VR games and 3D games and realism is cool and all, but pixel games deserve a lot of attention as well. And trust me when I say they do get a lot of attention. But are they getting enough?
Well, I couldn’t tell you. This isn’t about the obscure pixel games.
This post hands you the best pixel video games gamers spend their hours playing. They’re categorized into eight different genres, and I’ve placed at least five games into each one, and ten being the max. Have you tried them? If not, you should take a look. They might be worth your while, just waiting to be thrown into your own gaming treasure trove.
Or thrown away.
Action/Adventure Pixel Games
Celeste
There are unicorns out there seeking their way to Candy Mountain, and then there’s Madeline. She’s trying to reach Celeste Mountain while battling her inner demons in this cute pixel game of self-discovery.
 Amazon.com
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$119.59
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3 used from $64.99
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Is it worthy? |
Dead Cells
Dead Cells isn’t about picking off that extra layer of loose skin on the bottom of your foot. It’s about dying, coming back, dying, coming back better, dying again, coming back with the hope that maybe this time you won’t die, and…dying some more. Basically Dead Cells is one of the best pixel games that teaches you repetition in death can make you a better player.
Katana ZERO
Katana gives ZERO f*$^s about the people who stand in his way, because he’s looking to find the answers to his past, and if spilled blood leads the way, he’ll damn well follow it.
MO: Astray
Use that jelly belly of yours to stick to surfaces and your glob of an aerodynamic form to zoom about, avoiding objects hazardous to your health and enemy attacks. Just because this pixel game looks cute doesn’t mean it offers a non-threatening playthrough.
Noita
The pixel art in Noita may be on a simple scale at first, until you cast spells upon the environment around you. Then the pixels become stimulated and disintegrate and swarm about and, oh god the movement and collision of colors of everything is pure pleasure.
Reventure
An adventure is one primary place your headed to with several objectives you’ll face within. A Reventure is when you’re amidst an adventure and you die, but you rise…and do it again! This time, though, you go for a different ending. One hundred different endings, to be exact. Hell, it even has Twitch integration!
Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove
Who needs a single Shovel Knight game when you can have the complete edition–Treasure Trove. Shovel some justice into your foes and find your beloved. This is one of the best pixel games players get the most enjoyment out of, especially since you can co-op with friends.
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Amazon.com
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$29.99
12 new from $29.99
6 used from $26.00
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Is it worthy? |
Streets of Rogue
Just because it’s called Streets of Rogue, doesn’t mean you have to use stealth. Maybe you want to charge in and enjoy a pixel-perfect slaughterfest. Or maybe you want to use that clever vocabulary of yours to talk your way past guards. Or, well, maybe you want to play as King Kong. Either way, the choice is yours!
The Messenger
I managed to obtain a copy of this game in a bundle on Fanatical. Gamers were pleading me for it, so I did a giveaway and the winner was positively happy. Tell me that doesn’t show how much love The Messenger gets, with his ninja skills and nostalgic looks and music of games long since released.
Touhou Luna Nights
Who doesn’t want to play as a lovely ninja lady in a…maid outfit? Team Ladybug offers you an original, cream-of-the-crop metroidvania game with smooth movements and interesting time-stopping abilities. It doesn’t matter how long you play it, because time won’t actually stop where you are. You have to sleep at some point.
Casual Pixel Games
A Short Hike
For such a simple looking pixel game, there’s a lot you can actually do. It’s certainly reminescent of Aer: Memories of Old, if you’re familiar with that game. A Short Hike is meant to be taken at a leisurely pace. Explore, soar, fish, meet hikers, and discover one of the most worthwhile pixel games in this post.
Coloring Pixels
Who would’ve thought a game based on coloring in pixels could receive a standing ovation from gamers? Just keep in mind, while many adults like this game, it’s also perfect for kids.
Evoland Legendary Edition
If you’ve played many games throughout the years and love throwbacks to the games of the past, this is one of the best pixel games you could ask for. It’s kind of like the evolution of dance, except gaming.
Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis
Sure, it’s one of the older pixel games you can play, but it’s freaking Indiana Jones. Enjoy that good ol’ musical intro you’ve come to love with the Jones series. Interestingly enough, it has voice acting, and there’s even replay value.
Montaro
It’s got a cute pixelated doge you play as that runs around and takes the panties from cute girl’s. What doge could ask for more?
Shower With Your Dad Simulator 2015
Stranger things have happened in video games, right? 6.5k overwhelmingly positive reviews can’t be wrong. That’s a lot of people who need to clean up their act…
Unavowed
Sure, blame being possessed by a demon as the reason you’re doing a bunch of terrible things. Within Unavowed, it no longer matters, as your new path in life begins. Choose your party, your path, and prove to yourself that this is one of the best pixel games to play in this day and age.
VA-11 Hall-A: Cyberpunk Bartender Action
It’s got a name you’re likely to remember just from the strangeness, and stranger still are some of the people you may meet as a bartender. This is actually more of a relaxing visual novel pixel game, so sit back, grab an alcoholic beverage, and hear the tales of your patrons.
