Tons of new games lure you with big budgets, but you still crave simple runs, pixel art, and classic boss battles. Over fifty retro-inspired titles now fill the Switch eShop for modern consoles.
We will show you seven top retro-inspired action games, from run ’n’ gun shooters to brawlers, all with bright art and a chiptune soundtrack. Game on.
Key Takeaways
- Over 50 retro-inspired titles fill the Switch eShop today. This article highlights seven top picks: Cuphead (8.4/10), Sonic Mania Plus (8.8/10, 2018), TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge (six-player co-op), Streets of Rage 4 (9/10, 2020), Panzer Paladin (9/10, 2020), Steel Assault (8/10, 2021), and Blazing Chrome (9/10).
- Cuphead features 1930s-style hand-drawn art, a big-band chiptune soundtrack, and tight boss battles. Reviewers scored its fierce difficulty at 8.4/10.
- Sonic Mania Plus uses the Retro Engine to recreate Genesis-era levels. It adds two new zones, two new heroes, and a time-attack mode with global leaderboards. Critics gave it 8.8/10 after its 2018 launch.
- Shredder’s Revenge and Streets of Rage 4 revive side-scroll beat ’em ups with pixel art, chiptune music, and modern combos. Shredder’s supports local or online co-op for up to six players, while Streets of Rage 4 earned a 9/10 score in 2020.
- Panzer Paladin (9/10) brings real-time weapon crafting and vivid sprite art. Steel Assault (8/10, 2021) runs at 60 fps with neon visuals. Blazing Chrome (9/10) delivers two-player run-’n’-gun co-op and savage boss fights.
Cuphead
Cuphead greets you with a chiptune soundtrack that swings like a big band, powered by an engine that keeps every move tight.
Keep reading to see how each epic battle tests your timing, and why this cartoon-style brawler still feels fresh.
Stunning hand-drawn visuals
Animated frames pop off the screen. Artists used drawing software and ink brushes to copy 1930s animation style. They used frame by frame drawing, just like old cartoons. The main character jumps into run ’n’ gun fights while the art dazzles.
Reviewers gave the game an 8.4 score, praising the art as a showstopper.
The bold lines and vibrant colors make each scene shine. Mugman stands tall beside his brother, ready for boss battles that feel both fierce and playful. Every move looks fluid, like a rubber hose puppet.
Players feel the joy of old cartoon reels in modern quality.
Challenging gameplay inspired by classic run-and-gun games
Each level in Cuphead blasts you with bullet patterns and rapid fire. Designers spun classic run ’n’ gun loops into new chores, mixing boss fights that demand split-second jumps and parries.
Hand-drawn enemies swarm, you dodge, you shoot, and your palms sweat on every skirmish.
Reviewers scored this gauntlet at 8.4 for its fierce difficulty and chiptune soundtrack that pumps adrenaline. Fans of Contra nod in approval, they swap tips over coffee, and they dare friends into two-player chaos.
Sonic Mania Plus
A chiptune soundtrack fuels every loop and spin. You plug in a controller on console or fire up the personal computer to blitz new zones and epic boss battles.
A perfect homage to the original Sonic games
Sonic Mania Plus pays tribute to classic Sonic games. It uses the Retro Engine to mimic level design from Sonic the Hedgehog and Sonic 2. Critics gave it an 8.8 review score. You collect shiny rings in looping tracks.
The pixel art shines with fresh details. Players choose the spiky blue hero, the twin-tailed fox, or the scarlet echidna. Dr. Robotnik returns with familiar gadgets.
This expanded release adds two new zones and a time attack mode. Fans on Switch and PS4 swap secrets to find hidden special stages. A fresh chiptune soundtrack hums under high-speed runs.
Gamers praise its faithful boost and modern polish.
Includes new levels and enhanced features
The new edition adds two fresh zones and extra missions. It also brings two new heroes to the run ’n’ gun mix. Reviewers gave it an 8.8 score after its 2018 launch. Fans still chase emeralds and fight side by side with knuckles.
Players unlock a museum packed with art, music tracks, and developer comments. Speedrun mode tracks times on global leaderboards. The chiptune soundtrack grew by four songs. A new boss battle tests every skill.
The update feels fresh and faithful.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge
This beat ’em up brings back side-scrolling brawls, with retro pixel art and a catchy chiptune soundtrack. Players grab a gamepad, pick a ninja, and mash buttons to fight enemy ninjas.
Reviving the beat-’em-up genre with modern polish
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge brings back classic beat ’em up action. Players choose Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo, or Raphael. The studio mixed hand drawn art with tight combos.
It blends old school thrills with slick moves. Foot Clan bosses pop in big boss battles that feel epic.
The game supports multiplayer games for up to six players via couch co op or online. It adds challenge modes and skill trees. Arcade fans will spot nods to Double Dragon and Final Fight.
Polished visuals pop on modern consoles and PC. Fans beat waves of enemies in style.
