Retro video games are more popular than ever, appealing to gamers of all ages and backgrounds for various reasons. Today, you can find reboots of the classics, where developers have archived numerous iconic titles for modern audiences and future generations. You can also find modern video games with various aesthetic and gameplay elements of ’90s nostalgia. With that said, here is a quick look at some of the most popular games to try if you’re looking for a trip down memory lane or want to get a taste of what the ’90s era had to offer.
Why is the retro genre so popular with modern gamers?
For some people, especially the older generation, playing retro games gives them a sense of nostalgia and evokes happy memories of a bygone era when those same games used to bring them so much joy.
Some gamers like to try these retro-inspired video games to get a taste of what those older games were like. For others, these games provide a unique experience and a refreshing break away from modern video games that are sometimes complex and overly challenging to play.
They aren’t too demanding on the brain and don’t require too much skill compared to what’s needed to complete today’s high-end, triple-A blockbuster video games. Modern technology is helping preserve those classic ’90s titles and ensuring they remain relevant to modern audiences.
Most modern retro games can now be played on PCs, consoles, smartphones, tablets, and handheld gaming consoles.
How classic games are preserved in the iGaming industry
It’s not just iconic ’90s titles that have been preserved for modern audiences but also classic table & card games and other retro-inspired games that were typically played at those early casino sites. You can find plenty of safe sites with retro-inspired games where you can enjoy the best content on Strafe.com.
Some of the retro-inspired games that have been given a new lease on life are the traditional favourites like blackjack, poker, roulette, craps, and baccarat.
You can now enjoy playing the old computer-generated table & card games in cutting-edge, highly sophisticated live dealer settings where friendly and professionally trained live dealers present the action to you in an actual casino setting.
Top tier, multi-award-winning software providers like Pragmatic Play, Evolution Gaming, and Playtech have also developed a range of popular retro-themed TV game show live dealer titles, such as Snakes & Ladders Live, Live Deal or No Deal, and many other retro favourites like Monopoly Live, which offer players a trip down memory lane.
You can also now find a range of computer-generated 3-reel classic slots and pub fruitys from companies like Blueprint Gaming and Games Global. These ones resemble traditional mechanical fruit machines but have been developed for the modern digital era, with iconic elements, such as trail features, add features, nudge features, and hold reels features.
Which modern video games feature elements of ’90s nostalgia?
If you are looking for modern video games with elements of ’90s nostalgia, then you might like to try some of these top suggestions. The top 10 games to check out in 2025 include the following hit titles:
- Sonic Mania Plus (2017)
- The Messenger (2018)
- Xeno Crisis (2019)
- Horizon Chase Turbo (2019)
- Blazing Chrome (2019)
- Undertale (2015)
- Ion Fury (2019)
- Aggelos (2018)
- Legend of Grimrock (2012)
- Thimbleweed Park (2017)
In most of these games, designers have created brand-new experiences using retro aesthetics and gameplay features, such as platform gaming elements and RPG mechanics.
Final thoughts
Although most games are easy to find, some of these 90s nostalgia video games are more widely available than others and can only be accessed on certain platforms and devices. If you want to mix things up and fancy a change from playing your normal games, don’t forget to check out one or more of these epic retro-inspired titles. You won’t be disappointed.
