Buzz
Video game history is deeply rooted in pixel art masterpieces such as Super Mario Bros., Super Metroid, and Final Fantasy VI. This iconic art style has experienced a resurgence, driven by indie game developers who have embraced its nostalgic charm. Inspired by the success of games like Cave Story and Fez, indie creators have spent over a decade reinventing pixel art, blending gaming’s rich history with innovative modern twists.
These games aren’t just nostalgic throwbacks—they deliver cutting-edge gameplay and audiovisual experiences that rival even the most advanced 3D titles. For instance, the indie phenomenon Stardew Valley, with over 15 million global sales, highlights the growing appeal of pixel art games. These titles pay homage to the classics of the ‘70s, ‘80s, and ‘90s while offering fresh, immersive experiences that old hardware could never achieve.
Here’s a curated list of the best modern pixel art games available today.
Axiom Verge
After narrowly escaping a catastrophic lab explosion, scientist Trace finds himself in a strange, alien world. With no clear path home, he embarks on a journey to uncover its hidden mysteries. Drawing inspiration from Nintendo’s Metroid and Castlevania series, Axiom Verge is a quintessential “Metroidvania” game. It stands out with its H.R. Geiger-esque art style, challenging gameplay, and a vast, secret-filled world. Developed single-handedly by Tom Happ over five years, this game combines retro 8-bit aesthetics with modern enhancements, making it a love letter to the NES era.
Price: $19.99Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, Linux, macOS, Nintendo Switch, Wii U, PlayStation Vita, Classic Mac OS
Celeste
This indie gem combines precise platforming mechanics with a heartfelt narrative exploring themes of identity and resilience. Developed by Extremely OK Games, the minds behind Towerfall, Celeste features stunning pixel art visuals that belie its demanding gameplay. With meticulously crafted levels, responsive controls, and engaging puzzle-platforming challenges, it offers a rewarding experience for persistent players. Additionally, its extensive accessibility options ensure that gamers of all skill levels can enjoy its captivating conclusion.
Price: $19.99Platforms: Linux, macOS, Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Stadia
Coffee Talk
Relax with a warm drink and engaging conversations in this social simulation by Toge Productions. In Coffee Talk, you manage a cozy coffee shop set in a fantastical version of Seattle, serving a diverse clientele of humans, elves, orcs, and more. As you craft the ideal beverages, you’ll also help patrons navigate their personal struggles. This visual novel captivates with its charming characters, striking pixel art, and soothing gameplay.
Price: $12.99Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, macOS, Nintendo Switch
Cosmic Star Heroine
Blending the best elements of Chrono Trigger, Phantasy Star, and Mass Effect, this masterpiece from Zeboyd Games revitalizes the golden age of JRPGs. With vibrant characters, an intricate plot full of twists, and captivating dungeons and towns, it delivers a modernized RPG adventure. The story follows interstellar agent Alyssa L’Salle as she uncovers the mysterious “Project Lumina,” setting off her most perilous mission yet. Cosmic Star Heroine captivates with its exquisite pixel art, but its standout feature is the innovative combat system. Abandoning traditional grinding, it focuses on strategic gameplay, restoring health and abilities after each battle to encourage bold, all-out tactics.
Price: $14.99Platforms: Linux, macOS, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Nintendo Switch
Dandara
From Brazilian studio Long Hat House, Dandara redefines the Metroidvania genre with its unique mechanics. The protagonist, inspired by a historical Brazilian figure, cannot move freely but instead teleports between surfaces, offering a fresh approach to exploration. Set in the oppressed world of Salt, Dandara embarks on a quest to liberate her people, bringing hope to a dark reality. With its tight combat, inventive puzzles, and stunning art design, Dandara promises endless surprises and excitement at every turn.
Price: $14.99Platforms: Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Dead Cells
In Dead Cells, players control “The Prisoner,” a gelatinous entity that inhabits corpses to navigate a treacherous island prison. This game merges Metroidvania exploration with roguelite mechanics, featuring randomized levels and permadeath. Each defeat offers a chance to upgrade your arsenal, master boss patterns, or experiment with new strategies. Despite its punishing difficulty, Dead Cells turns failure into a thrilling and rewarding experience, making every run feel fresh and exhilarating.
Price: $24.99Platforms: Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, iOS, Android
Eastward
With its stunning pixel art visuals, Eastward immerses players in a vibrant, dystopian world brimming with charm. The story follows John, a rugged miner, and Sam, a mysterious and magical child, as they flee their underground society in search of the legendary surface world. Together, they unravel the mysteries of a deadly miasma threatening the planet. Each environment is richly detailed, filled with hidden secrets and quirky characters reminiscent of Shigesato Itoi’s Earthbound. This Zelda-inspired adventure features puzzle-filled dungeons, epic boss battles, and a sprawling narrative that spans over 20 hours.
