There's something about the retro games It's still captivating decades later: simple graphics, catchy music, and that feeling of "come on, just one more game" that ends up turning into hours in front of the screen. If you grew up in the '80s or '90s, you surely have vivid memories of arcades, 8-bit and 16-bit consoles, pesetas dropping into arcade machines, or afternoons with friends playing the controller until it wore out.
Today, thanks to emulators, specialized websites and official collections, it's easier than ever revive those classics Both on computers and mobile devices. From virtual arcades like The Internet Arcade on Archive.org, to compilations of legendary consoles or modern ROM hacks that reinterpret our memories, the retro universe is more alive than ever and continues to gain new fans who weren't even born when these games were all the rage.
The magic of classic arcade games
On May 21, 2010, Google surprised the world by turning its logo into a playable slot machine. PAC-MAN To celebrate its 30th anniversary, that experiment made it clear that the power of retro remains undiminished. Millions of users were captivated by that interactive doodle, with an estimated 500 million hours spent playing and a loss of productivity valued at around €100 million worldwide, all for a Pac-Man game with just a few pixels.
If a simple arcade game on the Google homepage was able to cause such an earthquake, imagine what Archive.org did with The Internet Arcades It was a direct attempt to shatter the boundaries of nostalgia. This online library makes hundreds of classic arcade games available to anyone, free of charge and accessible via a web browser. Many of these games date back to the 70s, 80s, and early 90s, and the selection boasts over 900 titles, including gems from consoles like the Atari 2600, Game Gear, and Mega Drive.
The philosophy of Archive.org is to preserve digital culture: books, videos, music, websites and softwareEverything is freely accessible so it doesn't get lost. In this context, The Internet Arcade was born, a true virtual arcade where you can play without inserting coins and without having a machine at home. It's the ultimate evolution of the phrase "play a quick game while you work," because all you have to do is open a browser tab to lose yourself in an endless collection of classics.
As Nolan Bushnell, founder of Atari, said, the best games are “easy to understand, but difficult to masterThat's the essence of 80s arcades: simple controls, clear rules, and a difficulty curve that pushes you to improve, compete with your friends, and try to beat your own record again and again.
To help you navigate this ocean of nostalgia, below we review a bunch of iconic retro games that are still just as addictive today as when you first discovered them… and maybe you’ll find one you never got around to trying back then.
50 essential arcade games that defined an era
Among the hundreds of titles available in collections like The Internet Arcade, there is a selection of 50 Arcade Classics which perfectly summarize what made those games so special. From impossible races to pixelated beat 'em ups, brick-breaking games to space invaders, this list is a whirlwind tour through arcade history.
1. Out Run
This legendary racing game put us behind the wheel of a red sports car, speeding along coastal roads. While no emulator can fully replicate that arcade cabinet with its car-shaped seat, steering wheel, and gearshift, driving while listening to its soundtrack and racing against the clock remains a true delight.
2.Street Fighter II
The undisputed king of 90s fighting games. Although performing hadokens and shoryukens with a keyboard isn't the most comfortable thing in the world, this title is perfect for organizing a small impromptu tournament in the office or for quick solo matches, mastering combos and special moves of its charismatic fighters.
3. Frogger
You seemingly control just a frog crossing roads and rivers, but beneath that innocent facade lies a brutally difficult game about animals trying to find their way home in a hostile environment. It demands lightning-fast reflexes and a lot of composure, and it's one of those games where it's practically impossible to play just one round.
4. Paperboy
Here you step into the shoes of a newspaper delivery boy on a bike who has to deliver papers to the right houses while dodging cars, dogs, and surreal obstacles. Getting a high score is difficult, but it's almost harder to convince a kid hooked on modern shooters that one of the biggest hits of the '80s was about delivering newspapers.
5. Dig Dug
Underground, your mission is to eliminate enemies by inflating them with an air pump until they explode. It seems simple enough, but it's quite challenging, and the guilty pleasure of blowing up your rivals is one that stays with you. It's one of those games you have to try to understand its charm.
6.galaga
A straightforward, no-nonsense shoot 'em up. Enemies arrive in formation, gunfire everywhere, and instant addiction. Pure retro fun packed into a few waves.
