Top Retro Games to Play on Pico-8
Published at Jul 27, 2024
Hey there, fellow retro gaming enthusiasts! 🌟 Recently, I’ve been diving deep into the Pico-8 library, and let me tell you, I’m hooked. Here are my top picks for retro games on Pico-8 that you absolutely need to play!
Celeste Classic
Ah, Celeste Classic. Where do I even start? This game is the original Pico-8 version of the now-famous Celeste. It’s challenging, but in that “I want to throw my controller but also keep playing” kind of way. Madeline’s journey is all about precise jumps and avoiding deadly spikes. Sounds simple, right? WRONG. It’s brutal, but darn it, it’s satisfying. It’s a perfect mix of challenging and rewarding, and the story is so simple yet moving.
Dusk Child
Dusk Child is like stepping into a time machine and landing in the middle of a Metroidvania fever dream. You’re exploring this eerie, mysterious castle, and every room is a new puzzle waiting to be solved. The game is drenched in atmosphere, with beautiful pixel art that makes me feel like I’m exploring an 8-bit haunted house. It’s spooky but so incredibly captivating. The exploration and puzzles will really keep you hooked!
The Lost Night
The Lost Night is the game you play when you want to combine platforming with a dash of horror. You’re a young girl lost in a creepy forest, trying to find your family. It’s dark, it’s eerie, and it’s fantastic. The platforming is top-notch, and the story pulls you in like a ghostly whisper on a foggy night. The story is so hauntingly beautiful too!
Pico Driller
Pico Driller is its spiritual successor on Pico-8. You’re drilling through colorful blocks, managing your air supply, and trying not to get crushed. It’s simple, it’s addictive, and it’s got that “just one more try” magic. Plus, the satisfaction of clearing a tricky level is like nothing else.
Pico Night Punkin
Pico Night Punkin is a remake of the popular Friday Night Funkin. It’s a funky rhythm game. If you’re playing multiplayer, you might want to sabotage your friend. The colors are really pretty, and it’s really easy to spend hours on it if you’re not careful.
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Birds with Guns
I literally cannot stop playing this game. Birds with Guns is an addicting shooter where you play as various birds armed to the beak. Personally, my favorite is the penguin. The sprites are so lovely, and the vibrant colors make everything pop. You also upgrade with new weapons, and it’s really cool.
Bun Bun Samurai
Bun Bun Samurai is an endless action game where you play as a samurai rabbit slashing through waves of enemies. As years pass in the game, new enemy types appear, and more enemies roam the countryside at once. Enemies that are impacted but not killed grow angrier, increasing their movement and attack speed until they settle down. I found this game pretty difficult maybe cause I lack coordination but I did keep restarting the game more often than i’d like to admit.
Pico Tennis
Pico Tennis is a multiplayer sports game with a bit of a learning curve. The controls are a bit iffy, and the physics engine is really well built. Maybe that’s what makes it hard. It’s pretty difficult—we lost quite a bit and couldn’t pass more than 5 hits but maybe that is more a skill issue than a game issue.
There you have it, my top retro games on Pico-8 that are sure to scratch that nostalgic itch. Whether you’re into challenging platformers, strategic RPGs, or just need some pixelated cuteness in your life, there’s something here for everyone. So grab your Pico-8 console, fire up these games, and let’s get retro!
Have a game you’d like to see on our list? Let us know on our Discord, it’s very active (I promise)!