15 Best Retro Video Games of All Time
The best retro games aren’t just a trip down memory lane, they’re the foundation of the gaming world we know today. From blowing dust out of a cartridge to watching pixels glow on a CRT, these classics from the 1980s through the early 2000s prove that great gameplay can last forever.
Rather than lengthy tutorials or cinematic storytelling, retro games focused on mechanics. Players learned by playing, improved through practice, and were challenged to master systems that became deeper over time. That design approach created games with high replay value, distinct visual styles, and soundtracks that remain instantly recognizable.
This list of the best retro video games is based on cultural impact, innovation, and lasting fun, though we know everyone has a game that means something personal. That’s part of the magic.
1. Super Mario Bros. (1985) - NES
This was the first game for many players, and still one of the most iconic video games ever made. Super Mario Bros. revived the console market after the 1983 crash and taught players how to play without saying a word.
World 1-1 remains a masterclass in side-scrolling design, introducing jumps, enemies, and power stars through play alone. It’s a great game that laid the groundwork for platformers and Mario’s future.
2. The Legend of Zelda (1986) - NES
The Legend of Zelda introduced open-world freedom, dropping players into Hyrule with minimal guidance. Groundbreaking for its non-linear structure, it was the first game of its kind, letting players explore Hyrule at their own pace. Players can tackle dungeons in any order or hunt for secrets by bombing walls and burning bushes. It also introduced console battery-save technology.
With a remixed second quest and deep exploration, the Zelda title established the DNA for future Zelda games, blending exploration, puzzles, and discovery. It’s widely regarded as one of the greatest games ever, and its influence is still felt today.
3. Tetris (1989) - Game Boy
Tetris is endlessly compelling: arrange falling shapes to create horizontal lines. Its genius lies in simple rules that create infinite complexity, making it understandable in seconds but difficult to master as speed increases. For decades, players considered it practically impossible to pass Level 29 due to the extreme speed. It’s a simple game with endless depth, and it’s still just as addictive today.
The Game Boy version made this addictive classic portable, proving you don't need complex mechanics to create a timeless masterpiece. For many players, this was their first game on handheld, and a reminder that minimalism works.
4. Pac-Man (1980) - Arcade
Pac-Man became a cultural phenomenon, making it one of the most iconic characters in gaming history. The concept was easy to understand, yet endlessly tense.
Console ports brought arcade excitement home, and Pac-Man helped prove that video games could appeal to a massive audience beyond arcades.
5. Super Mario World (1990) - SNES
Super Mario World refined everything that came before it. With 96 exits, branching paths, and Yoshi, it encouraged exploration while keeping controls tight.
Its physics are so precise that speedrunners still play it today. It’s often cited as one of the greatest games and remains a benchmark for platformers.
6. The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (1991) - SNES
This title perfected the Zelda formula with a dual-world system, traveling between Light and Dark Worlds to solve puzzles. It established the franchise blueprint, influencing decades of dungeon design.
The parallel world mechanic, where actions in one realm affect the other, adds depth. Balancing combat, exploration, and puzzle-solving, it frequently tops "best of" lists.
7. Sonic the Hedgehog (1991) - Sega Genesis
Sonic offered what Nintendo couldn't: pure speed. This momentum-based platformer turned velocity into a risk-reward mechanic with loops and corkscrews. Marketed as an edgier alternative to Mario, it proved platformers could be thrilling roller coasters.
While the sequel added multiplayer, the original established the "Blue Blur" as a gaming icon and defined the Sega Genesis library.
8. Street Fighter II (1992) - Arcade/SNES
Street Fighter II perfected the fighting genre, influencing everything from Mortal Kombat to modern esports. Featuring eight unique characters with special moves like the Hadouken, it accidentally birthed the combo system when players discovered they could chain attacks. This depth created the competitive tournament scene.
While others offered grit, this game helped shape the fighting-game industry and remains a social classic at gatherings and tournaments.
9. Mega Man 2 (1988) - NES
Mega Man 2 lets players pick their own path, tackling Robot Masters in any order. The rock-paper-scissors weapon system rewarded planning and experimentation. Its side-scrolling action influenced countless titles and cemented Mega Man as a classic hero.
