8-bit and 16-bit pixel arts have a timeless charm. While some modern pixel art games will make players feel nostalgic because of their retro style, others explore what the aesthetic can be in a new way. Pixel games prove time and time again that realistic visuals are not necessary to convey messages, stories, atmospheres and emotions. Pixel art initially defined video games, but it is still present in games made in recent years. Here’s a look at the best pixel games that any fan of this art style should play. Only “modern” games will be published, so classics such as Chrono Trigger, Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, Street Fighter, and most GBA games will not be mentioned. Of course, this masterpiece has beautiful pixel art.
Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun Metascore: 85
Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun Released May 23, 2023 Developer(s) Orok Digital
Warhammer 40K has a long and storied history in video games, but the franchise is not particularly known for its first-person shooters. Boltgun tries to solve that by providing a budget option reminiscent of retro shooters from the 90s. The game wears its influences openly on its sleeve, risking feeling tired as it has produced more than its share of games reminiscent of Doom and Blood in recent years. While perhaps not the greatest modern retro shooter, Boltgun is an absolute joy to play. Best Weapons in Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun, Ranked Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun has a variety of weapons, each powerful in its own way. But who is different from others? The player takes on the role of a space marine tasked with a mission that essentially “kills everything and does it spectacularly.” » Boltgun has little time or patience for story, preferring instead to throw players into the action and keep them there for as long as possible. The game gets its movement and weapons right, both as powerful as they are given to the protagonist. While there isn’t much description to mention, Boltgun makes up for it with its level design. Cassette Beasts Metascore: 84 Cassette Beasts Released April 26, 2023 Developer Byton Studio
Monster collecting RPGs aren’t impossible to find, it just seems because the subgenre is completely dominated by one name: Pokemon. Over the decades, the Game Freak franchise has not only produced its share of amazing titles, but also inspired other developers to follow suit. Byton is one such company, and the studio’s most refreshing modern take on the RPG, Cassette Beasts, monster-catching formula. Using a beautiful and detailed pixel art style reminiscent of the Nintendo DS, the RPG features a well-realized island setting that is essentially an open world, though obviously presented from an isometric angle rather than a third-person perspective. The game establishes its own identity through a mysterious story featuring NPCs who, for the most part, are only beginning to understand their situation. Cassette Beasts’ turn-based combat strives to stand out from the crowd while still providing a fairly accessible core loop. The protagonist and his partners can transform into beasts recorded in their cassette players, and human characters level up instead of monsters (although the latter have their own progression system). These mechanics are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to new ideas in cassette beasts. Pizza Tower Metascore: 89 Pizza Tower Released on January 26, 2023
The Wario series has had a fan base for some time, due to the clever and engaging way it has handled platforming. Like a mix of Sonic the Hedgehog and Super Mario Bros., Verio’s games were much edgier and a bit more eclectic than their Mushroom Kingdom cousins. Unfortunately, Nintendo hasn’t done much on the Wario side, especially when it comes to platform releases. A new Wario Ware has been released, but nothing to satisfy fans craving the platform’s iconic gameplay. Fortunately, there are still fans (and game designers) who cultivate the “style,” even if it’s not the same Wario they know and love. Pizza Tower is a great addition to the platforming genre, with great art and gameplay elements that blend seamlessly into the universes of the Wario and Earthworm Gym series. Those looking for a traditional platformer with a retro pixelated style should put this release at the top of their list. Triangle Strategy Metascore: 84 Platform Triangle Strategy(s) Nintendo Switch, PC Released March 4, 2022 Square Enix released several new IPs in 2022, and Triangle Strategy was perhaps the publisher’s strongest release of the year. A turn-based strategy game inspired by classics like Final Fantasy Tactics, Triangle Strategy tells a mature story centered around a war caused by a shortage of critical resources. Narratively, the game is dense, both thematically and character-wise. The same goes for the gameplay, which draws from the classics of the genre while creating its own style and sound.
Triangle Strategy is absolutely stunning in terms of pixel art. While its budget may not be as high as some of Square Enix’s more mainstream RPGs, the game features detailed character models and beautiful locations. When it comes to pixel art, few publications compare to the triangle strategy. Prodius Metascore: 84 Prodius Released September 23, 2022 Developer
Pixel art is synonymous with 2D platformers and isometric adventure games that pay homage to the SNES era; However, there are exceptions. Prodius is a first-person shooter from the 90s, especially when it comes to shooting gameplay and level design. What makes this release stand out from the crowd is its graphical style, as there aren’t many FPS games that use pixel art. This aesthetic allows the Prodius to honor its retro roots while still feeling like a modern experience. Bounding Box Software, the game’s developer, has also included a series of graphics options that allow players to adjust Prodius’ visuals to suit their preferences. Potion Permit Metascore: 81 Potion Permit Released September 22, 2022 Developer Masshive Media Genre(s) Action RPG, Social Simulation There’s no shortage of life simulations on modern consoles, but Potion Permit stands out by focusing on medicine rather than agriculture. As an alchemist sent to a village unwelcoming to outsiders, players must work harder to earn the good graces of the citizens of their new home. This means completing quests, making medicine for all sorts of ailments, heading to the village in search of resources, and making some friends. Potion Permit is a fun life sim that doesn’t offer much of a challenge, which is generally good for this genre. Graphically, the game’s pixelated style is warm, detailed and lively. The simulation manages to ensure that each area of the map has a distinct flavor, and the same goes for NPCs and enemies. Sanabi Metascore: 83 Sanabi Released on November 9, 2023 Developer(s) Wonder Potion
After some time in Early Access, Sanabi finally made its official debut in November 2023, releasing on both PC and Nintendo Switch. An indie platformer set in a dystopian world, this game might not look particularly unique on paper, but it shakes up the status quo a bit with its presentation and story. To begin with, the latter takes center stage, often eclipsing the gameplay as well. The campaign features long sequences dedicated to cutscenes, and while these sections may not please everyone, they do a good job of highlighting the characters and establishing the world. Sanabi follows a retired soldier who is forced to go on another mission, a standard setup for an action story. Fortunately, this game is enough to make the trip worthwhile. The gameplay is also solid and develops significantly throughout the experience through a non-static set of moves. Visually, Sanabi impresses in virtually every way. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge MetaScore: 87 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder…