7. Pac-Man Plus
A souped-up version of the classic Pac-Man, perfect for those looking for an extra challenge. The history surrounding Pac-Man is full of legends, like Billy Mitchell's famous perfect run in 1999: six hours to beat all 255 levels with the highest possible score without losing a single life. With this game, you have all the ingredients you need to aim for your own all-time record.
8. Marble Madness
A skill-based game where you control a marble through impossible circuits. Some players can complete it in about three minutes—an ideal challenge if you only have a little free time and want to see how far you can get.
9. Q*Bert
A very clever puzzle game where you change the color of blocks by jumping on them, dodging enemies and traps. In 1984, a 58-year-old player, Doris Self, won a Q*Bert tournament and became one of the oldest recorded video game competitors, proving that the passion for arcades knows no generation.
10. Golden Axe
Probably one of the most beloved fantasy beat 'em ups. Knights, amazons, dwarves, dragons, and magic galore in a world of sword and sorcery. It's one of those titles that hardly needs an introduction and that many remember simply for its unique ending.
11. Double Dragon
The archetype of "me against the neighborhood": martial arts, improvised weapons, knives, and street fights. Its spirit is strongly reminiscent of films like The Warriors, with that touch of stylized violence so characteristic of the era.
12.Donkey Kong
The arcade game that brought worldwide fame to the most well-known gorilla in video games and who stars in one of the most acclaimed documentaries in the industry, The King of Kong. The rivalry between Billy Mitchell and Steve Wiebe for the highest score has become legendary. If you manage to beat their records on your desktop, you can always check with Twin Galaxies, the organization that records the official records.
13.Tron
A collection of minigames inspired by the film of the same name, with striking visuals. However, its structure can be somewhat cryptic, almost a puzzle in itself for the modern gamer.
14. Berzerk
This maze shooter is notable for the presence of Evil Otto, a smiling and nearly indestructible villain who relentlessly pursues the player. The game was so unsettling that urban legends circulated in the 80s about kids who supposedly died after achieving very high scores.
15. Against
The run-and-gun formula never gets old. Contra is one of the great examples of run-and-gun games, a style later adopted by series like Metal Slug or more recent titles like Mercenary Kings or Broforce.
16. Bionic Commando
Here, the bionic grappling hook is the true star. Your objective, nothing more and nothing less, is to prevent the resurrection of a figure clearly inspired by Hitler, by swinging, climbing, and firing nonstop. Certainly, any excuse is a good one to play it for a while instead of checking your email.
17. Arkanoid
The spiritual successor to Pong, transformed into a sci-fi brick-breaker. You control a kind of paddle-ship that bounces a ball to destroy all sorts of blocks. Its success was such that the brick-breaker genre proliferated on consoles and computers, with countless variations.
18. Tapper
You're seemingly just pouring beer mugs at the pace customers order, but the tension quickly escalates: you have to calculate how many drinks to pour, to whom, and collect the glasses that come back to the bar. Its frantic mechanics are reminiscent of the stress of working behind a real bar, almost like being at work but with pixelated graphics.
19. Burger Time
In this arcade game, you assemble giant hamburgers by dropping ingredients onto platforms, all while being chased by sausages and other food enemies. It's like a delirious culinary version of Pac-Man, where fast food is the real star.
20. Commando
A classic top-down action game released in 1985, the same year as the Schwarzenegger film of the same name (though Schwarzenegger doesn't appear in the game). Even so, its gameplay influenced many subsequent war games, laying the groundwork for arcade war games.
21. Super Zaxxon
An isometric shooter that simulated a primitive 3D. Its aesthetic of spaceships and enemy bases combined high difficulty with a visual style that was very striking for its time.
22. Tetris
Few things are more mesmerizing than fitting together endlessly falling tetrominoes, completing lines to prevent them from reaching the top of the screen. Its minimalist design and mechanics, as simple as they are profound, make Tetris the most famous puzzle of the story, capable of getting into your head to the point of dreaming about pieces falling.
23. Pang
Behind the bubbles bouncing across the screen lies a game about traveling around the world, with iconic settings and an upward-shooting mechanic that hooks you from the first game.
24. Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
Adaptation of the film of the same name, with very decent graphics for the time and a notable technical detail: it includes digitized voices of Harrison Ford himself, something that was quite a luxury back then.