Multiplayer options for up to six players
Shredder’s Revenge lets up to six friends play together. Players each pick a hero, grabbing a turtle, April O’Neil, or Master Splinter. The game stands out among multiplayer games, with local and online co-op options.
Every match turns into a pizza party of button-mashing fun.
Combat feels true to classic beat ’em up games, with combos, throw moves, and city-smashing finishers. Pixel art backgrounds channel arcade era style. A pumping chiptune soundtrack keeps fingers flying.
It plays on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.
Streets of Rage 4
Streets of Rage 4 delivers a fresh side-scrolling fighter punch with fast combos. It runs on a modern game engine, and its sketch-like art pops in each fight.
A faithful sequel with beautiful hand-drawn art
Crowds jumped at this new beat ’em up chapter, cheering for classic moves and fresh combos. Its hand-drawn art pops off screens, each fighter sketched with detail in a graphics editor.
Released in 2020, the title scored 9 out of 10 from major outlets.
Each punch lands with weight thanks to fresh combat moves and epic boss battles. A chiptune soundtrack fuels every fight, mixing electric guitar riffs with retro bleeps. Gamers on PC, Switch, PS4, and Xbox One feel the rush.
New combat mechanics and a killer soundtrack
Streets of Rage 4 packs fresh fight moves for beat ’em ups fans. Critics scored it 9/10, and each new combo sparks wild boss battles.
The audio crew cooks up a killer chiptune soundtrack with electric bass lines echoing arcade tunes. An audio system rips heavy beats, and each note drives the action forward.
Panzer Paladin
Panzer Paladin shows off pixel art that pops on console and on Steam. You steal enemy swords, gear them out, and slice robots like a hot knife through butter.
Exceptional pixel art and retro platforming experience
The title glows with vivid sprite art, simple shapes and bold hues. Creators used GameMaker Studio to build each tile, frame by frame. Players run ’n’ gun, jump and dodge in tight, old school platforming.
They face epic boss battles, all set to a catchy chiptune soundtrack and a 9/10 rating.
Unique weapon customization system
Panzer Paladin came out in 2020. You feel a run ’n’ gun classic on a fresh console generation. It lets you shred through waves, then salvage each foe’s blade. The inventory system shows parts, cores, and handles.
You slot them to craft killer gear. The pixel art pops on screen. The chiptune soundtrack drives the action.
You carve new swords or swap in spiked clubs. You mix cores with hilts. You boost damage or add shock effects. This weapon crafting tool works in real time. It feels as smooth as soldering wires.
It flips boss battles into a gear lottery. Fans of adventure games and beat ’em up titles will nod. The system stands like a mech, strong and customizable.
Steel Assault
Steel Assault blasts you with lightning-fast pixel art and a thunderous chiptune soundtrack that rips through your speakers. You tear through levels in run ’n’ gun style, flinging a cyber whip on Steam like you rewound a classic NES hit.
Classic side-scrolling action with modern speed and design
This game revives classic side-scrolling action with modern speed. It draws inspiration from Castlevania, minus the slow crawl. Players dash across neon platforms, firing in a run ’n’ gun style.
The pixel art pipeline shines with rich color. Animations stay crisp at 60 frames per second.
It throws massive boss battles at you, facing mechs and mutants. A chiptune soundtrack drives the pace with synth riffs and drum beats. Critics scored it 8/10 in reviews. A pixel shader tool mimics old CRT screens for added flair.
Vibrant visuals and fast-paced gameplay
Steel Assault shows off bright pixel art with bold shades. Sprite animation adds life to every dash and whip crack. Bold backgrounds layer on top of each other with smooth parallax scrolling.
Colors flash when you dodge, creating an eye-popping effect.
Fast action never slows in this run ’n’ gun. You chain shots and strikes to clear mobs and face tough boss battles. A chiptune soundtrack pulses at breakneck speed, pushing you forward.
Fans rated it eight out of ten when it launched in 2021.
Blazing Chrome
Blazing Chrome packs a punch with non-stop run ’n’ gun stages that echo vintage arcade legends. You can team up on Switch or PC, zip through neon-lit levels, and tackle epic boss fights to a chiptune soundtrack.
Heavily inspired by Contra and Metal Slug
It channels run ’n’ gun action like a vintage arcade hero. Every level packs tight boss battles, pixel blasts, and a snappy chiptune soundtrack. Critics applaud its pace and style, scoring it 9/10.
Players jump into two-player co-op to mow through waves, a highlight for fans of multiplayer games on Steam or Nintendo Switch. Heavy sprites ripple across vibrant battlefields. Every trigger pull feels like a nod to those old-school titans.
Co-op mode and retro-style difficulty
Blazing Chrome offers a brutal run ’n’ gun ride for two players at once. It supports both local couch co-op and online multiplayer games. Players fire through drones and mechs, side by side, with a gamepad or joystick.
Reviewers rated it 9/10. A chiptune soundtrack pounds like an old arcade gem.
