So, you’ve got a bit of free time. You’ve got an old gaming system or an emulator ready to go. You’ve got a list of titles in front of you. What now? What do you pick?
We always talk about the world of retro games being fun. Being better than anything modern games have produced for years. And yet, what often goes unacknowledged in that conversation is that many retro games aren’t really all that satisfying or exciting; you’ve got to sort through to find the true gems in this world.
Fortunately, we’re here to point you in the right direction with some retro titles you might have overlooked!
The OG Slot Machines
First of all, slots. These games won hearts and minds for their simplicity, and they continue to do so today; who’s going to deny it? Of course, if you play modern slots online today, you’ll see all kinds of exciting themes, swish graphics, high-end features, glossy characters… and yes, that world is undoubtedly fun. Where did it come from, though? How did we get to this point?
The OG slot games. The Liberty Bell, famous and iconic for the whole genre. Fruits, like lemons, plums, cherries – representative of the gum flavors for the prizes these machines used to dispense instead of coins. These are the symbols that we’re familiar with, the ones that will really tick that “nostalgia box” for you.
But we’ll admit finding an OG slot machine might not be that easy, and not many folks have the space to store them. Fortunately, you can still get the same experience by looking at online slots and picking from the retro category. There are plenty of options making use of those original, classic images, transporting their players back in time to the games they once knew and loved.
Simon The Sorcerer
Perhaps way back in the early 1990s, you booted up a game with a grumpy teenage wizard who ended up going on a quest totally against his will, getting threatened by ogres, attacked by witches, and decidedly tortured by his player (who didn’t tell poor old Simon to “consume” the compost heap and giggle over his dialogue?).
Simon the Sorcerer was released in 1993, so it’s definitely got the retro touch, but it’s also got plenty to make it playable in 2026. First of all, it’s a hard game. Really hard. One of those puzzle-solvers where you have to figure out which item in your inventory to try on which element of the world around you, it’s certainly not for those who like easy options. Can you figure out what to do with the princess-turned-pig? How to get past the dwarves and into their caves? The best way of dealing with a crying farm boy?
And if you can… good news, there’s Simon the Sorcerer II to leave you equally flummoxed and amused, incorporating familiar characters like the Swampling (Mm, lovely stew), and plenty of new content.
Of course, being hard isn’t enough to make a game stand out in today’s world. But Simon’s real beauty lay in his character. Sarcastic, a bit pathetic, rather rude to those in the world around him… he was a very appealing “hero” (and we use that word lightly). The funny dialogue made this game what it was, and it lasts beautifully to this day.
After all, “I wish this was happening to you, instead of me.”
Enough said.
Muppet RaceMania
Let’s switch consoles and genres completely. Muppet RaceMania is one of those games you had to play to get to grips with – chaotic, hilarious, packed with Muppet dialogue, and great for multiplayer. Let’s face it, that’s a rare combination in the retro genre, but this game succeeded.
You could race, you could battle, and you could throw silly weapons around based on which character you were playing. Winning enough races unlocked new characters. Beating up your friends was just satisfying.
This game perfectly captured the whimsical charm and hilarity of the Muppets, but also offered solid gameplay underneath, making it a win for any fan, and even people who weren’t followers. If you’re looking for a good racer and you’ve already worn Crash Team Racing to death… this is your new best friend.
Disney’s Aladdin
Maybe you want to jump back a little further in time. Disney’s Aladdin was for the Sega Genesis or Sega Mega Drive, and it’s a fabulous pick for anybody trying to sink into nostalgia. Throwing apples at the guards, jumping on camels, trying to succeed at impossibly-fast bonus rounds – it had a little bit of everything.
Is this game polished? No. Is it perfect for anyone seeking the childhood magic of the past? Absolutely.
And the graphics are surprisingly good for another 1993 release, making it a top pick for anyone who feels they missed out the first time around.
Casper (PS1)
Last, but not least, we’ve got Casper. Simple title, simple concept… endlessly sprawling gameplay that will keep you engaged for hour after hour after hour as you try to figure out which doors to open, where a secret passageway has been unlocked, what moving that suit of armor achieved, and how to get into different parts of the house.
It might not sound interesting to spend the whole game locked in Whipstaff Manor with very few enemies (the odd boss room and the occasional jump scare), but you will be totally captivated by trying to figure out where to go and how to use your keys to their best advantage. A short warning, though: this game does not hold your hand. Prepare to spend many hours stuck. But then, isn’t that retro games to a T?