25. Kung Fu Master
A very simple but perfect beat 'em up for fans of direct combat. You advance through corridors while repelling hordes of enemies with punches and kicks, in a structure that is as simple as it is powerful.
26. Xevious
A vertical shooter that stands out for combining air and ground attacks. You have to alternate between firing shots into the sky and dropping bombs on the ground to eliminate enemy units on two different planes, giving it an extra layer of depth.
27. TwinBee
Similar in structure to Xevious, but with a much more colorful and charming aesthetic. It proves that you can make a cute shoot 'em up without losing an ounce of fun.
28. Altered Beast
This side-scrolling action game blends Greco-Roman mythology, zombies, and monsters in a combination that's as delirious as it is wonderful. You control a centurion resurrected by Zeus to rescue his daughter Athena, transforming into different powerful beasts as you progress.
29. Mario Bros.
Before jumping on mushrooms in the Mushroom Kingdom, Mario worked fixing pipes. In this arcade title, you share the screen with Luigi to eliminate creatures that emerge from the pipes, hitting them from below and finishing them off, all in a single plane.
30. Donkey Kong Jr.
Here the roles are reversed: Mario becomes the villain who has imprisoned Donkey Kong, and you control the gorilla's son to try and free him. Platforming, vines, and a healthy dose of pixelated drama.
31. R-Type
One of the most iconic horizontal shoot 'em ups, known for its difficulty and the distinctive design of its enemies and environments. Its upgrade system, with the "Force" support module, allowed players to develop very deep strategies.
32. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles take to the streets in a cooperative beat 'em up that was a hit in arcades. Each turtle has its own fighting style, and the game encourages sharing the screen with friends while you mash buttons.
33. Ninja Gaiden
Known in some regions as Shadow Warriors, it stands out for its action sequences and high difficulty. Even its "Game Over" screen is etched in the memory of many players for its dramatic and dark tone.
34. Gauntlet
One of the pioneers of the cooperative dungeon crawler genre. With fast-paced gameplay, high difficulty, and procedurally generated levels, its spirit has directly influenced modern titles such as FTL, Rogue Legacy, The Binding of Isaac, and Nuclear Throne.
35. Superman
A beat 'em up starring the Man of Steel, with colorful graphics and catchy music. The game even introduces an alternate red Superman for the second player, a curious detail that foreshadows parallel universe ideas like the famous communist Superman from the comics.
36. Robocop
The arcade game based on the famous science fiction film includes first-person shooting levels, hostage rescues, and meticulous attention to both sound and graphics. It's a fine example of how movie licenses can shine in arcade form when crafted with care.
37. Shadow Dancer
A spiritual successor to Shinobi that improves upon virtually every aspect, including first-person stages where you throw ninja stars. True to Sega's style, any mistake is costly: a single enemy hit and you lose a life.
38. Ghosts'n Goblins
Possibly one of the most difficult arcade games ever made. You control the knight Arthur, who gradually loses his armor until he's left in his underwear if he takes a hit, all while trying to overcome levels filled with enemies and traps. Just getting through the first stage is an achievement.
39. Gradius
Another heavyweight of space shooters. Its upgrade system, based on a selection bar, lets you decide when to activate each power-up, rewarding player patience and skill. It's somewhat less frantic than other titles like R-Type, but with remarkable depth.
40. Final Fight
An urban beat 'em up from Capcom, considered alongside Street Fighter as one of the kings of pixelated brawlers. Choose from several characters and clear the streets with your fists in stages filled with enemies and destructible objects.
41.Strider
A highly acclaimed action-platformer in its time, thanks to its fast pace, agile movements, and futuristic setting. While its sequels didn't achieve the same success, it recently received a modern remake that remains quite faithful to the original.
42st World Grand Prix
A first-person motorcycle arcade game that, in the right hands, becomes a fairly realistic simulator of off-track excursions and risky overtakes. An example of how racing games sought immersion with very limited resources.
43. Kick Off
This is one of those games that proves you don't need a FIFA-style simulator to have fun with football. Here, reflexes, shooting, and direct play reign supreme, without any tactical flourishes or complex offside rules.
