC (Steam), console release set for July 2025
At first glance, Shadow Labyrinth feels like a classic homage to all those early dungeon crawlers. But! It’s actually a slick reinvention of a very different retro game… Pac-Man. Yes, really! Imagine the fruit-and-pellet-chomping simplicity of NAMCO’s 1980 arcade hit with the creepy unease of Clock Tower and you’ll get an idea of what’s in store here.
You awaken alone, with no clear objective and no weapon in sight, just a maze that rewrites itself each time you die. And no, you’re not stalked by ghosts but soundless, glitchy entities that seem to predict your every move.
Sounds eerie, no? It is and you’ll definitely get (more than) a few chills while playing it.
Beyond Retro
Classic games and consoles will always have their place, but there’s some real magic going on in this new wave of neo-retro game design. Whether you’re chasing nostalgia or looking for games that respect your time and attention, these retro-inspired titles are worth diving into.
Photo by Dan Butler
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