Dungeon Crawler Pixel Games
Children of Morta
Morta has a lot of children. What makes this game pixel perfect is the story of the family itself, not what they’ve done to save the universe. I absolutely love when games focus on the growing of the characters and not the world around them. The frame-by-frame animations are a killer hook too.
Crawl
Of course Crawl is a dungeon crawler. Why not? It’s also got the pixel graphics that make you believe your eyesight is going bad–but it’s not, and that fact certainly doesn’t detract from the amazing fact that your co-op friends are not your friends in-game and are plotting your doom from the start.
Crypt of the NecroDancer
Rock out to some bangin’ music that may have driven the monsters insane, but you’ve come to do the floss to. Actually, no, please don’t. Hook up your MP3 songs and dance to the sick beats in constantly changing puzzle dungeons as you make your way to the shimmying NecroDancer. Those old bones don’t move like they used to.
Dungreed
These splendid pixel graphics appeal to my inner artist. The movements, the spells, the…food. Train thyself to not die in these dungeons, because when you do, all is lost.
Enter the Gungeon
It’s not enough to shoot a normal gun in a dungeon. No, no, in Enter the Dungeon, enjoy the options of a variety of unique guns, including shotguns that shoot teddies and guns referencing media we love (hello Winchester!).
UnderMine
What’s under the mine? That’s what you’ll need to find out, obviously. While you may be journeying onto the path of fortune and death, the real treasures are the pixels you’re playing.
Wizard of Legend
The combat can get a bit intense in Wizard of Legend, but if that’s what it takes to be legendary, then so be it. If you enjoy dungeon crawlers with a lot of action and co-op, this might be on the top of your list for pixel games to play.
Horror Pixel Games
Deadbolt
Reaper isn’t just a character in Overwatch anymore. And this type of horror pixel game is exactly why I’ll always throw down that deadbolt and agree to not make eye contact through a peep-hole.
Devil Daggers
Here’s a bit of a psychological slap of horror rolled into an FPS game. There might not be many enemies to battle, but what makes Devil Daggers so unique is the use of first person and as a pixel game. Climb to the top of the leaderboards and prove you can make it on top in hell.
Heartbound
It’s an adorable looking banner, don’t you think? Kind of peaceful. Unfortunately, the boy goes a little bit crazy. It certainly has an Undertale type of vibe going on, which has probably made it a big selling point. Choices matter in this pixel game.
LISA: The Painful
Pixels in their most simplistic form in a game, but let’s face it, a post-apocalyptic land doesn’t have much to look it. As suggested by thee name, there are some painful parts to playing LISA, and those are the choices that must be made.
Mad Father
Japanese devs do their horror right, and it shows in this psychological horror pixel game. While not all the artwork is pixel related, the gameplay portion is. I’m not sure if that’s a foul, placing it in this post, but I don’t care.
Pony Island
What? An island of ponies is a horror fest? It is when the devil’s involved. Time to test your thinking skills in one of the best puzzle pixel games around.
The Hex
The Hex simply proves that graphics don’t always make a damn good game. Sometimes, it’s the plot itself, and how it all unfolds. Will you solve the mystery of the murderous plot and expose the video game protagonist involved? Also–this game is from the creators of Pony Island.
Yuppie Psycho
Brian’s a new schmuck working at one of the world’s largest companies. Brian’s about to learn, he probably should’ve got a better job. Now he has to hunt a witch who’s tormenting the employees. Poor Brian.
Multiplayer Pixel Games
Broforce
The force is strong with these bros. If you like throwing napalm about and flexing your explosive muscles and make it rain bullets upon enemy forces, grab your bros before hoes, because these pixels are a blast. Literally.
Clone Drone in the Danger Zone
Welcome to the danger zone. You must’ve been cloned into a drone to get here, I’d say. Well, in order to be the victor, it’s time to start chopping some body parts off. Not only can you play in a story mode, but you can crank it all the way up to a battle royale of 2-15 players. Let the pixels fly off the screen.
Lethal League
If you like playing in sports leagues, you’ll like Lethal League. See, in Dodgeball, if you get hit, you’re out. In this game, you’re going to need to hit the enemy in the face with an anti-gravity ball to strike them out for good. Oh, and the ball speeds up too. I can only imagine the incoming pain of that single hit…
Rusted Warfare – RTS
Don’t let the looks fool you in this multiplayer pixel game–it’s meant as a modern take on the old school and classic RTS games. There are a ton of mods for Rusted Warfare, plus you can host your own game that friends can partake in.
Stardew Valley
Think of this game as Harvest Moon on steroids. If you like the Harvest Moon series, and you like having so much to do your brain goes into a meltdown mode, then you’ve probably bought this game and have already been playing it. Go you.
Terraria
Keep diggin’ them holes and see how long it takes to reach the other side of the world as you face off against enemies and crafty mighty weapons and armor. It might take you a while. Grab some friends to help dig. Then again, you still may never get there. But at least you’ll find loot along the way.
TowerFall Ascension
You don’t need no Super Smash game to duke it out with your fellow companions. You just need a game with an arena, treasure chests to fight over, and a mastery over your combat skills. Hope you’re good with bow and arrows.
