OcUK Staff Top Fives: Rob’s Top 5 Retro-Styled Games

It’s no secret that we here at Overclockers UK are big into our gaming. We live for new game hype and love to replay our old favourites. Over 2024, we’ll be sharing our own top fives across a spicy selection of genres. This month, we’re looking at Rob’s Top 5 Retro-Styled Games.

I’ll be the first to admit it, there’s something undeniably magical about retro-styled games. Maybe it’s the pixel art, the chiptune soundtracks, or just the way they transport us back to a nostalgia-filled time. Today, we’re diving headfirst into my personal favourite modern games that embrace the best of retro aesthetics.

5. Slopecrashers

Who needs a winter sports simulator when you can race downhill as a penguin? Slopecrashers delivers chaotic, adrenaline-pumping action that feels like SSX had a retro lovechild with a Saturday morning cartoon. I immediately fell in love with the game’s multiplayer mayhem and eccentric cast of characters. From tricks and grinding on rails, to launching rockets at other players, Slopecrashers delivers a genuinely chaotic experience. Notably, the game even includes a split screen mode allowing you to race friends locally or via Steam’s Remote Play Together feature! Brilliant for house parties.

If you’re anything like me, then insane racing games were a good 80% of your childhood gaming experience. I’m talking the weirder, the better! Rocking a PS2, 2L of Tizer, some choccy, and the likes of X-treme Express, SSX, and Jet x2o made Friday nights lit. So, when our friends at Neonhive reached out with their new SSX-inspired snowboarding game, I started barking like a damn dog.

Radical Dude

4. Cantata

Cantata is a truly unique strategy experience that mixes tactical depth with an eye-popping psychedelic art style. Diving into the colourful wonderland that is Cantata, it’s hard not to be immediately captivated by the game’s innovative blend of turn-based strategy and open-world exploration. A standout feature is the ability to make the game your own. Every campaign map has been made with the exact same in-game tool we have access to ourselves. Beyond just world-building, Cantata allows you to create customs units, a tool I used to create horrors beyond human comprehension.

3. Celeste

Celeste’s deeply emotional journey is impossible to ignore and for that alone, it deserves its place on this list. More than just a platformer, Celeste combines challenging gameplay with a heartfelt story about self-doubt and overcoming inner demons that left me questioning myself and the world around me. Navigating the intricate levels, the combination of tight controls and beautiful storytelling easily pulls you in, making every success feel like a personal victory.

2. Papers Please

Likely to be one of the most well-known games on this list, Papers Please is an unforgettable experience where you step into the shoes of an immigration officer in a dystopian state. The game merges moral dilemmas with decision-making under pressure, all while balancing the mundane task of checking documents. What’s truly striking, however, is how it forces you to reflect on ethics and responsibility. Papers Please is unforgettable not just for its immersive gameplay but for how it encourages players to engage with heavy subject matter. Each decision you make, from processing documents to deciding who gets through the border, carries significant moral weight. As you balance your family’s survival with the ethical dilemma of assisting refugees, the game forces you to confront difficult choices, something very relevant in our own world.

1. Old School Rally

Old School Rally takes the fast-paced thrills of classic arcade racing and brings them to life with nostalgic 3D arcade cabinet-style graphics. Released into Steam’s Early Access in July 2024, Old School Rally is already a brilliant game you will not want to miss! What sets this game apart is its focus on both high-speed action and technical precision, where every corner demands careful handling. I have spent so much time shovelling pound after pound into a Sega Rally arcade cabinet, Old School Rally absolutely satisfies the same itch – without the continued cost too!

Need an Upgrade?

When it comes to retro-styled games, generally speaking, you don’t need top-tier hardware. In fact, all of the games in this list are ideal for mid-range gaming PCs and even laptops. Overclockers UK has a whole host of PCs and gaming laptops for every budget. What’s more, you can even choose from pre-built, pre-tested, and ready for next day delivery PCs!

Gaming PCs

Gaming Laptops