Nostalgia. It’s infectious, especially when companies who own the licenses of old school games look to turn a quick buck with the top games of yesteryear. Luckily, we’ve sifted through many of these ports to create the best classic retro game ports to iOS list for everyone’s reading pleasure. This should save some valuable time that is better used gaming instead of searching. If we missed your gavotte let us know in the comments please.
Doom Classic
By id Software
Universal – $4.99
Prepare to relive the First Person Shooter that defined a generation with the legendary original DOOM. As a space marine stationed on the planet Mars, you are all that stands between the armies of Hell and their invasion of planet Earth. DOOM Classic includes the original three episodes as well as Episode Four, Thy Flesh Consumed, spread across 36 levels of non-stop carnage and action. Get some.
Galaga 30th Collection
Buy Galaga 30th Collection Here
By Namco
Universal – Free
In this application, gamers can enjoy Galaxian G 30th Editionfor free. They can also enjoy the commemorative 30th anniversary opening-movie. “Galaga G 30th Edition”, “Gaplus G 30th Edition”, and “Galaga ’88 G 30th Edition” become available with in-app purchase. Great for a trip down memory lane or for noobs to the game.
TETRIS
By Electronic Arts $.99 - $7.99
Play the TETRIS that most know and love in Classic Mode or they can test their expertise in Endless Mode, or experience fantastic twists in Magic Mode. It features five eye-popping power-ups: Wrecking Ball, Minimizer, Bubble Wrap, Magic Crayon and Smashdown. Play library tunes or select the fan favorite “Korobeiniki” in the options menu. Feel the TETRISEFFECT as you to go for higher and higher scores.
Candy Train
By PopCap
Universal – Free
Candy Train was an old and nearly forgotten PopCap title from many years ago. However, an aspiring game programmer, working in a different part of the company, loved Candy Train and thought it would be a great game for iPhones, iPod touches and iPads and she was right. This is a classic game and well worth the download.
Escape From Monkey Island 1
Buy Escape From Monkey Island 1 Here
By Lucasfilm
iPad only – $6.99
While stripping the evil pirate LeChuck of his demonic mojo, Guybrush Threepwood inadvertently infects the entire Caribbean with his arch-fiend’s voodoo. Guybrush must stop a mysterious pox that’s transforming buccaneers into unruly pirate monsters!
Frogger
By Konami
$.99 - $.99
Frogger is celebrating his 29th birthday, but has never felt younger. One of the top-selling video games of all time just got better with the integration of the entirely new and upgraded Facebook Connect. Enjoy this long-standing arcade classic in its best version ever! Play the phenomenal sequel. Jump past cars and trucks on the road and hitch a ride on logs and turtles while crossing the river. And be sure to check out Frogger Decades to see how he leaps into the future. The iPhone and iPod touch version of Frogger are great, but can not recommend the iPad version due to technical hiccups.
Skee-Ball
Download Skee-Ball HD for iPad Here
By Freeverse – .99 – Free (includes in-app purchases)
Bring the fun of the boardwalk to the palm of your hand with 3D graphics, great physics, and awesome prizes. A true American classic. With a quick flick, roll the ball up the ramp and into one of the numbered holes for points, tickets, and unlockable achievements. Win enough tickets and go on a shopping-spree for fun prizes like a set of vampire teeth, a Peruvian Flute Band CD, or even a custom ball to use in-game.
PAC-MAN - MS PAC-MAN
By Namco -$4.99 (both versions)
PAC-MAN, the world famous arcade classic, returns in this faithful rendition for your iPhone! Who can forget the countless hours and quarters spent avoiding pesky ghosts while chompin’ on dots and gobbling up the fruit for bonus points? It takes a bit of time to get used to touchscreen controls. but the game is rendered faithfully and for those who preferred Ms PAC MAN she is available for iPhone and iPad too. These are true ports – the levels and cinema tics are the same as they were in the arcade.
Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3
Buy Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 Here
Buy Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 HD Here
By Electronic Arts — $.99 - $4.99
Fight as all 23 classic Warriors from the original Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3, including Cyrax, Sektor, Scorpion, Kabal, and Reptile…Experience multiple game modes, fully customizable controls, and updated visuals maximizing Retina Display. Relive the brutal combos and vicious fatalities that made Mortal Kombat one of the most iconic fighting game series of all time.
Space Invaders
Buy Space Invaders for iPad Here
By TAITO Corp – $4.99 (both versions)
Experience the King of Shooting Games, the arcade hit that captured the hearts of legions of fans and took the world by storm. Use the cannon to defend Earth from waves of descending alien Invaders. All the features have been faithfully recreated: the elusive UFOs, the “Nagoya Attack” technique, and the endless game play.
Tapper World Tour HD
By Warner Bros. - Read out Full Review Here
iPad only - $1.99
Tapper, the beloved 1980’s arcade classic, makes its long awaited debut in an all-new version made exclusively for the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad! In Tapper World Tour, you’ll serve drinks to an eccentric cast of characters across a variety of outlandish locations. With a brand new story line, stunning graphics, challenging gameplay, and animations from the legendary Don Bluth, it’s up to you…SERVE OR BE SERVED.
Sonic the Hedgehog 4
By SEGA
iPhone only -$4.99
The sequel fans have waited 16 years for is finally here – Sonic The Hedgehog 4. Featuring enhanced gameplay elements, including the classic Sonic Spin Dash, and the versatile Homing Attack, Sonic 4 picks up right where Sonic and Knuckles left off. Includes two exclusive levels built specifically for the iPhone & iPod touch using the accelerometer. The original Sonic the Hedge Hog and the two sequels in between are also available on the App Store.
Another World
By Bulkypix – Read Our Full Review Here
Universal – $4.99
Also known as Out Of This World and released across more than a dozen platforms since its 1991 debut, Another World has attained cult status among critics and sophisticated gamers alike for its cinematic effects in the graphics, sound and cut scenes. It bridges the gap between Cinema and Action Adventure games with a completely new style of fluid, cinematic, storytelling.
Honorable Mention
Atari’s Greatest Hits
Download Atari’s Greatest Hits Here
By Atari
Universal – Free – game packs on complete unlock available for in-app purchase.
The app has loads of issues, but for die-hard retro game geeks it’s still a must-own just for nostalgia’s sake. Download this App to receive Missile Command for free, and collect up to 100 classic Atari games. Relive the Golden Age of Gaming with a collection of the most popular retro games from the 70s and 80s, including Asteroids, Battlezone, Centipede, Black Widow, Crystal Castles, Gravitar and more.
Awesome list Greg! I would’ve expected Street Fighter II on this though!
Oh that’s another great one! One of those things… where do you end the list?