We’ve come a long way since Pong, but nostalgia-evoking pixel art can be found in many modern, popular titles. We’re only halfway through the decade, but the last five years have given us some truly incredible indie pixel games.
From woozy, intoxicating platformers to maddening shmups, we’re crowning our favorite pixel releases from the 2020s — well, the ones released so far.
Animal Well (2024)
Developer Billy Basso (Shared Memory) and indie games publisher Bigmode — helmed by YouTuber videogamedunkey — introduced audiences to the dreamy underground world of Animal Well just last year, and the title has already found “cult classic” status. The striking animation is cute at first glance, but the ultra-challenging Metroidvania gets touuuuuugh.
Navigate your amorphous pixel-blob protagonist through perplexing puzzles and a seemingly endless maze of critters — some like you, others…not so much.
Post Void (2020)
Blast your way through a frightening and overstimulating pixel hellscape in 2020 shoot-’em-up Post Void. See that eerie noggin you’re holding? That’s your health. Hold that bad boy — and your breath — and RUN.
Pepper any obstacles that dare to stand between you and the rejuvenating pond at the end of each stage, synthesizing enemies’ health along the way. Time is of the essence, my friend.
Balatro (2024)
Gambler or not, you’ve been under a rock if this one comes as a surprise. Balatro (pronounced “bah-luh-TROH,” which is not at all how I’ve been saying it for the last year) is a beautiful Poker-themed title from developer LocalThunk.
To exactly no one’s surprise, the addictive deck-builder dominated industry awards season. Earlier this year, Balatro surpassed 5 million units sold.
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Vampire Survivors (2022)
In 2022, developer Luca Galante — known as “poncle” — released revelatory roguelike shoot-’em-up Vampire Survivors to critical and commercial acclaim. As players take on wave after wave after wave (I can keep going…) of baddies, they must survive the onslaught for as long as possible.
The affordable indie game was an instant hit, raking in sales and receiving countless expansions, including a pretty sick Castlevania-themed offering.
Dave the Diver (2023)
Cozy, family-friendly adventure title Dave the Diver gave many a landlubber their sea legs upon its Spring 2023 release, its widespread success resulting in more than 1 million copies sold in just 10 days.
With the help of his friend Cobra, Dave (the diver, naturally) establishes a sushi restaurant and must explore the sea for each day’s fresh catch. Restaurant sim AND underwater exploration? Count me in.
Unpacking (2021)
This short-but-sweet, award-winning title from devs at Witch Beam puts players in the shoes of an unseen female protagonist. Help her sift through boxes, shifting belongings from storage to their rightful spot in her space.
As time progresses, players continually move, each unpacking session revealing details about the protagonist’s personal and professional life. Analyze box contents, piece clues together, and ultimately help her settle in where she fits best.
Fields of Mistria (2024)
Everyone loves a farm sim, and this one’s a goodie. Fields of Mistria boasts an “Overwhelmingly Positive” review average on digital game distributor Steam, with many players praising its romance options, seasonal offerings, customization capabilities, and cute design.
The game is technically in “Early Access,” a decision NPC Studio says is “so that players can experience all the game already has to offer, and so we can receive & incorporate player feedback into our updates in the lead up to 1.0.”
Sticky Business (2023)
Congrats on opening your first sticker boutique! In Sticky Business, connect with crafty customers, launch exclusive adhesives, build rapport, ship deliveries, and enjoy some adorable seasonal DLC.
So many DLC offerings are a little less intimidating when you find out the base game retails on Steam for just $4.99.
UFO 50 (2024)
This 8-bit collection from developer-publisher Mossmouth is bursting with 50 games, each unique in genre, gameplay, and length. This compilation was a critical darling, landing the No. 1 spot on Metacritic’s list of the year’s top-rated PC exclusives.
Play your way through and find the hidden 51st game!
Pizza Tower (2023)
Old-school arcades aren’t quite the hub they once were, but that’s because players can enjoy top-notch arcade titles like Pizza Tower from their personal PC.
Lead Italian pizza chef Peppino Spaghetti through an absurd gauntlet-like tower of cartoony, anthropomorphic (and, at times, nightmarish) ingredients. The game’s popularity begat a line of kitchen accessories from the game’s publisher, Fangamer, including a red pizza shop-inspired tumbler.
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A lifelong gamer raised on classic titles like Crash Bandicoot, Spyro, and Croc, Stephanie brings her expertise of gaming and pop culture to deliver unique, refreshing views on the world of video games, complete with references to absurd and obscure media.
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