What emulated games hold up in 2025?
-
Hey all, I'm interested in playing some emulated games on my steamdeck, but I'm not sure where to start.
I've been having fun with Super Mario World, but a good chunk of that is because I played it a lot as a kid, so much of my enjoyment is from nostalgia.
Problem is, I didn't play many too many games when I was a kid...
What older games out there would you say hold up in 2025? So that regardless of the nostalgia factor, they can be enjoyed by someone like me
wrote on last edited by [email protected]There's a world of options out there and you need to be more specific with what sorts of games you enjoy. I've been emulating on my Switch for a while, but also recently bought a dedicated retro emulation console so I have quite a few recommendations.
For games that are literally still up to modern standards, you can go back to Wii, 3DS, PS Vita, PS3 and beyond and you've basically got games that will still hold up just fine.
For older games: PSP, PS2, SNES and GBA are gold mines of content.
I've found it difficult to get into PS1, N64 and Dreamcast gaming. This was a time when 3D graphics were just starting to be widely used and are so very dated. It's difficult to look past the terrible graphics without nostalgia goggles. I've had more success in going back to SNES and Mega Drive games.... At least they have great pixel graphics with suitable games (side scrollers, platformers, etc).
For specific games, I find it best to go to metacritic and look at their list of all time best games, and limit by console and then work through the best every reviews. This does miss a lot of games though and if you say what sort of games you like then people can make recommendations. There are tons of hidden gems and niches..... Rhythm games, block drop, quirky puzzle games, etc. E.g.:
Everybody's Golf 6 (PS3) - excellent arcadey golf game
Mercury Meltdown (PSP) - puzzle game about manipulating mercury blobs. Great to play entirely with the Steam Deck gyroscope.
GTA China Town wars (PSP) - top down GTA game, modernised beyond the GTA2 controls
Rhythm Heaven Fever (Wii) - excellent rhythm games
Super Mario 3D land (3DS) - 2.5 D Mario. Really solid platformer.
Wipeout 2048 (PS Vita) - solid combat racer
Micro machines 2 (Mega Drive) - quirky top down racer. Excellent for multiplayer.
Crazy Taxi (PS2) - taxi driving, really crazy though
-
Hey all, I'm interested in playing some emulated games on my steamdeck, but I'm not sure where to start.
I've been having fun with Super Mario World, but a good chunk of that is because I played it a lot as a kid, so much of my enjoyment is from nostalgia.
Problem is, I didn't play many too many games when I was a kid...
What older games out there would you say hold up in 2025? So that regardless of the nostalgia factor, they can be enjoyed by someone like me
Terranigma (SNES)
-
Hey all, I'm interested in playing some emulated games on my steamdeck, but I'm not sure where to start.
I've been having fun with Super Mario World, but a good chunk of that is because I played it a lot as a kid, so much of my enjoyment is from nostalgia.
Problem is, I didn't play many too many games when I was a kid...
What older games out there would you say hold up in 2025? So that regardless of the nostalgia factor, they can be enjoyed by someone like me
Honestly depends on what kind of games you like.
Many Metroid games are classics and still great to play. For the 3D Metroids, you can install Primehack and play Metroid Prime Trilogy for an amazing experience. For the classic style 2D metroids, I'd recommend a play order of Zero Mission (GBA), Samus Returns (3DS), Super Metroid (SNES), and Metroid Fusion (GBA).
Many older mario games are great, both 2D and 3D. Mario 64 has some great recompiled versions, and even stuff like sm64coopdx that lets you play online coop. Mario Sunshine (GCN) is fun too, and both Mario Galaxy (Wii) games are fantastic. Lots of good Zelda games too, such as Wind Waker (GCN/WiiU). Until recently I would have highly recommended Xenoblade X (WiiU), but it just got a remastered and expanded version on switch.
-
Hey all, I'm interested in playing some emulated games on my steamdeck, but I'm not sure where to start.
I've been having fun with Super Mario World, but a good chunk of that is because I played it a lot as a kid, so much of my enjoyment is from nostalgia.
Problem is, I didn't play many too many games when I was a kid...
What older games out there would you say hold up in 2025? So that regardless of the nostalgia factor, they can be enjoyed by someone like me
Metal Gear Solid 1-3
-
Hey all, I'm interested in playing some emulated games on my steamdeck, but I'm not sure where to start.
I've been having fun with Super Mario World, but a good chunk of that is because I played it a lot as a kid, so much of my enjoyment is from nostalgia.
Problem is, I didn't play many too many games when I was a kid...
What older games out there would you say hold up in 2025? So that regardless of the nostalgia factor, they can be enjoyed by someone like me
I was playing shadowrun genesis again awhile back. It actually used the pen and paper rules from the time and was pretty neat considering. its like how the text based rogue likes are still fun. does have a few annoying bugs though.
-
Intelligent Qube (PS1)
I enjoyed that game. Not sure how it was ever pushed out as a full release rather than a Net Yaroze style special, but fair play to them.
Kurushi (as it was known in the UK and Europe) is like rocking horse shit now. A nice little treasure if you find one in your collection.
-
Hey all, I'm interested in playing some emulated games on my steamdeck, but I'm not sure where to start.
