10 Best Modern Games That Trigger Our Nostalgia

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There’s nothing quite like the sensation when you’re engrossed in an action-packed first-person shooter game or content with your achievements in a farming simulator – video games can evoke various emotions. But, perhaps, the most special feeling is the warmth of nostalgia.

Reminiscing about significant gaming milestones, many gamers can vividly recall their initial encounter with a video game or acquisition of their first console or computer, as these moments hold immense importance in a gamer’s journey. For me, the story unfolds in the ’90s when I was introduced to the NES and the original Super Mario Bros, an experience that instantly drew me in.

I’ve created this list from my own unique gaming experience. As I journeyed through the world of gaming, I encountered various titles that resonated with me. To compile the list, I reflected on the games that ignited my passion, the ones that stood out as favorites, and the newer releases that evoked those cherished memories.

Here are the top ten best modern games that trigger our nostalgia.

10.
New Pokémon Snap

Stand Still Dodrio

For me, Pokémon has consistently been a favorite, whether it’s from collectible cards, television series, films, or video games. I can still vividly recall the excitement of getting my hands on the original Pokémon Snap for N64, and to my surprise, I adored it even more than anticipated.

The initial version of Pokémon Snap was incredibly engaging and thrilling, and I must have played it from start to finish at least a dozen times. Activities such as locating Pokémon camouflaged in the grass or water, uncovering a concealed Mewtwo star pattern, or capturing the ideal image of a soaring Moltres made the game incredibly addictive, and New Pokémon Snap didn’t disappoint.

In the latest update, the graphics are incredibly pleasing, and adding a day-night cycle has added an entirely new dimension to the gameplay.

As a gamer, I’ve dived back into the captivating world of Pokémon with New Pokémon Snap, and let me tell you, it’s not just a rehash – this game boasts innovative gameplay, stunning visual upgrades, and an array of never-before-seen Pokémon! The best parts of the original have been carefully preserved, earning it the esteemed position of number 10 on my must-play list.

9.
Animal Well

Mesmerizing Metroidvania

Animal Well is a 2D metroidvania game with a captivating artistic touch. The settings are visually stunning and highly engaging, making it an exceptional addition to the genre I adore. For its innovative take on this beloved genre, it earns a spot at number nine.

As you journey through the mysterious depths and shadows of the caves you’re exploring, you’ll encounter various creatures along the way. However, instead of engaging in combat, you’ll need to focus on staying alive. By utilizing the items at your disposal to shape the environment and uncover hidden secrets, all while grooving to some catchy tunes, you’ll find yourself captivated, immersed in a delightful state of nostalgia.

If you enjoy puzzles and prefer games with an original flair, then the game called “Animal Well” offers just that – a distinctive and rewarding experience. With its nostalgic feel and innovative design, it’s perfect for those who like to break away from the ordinary.

8.
The Messenger

Retro Ninja Gaiden Vibes

In this platform game, you assume the character of a ninja on a mission to rescue your clan from an invading demon horde. Released in 2018 by Sabotage Studio, The Messenger boasts exceptional movement mechanics, with upgrades like the wing suit, climbing claws, and rope dart allowing you to deftly dodge projectiles and narrowly escape plunges into oblivion.

From my point of view, this game is truly remarkable due to its captivating music, energetic movements, and challenging boss battles. Essentially, it offers an adrenaline-pumping, swift-moving platform adventure, which not only feels incredibly smooth but also showcases additional features as well.

Beyond showcasing impressive fight scenes and thrilling acrobatics, The Messenger also features delightful and amusing dialogue as well as endearing characters. Personally, it offers a nostalgic trip down memory lane for me, delivering an exceptional platformer experience with captivating music and gameplay mechanics. That’s why I rank it at the eighth position on my list.

7.
Halo Infinite

Becoming A Killionaire

Back when Halo: Combat Evolved initially hit the shelves, if you were among those who played it, you’d understand the massive impact it made. In terms of shared play experiences, narrative, visuals, and multiplayer aspects, Halo truly revolutionized gaming significantly.

Four-person matches in split-screen mode were an exhilarating pandemonium at its finest, and my companions and I would often be found hurling adhesive grenades and colliding with one another using warthogs for extended periods. Not only are Halo’s single-player campaigns iconic, but the multiplayer aspect is uniquely exceptional, and I believe that Halo Infinite excels at crafting and emphasizing the Player versus Player (PVP) experience.

Beyond its exceptional PVP online, Halo Infinite boasts another incredible, demanding, exhilarating campaign that sparked a sense of nostalgia within me, as it brought back memories of the Blood Gulch. However, I was equally enthralled by the novelty of a new narrative and an invigorating multiplayer adventure.

6.
Shovel Knight: Specter of Torment

Knights Are Strongest When They Work Together

In 2017, Yacht Club Games unveiled Shovel Knight: Specter of Torment, a prequel to the original Shovel Knight. This 2D game captivated me with its beautiful retro aesthetics, intense combat that demands skill, and an engrossing narrative. With nostalgic charm reminiscent of my childhood, it seemed fitting to rank it as number six on my list.

What truly captivates me is the combination of stunning visuals and excellent music in this game. Although it may not be particularly lengthy, sometimes it’s the quality that matters most over quantity. From Castlevania and Adventure Island on NES, to Jurassic Park on Sega, I’ve always been drawn to platformers, and Shovel Knight holds its own against the very best.