RPG Pixel Games
Caves of Qud
I keep wanting to call this Caves of Crud, but that’s not it. In fact, it’s a whole lot more than crud, because the simplicity of its looks is a facade, because this game offers a lot when you look closer. Create your character the way you want, fight monsters, explore the world and learn its lore, proceed with the plot, and more. If only every cave offered so much.
Doom & Destiny
It looks like your typical RPG maker game, but is it really? No, I don’t think so. It’s filled with humor while other games focus on the seriousness of the situation. Release your inner nerd and play this flying spaghetti adventure.
Dungeon Munchies
Someone’s been eating the cave shrooms. I mean, there might actually be shrooms to eat, because this game is all about finding new recipes for a necromancer and culinary chef to cook.
Finding Paradise
This is one of the best emotional, possibly tear-jerker pixel games you can play and love the whole way through. Take a trip into a dying man’s memories, into the one thing he’s always wanted, and keep the tissues on hand. Not that you’ll cry. Some people don’t have hearts.
LiEat
I bet you didn’t think you’d ever be able to play as a dragon that eats lies, did you? I sure as shit didn’t, but here we are. With three different chapters to go through, this is a story-based pixel game you might not want to lie about wanting.
Shantae and the Pirate’s Curse
I see this game retweeted so often on Twitter, I’d be amazed if every gamer didn’t know about it. Not really. I didn’t know about Shantae until I saw the retweets. Anyway, she’s a belly-dancing genie who’s lost her powers and hooks up with a pirate nemesis to gain them back. All the booty you could ask for.
To the Moon
If you didn’t cry in Finding Paradise, don’t falsify your actions by saying you didn’t cry while playing To the Moon. From the same creators, it relies on the same plot of traversing the memories of a dying man. So let’s piece the past back together and find out why he wishes to travel to a place beyond our reach.
Undertale
You might think it’s a game with battles. And you’d be right. But also wrong. Choices matter. Will you make the right ones? Or will you cross the line? Either way, there’s no doubt you’ll be laughing at the truly amazing characters you’ll meet from the get-go.
Shooter Pixel Games
Akane
Akane is all about the one shot, one kill. With five different types of enemies and five different types of equipment to gear yourself up with, you’ve got all you need with your super abilities to kill as many enemies as you can. The best visual features are the neon lights, not the amount of blood you spill.
Bit Blaster XL
Remember those arcade games that stole the quarters of your youth just for you to waste a small amount of time blowing up your enemies? Me neither, but this game is a throwback to them. Your ship won’t stop moving, and the enemies won’t stop coming. Keep doing your best and beat your highest score each time you come back to it.
Downwell
Great, Timmy fell down the well again. Actually, it’s more like he jumped, because curiousity got the better of him. Armed with nothing more than your Gunboots (who needs clothes in a well, after all), you’ll be taking the long way down, finding treasures and enemies that may have been worth the jump.
Duck Game
This is not like Duck Hunter, so don’t get them confused. Just like Duck Hunt, though, you’ll be shooting at the other ducks with over 50 obtainable weapons and over 50 possible levels. It’s one of the best co-op shooter pixel games to play with friends.
Hotline Miami
Clean up on aisle…everywhere. Hotline Miami is brutal in the ways of murdering your foes, long range or close combat style. The voices coming from your answering machine tell you to do terrible things, and by golly you do them with raw fury.
Jamestown
Jamestown caters to those who love playing the classic arcade shooter pixel games, but in this game, you’re a team, and you’re a team that helps each other. Or, that’s how it’s supposed to go. Someone died? Get them back up and back into the fight!
Monolith
After the start, there’s the end. But what’s after the end? Looks to be a monolith with an explosion of bullet hell, streamlined gameplay. It’s a fairly short game, but in order to make Monolith fairly short, you’re going to be needing a lot of practice to master the need for speed.
Nuclear Throne
Whelp, humanity is non-existent at this point and all there is to do for fun around here is collect radiation and build an arsenal of new abilities as you fight your way to the Nuclear Throne.
Strategy
Baba is You
Baba is You is one of the best of the strategy pixel games you could have the pleasure of playing. You have the opportunity to change the rules of the environment of the level you’re on. Not only that, but it’s got over 200 levels for you to tinker around in.
Chroma Squad
Like tactical RPGs? How about some Power Rangers? Turns out, five stunt actors decided to take their careers into movie-making business that’s ranger-based. Now it’s time for you to customize your studio, hire actors, buy equipment, and the whole she-bang to create turn-based battles on the big-screen.
Gunpoint
Stealth and infiltration at its finest. Don’t let the pixels fool you, they can make you get around and do some serious damage to your enemies. It’s quite elaborate, too.
Mindustry
Strategically place tower defenses to protect against enemies while also automating conveyor belts to move your resources where they need to be. So you can also destroy enemies, of course. Doesn’t seem like much of a strategy in the end, does it?
Papers, Please
Whenever I see this title, I think of Cactuar in World of Final Fantasy on the train. But that’s neither here nor there. In Papers, Please, you must filter out those who are worthy enough Arstotzka and those shady bastards that need to get the boot.
