Video games have made tremendous headway over the past years, from ever-so-engrossing storytelling to enhanced gameplay mechanics. Recent entries have even pushed the limits of immersion with visually mind-blowing graphics, allowing players to explore as many incredibly detailed realistic environments as eerie fantasy settings.
But while modern titles are all fun and games, they owe much to the pioneers that paved the way decades ago. Incidentally, quite a few have stood the test of time in such an enduring way they still enthrall nostalgic gamers and younger generations alike. And the good news is, many vintage classics have been ported onto mobile devices. So, here are four retro games available on iOS worth revisiting or diving into.
Pac-Man
If non-gamers were to name one video game character spontaneously, Pac-Man would probably take second place only to Mario. The yellow, ghost-eating icon started as an arcade staple before taking the world by storm across multiple spin-offs. Since its creation by game designer Toru Iwatani in 1980, Pac-Man has been at the forefront of over 30 games.
And mobile gamers can now chase all the flashy ghosts they want with a free iOS port with in-app purchases. Developed by Bandai Namco, this official mobile game conjures all the fun of the original. Long-time gamers might even relish in a nostalgia-filled classic 8-bit arcade mode before gobbling their way through hundreds of exclusive mazes in story mode.
Grim Fandango Remastered
Perhaps one of the greatest adventure point-and-click games of all time, Grim Fandango was pretty much a commercial flop upon its release. Yet this clever blend of film noir and dark comedy set against an Aztec-themed backdrop has stubbornly refused to die since the late 90s. And that might only be fitting for a game about the dead.
Grim Fandango has players take control of an underworld travel agent named Manny Calavera, whose job it is to sell newly departed souls tickets to their final destination. Yet the arrival of a virtuous soul denied immediate access to the coveted Ninth Underworld shakes up his routine, taking him on an adventure across the Land of the Dead. An exceptional feat of interactive storytelling, Grim Fandango has benefitted from a remastered port mobile players can enjoy on iOS for $4.99.
Sonic the Hedgehog 2
The Sonic franchise helped put SEGA on the map back in the 1990s. While the supersonic blue hedgehog has gradually taken a backseat to its all-too-famous Nintendo rival Mario, Sonic is still a crowd-puller. SEAG’s flagship character even took center stage on the silver screen in May 2022, as Sonic the Hedgehog 2 became the top-grossing game movie adaptation in history.
Funnily enough, Sonic 2 is a fan favorite all the same. This acclaimed sequel to the original introduced revolutionary 3D stages, taking racing and jumping to the next level. And both newcomers to the series and old-timers can enjoy this cult classic on their Apple devices for free, although the game is filled with ads.
Prince of Persia
Prince of Persia has inspired countless spiritual successors, like Assassin’s Creed. But many retro gamers keep returning to the 1989’s original to relive this epic journey across medieval Iran. And a free-to-play port developed by Ketchapp is now available on iOS. The Sands of Time reboot also got ported onto the App Store for iPad. Gamers with a knack for gambling might even try out some mobile-friendly Prince of Persia pokies.
Despite their Middle Eastern vibe, however, there are no brick-and-mortar casinos to play such slots across the MENA area. Still, local punters can find handy Arabic mobile betting casinos to indulge them. The best online casinos boast a hefty catalog of thousands of slots, tabletop classics, and live games. Loyalty rewards and lofty bonuses like free spins and VIP packages are a click away, too. Besides, players can access safety tips and unbiased reviews to make the most of the experience risk-free.
If you haven’t kept hold of your old console and don’t feel comfortable around an emulator, many vintage classics are now widely accessible on iOS. And the gift keeps on giving, as we’ve only given you a sneak peek, leaving out dozens of exciting titles like Mortal Kombat, Doom, or Super Mario Run. Adding to these cult games an array of modern entries with a retro feel, and you aren’t likely to run out of fun titles to explore on your mobile devices.