44. Alex Kidd
Sega's attempt to challenge the success of Super Mario Bros. Although it didn't manage to dethrone the plumber, Alex Kidd became an endearing icon and a precursor to the mascot that would make history for the company: Sonic the Hedgehog, the blue hedgehog that would pit it against Nintendo in the famous console war of the 90s.
45. Demolition Derby
Dedicated to vehicle destruction in two-player duels. A small game in scale, but huge in fun, especially if you enjoyed crashing for the sheer pleasure of it without worrying about the car's condition.
46. Ms. Pac-Man
A "female" version of Pac-Man that, despite starting from a very basic stereotype (a ribbon, feminine features added to the original character), won over critics as one of the best maze games ever made. Feminist critics have pointed out precisely this tendency to create female characters by changing minor details, but that doesn't detract from the game's quality in the slightest.
47. Pitfall!
One of Activision's biggest hits for the Atari 2600, along with other titles that proved third-party developers could do better than the console's manufacturer. While Atari was sinking due to poor decisions (like the disastrous E.T. game, whose cartridges ended up buried in a New Mexico landfill), Pitfall! showcased the potential of home platforming adventures.
48. Sonic Classics
This collection includes the first Sonic game for the Mega Drive, a key title in the Sega vs. Nintendo rivalry. The hedgehog's speed, level design, and charisma made him an icon for an entire generation.
49 Aladdin
An adaptation of the Disney film for 16-bit consoles, especially remembered on the Mega Drive and Super Nintendo. Its fluid animations, sense of humor, and level design have earned it a place on numerous lists of the best games of the era.
50.Mortal Kombat
We're closing out our selection with one of the most controversial fighting games of all time, famous for its fatalities and explicit violence. Nothing beats pulling off a spectacular finishing move between matches to release some pent-up stress.
Playing classic games on your mobile: the era of retro portability
Beyond browsers and virtual arcades, today it's very simple carry retro games in your pocketMany classic titles have been adapted to mobile phones, and there are also emulators that allow you to play 8-bit systems and old consoles with a simplicity that we couldn't even dream of in the 90s.
The great advantage is that these games are designed for short, direct sessions, making them perfect for spare moments, commutes, and quick breaks. Furthermore, many of them maintain a lightweight structure that makes them easy to play. controls adapted to a touchscreen without becoming an ordeal.
In general, modern apps and emulators offer features designed for today's player: saved games at any time, virtual controller customization options, and frequent updates that improve compatibility and performance, while maintaining the spirit of the originals.
Among the most common features you'll find when playing classic games on your mobile are:
- Ability to play anywhere, anytime, without the need for a physical console or television.
- Regular updates with fixes, new options, or stability improvements to ensure everything runs smoothly.
- Save state supportThis allows you to leave the game right where you left off and resume it without losing progress.
- Highly configurable touch controls, with virtual buttons that you can reposition and scale to your liking.
- Even virtual joysticks and cross-pads to get as close as possible to the feel of a physical controller.
Console classics that defined generations
Beyond arcades, 8, 16, and 32-bit home consoles left behind a catalog of unforgettable games that shaped the childhood and adolescence of millions of people. Titles that not only triumphed in their time, but continue to triumph in reissues, remakes, and current collections.
Tetris (1984)
This puzzle, created by Alexey Pajitnov, quickly became a worldwide phenomenon. The geometric pieces descend relentlessly, and we must rotate and position them to form complete lines. Its combination of simplicity, increasing difficulty, and mental absorbency has made it a timeless classic enjoyed by people of all ages.
Super Mario Bros. (1985)
Nintendo's biggest hit on the NES. Mario and Luigi set out to rescue Princess Peach from Bowser's clutches in the Mushroom Kingdom, ushering in a platforming style that changed everything. Its levels full of secrets, its unmistakable melodies, and its polished mechanics established the foundations of the genre and turned the plumber into a global icon.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (1998)
For many, the best adventure game ever made. Link, in his role as the Hero of Time, must stop Ganondorf and save Hyrule in a vast, three-dimensional world full of secrets. With a combat system that was groundbreaking for its time, brilliant puzzles, and a narrative that blends time travel and epic fantasy, this title redefined what an action-adventure game could be.
