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Best Retro Action

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Rankings use category fit, feature coverage, pricing signals, public reception, and recency. Affiliate relationships do not affect scores.

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0.0 - 10.0
Best 1 Doom (1993)

Doom (1993) is a foundational title in the first-person shooter genre. Its fast-paced action, demonic enemies, and groundbreaking multiplayer revolutionized gaming. While its graphics are dated by tod...

2 Metal Slug 3

Metal Slug 3 is a side-scrolling action video game developed by SNK. Released in 2000 for the Neo-Geo MVS arcade system, it’s known for its intense run-and-gun gameplay and challenging level design. T...

3 Castlevania: Rondo of Blood

Castlevania: Rondo of Blood is a 1993 platform game developed by Konami for the PC Engine Super CD-ROM². The game follows Richter Belmont’s quest to rescue his captured lover, Annette, from Dracula. I...

4 Robotron: 2084

Robotron: 2084 is a challenging arcade shoot-em-up released in 1982. Players navigate a dystopian future where they battle relentless waves of robotic adversaries attempting to destroy the last human...

5 Star Wars

Star Wars is a science fiction saga centered on a galactic conflict between the Rebel Alliance and the tyrannical Galactic Empire. Its enduring appeal stems from its expansive universe, iconic charact...

6 Samurai Shodown II

Samurai Shodown II is a 1994 fighting game developed by SNK. It distinguishes itself with its focus on traditional Japanese samurai and their weaponry rather than fantastical elements common in other...

7 20th Century Boys

Humanity, having faced extinction at the end of the 20th century, would not have entered the new millennium if it weren't for them. In 1969, during their youth, they created a symbol. In 1997, as the...

8 Streets of Rage 2

Streets of Rage 2 is a 1992 beat 'em up for the Sega Genesis. It continues the story featuring Axel Stone and Blaze Fielding alongside three new playable characters: Max Thunder, Eddie "Skate" Hunter,...

9 Space Invaders

Space Invaders is a classic arcade shoot ‘em up where players defend against waves of descending aliens using a laser cannon. Players control the horizontal movement of the cannon and fire to eliminat...

10 Ultrakill

Ultrakill is a modern indie masterpiece that captures the high-speed essence of Doom and Quake. It features a 'blood-is-fuel' mechanic, incredibly fast movement, and complex weapon interactions. While...

11 WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgames!

WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgames! is a 2003 Game Boy Advance game developed by Nintendo. The title features rapid succession of short minigames, inspired by Mario Artist: Polygon Studio’s “Sound Bombe...

12 Wolfenstein 3D

Wolfenstein 3D is a seminal first-person shooter released in 1992 by id Software. The game places players in the role of B.J. Blazkowicz, an American spy tasked with infiltrating Nazi strongholds duri...

13 DOOM + BFG Edition

This is the definitive way to experience the original 1993 Doom on modern hardware. It includes the original game, the BFG weapon, and several expansions like Final Fantasy and Doom II content. While...

14 Mega Man X2

Mega Man X2 is a 1994 Super Nintendo game developed by Capcom. The title follows Maverick Hunter X as he confronts new threats, including the X-Hunters, who utilize body parts of fallen comrade Zero t...

15 Contra

Contra is a classic arcade shoot-em-up developed by Konami. Released in 1987, it’s notable for its intense action gameplay and challenging level design. The game features two playable characters battl...

16 Tekken Tag Tournament 2

A unique entry in the series that allows players to swap between two characters mid-fight. This creates a high-speed, chaotic experience that differs significantly from standard Tekken titles. It rema...

17 Gradius

Gradius is a 1985 Konami arcade game that established a classic shoot-em-up genre. Players control the Vic Viper to navigate horizontal scrolling levels and defeat enemy spacecraft using power-ups gai...

18 Ultraseven

Ultraseven is a Japanese tokusatsu television series notable for pioneering the superhero genre within the Ultra Series. Created by Eiji Tsuburaya and broadcast from 1967 to 1968, it features a single...

19 Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger

Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger is the 35th installment in the Super Sentai metaseries, celebrating the franchise’s 35th anniversary. The series follows a pirate-themed team that debuted in 2011, succeeding T...

20 Chōjin Sentai Jetman

Chojin Sentai Jetman was a Japanese tokusatsu television series produced by Toei Company, debuting in 1991 and running for 51 episodes on TV Asahi. It succeeded Chikyu Sentai Fiveman and preceded Kyōr...

21 Subway Surfers

A classic of the endless runner genre, Subway Surfers features a high-speed chase through subway tracks. Players dodge trains and obstacles while collecting coins. Its polished controls and constant v...

22 Soulcalibur VI

The Arcade Edition of Soulcalibur VI is a condensed version of the full game. It features a smaller roster and fewer modes, designed to mimic an arcade experience. While it provides a quick way to jum...

23 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge is a beat 'em up game developed by Tribute Games and published by Dotemu. The game draws inspiration from the 1987 animated series and classic Konami-d...

24 Ghouls 'n Ghosts

Ghouls ‘n Ghosts is an arcade action-platformer where players control Shinpei, tasked with rescuing his twin sister Nanaho from the clutches of Igor and the evil monsters of Dai Makaimura. The gamepla...

25 Street Fighter Alpha

Street Fighter Alpha: Warriors’ Dreams is a 1995 arcade fighting game created by Capcom. It represents the first new installment in the Street Fighter series since 1991's Street Fighter II. The game p...

26 Sonic the Hedgehog CD

Sonic the Hedgehog CD is a 1993 platform game for Sega CD where the player defends Little Planet from Doctor Robotnik. The game utilizes time travel mechanics, allowing players to navigate alternate s...

27 Zack & Wiki: Quest for Barbaros' Treasure

Zack & Wiki: Quest for Barbaros’ Treasure is an adventure puzzle game for the Wii, released in 2007. The game centers on Zack and his monkey companion Wiki as they assist a talking skull, Barbaros, in...

28 Castlevania

Castlevania is a classic action-adventure video game developed by Konami. Initially released for Japanese arcades and the Famicom Disk System in 1986, it gained international recognition through NES p...

29 Contra 4

Contra 4 is a classic run-and-gun action game developed by WayForward and published by Konami for Nintendo DS. Released in 2007, it’s notable for its challenging gameplay and side-scrolling perspectiv...

30 Fatal Fury Special

Fatal Fury Special is a 1993 fighting game developed by SNK for the Neo Geo system. Notable for its blend of arcade-style combat and RPG elements, it features diverse characters and challenging CPU op...

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