Join Club 250 today

Old School

Category Theme

Top 150 best Steam games of all time tagged with Old School, according to gamer reviews.

Rank, title, date, tags, platforms and price Score Rating
8.61
98% 37,830 votes
8.41
96% 13,138 votes
8.35
97% 4,806 votes
8.27
95% 8,323 votes
8.26
95% 7,867 votes
8.16
92% 25,466 votes
8.14
94% 4,972 votes
8.12
95% 2,768 votes
8.02
96% 769 votes
8.02
94% 2,350 votes
7.96
97% 432 votes
7.94
93% 1,676 votes
7.93
93% 1,429 votes
7.89
94% 631 votes
7.86
88% 26,616 votes
7.85
97% 205 votes

Correlated tags

Correlation is how often another tag appears together with this tag. If one in every five games tagged with Old School is also tagged with a correlated tag, the correlated tag has 20% correlation. 100% correlation means the pair of tags always appear together.

Tags most frequently applied to the same games as Old School, with at least 15% correlation.

  1. 2D 58%
  2. Retro 57%
  3. Action 55%
  4. Singleplayer 54%
  5. Pixel Graphics 45%
  6. Indie 41%
  7. Adventure 40%
  8. Casual 35%
  9. Arcade 33%
  10. Colorful 28%
  11. Atmospheric 22%
  12. Shooter 21%
  13. Puzzle 21%
  14. Fantasy 21%
  15. 1990's 20%
  16. RPG 19%
  17. Platformer 19%
  18. Cute 18%
  19. 3D 18%
  20. Top-Down 18%
  21. Exploration 18%
  22. Family Friendly 18%
  23. 2D Platformer 17%
  24. Strategy 16%
  25. Sci-fi 16%
  26. Side Scroller 16%

The Old School tag refers to a genre or style of video games that harkens back to the earlier days of gaming, specifically the 8-bit and 16-bit eras. These games are characterized by their retro aesthetics, simple yet challenging gameplay mechanics, and often nostalgic references to classic gaming tropes.

Old School games typically prioritize gameplay over flashy graphics, focusing on tight controls, pixel art visuals, and chiptune soundtracks reminiscent of older hardware limitations. They aim to capture the essence of early video game experiences while incorporating modern design elements and improvements.

Some key features associated with Old School games include:

  • Retro Graphics Old School games often utilize pixel art graphics inspired by vintage console or arcade titles. These charming visuals evoke a sense of nostalgia for players who grew up playing games from those eras. Retro-inspired indie titles like "Shovel Knight" and "Stardew Valley" perfectly exemplify this visual style.
  • Simplified Mechanics Instead of complex systems found in modern games, Old School titles tend to have straightforward controls and mechanics that are easy to grasp but difficult to master. This makes them accessible for players seeking more traditional gameplay experiences.
  • High Difficulty Many Old School games are known for their challenging nature. They often feature tough enemies/bosses, limited lives/continues, or punishing level designs that require precision and patience from the player. Classics like "Mega Man" or "Dark Souls" emulate this difficulty curve.
  • Nostalgic References To appeal directly to players familiar with older gaming conventions, Old School games may include nods and homages through Easter eggs or references related to retro classics; these act as a fun throwback and appreciation for the history of gaming.

Examples of games that align with the Old School tag include:

  • Pac-Man Championship Edition DX+ An updated take on the classic arcade game "Pac-Man," offering new mechanics, vibrant visuals, and an old-school arcade vibe.
  • Celeste A pixel art platformer heavily influenced by retro games like "Super Mario Bros." that challenges players with precise platforming while telling an emotional story.
  • Streets of Rage 4 A modern sequel to the classic beat 'em up series from the 90s that preserves its side-scrolling action and nostalgic style while adding new characters and updated gameplay mechanics.

The Old School tag caters to gamers seeking a nostalgic gaming experience or those who appreciate the simplicity, challenge, and iconic aesthetics of earlier video game eras.

Something wrong? Let us know on Discord