Super Metroid (1994)
Another gem from Nintendo for the Super Nintendo and one of the cornerstones of the subgenre known as Metroidvania. You play as Samus Aran, a space bounty hunter pursuing pirates who have stolen a baby Metroid. Its interconnected world, oppressive atmosphere, and emphasis on non-linear exploration have made it an absolute benchmark for level design.
Final Fantasy VII (1997)
The RPG that definitively brought Japanese role-playing games to a mainstream Western audience. Cloud Strife, a former soldier turned mercenary, joins a group of rebels to confront the Shinra Corporation and the charismatic and fearsome Sephiroth. Its complex story, memorable characters, and spectacular cinematics for the time redefined the genre and marked a turning point in video game storytelling.
Donkey Kong Country (1994)
Developed by Rare for the Super Nintendo, this platformer stood out for its pre-rendered graphics, which at the time looked almost 3D. Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong must recover their treasure of bananas stolen by King K. Rool through challenging and varied levels, with gameplay that set the bar incredibly high for the genre.
Metal Slug (1996)
Although it originated in arcades, its fame was cemented on consoles as well. It's a military run-and-gun packed with humor, incredibly detailed animations, and hundreds of explosions on screen. Many players fondly remember the coins and hours spent on its frantic missions, with memorable enemies, vehicles, and bosses.
Street Fighter II (1991)
The fighting game genre also shone brightly on home consoles. Its extensive roster of fighters, each with their own unique moves and strategies, laid the foundation for the competitive scene and defined what a good one-on-one fighting game should be.
Pac-Man (1980)
Although it originated in arcades, its impact transcended any platform. Guiding a round yellow creature through a maze while eating dots and dodging ghosts became such a huge pop culture phenomenon that Pac-Man became part of the collective imagination, far beyond the realm of video games.
Space Invaders (1978)
A pioneer among shooters, it pits us against waves of aliens that slowly descend, pushing the player to their limits. Despite its limited technical resources, its design proved that it was possible to create deeply addictive experiences with an idea as simple as shooting to prevent an invasion.
ROM hacks, specialized stores and the current retro scene
The love for retro games isn't limited to replaying the same games over and over: a whole scene has also been created for ROM hacks and reinterpretations that expand classic universes with new stories. One example is Pokémon Legends Delta, a hack set in Hoenn during the Industrial Revolution, where human expansion coexists with Pokémon that are still wild and difficult to predict.
In these kinds of fan projects, the plot often explores concepts that the official games only mention in passing. In the case of Pokémon Legends Delta, the role of the Pokémon Rangers is key, as they act as a bridge between nature and progress, protecting both the ecological balance and the safety of the population in a region undergoing transformation.
At the same time, specialized brick-and-mortar stores still exist, keeping alive the spirit of the old-fashioned video rental shops and import stores. Businesses with very specific addresses, set opening hours, and Delivery times of 2 to 3 daysThey also warn their customers about online scams and clarify that they do not sell on second-hand platforms such as Vibbo, Wallapop or Milanuncios.
Many of these stores have updated their traditional model, offering international deliveries (“We ship worldwide.”) and adjust their shipping rates year after year. Even so, they maintain that friendly, neighborhood shop feel, clearly displaying their contact information, email address, and phone number to answer questions or process orders.
Meanwhile, major manufacturers continue to protect their legacy. Companies like Sony make it clear in their legal notices that all content, titles, trademarks, illustrations and images They belong to their respective owners, underscoring the importance of copyright in re-releases, compilations and digital editions of classics that are now consumed on new platforms.
This entire ecosystem is complemented by schools and training centers that use these degrees to teach video game design. Universities and specialized centers invite students to study and analyze classics like Super Mario, Tetris or Ocarina of Time to learn about mechanics, narrative, and level design. If you're considering a professional career in this field, you'll often find courses, degrees, and master's programs focused on programming, art, and video game design that are based on the study of these retro references.
Looking at this whole picture—browser-based arcade games, mobile adaptations, creative ROM hacks, stores that continue to send physical games by mail, and schools that rely on these titles for teaching—it becomes clear that the Retro games are not just a memorybut an active and vibrant part of today's video game culture, a solid foundation on which much of what we play today is built.