Enjoying the seamless movement features such as wall-scaling and swift-attack slices, the navigation in Specter of Torment is genuinely rewarding. This compact and well-designed game is a pleasure to explore. Fortunately, you can acquire the complete set of five Shovel Knight games with the Treasure Trove Collection available on Steam.

5.
Diablo 2: Resurrected

Stay A While And Listen

Back in the 90s, Diablo was a groundbreaking title that left an indelible mark on my gaming journey. Now, Diablo 2: Resurrected breathes fresh life into this classic, making it a natural fit for any list I compile. I sank countless hours into the original game and cherished every moment of it – its graphics and gameplay were truly top-notch for its time.

Back when Diablo 2 dropped, it was an enormous leap in gaming that left an indelible mark on countless gamers like myself. To this very day, if you ask around, most will agree that it stands as the finest Diablo game ever created. Don’t get me wrong, Diablo 3 and 4 are packed with fantastic features, but Diablo 2 holds a unique charm. With Diablo 2: Resurrected, the classic game has been reborn for the modern era, sporting a sleek new look and making it more approachable for all players.

Playing one of my long-cherished games with stunning modern improvements was a nostalgic delight I didn’t realize I yearned for. If you’re a fan of Diablo, D2R will tug at your heartstrings – that’s why it ranks among the best.

4.
Stardew Valley

The Cozy Game Champion

Stardew Valley’s visual charm and lovable characters are my favorite aspects, and these elements contribute significantly to the game being highly regarded as one of the top comforting games available. Beyond being an exceptional farming simulation, it offers numerous locations to discover, engaging combat, and immense flexibility for you to pursue your own interests.

Stardew Valley truly evokes a sense of nostalgia within me. The additions made in 2024, such as new items, farm types, and fish, make it a game that continues to offer fresh experiences. Sharing the Stardew experience with friends online adds an extra layer of enjoyment, ensuring endless replayability. However, there are times when working on a solo project is also quite enjoyable in this game. In essence, Stardew Valley is a game that provides endless entertainment, whether played alone or with friends.

Stardew Valley earns a place on my top list due to its nostalgic appeal with its retro aesthetics, rewarding gameplay, warm ambiance, and the sense of returning to a more straightforward era. Consequently, it held a noteworthy position, coming in at number four.

3.
Super Mario Bros. Wonder

From Cartridges To Online Multiplayer

Super Mario Bros.: Wonder World abounds with extraordinary content, introducing novel items, visual effects, and intricate stages that breathe fresh life into one of the most iconic platformer games. What I find particularly appealing about Wonder World is its ability to maintain the essence of the original while adding all the modern enhancements.

My passion for video games truly ignited with Mario, as my sister and I immersed ourselves in countless adventures on our NES console, battling Goombas together and rescuing Princess Peach. For me, experiencing Mario in the 90s was nothing short of a glorious era of gaming, and Super Mario Bros Wonder brought back all those precious memories.

marveling at it is seamless, imaginative, rich in subtle complexities, and it allows for playing together with friends online – all of these factors make it an exceptional choice, which is why I believe it merits recognition in the top rankings.

2.
The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom

Hero Of Hyrule

I have countless cherished memories from playing Zelda games that go back more than 20 years. I’ll try to keep this brief, but it’s hard to condense all those good times! One of my most enduring memories is playing Zelda on a Game Boy with its black-and-white screen in the 90s. However, when I finally got my hands on The Legend of Zelda cartridge for NES, I was hooked and never looked back.

Without a doubt, Ocarina of Time and Majora’s Mask are truly classic masterpieces, and I consider myself fortunate for having played them during their golden era.

One aspect I adore in Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom is the expansiveness of their worlds and the intricacy of their combat systems. With a wide variety of tools, items, and skills at your disposal, each encounter presents an opportunity to demonstrate your tactical finesse.

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is an extraordinary game that faithfully captures the essence I adore from the original Zelda series, while offering a thoroughly contemporary experience brimming with stunning surprises and endless discovery. Given these qualities, it securely occupies the second spot.

1.
Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered

Stop Right There! Criminal Scum!

In a straightforward and engaging manner, The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion quickly gained popularity due to its ability to let players design their own characters and carve out a distinct journey within an engrossing environment. And the remaster has more than met our expectations.

There’s clearly been a lot of thoughtfulness and affection poured into this remake, as evidenced by the new voice lines, sound effects, combat systems, and total visual revamp. The result is that Cyrodiil looks and feels amazing. When it comes to contemporary games that evoke nostalgia, the Oblivion Remaster certainly deserves the top spot for its excellence.

It seems like I’m not the only one enamored with the release, as many others are also raving about this remake due to its highly anticipated game launch and favorable Steam reviews.

Back in the day, I vividly recall being utterly drawn into the original game on Xbox 360 from the get-go. What really grabbed me were the character customization options and leveling system, and these aspects underwent substantial, carefully considered enhancements.

As a gamer, stepping back into the world of Oblivion Remastered feels incredibly nostalgic yet refreshingly upgraded. With its breathtaking graphics powered by today’s tech, it undoubtedly takes the crown as my top pick.

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2025-05-14 20:34