Price: $24.99Platforms: Nintendo Switch, Microsoft Windows, MacOS
Hyper Light Drifter
Heart Machine’s Hyper Light Drifter takes a minimalist approach to storytelling, relying on visuals and atmosphere rather than dialogue. Its pixel art world is awash with vivid, haunting colors, creating a sense of mystery and wonder. The game emphasizes exploration and combat, with tight controls and smooth 60fps gameplay ensuring a thrilling experience. Unlike many games in the genre, Hyper Light Drifter avoids handholding, encouraging players to uncover its secrets through intuition and skill.
Price: $19.99Platforms: PlayStation 4, iOS, macOS, Microsoft Windows, Xbox One, Linux, Nintendo Switch
Iconoclasts
This Metroidvania platformer combines intricate storytelling with breathtaking pixel art and a vibrant, colorful world. Developed over eight years by Joakim “Konjak” Sandberg, it strikes a perfect balance between exploration and linear puzzle-platforming, setting it apart from other indie titles. With visuals reminiscent of enhanced 16-bit classics, Iconoclasts follows Robin, a skilled mechanic who wields her trusty wrench to solve puzzles and battle enemies. Her journey pits her against the One Concern, a religious cult led by the enigmatic “Mother.”
Price: $19.99Platforms: PlayStation Vita, PlayStation 4, Windows, macOS, Linux, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One
Loop Hero
While most games on this list draw inspiration from 8- and 16-bit classics, Loop Hero channels the aesthetic of old-school PC RPGs like Ultima and Wizardry with its chunky, gothic pixel art. Blending elements of RPGs, tower defense, and roguelikes, it tasks players with rebuilding a randomly generated world as a nameless knight. Along the way, you’ll battle foes, cast spells, and collect powerful items. Death is inevitable, but each restart offers new insights into the dark, lich-ravaged world.
Price: $14.99Platforms: Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux, Nintendo Switch
Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove
Since its 2014 Kickstarter debut, Shovel Knight has become a flagship title for the pixel art revival, celebrated for its NES-style visuals, inventive platforming, and memorable characters like the titular Shovel Knight. Inspired by classic Mega Man games, it delivers a challenging yet rewarding experience, enhanced by modern features such as a unique checkpoint system that rewards risk-taking with valuable loot. The “Treasure Trove” edition includes all spinoff adventures, allowing players to explore new stories and characters, along with additional unlockable content.
Price: $39.99Platforms: Amazon Fire TV, Microsoft Windows, Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo Switch, OS X, Linux, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Wii U, Xbox One
Stardew Valley
From its humble beginnings in Eric Barone’s apartment to becoming a global phenomenon, Stardew Valley redefined the gaming landscape by proving that a slow-paced, intimate experience could captivate a massive audience. This farming and life simulation game combines charming pixel art, dungeon-crawling reminiscent of Tower of Druaga, and relaxing exploration with relationship-building mechanics. It encourages creativity and customization, allowing players to design their dream farm pixel by pixel. With its endless possibilities, it’s no wonder many players are hooked for life.
Price: $14.99Platforms: Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation Vita, iOS, Android
Unsighted
Unsighted reimagines the Metroidvania genre with its top-down view, expansive dungeons, and time-sensitive mechanics. Developed by Studio Pixel Punk, a two-person team, it offers fluid combat, extensive customization, and robust accessibility features, including options to reduce the pressure of its time limits. Set in a cyberpunk-inspired world, players control Alba, a sentient automaton fighting to liberate her AI kin. As you progress, new abilities unlock, allowing you to explore deeper into this Blade Runner-like universe.
Price: $19.99Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch
Wargroove
Chucklefish’s Wargroove reinvents the classic Advance Wars formula, swapping military hardware for medieval weaponry while preserving the strategic depth and addictive gameplay of its predecessor. Featuring a rich single-player campaign enhanced by excellent DLC, this turn-based strategy game offers near-limitless replayability through a vast collection of user-generated maps.
Price: $19.99Platforms: Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, PlayStation 4
Undertale
Inspired by Nintendo’s Earthbound, Toby Fox’s Undertale combines humor, RPG mechanics, and eccentric characters to become one of the most celebrated indie games ever. The story follows a nameless child who falls into the Underground, a hidden world beneath Earth, and embarks on a quest to reach Asgore’s castle. Along the way, they uncover a forgotten past that holds the key to the fate of existence itself. With a stellar soundtrack (even enjoyed by the Pope), a captivating world, and multiple endings, Undertale redefines game storytelling and explores the relationship between players and the games they love.
Price: $9.99Platforms: Microsoft Windows, OS X, Linux, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One
