10 Modern Games Made for Retro Consoles

10 Modern Games Made for Retro Consoles

Welcome to MojoPlays, and today we’re looking at some of the best modern games to be made for retro consoles!

“Project Blue” (2020)

The developers behind this action platformer clearly missed the “Mega Man” days of old. Not only is “Project Blue” a wonderful homage to those older games, but it was also developed for the NES, the blue bomber’s first console. It follows a young boy who escapes from an evil corporation after being experimented on, using his new abilities to bring about justice. There are plenty of traps and cleverly placed enemies to act as obstacles, on top of catchy chiptunes to make it feel like you’re playing a long lost Capcom game. Although it was built for the NES, interested players don’t necessarily need one. “Project Blue” was well received enough to earn a Switch port in 2023.

“Sydney Hunter and the Caverns of Death” (2012)

Admittedly, the first version of “Sydney Hunter and the Caverns of Death” was a Flash game. But it wasn’t long before it branched out to retro platforms. Sydney Hunter is an Indiana Jones-esque character, exploring 10 dangerous caverns in a search for glory and treasure. And it was released on several retro systems: the NES, the Super Nintendo, and even the Colecovision. The platforming and exploration can easily get you hooked to keep searching, and the game is filled with fun puzzles. Playing it can reach into your memory and flood you with nostalgia, no matter the system. However, the soundtrack of the SNES version is particularly lovely.

“Pier Solar and the Great Architects” (2010)

These days, there are plenty of retro-inspired RPGs to choose from. But in 2010, “Pier Solar and the Great Architects” was a bit of an outlier. Originally developed for the Sega Genesis, it follows three friends who set out on an adventure in order to save the life of one of their fathers. Of course, being a fantasy RPG, things don’t stay so simple. Developer WaterMelon did a solid job of capturing its inspiration, loading the game up with secrets, interesting NPCs, and a fun battle system. And it truly understood the platform, even using the Sega CD add-on (if you had one) to amplify the sound design. The game has since moved to modern platforms, as well as an additional retro one: the Sega Dreamcast.

“Blazing Rangers” (2021)

“Blazing Rangers” is just the type of addictive, third-party, arcadey experience that populated much of the NES’s library. So, it makes sense that its developers sought it out as the platform of choice. Like a cousin to “Dig Dug” or “Bubble Bobble,” it puts you in the shoes of a firefighter, with every level a burning building with citizens in need of rescue. Enemies can spawn from fires you don’t put out, level layouts get more complex as you progress, and most of what’s thrown at you is procedurally generated. The more citizens you try to rescue at once can earn you more points, but slow you down. Plus, the inclusion of two-player adds another level of enjoyment.

“Briley Witch Chronicles” (2021)

Indie developer Sarah Jane Avory turned several of her own books into a Japanese-inspired RPG, which would be impressive in its own right. But she also chose to make “Briley Witch Chronicles” for the Commodore 64. It follows Briley after she’s transported to a mystical land, where she learns she’s a witch and must use her newfound abilities to survive. Though the turn-based combat is all well and good, the game’s true greatness lies in its story and characters, one of which is your companion, a curmudgeon of a cat named Smokey. Most of “Briley Witch Chronicles” is pleasant and charming thanks to its setting. And thankfully, Avory followed it up with a sequel in 2023.

“Battle Kid: Fortress of Peril” (2010)

One of the first big games to gain attention for releasing on a retro console was “Battle Kid: Fortress of Peril.” Inspired by the freeware game “I Wanna Be the Guy” and action classics like “Mega Man,” it was developed for the NES by Sivak Games. As Battle Kid, your job is to infiltrate a base and stop a group from building a super mech that could threaten the world. Just like the games it drew inspiration from, and completely befitting of the “Fortress of Peril” name, the game gets pretty tough. But therein lies its draw, for you to conquer its many traps, enemies, and bosses. The game was so fun that it received a sequel two years later, and was ported to the Switch and Xbox One.

“Xeno Crisis” (2019)

Most of these types of games launch on a handful of retro platforms at most. But “Xeno Crisis” has hit a ton of them. The top-down, twin-stick shooter puts you in the classic role of a space marine fighting against hordes of aliens with plenty of weapons and upgrades to earn along the way. Whether by yourself or with a friend, the constant action and simple yet satisfying gameplay hook can keep you glued to the controller. It was originally developed for the Sega Genesis, but has since been ported to a variety of platforms. In addition to modern ones, you can also find it on Super Nintendo, Neo Geo, Sega Dreamcast, N64, and the GameCube, with versions for the GBA and PlayStation currently in development.

“Micro Mages” (2019)

In this fantasy action platformer, you’ll take a wizard through a fortress, destroying any monsters in your path in a search for treasure and, of course, points. Levels can be just the right amount of hectic, scrolling upwards instead of sideways, with more enemies and hazards appearing as you continue the climb. You can also play with others, making the entire trek even more fun. Morphcat Games specifically wanted to develop “Micro Mages” for the NES, even limiting themselves to smaller cartridge space from when the system was first released. It’s a great addition to the system’s library. But for those who don’t have one, “Micro Mages” was added to Steam not long after release.

“Gunlord” (2012)

Inspired by 16-bit shooters like “Turrican” with a bit of “Super Metroid” DNA mixed in, NGDEV’s “Gunlord” is a fast-paced title that action fans shouldn’t miss. Thankfully, it has since been updated as “Gunlord X,” which was released on Switch and PS4 in 2019. But its original iteration could only be found on the Sega Dreamcast and the Neo Geo. You play as Gordian Gaiden, out to save his universe from a villainous force known as The Master, who plans to make slaves out of the human race. The old school visuals are fantastically recreated and it’s a great deal of fun using your varied weaponry and abilities against the throngs of enemies.

“Daedeus” (2019)

The Game Boy didn’t have much in terms of Horror. Maybe IZMA, the developer behind “Daedeus,” took that as a challenge. Regardless, it manages to do a whole lot with its limited format. In the game, you play as a boy trying to save the people of his town from the destruction of an ancient god named Daedeus, which will happen in three days. Despite simplistic visuals, the game nails its creepy atmosphere. Not only that, but how you go about stopping your town’s destruction is surprisingly varied. There are 11 different endings to the story, which are impacted by what NPCs you talk to and what tasks you complete in your small window of time. It’s certainly unlike anything else the original Game Boy had to offer.

Have you played any of these modern callbacks to the old days? Which is your favorite? Share your thoughts in the comments, and be sure to subscribe to MojoPlays for more great gaming videos every day!