Refining the original's difficulty and introducing the Metal Blade, it emphasizes pattern memorization. This structure influenced countless action-platformers and established the boss-rush format.
10. Metroid (1986) - NES
Metroid features bounty hunter Samus Aran exploring planet Zebes, collecting power-ups to unlock inaccessible areas.
This non-linear gameplay requires backtracking with upgraded abilities. The lonely environment and minimal music create an unmatched sense of isolation. Alongside Castlevania, it coined the "Metroidvania" genre, remaining highly influential in gaming history.
11. Chrono Trigger (1995) - SNES
This RPG masterpiece features turn-based combat, party combos, and a time-travel narrative spanning eras. Unlike peers, enemies appear on the map, allowing players to avoid battles.
It combined time travel, emotional storytelling, and innovative combat. It introduced New Game+ and multiple endings, ideas that are now staples. Many consider it one of the greatest games in RPG history.
12. Pokémon Red and Blue (1996) - Game Boy
Pokémon Red and Blue launched a multimedia empire with a simple formula: catch, train, and battle 151 monsters. Trading via Link Cable made it social, while team-building kept it strategic. For Game Boy players, it was a defining experience and the start of a global phenomenon.
"Gotta catch 'em all" became a cultural phenomenon, proving that great design can be successful across generations.
13. Contra (1987) - NES
In this run-and-gun classic, two commandos battle aliens with eight-directional shooting. Known for legendary difficulty where one hit means death, it popularized the Konami Code for 30 extra lives.
Defining the "Nintendo Hard" era, its simultaneous co-op required tight coordination to survive.
14. Castlevania (1986) - NES
Players control vampire hunter Simon Belmont, storming Dracula's castle with his iconic whip. Unlike fluid platformers, it demands deliberate timing. The gothic aesthetic features classic horror monsters and the iconic "Vampire Killer" theme.
While later entries spawned the Metroidvania subgenre, the original established the series' staple horror atmosphere.
15. Donkey Kong Country (1994) - SNES
Using pre-rendered 3D graphics on 16-bit hardware, this game wowed players with exceptional visual depth. It revitalized Donkey Kong as a platforming hero, featuring tight gameplay and hidden secrets. With David Wise's beloved soundtrack capturing each environment's mood, it remains a standout SNES title.
Honorable Mentions: Games That Shaped Genres
Some retro games didn’t just become popular—they changed how entire genres worked. These titles introduced new ideas, mechanics, and ways to play that still influence the gaming world today. While they may not all fit neatly into a single category, each one left a lasting mark and helped shape the games we enjoy now. Here are some honorable mentions:
GoldenEye 007 – Often cited as one of the greatest FPS games, proving shooters worked on consoles
Metal Gear Solid – Featuring Solid Snake, the original Metal Gear Solid created stealth gameplay as we know it
Final Fantasy VII – Introduced cinematic storytelling and Cloud Strife
Super Mario 64 – Redefined 3D movement
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater – Cultural impact through music and trick systems and defined extreme sports gaming.
Getting Started with Your Retro Gaming Journey
Retro games remind us why we fell in love with gaming in the first place. Whether it’s revisiting Ocarina of Time on Nintendo 64’s hardware or racing through Sonic 2 on the Mega Drive, these experiences still shine.
Start with accessible titles like Super Mario World or Tetris before tackling harder games. These teach mechanics naturally and are forgiving for beginners.
ShopGoodwill.com offers used gaming consoles for budget-conscious collectors to play these classic titles. Every purchase supports job training programs that help people build brighter futures, making your gaming hobby meaningful beyond the screen. Browse retro games on ShopGoodwill.com to rediscover classics, support your community, and celebrate the joy of play—one cartridge at a time.
Sources:
Ars Technica. Teen achieves first NES Tetris "rebirth," proves endless play is possible. https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2024/10/nes-tetris-first-ever-rebirth-loops-past-level-255-and-back-to-zero/
The Strong National Museum of Play. 2025 World Video Game Hall of Fame Inductees Announced. https://www.museumofplay.org/press-release/2025-world-video-game-hall-of-fame-inductees-announced/