I've been having fun with Super Mario World, but a good chunk of that is because I played it a lot as a kid, so much of my enjoyment is from nostalgia.
Problem is, I didn't play many too many games when I was a kid...
What older games out there would you say hold up in 2025? So that regardless of the nostalgia factor, they can be enjoyed by someone like me
OK, let me fix that for you permanently.
This is Retroachievements.org.
Not only does it do what it says on the tin, but it's, for my money, the best discoverability tool out there for old games. The most obvious way to use it for that is to check the new games they've added achievements to, but they also have book club-style events (they're revisiting F1 games this month to go with the movie currently in theatres), challenges, seasonal achievements, leaderboards and all sorts of the types of metagaming stats tools you've seen in modern platforms to point you in the rigth direction.
You can start by selecting "all games" and sorting them all by players to see what's popular. Or, hell, reverse sort by players and see what weird crap is in there. Once you start down that rabbit hole you're more likely to have too much in your retro backlog than you are to ask this question again.
-
Hey all, I'm interested in playing some emulated games on my steamdeck, but I'm not sure where to start.
I've been having fun with Super Mario World, but a good chunk of that is because I played it a lot as a kid, so much of my enjoyment is from nostalgia.
Problem is, I didn't play many too many games when I was a kid...
What older games out there would you say hold up in 2025? So that regardless of the nostalgia factor, they can be enjoyed by someone like me
the Metal Gear Solid games on the PS1 and PS2 are still wonderful games. The controls may be a bit clunky, coming from modern games, but you get used to it after a while. (There's some things you will have to look up on the internet in MGS1 because they require information from the CD case lol)
I always liked the Megaman X games on the SNES as well.
-
Hey all, I'm interested in playing some emulated games on my steamdeck, but I'm not sure where to start.
I've been having fun with Super Mario World, but a good chunk of that is because I played it a lot as a kid, so much of my enjoyment is from nostalgia.
Problem is, I didn't play many too many games when I was a kid...
What older games out there would you say hold up in 2025? So that regardless of the nostalgia factor, they can be enjoyed by someone like me
Incredible Hulk: Ultimate Destruction
I was worried that I was just nostalgic but its honestly a straight up blast to play. If they remastered it I would b e so excited. One of the best superhero games I've ever played.
-
OK, let me fix that for you permanently.
This is Retroachievements.org.
Not only does it do what it says on the tin, but it's, for my money, the best discoverability tool out there for old games. The most obvious way to use it for that is to check the new games they've added achievements to, but they also have book club-style events (they're revisiting F1 games this month to go with the movie currently in theatres), challenges, seasonal achievements, leaderboards and all sorts of the types of metagaming stats tools you've seen in modern platforms to point you in the rigth direction.
You can start by selecting "all games" and sorting them all by players to see what's popular. Or, hell, reverse sort by players and see what weird crap is in there. Once you start down that rabbit hole you're more likely to have too much in your retro backlog than you are to ask this question again.
Wow that’s very useful for discovering games. Thanks!
-
Hey all, I'm interested in playing some emulated games on my steamdeck, but I'm not sure where to start.
I've been having fun with Super Mario World, but a good chunk of that is because I played it a lot as a kid, so much of my enjoyment is from nostalgia.
Problem is, I didn't play many too many games when I was a kid...
What older games out there would you say hold up in 2025? So that regardless of the nostalgia factor, they can be enjoyed by someone like me
I've been playing Gravity Rush from the PS Vita. I went in blind and have been enjoying it so far. I can't get motion controls to work, but that hasn't stopped me yet.
-
Hey all, I'm interested in playing some emulated games on my steamdeck, but I'm not sure where to start.
I've been having fun with Super Mario World, but a good chunk of that is because I played it a lot as a kid, so much of my enjoyment is from nostalgia.
Problem is, I didn't play many too many games when I was a kid...
What older games out there would you say hold up in 2025? So that regardless of the nostalgia factor, they can be enjoyed by someone like me
The 2D Castlevania games still hold up well, except the NES ones for being NES hard. Most of them are available for purchase through collections.
-
Hey all, I'm interested in playing some emulated games on my steamdeck, but I'm not sure where to start.
I've been having fun with Super Mario World, but a good chunk of that is because I played it a lot as a kid, so much of my enjoyment is from nostalgia.
Problem is, I didn't play many too many games when I was a kid...
What older games out there would you say hold up in 2025? So that regardless of the nostalgia factor, they can be enjoyed by someone like me
Sensible World of Soccer on the Amiga
-
Hey all, I'm interested in playing some emulated games on my steamdeck, but I'm not sure where to start.
I've been having fun with Super Mario World, but a good chunk of that is because I played it a lot as a kid, so much of my enjoyment is from nostalgia.
Problem is, I didn't play many too many games when I was a kid...
What older games out there would you say hold up in 2025? So that regardless of the nostalgia factor, they can be enjoyed by someone like me
The PS2 version of Shadow of the Colossus still looks great to me.
-
Hey all, I'm interested in playing some emulated games on my steamdeck, but I'm not sure where to start.
