Retro gaming is bigger than ever in 2026. From pixel-perfect platformers to groundbreaking RPGs, the games that defined decades still deliver instant joy — if you can get them running on your modern rig. With only 13.27% of classic games commercially available according to the Video Game History Foundation, savvy players are combining legal storefront purchases with careful emulation. We've rounded up the 10 best retro games you can play on PC right now, blending native PC ports and console gems you can emulate with a few quick steps.
“Without the capacity for cinematic cutscenes or voice acting, developers had to make the core mechanics compelling above all else. Games were designed to be picked up quickly but mastered slowly — a steep but fair learning curve that rewarded patience and practice.”
— Video Game Console Reviews
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (Emulated)
Still the king. Ocarina of Time topped a 100,000+ community vote as the greatest retro game of all time and holds a flawless Metacritic 99/100. Its time-traveling adventure, perfect pacing, and dungeon design feel as evocative in 2026 as they did in 1998. On PC you'll need N64 emulation — RetroArch with the Mupen64Plus core is the go-to. Dump your own cartridge legally, then enjoy Hyrule at modern resolutions with a gamepad.
Chrono Trigger (Steam)
Square Enix brought the 16-bit JRPG masterpiece to PC in 2018 and has kept polishing it ever since. The time-travel story, dual-tech battles, and multiple endings still feel fresh. You can buy it right now on Steam, fully playable with keyboard or controller — no emulator required.
Doom (1993) (Steam/GOG)
The original father of FPS is alive and well on modern storefronts. Both Doom and Doom II are available on Steam and GOG with modern resolution support and controller compatibility. Whether you blast through knee-deep in the dead or dive into the endless community .WAD files, Doom remains a masterclass in fast, responsive combat.
Half-Life 2 (Steam)
A PC native that needs no introduction. Half-Life 2 runs flawlessly on current hardware, and its physics-driven gravity gun, tight storytelling, and iconic setting still outshine most modern shooters. Grab it on Steam as a standalone or in The Orange Box — it's often discounted to pocket change.
Super Mario World (Emulated)
Pure platforming joy. Super Mario World's massive overworld, secret exits, and pixel-perfect controls have fueled a speedrunning scene for three decades. You can't buy it natively on PC, but RetroArch's bsnes core (SNES emulation) runs it flawlessly. Pair it with a retro-style gamepad and you'll swear it's 1991 again.
“Every jump, spin, and stomp responds exactly as intended, with a physics system so well-tuned that speedrunners have spent 30+ years exploring its intricacies.”
— Video Game Console Reviews
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (Emulated)
The parallel-world mechanic and layered dungeons of this SNES masterpiece remain a gold standard. Playable on PC via the same RetroArch/bsnes setup, A Link to the Past rewards exploration like few games since. Emulate it legally by dumping your own cartridge.
BioShock (Steam)
Rapture still sinks its hooks in. The BioShock Collection includes the original along with both sequels, all regularly discounted on Steam. The art-deco horror, plasmid combat, and philosophical narrative hold up beautifully, and it runs butter-smooth on any modern gaming PC.
Diablo II: Resurrected (Battle.net)
Blizzard's 2021 remaster keeps the exact original gameplay loop — loot, level, repeat — while slapping on gorgeous modern visuals. You can even toggle back to the classic graphics mid-game for a nostalgia hit. Available now on Battle.net, it's the definitive way to experience the action RPG that defined a genre.
Grim Fandango Remastered (GOG/Steam)
Tim Schafer's afterlife-noir adventure got a loving spit-shine in 2015 with updated controls and a remastered soundtrack, while keeping every brilliant puzzle and line of dialogue intact. Grab it DRM-free on GOG or via Steam — it's the perfect point-and-click gateway.
System Shock 2 (GOG/Steam)
The survival-horror RPG that inspired BioShock has been patched up for modern systems and is available on both GOG and Steam. The audio logs, mutant wails, and constant dread still work — and GOG's DRM-free version ensures it runs without launcher headaches.
The Hurdles: Retro Gaming Pain Points on PC
Getting these classics running isn't always a walk in the park. Native ports can suffer from outdated installers, missing codecs, or broken widescreen. Console exclusives force you into the emulation rabbit hole: which emulator, what core, how to rip ROMs legally, and then mapping a controller across 30-year-old input standards. Store fragmentation adds another layer — your retro collection might live on Steam, GOG, Battle.net, and a folder of dumped ISOs, with no unified way to launch everything from the sofa.
Play Legally: Your 2026 Retro Setup Guide
Don't let the hurdles stop you. Here's exactly how to enjoy these games above board and with minimal friction.
Native PC Classics: Hit GOG First
For DRM-free versions patched for Windows 10/11, GOG is the gold standard. Check there before Steam — many titles run out of the box with modern fixes. Steam's library includes countless classics too, and Proton compatibility often lets them run on Linux or Steam Deck. Remasters like Diablo II: Resurrected and Grim Fandango Remastered are the safest bets: updated, officially supported, and frequently on sale for up to 90% off.
Console Games: Emulation with RetroArch and Legal ROMs
Install RetroArch — the multi-system frontend that unifies emulators into one controller-friendly interface. Add the appropriate cores: bsnes for SNES, Mupen64Plus for N64, Genesis Plus GX for Mega Drive games. The legal path for ROMs is simple: dump your own cartridges or discs using devices like the Retrode, GB Operator, or Sanni's Cartreader. Downloading copyrighted ROMs you don't own is illegal. Once set up, tweak aspect ratios and shaders to make those sprite-based worlds shine on a big screen.
RETRO GAMING ON THE COUCH
Playing mostly from the couch?
warmUP gives your PC a console-like boot-to-play experience, with seamless controller support and a unified library for all your retro games, PC classics, and emulators. Sign up now for early access.
Final Takeaways: Keep the Past Alive
Retro Gaming in 2026: Key Tips
- GOG and Steam are the easiest paths for PC-native retro classics, especially during seasonal sales.
- For console exclusives, set up RetroArch and dump your own ROMs to stay legal.
- Modern remasters like Diablo II: Resurrected keep the soul intact while adding polish.
- For a couch-friendly, controller-first retro setup, watch for warmUP's launch.
Written by
Mika Lindqvist
Hardware & Performance
Mika benchmarks everything that runs a game — from handhelds to living-room rigs. If a frame drops, he wants to know why.
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