Best Old School Mobile Games on iPhone, Windows, Android

by Damon Brown
Journalist and public speaker who's written over 200 mobile game reviews for publications ranging from Playboy to AARP: The Magazine. He's also published several game strategy e-books and is the host of his own Ted Talk.
Updated February 18, 2019

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
of 50

Virtua Fighter 2

Virtua Fighter 2 screencap

Sega

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
of 50

Ms. Pac-Man

Ms. Pacman screencap

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
of 50

Pac-Man

Pac-Man logo

Namco Networks

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

04
of 50

Oregon Trail

'Oregon Trail' is a remake of the TRS-80 game. Photo Courtesy: Gameloft

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

05
of 50

Frogger

'Frogger' is an arcade classic. Photo Courtesy: Konami

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

Read the Frogger review.

06
of 50

Ghosts 'n Goblins: Gold 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
of 50

Doom Classic

Photo Courtesy: id Software

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
of 50

Burgertime Deluxe

'Burgertime Deluxe' updates the popular '80s arcade game. Photo Courtesy: Namco Networks

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
of 50

Galaga Remix

'Galaga Remix' includes a revamp and the original hit. Photo Courtesy: Namco Networks

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

10
of 50

Tetris

'Tetris' is considered one of the best puzzle games ever. Photo Courtesy: EA Mobile

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
of 50

Civilization Revolution

'Civilization Revolution' on the Apple iPad. Photo Courtesy: 2K Games

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
of 50

Wolfenstein 3D Classic

Photo Courtesy: id

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
of 50

Mega Man II

Photo Courtesy: Capcom

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
of 50

Q*Bert

Photo Courtesy: Sony Pictures.

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
of 50

Alpine Racer

'Alpine Racer' was a sleeper arcade hit. Photo Courtesy: Namco Networks

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

16
of 50

Dig Dug Remix

'Dig Dug Remix' has an update as well as the original arcade hit. Photo Courtesy: Namco Networks

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
of 50

Adventure

Adventure
Adventure was big on the Atari 2600. Photo Courtesy: Peter Hirschberg

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
of 50

Bust-A-Move

'Bust-A-Move' is one of the classic arcade puzzle games. Photo Courtesy: Taito

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
of 50

Clue

'Clue' is based on the mystery board game. Photo Courtesy: EA Mobile

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

20
of 50

Scrabble

'Scrabble' on the Apple iPad. Photo Courtesy: EA Mobile

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

Read the Scrabble review.

21
of 50

Street Fighter IV

'Street Fighter IV' is based on the home console brawler. Photo Courtesy: Capcom

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

Read the Street Fighter IV review.

22
of 50

Ridge Racer Accelerated

'Ridge Racer Accelerated' looks just like its home console counterpart. Photo Courtesy: Namco Bandai

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

Read the Ridge Racer Accelerated review.

23
of 50

Pac-Man Championship Edition

'Pac-Man Championship Edition' is a port of the popular console update. Photo Courtesy: Namco Bandai

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

'Rise Of The Triad' is from the 'Doom'-era of games. Photo Courtesy: Mobila Interactive

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
of 50

Silent Hill: The Escape

'Silent Hill: The Escape' is a creepy game. Photo Courtesy: Konami

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

Read the Silent Hill: The Escape review.

26
of 50

Glow Hockey

'Glow Hockey' is based on classic air hockey. Photo Courtesy: Natenai

Glow Hockey is a solid version of air hockey.

Read the Glow Hockey review.

27
of 50

Connect Four

'Connect Four' is a childhood favorite. Photo Courtesy: EA Mobile

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

Read the Connect Four review.

28
of 50

Driver

'Driver' is a faithful translation of the PlayStation hit. Photo Courtesy: Gameloft

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

29
of 50

Cameltry

'Cameltry' was a nineties arcade sleeper. Photo Courtesy: Taito

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

Read the Cameltry review.

30
of 50

Monopoly

'Monopoly' translates extremely well to the mobile phone. Photo Courtesy: EA Mobile

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

Read the Monopoly review.

31
of 50

Dragon's Lair

'Dragon's Lair' on the iPhone/iPod Touch. Photo Courtesy: EA Mobile

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

32
of 50

Earthworm Jim

'Earthworm Jim' is a carbon copy of the '90s platformer. Photo Courtesy: Gameloft

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

Read the review.

33
of 50

Pole Position Remix

'Pole Position Remix' stays faithful to the original racer. Photo Courtesy: Namco Networks

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 iPhone/iPod Touch game. Photo Courtesy: EA Mobile

The Simpsons Arcade captures the original classic.

Read the The Simpsons Arcade review.

35
of 50

Duke Nukem 3D

'Duke Nuke'Em' helped push the first-person shooter genre in the '90s. 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
of 50

Kurt Warner Football 101 for Kids

'Kurt Warner Football 101 for Kids' is a good pigskin overview for all ages. Photo Courtesy: GSG Media

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

37
of 50

Bomb Squad Patrol

'Bomb Squad Patrol' is classic gameplay. Photo Courtesy: Peter Trennum

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

38
of 50

Golden Axe

The '80s hit 'Golden Axe' hasn't aged well. Photo Courtesy: Sega Mobile

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 classic, chaotic shooting. Photo Courtesy: EA Mobile

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

40
of 50

Risk

'Risk' is the classic strategy board game on mobile. Photo Courtesy: EA Mobile

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

Read the Risk review.

41
of 50

Space Harrier II

'Space Harrier II' was an early arcade hit for Sega. Photo Courtesy: Sega

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

'1942 First Strike' is the latest in the long-running shooter series. 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 based on the classic word creation board game. Photo Courtesy: EA Mobile

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 a carbon copy of the classic adventure. Photo Courtesy: Ubisoft

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

'Silent Scope' is based on the old-school arcade hit. Photo Courtesy: Konami

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

Read the Silent Scope review.

46
of 50

Sonic The Hedgehog

'Sonic The Hedgehog' is a carbon copy of the Sega Genesis classic. Photo Courtesy: Sega

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

Read the Sonic The Hedgehog review.

47
of 50

Bit Pilot

'Bit Pilot' is a great old-school arcade fix. Photo Courtesy: Zach Gage

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

Read the Bit Pilot review.

48
of 50

Blokus

'Blokus' is based on the strategy board game. Photo Courtesy: Gameloft

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

Read the Blokus review.

49
of 50

Arkanoid

'Arkanoid' is a classic update of 'Breakout'. Photo Courtesy: Taito

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

50
of 50

Steampunk Hockey

'Steampunk Hockey' adds nice visuals to classic air hockey. Photo Courtesy: XyrisKenn

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

Read the Steampunk Hockey review.