I've been having fun with Super Mario World, but a good chunk of that is because I played it a lot as a kid, so much of my enjoyment is from nostalgia.
Problem is, I didn't play many too many games when I was a kid...
What older games out there would you say hold up in 2025? So that regardless of the nostalgia factor, they can be enjoyed by someone like me
wrote on last edited by [email protected]I personally think smaller scale 2000s collect-a-thon games like Ty the Tasmanian Tiger hold up pretty well. Never knew that specific series existed until maybe a year or two ago and I gotta say, it's pretty good and runs real smooth on Dolphin on my Steam Deck ( and coincidentally better than the legitimate PS2 copy I have ).
I personally also think the PS2 Star Wars Battlefront games still hold up well enough. Love the lack of monetization and lack of online play because I hate competitive play as a more casual player.
Those games are definitely pass my recommendation checklist due to the amount/quality of content, and/or replayability level.
Another couple games that pass that checklist would be Final Fantasy X ( I never finished it, but had been enjoying it all the way ) and Sly Cooper 1 ( due to the time trials for each non-boss level adding a good amount of challenge and length ). Both on PS2.
-
Hey all, I'm interested in playing some emulated games on my steamdeck, but I'm not sure where to start.
I've been having fun with Super Mario World, but a good chunk of that is because I played it a lot as a kid, so much of my enjoyment is from nostalgia.
Problem is, I didn't play many too many games when I was a kid...
What older games out there would you say hold up in 2025? So that regardless of the nostalgia factor, they can be enjoyed by someone like me
wrote on last edited by [email protected]A lot of PS2 games have busted PC ports or ports with invasive EULAs. PS2 is still probably the best way to play GTA: San Andreas.
But really, just pick a console with a graphical aesthetic you like and find the games people buzz about. I'll give you some recommendations, based mainly on my taste, but a quick "(console) best games" search can help you expand upon this.
NES:
Mike Tyson's Punch-Out, Super Mario Bros 3, Kirby's Adventure, Castlevania, Mega Man 2, ContraGenesis/Mega Drive:
Streets of Rage 2, Castlevania: Bloodlines, Road Rash, Sonic 2, Contra Hard CorpsSNES:
NBA Jam: Championship Edition, Mega Man X, Star Fox 2PS1:
Crash Bandicoot 3: Warped, Crash Team Racing, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater, Metal Gear SolidN64:
Super Mario 64, Star Fox 64, Banjo-Kazooie, Mario Kart 64, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of TimeDreamcast:
Sonic Adventure, Sonic Adventure 2, SoulCaliburPS2:
GTA San Andreas, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3, Tony Hawk's Underground 2, Resident Evil 4, Silent Hill 2, Metal Gear Solid 2 & 3, Kingdom Hearts, Kingdom Hearts II, Sly Cooper (entire series)GameCube:
Super Mario Sunshine, Mario Kart Double Dash, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, Super Smash Bros Melee, SoulCalibur IIXbox:
Halo, Halo 2, Fable: The Lost ChaptersThat's a decent start, but not comprehensive by any means. Just pick a console with games you like the look of and search the top-rated games, the cream really rises to the top when you're looking for retro games.
-
Hey all, I'm interested in playing some emulated games on my steamdeck, but I'm not sure where to start.
I've been having fun with Super Mario World, but a good chunk of that is because I played it a lot as a kid, so much of my enjoyment is from nostalgia.
Problem is, I didn't play many too many games when I was a kid...
What older games out there would you say hold up in 2025? So that regardless of the nostalgia factor, they can be enjoyed by someone like me
F-Zero X on N64
-
Hey all, I'm interested in playing some emulated games on my steamdeck, but I'm not sure where to start.
I've been having fun with Super Mario World, but a good chunk of that is because I played it a lot as a kid, so much of my enjoyment is from nostalgia.
Problem is, I didn't play many too many games when I was a kid...
What older games out there would you say hold up in 2025? So that regardless of the nostalgia factor, they can be enjoyed by someone like me
That really depends on your definition of "holds up".
For example, to me the original Final Fantasy VII is still a better game than the remake because what was a well thought out RPG combat system got turned into just another button mashing combat experience with a Final Fantasy VII wallpaper applied to it.
Is the remake better graphically? sure. Does that matter to you? Than yeah...the original isn't going to hold up for you. But if you prefer the classic design from those times, the game holds up great from a gameplay/story/character perspective. And I personally would take it over whatever mash-fest modern games use for combat systems.
-
I was playing shadowrun genesis again awhile back. It actually used the pen and paper rules from the time and was pretty neat considering. its like how the text based rogue likes are still fun. does have a few annoying bugs though.
That game shaped my gaming life in a thousand ways. It still stands as one of my most memorable experiences.
I don't know if the emulation is the problem or not, but I've tried replaying it on multiple Genesis Emulators and found it almost impossible due to something imperceptible that makes firing the gun just a millisecond too late after pushing the button. And the group you're fighting moving just slightly faster than you. Combining to result in very quickly getting beaten to death in your very first encounter with gangers.
I've tried multiple settings on multiple emulators and I can't solve it.
-
Wario Land 3 is a game design gem
Try it with the randomizer romhack