Each level dares you with pixel-perfect traps and savage boss battles. Your palms sweat worse than a sunlit icicle, and you’ll grin when your partner zaps you back into action. Lives vanish fast, but one button revives a buddy in a flash.
Retro-style difficulty will test old-school grit while you blast through waves.
Why Retro-Inspired Games Are Thriving Today
Fans feel a wave of nostalgia, and they crave the bright pixel art and tough boss battles. Developers rely on a popular game engine to blend classic style with modern controls.
Nostalgia for simpler gameplay mechanics
Players crave simple controls and low learning curves. Nostalgia drives them back to run ’n’ gun fights. They chase boss battles with eager thumbs. Steel Assault thrills with crisp pixel art and chiptune soundtrack.
Modern frame rates meet retro flair, sparking pure fun.
Survival horror throwbacks lean on jump scares and clear gun play. Local multiplayer games let friends fight on one couch. Designers ditch big open worlds, sparking Super Mario World feels in Mushroom Kingdom adventures.
Solid design packs fun, proving less can feel like more.
Modern technology enhancing retro aesthetics
Modern tools let pixel art games shine in high def. Cuphead uses GPU shaders and a scanline filter to look old school. Games built in Unity add a chiptune soundtrack and stereo sound.
Developers lock boss battles at 60 frames per second for smooth action. This mix sparks pure nostalgia.
HD monitors reveal each bright pixel in Sonic Mania Plus. Shredder’s Revenge layers simple 3D lighting over 2D sprites for depth. That title runs at 4K resolution and 60fps for six-player co-op mode.
Retro fans catch a classic arcade vibe every time. Crisp visuals meet old run ’n’ gun action.
Honorable Mentions
You’ll spot a Metroidvania gem and a platformer with a chiptune soundtrack. You can play them on Steam, console, or handheld.
Axiom Verge: A Metroidvania masterpiece
Axiom Verge earns its spot among the best retro-inspired games of this generation. It plays like a Metroidvania masterpiece with epic boss battles and a chiptune soundtrack. Gamers spot nods to Metroid Prime and Samus Aran’s legend.
Players explore tight corridors loaded with hidden rooms at every turn. This title ranks high among indie adventure games and thrills fans with old school challenge plus modern polish.
Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove: A love letter to 8-bit platformers
Yacht Club Games crafted Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove to honor 8-bit classics. It blends pixel art, crisp controls, and layered stage design. Players swing a shovel to unearth secrets and vanquish foes, in levels rich with platforming threats.
The chiptune soundtrack pairs old school bleeps with catchy melodies.
An indie developer fitted four campaigns into one download, loading it with boss battles that demand skill and timing. Local co-op invites friends into its pixel world, making it a top retro adventure game with fun multiplayer options.
Critics scored it 9/10 and hailed its precise jumps and treasure hunts. Gear up for a retro rush that feels like a cartridge fresh from 1986.
The Messenger: A clever mix of 8-bit and 16-bit styles
Pixels pop from old time to new tech. You sprint in 8-bit caves then leap into 16-bit clouds. Reviewers gave it an 8.1 score. It packs boss battles into a tight run ’n’ gun format.
A catchy chiptune soundtrack drives each stage.
You morph from blocky hero to sharp ninja with a time warp. You dodge spikes, throw daggers, and face giant moles. The game runs on Nintendo Switch and Windows via Valve’s Steam service.
Fans call it a top adventure game for retro lovers.
Takeaways
These games spark joy from first showdown to final stage. They pack 8-bit tunes, tile-based visuals, and tight run n gun action. You can team up with friends or go it solo with each level, a real throwback thrill ride.
Modern code adds smooth framerates and crisp controls. Retro Dodo’s list feels like a worn arcade ticket, but it beams in high def.
FAQs
1. What makes a game retro-inspired this gen?
It feels like a trip down memory lane, with pixel art, chiptune soundtrack, run ’n’ gun stages, beat ’em up fights, and epic boss battles.
2. Why pick Steel Assault for old school action?
Steel Assault brings sharp pixel frames, tight run ’n’ gun levels, and fun multiplayer games online. You get fast moves, wild jumps, and a real arcade spark.
3. How does Crash Bandicoot: N. Sane Trilogy rev up classic style?
It spins like a top, with fresh color and speed, and it packs cape feather power, the chaos emeralds quests, plus tough boss battles.
4. Which games tap into Zelda’s magic?
The Minish Cap and A Link to the Past remix that style well, with treasure hunts, hyrule maps, and neat puzzles. You can even roam lands with a Dino Companion by your side.
5. Can a shooter feel old school and new at once?
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare proves it can. It brings call of duty roots back, with run ’n’ gun maps, squad chat, and crisp sights.
6. Are there fresh takes on arcade fighting games?
Yes, you’ll love new fighting games that borrow from King of Fighters. They include wild fatalities from an ice ninja and moves by a martial artist star, all in crisp pixel style.
