Go Back to Oldschool: 8 Best Retro Games Currently on Steam

It's back-to-school season! What better way to go back to the classroom than to go "old school" with these retro titles on Steam.
It's back-to-school season! What better way to go back to the classroom than to go "old school" with these retro titles on Steam.

With brand-new games launching every day, there's no better way to spend your time than to play a game that's 25 years old, am I right?.

Fortunately, you don't have to use an emulator or search eBay for the original cartridge to go "old school" if that's something you're looking for. Plenty of retro games are available on Steam, both in their original form and their slightly-updated versions.

Here are eight retro titles you can get on Steam right now.

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Tomb Raider 

Yes, the original Tomb Raider (and the entire rest of the franchise) is available on Steam right now. There in all its resplendent glory, Tomb Raider comes complete with clunky controls and clunky landscapes.

All of that aside, the original Tomb Raider shines because it's mentally stimulating without being overwhelming. There's space to take the environment in and think about your next steps without having to speed through levels or an ambush of enemies.

The version on Steam is the original MS-DOS version that did not have save crystals, so do not make the same mistakes I made.

Buy Tomb Raider on Steam for $6.99.


Rise of Nations

The historical real-time strategy game that's not Age of Empires IIRise of Nations is the superior title, in my opinion. Why? Because Rise of Nations has more variety with air battles, seven ages of progression, and more types of resources to scout and use.

I also appreciate that I can be a nation like the Nubians and rewrite history as I conquer the world in modern tanks. For me, Rise of Nations is much easier to learn than AoE and is a great game for any RTS-noob.

Buy Rise of Nations on Steam for $19.99.


Earthworm Jim

This SNES classic is only available on Steam as a bundle with two of its sequels: Earthworm Jim 2 and Earthworm Jim 3D. The original game, Earthworm Jimis a '90s run-and-gun platformer with slapstick humor and creative characters. It's too bad the franchise hasn't seen much attention since, well, the '90s.

Fortunately, three of the four games are live on Steam for new fans and nostalgic gamers alike.

Buy the Earthworm Jim Bundle on Steam for $19.99.


RollerCoaster Tycoon 2

RollerCoaster Tycoon 2 doesn't look like much today, but the game was incredibly fun back in 2002. Sure, it's not the first title in the franchise, but Tycoon 2 isn't too much different from the original RollerCoaster Tycoon.

Yet, considering management and construction simulators are all the rage lately, playing through Tycoon 2 can make it easy to appreciate how far the genre has come in the past 15 years.

And if playing the game on Steam isn't your fancy, know there is an open-source re-implementation of the game called OpenRCT2, which includes multiplayer support, auto-saving, and bug fixes.

Buy RollerCoaster Tycoon 2 on Steam for $9.99.


Bubsy Two-Fur

Bubsy Two-Fur is actually the first two games of the Bubsy series: Bubsy in Claws Encounters with the Furred Kind and Bubsy 2. The games got a lot of hype in the '90s, but the series lay dormant for decades until a new release in 2017.

Many people aren't aware of the bobcat hero, even with the new release, unless you played the games as a child. But there's no better time than today to start familiarizing yourself.

Buy Bubsy Two-Fur on Steam for $4.99.


Insaniquarium

Insaniquarium may not be the most top-of-mind retro title, but it's a fun, casual title with tons of fish. The game is a combination of puzzles and resource management. Players must manage money and food resources to keep the guppies alive.

Bosses come periodically to eat the guppies, so players must fend off the boss and protect as many fish as possible. If you're looking for a retro title you can play in short bursts, Insaniquarium is it.

Buy Insaniquarium on Steam for $4.99.


Disney's Aladdin

In the movie, Aladdin just wanted to stroll around the block with Abu and his stolen bread. Disney's Aladdin, however, is no stroll. That lava wave can stay underneath the desert where it belongs.

Video games based off movies usually don't do well, but Aladdin is an excellent game. It's a good 'ole 2D side-scrolling platformer with strong attention-to-detail. It's difficult, but not too difficult.

The game sticks to the plot of the movie but fills in what's missing without twisting the story.

Buy Disney's Aladdin on Steam for $9.99.


Myst

When I first played Myst, I didn't get very far and didn't fully understand what I was supposed to do. But that didn't mean I didn't understand that Myst is a beloved point-and-click adventure game and is an experience every player should try to have at least once.

Don't expect a lot of hand-holding with this game; the mystery of Myst runs deep, and it's puzzles are some of the best in any game, old or new. 

Buy Myst on Steam of $5.99.

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This slideshow is clearly not exhaustive, but there's certainly something for everyone, whether you're looking for a little nostalgia or want to play a title you didn't a chance to as a kid.

Which retro game do you want to play the most? Let us know in the comments!

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