Best Old School Mobile Games on iPhone, Windows, Android

From Ms. Pac-Man to Space Invaders, the classics always stand the test of time... and now they're on the mobile! Here are a hand-picked selection from Mobile Games Expert Damon Brown.

01

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Virtua Fighter 2

Once you get past the dated visuals, Virtua Fighter 2 is old-school brawling fun. It's is a port of the Genesis fighter.

Read the Virtua Fighter 2 review.

02

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Ms. Pac-Man

Ms. Pac-Man is great on the go, though you’ll still be pining for a real joystick.

Read the Ms. Pac-Man review.

03

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Pac-Man

Namco Networks

Pac-Man is just what you remember – no frills, no gimmicks.

04

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Oregon Trail

Based on the old-school computer game, Oregon Trail blends 19th-century history with arcade gaming.

05

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Frogger

Frogger has new visuals, but the gameplay remains the same as the early eighties arcade classic.

Read the Frogger review.

06

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Ghosts 'n Goblins: Gold Knights

Screenshot of Ghosts & Goblins: Green Knights — 'Ghosts 'n Goblins: Gold Knights' is inspired by the classic arcade game. Photo Courtesy: Capcom

Ghosts 'n Goblins: Gold Knights is a solid game, but the iPhone can’t handle the chaotic gameplay of the classic.

07

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Doom Classic

There couldn’t be a more apt name for Doom Classic. It is a direct port of the two decade-old hit that will please both new fans and shooter veterans.

Read the Doom Classic review.

08

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Burgertime Deluxe

Between the sluggish controls and odd A.I., Burgertime Deluxe doesn’t quite live up to its classic predecessor.

Read the Burgertime Deluxe review.

09

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Galaga Remix

Galaga Remix accurately emulates the arcade classic, but shoddy controls and a suspect bonus version make it best for only hardcore fans.

10

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Tetris

Tetris is just as great as it used to be, but don’t expect any amazing new tricks in the two and a half decade old game.

Read the Tetris review.

11

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Civilization Revolution

Civilization Revolution takes the traditionally long strategy game and crams all the fun into the mobile phone. Great stuff.

Read the Civilization Revolution review.

12

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Wolfenstein 3D Classic

Old-school gaming at its finest, Wolfenstein 3D Classic is a carbon copy of the early ‘90s PC shoot ‘em up. It’s about as deep as a kiddie pool, but good luck finding faster action on the mobile phone.

Read the Wolfenstein 3D Classic review.

13

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Mega Man II

Old-school fans will go nuts for Mega Man II, an exact replica of one of the best action/adventure games available on the Nintendo Entertainment System.

Read the Mega Man II review.

14

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Q*Bert

Q*Bert on the mobile is a carbon copy of the arcade classic – and is just as cool and as tough as the original.

Read the Q*Bert review.

15

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Alpine Racer

Based on the arcade game, Alpine Racer is a fun, albeit short gaming experience.

16

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Dig Dug Remix

Sensitive controls aside, Dig Dug Remix has a great version of the original arcade masterpiece and a so-so remake most gamers will skip.

Read the Dig Dug Remix review.

17

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Adventure

You may remember the Atari 2600 classic Adventure, but even old-school fans won’t be playing this exact replica long. Grab this free download for nostalgia purposes only.

Read the Adventure review.

18

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Bust-A-Move

Based on the popular arcade puzzle series, Bust-A-Move brings enough new twists to keep the addictive game fresh.

Read the Bust-A-Move review.

19

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Clue

Clue is less a mobile board game and more about solving crimes solo – which is fun in itself.

20

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Scrabble

Scrabble is almost as fun as the classic board game, though a few flaws keep it from perfection.

Read the Scrabble review.

21

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Street Fighter IV

Street Fighter IV is a surprisingly faithful translation, though the controls aren’t ideal.

Read the Street Fighter IV review.

22

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Ridge Racer Accelerated

Ridge Racer Accelerated is too superficial to be fun, even for a quick mobile game.

Read the Ridge Racer Accelerated review.

