Of course, not all retro games are timeless, but many of them have that strange nostalgia appeal and still have challenging (but ultimately fun) gameplay. With 2025 at the threshold, we can look back on the fantastic retro arcade games that were so influential in the gaming industry. Let’s talk about games you should consider replaying.
Pac-Man (1980)
There’s no need for an introduction for Pac-Man. Namco released it in 1980, and it would become a cultural phenomenon. Of course, much has changed since then, but the gameplay is still simple enough but ridiculously addictive. You control Pac-Man while he runs around a maze, eating pellets to stave off the mammoth hunger, and trying to avoid those ghosts, and it’s still as classy as ever.
Modern gamers can play in the magic today, after Pac-Man has been coded for lots of alternate platforms.
One thing that has not changed is the look of one of the most iconic games of all time. It has fun and challenging sound effects and a unique layout.
Super Mario Bros. (1985)
The Super Mario Bros. has a vibrant style to its level design, plus awesome music loved by players of all ages. Nintendo introduced us to Mario and Luigi, whose mission was to rescue Princess from the bad guy Bowser. Super Mario Bros. managed to find just the right mix of exploration, platforming, and rough n’ tumble and became the template for many, many games that followed.
And in 2025 we are indeed still bought by the appeal of Super Mario Bros., with all those remakes and ports put on modern consoles.
The Legend of Zelda (1986)
The Legend of Zelda was another groundbreaking Nintendo release. It set a creative, innovative standard for action-adventure games. It would take a revolutionary step ahead with nonlinear gameplay and introducing an open world, which was unheard of. Link is a young hero who must rescue Princess Zelda and defeat the evil Ganon, a task taken on by players. The Legend of Zelda’s fans have generated numerous sequels and spin-offs, spending many hours in the blend of puzzles, exploration, and combat.
In 2025, you can enjoy the magic of the original Zelda due to its numerous collections and virtual console services. If you haven’t played it yet, now is the perfect time to jump into the land of Hyrule by playing one of gamers’ favorite retro games of all time.
Tetris (1984)
Tetris is pure puzzle game gold. Alexey Pajitnov developed it in 1984, and anyone can pick it up and play. The premise is simple: you try and place falling blocks inside of the area you control, trying to complete lines that score you points. The max score concept itself is easy to understand, but it is really a challenge (hence very addictive) to actually reach a decent high score.
Whatever your platform is, Tetris is a fun pass-the-time game that continues to engage people. It’s timeless. Players will always love the simple yet challenging gameplay.
Street Fighter II (1991)
A gold standard for competitive fighting games: that’s the description Street Fighter II achieved when it was released in 1991 by Capcom. It was responsible for introducing a wide slew of characters, all with various moves and powers, that would set the stone for the fighting game genre. The game’s beloved classic is its deep mechanics and strategic gameplay, while iconic characters such as Ryu, Chun-Li, and Guile make the game memorable.
Street Fighter II, by the way, is still active in 2025, thanks to the modern console relaunch and online play.
Space Invaders (1978)
A key game in the development of video games. Released in 1978 by Taito, this game gave players the ability to defend the earth from an alien invasion. The gameplay was quite simple, but interesting and engaging: the player controlled a cannon to destroy descending waves of enemies. Still, instantly recognizable are Space Invaders’ iconic sound effects and pixelated graphics, making the game one of the most influential in gaming history.
Sure, Space Invaders might seem primitive by today’s standards, but it remains a good fun, engaging, and challenging experience and sets the standards for what the arcade gaming industry was to become. It’s a game worth revisiting for retro fans.
Donkey Kong (1981)
Mario was introduced to the world by Donkey Kong in his first big appearance (before he was Super Mario). In this 1981 video game released by Nintendo, the player took control of Mario (or Jumpman) and rescued his girlfriend, Pauline, from the giant ape Donkey Kong. With challenging platforming and some memorable stages, it instantly became a hit and a loved classic.
Whether you can play the original arcade version or something closer to modern remakes, Donkey Kong is always a fun nostalgia hit. If you like platformers and classic arcade action, it’s one of the best retro games to revisit in 2025.
Retro games are beautiful as they are a simple game, a challenging game, and highly nostalgic. These games might be old, but they never get old. Whether it’s revisiting Pac-Man for the umpteenth time or playing Super Mario Bros. for the first time, these timeless classics are still a lot of fun today as they were twenty some years ago.
If you’re in want of retro arcade games, you have a whole lot of resources to help you return to the scene. These timeless arcade experiences are now available from dedicated gaming websites, modern console ports of famous titles, and more. Then grab your controller and let’s play through some of these best retro arcade games that stand the test of time.