23

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Pac-Man Championship Edition

Odd controls aside, Pac-Man Championship Edition rocks as much as its console big brother.

Read the Pac-Man Championship Edition review.

24

of 50

Rise of the Triad

Hardcore FPS fans will appreciate Rise Of The Triad, but this port of the old-school shooter shows it hasn’t aged well.

Read the Rise of the Triad review.

25

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Silent Hill: The Escape

Silent Hill: The Escape is creepy, crawly and intense, if a little slow paced.

Read the Silent Hill: The Escape review.

26

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Glow Hockey

Glow Hockey is a solid version of air hockey.

Read the Glow Hockey review.

27

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Connect Four

Connect Four is a solid version of the classic board game with some graphic and gameplay flourishes.

Read the Connect Four review.

28

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Driver

Messy and slow, Driver suffers from bad controls and dated gameplay.

29

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Cameltry

The old-school update to the labyrinth games, Cameltry is simple and mildly addictive.

Read the Cameltry review.

30

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Monopoly

Monopoly is the best board game interpretation on the iPhone so far.

Read the Monopoly review.

31

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Dragon's Lair

Dragon’s Lair is a carbon copy of the beautiful arcade classic – and just as frustrating as you remember.

32

of 50

Earthworm Jim

A tough-edged platform game, Earthworm Jim just doesn’t translate well to the mobile.

Read the review.

33

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Pole Position Remix

Time hasn’t been well to Pole Position Remix, and the spruced-up graphics and bad controls don’t help the broken gameplay.

34

of 50

The Simpsons Arcade

The Simpsons Arcade captures the original classic.

Read the The Simpsons Arcade review.

35

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Duke Nukem 3D

Screenshot of the Duke Nuke Em Game — Photo Courtesy: MachineWorks Northwest

Duke Nukem 3D is a great port of the important '90s first-person shooter.

Read the Duke Nukem 3D review.

36

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Kurt Warner Football 101 for Kids

Kurt Warner Football 101 for Kids is a fun way for parents to teach youngin's about pigskin.

Read the Kurt Warner Football 101 for Kids review.

37

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Bomb Squad Patrol

Bomb Squad Patrol is a decent race against time, though it never reaching fever pitch.

38

of 50

Golden Axe

From bad graphics to boring gameplay, the old-school game Golden Axe hasn't aged well.

Read the Golden Axe review.

39

of 50

R-Type

R-Type is a faithful translation of the high-intensity shooter.

40

of 50

Risk

Risk manages to be more smooth and fun than the original classic board game.

Read the Risk review.

41

of 50

Space Harrier II

The once-cool arcade game Space Harrier II hasn’t aged well at all. Not worth the time.

Read the Space Harrier II review.

42

of 50

1942 First Strike

Screenshot of First Strike — Photo Courtesy: Capcom

1942 First Strike is a decent shooter, but much more mellow than its predecessors.

Read the 1942 First Strike review.

43

of 50

Boggle

Boggle is a good multiplayer version of the board game classic, only hampered by a bad word dictionary.

44

of 50

Prince of Persia Retro

Prince of Persia Retro is classic, frustrating old-school fun, just like the original hit.

Read the Prince of Persia Retro review.

45

of 50

Silent Scope

Basic and primal, Silent Scope is satisfying arcade shooting fun.

Read the Silent Scope review.

46

of 50

Sonic The Hedgehog

The classic side-scroller Sonic The Hedgehog is as good as you remember.

Read the Sonic The Hedgehog review.

47

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Bit Pilot

Bit Pilot is fun fast action for on the go gaming.

Read the Bit Pilot review.

48

of 50

Blokus

Blokus is a solid board game that puts strategy over action.

Read the Blokus review.

49

of 50

Arkanoid

Arkanoid retains the blockbusting fun of the old-school arcade game – and adds even more to it.

50

of 50

Steampunk Hockey

Steampunk Hockey looks gorgeous, but the gameplay doesn’t match the beauty.

Read the Steampunk Hockey review.

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