Pixel art games are rocking the scene! Small and middle studios have started to develop short games characterized by pixel art visuals and interesting mechanics.

But what are the best pixel art games ? Which are the pixel art jewels you should try? In the subsequent lines, you will find the answer.

Each video game designed thirty years ago, such as Super Mario Bros or Chrono Trigger, had a pixel art visual style. Nowadays, pixel art has returned to glory and majesty as in its first days.

• Release Date : August 29, 2023

• Developer : Sabotage Studio

• Publisher: Sabotage Studio

• Platforms : Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S

• Metascore : 91

Sea of Stars is everything you can expect from a modern RPG with retro-styled pixel art. It is because Sea of Stars takes a lot of classical titles of the SNES and Sega Saturn, like Chrono Trigger, Legend of Mana, and Final Fantasy V, to build a fresh story that really honors these classics and others!

Just like Chrono Trigger and the first installments of the Final Fantasy franchise, Sea of Stars features a very smart turn-based combat that stands out due to its versatility, ingeniousness, and possibilities. The battle system allows you to accumulate points to release powerful attacks and even combine the offensives of your six playable characters, which will deliver an even more formidable strike that can crush your enemies.

Regarding the visual section, Sea of Stars does not have anything to envy the aforementioned classic games and other modern pixel art games. The character designs are great from both points of view, technical and artistic. Visual effects, illumination simulation, color palette, and pixel art animations are magnificent. We cannot ask for more from such a well-made title.

Sea of Stars also entails a marvelous adventure throughout a magical world with several islands and maps. Moreover, the entire world is full of secrets and collectibles. Their reach will expand your understanding of the plot and even go deep into the characters' stories.

Sea of Stars was one of the best indie games of recent years and one of my favorites. It‘s probably at the same level as games like Octopath Traveler and some indie platformers like The Messenger. If you want to come back to first-class RPG elements but in a modern way, try Sea of Stars.

Key Features:

• An original game based on the finest turn-based RPGs of the golden era.

• Multiple game features and unique mechanics you can combine to unleash all your power.

• A storyline that will break your heart, leading you across a world full of monsters and divergences.

• Release Date : June 16, 2022

• Developer : Tribute Games

• Publisher: Dotemu

• Platforms : Linux, PlayStation, 4, Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, Android, iOS

• Metascore : 87

The Teenage Ninja Turtles video games have come back, and wow! What a way to do it! Shredder’s Revenge is a return to the basics of the classic Ninja Turtles arcade games and other releases for the NES and SNES, such as The Manhattan Project (1991) and Turtles in Time (1992). As such, Shredder’s Revenge takes the classic pixel-art visual style of the franchise and elevates it to the next level by creating an interesting and animated pixel-art-cartoonish visual style that resembles the saga perfectly. Keep in mind that TNT is based on a comic and a cartoon TV show.

No doubt that Shredder’s Revenges is one of the best games of the series of at least the last ten years, which is expressed through its well-achieved animations, fast-paced mechanics that make the combat more versatile and funnier, and a fresh story.

Something I like about this title of the TNT, contrary to most installments of the franchise, is that you can use other characters in addition to the four main characters: Leonard, Raphael, Michelangelo, and Donatello. In this title, you can play as Master Splinter, April O’Neil, and Casey Jones. The ability to choose several characters across the sixteen levels that make up the game expands the interactions between them, which enriches the gameplay and invites you to use all the characters to try their abilities. Besides, as you progress through the game, characters will learn new abilities that will help you to face enemies.

You can complete Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge in a couple of hours, more or less, solo or together with other six players, online or locally. I had a great time playing this game with my nephew.

Key Features:

• An excellent last installment of the Mutant Teenage Ninja Turtles franchise, where players progress through sixteen scenarios.

• An impressive pixel art visual style with outstanding animations.

• Seven playable characters with unique abilities who can make a powerful team.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge Steam CD Key is available on RoyalCDKeys.

• Release Date : February 24, 2023

• Developers : Square Enix | Acquire

• Publisher: Square Enix

• Platforms : PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Microsoft Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S

• Metascore : 85

Square Enix returned to the path that made it great with the launch of Octopath Traveler in 2018, a role-playing video game that was universally acclaimed for its beautiful pixel art graphics that work as a reminiscence of its titles of the past. Five years later, Square Enix surprises us with a direct sequel to the first installment of the franchise, Octopath Traveler II, a title that is a breath of fresh air.

As its name indicates, and just like the first chapter, in Octopath Traveller II, you follow the journey of eight characters, each with their own storylines and abilities, who differ from those in the first title. OT II also encompasses different ambiances, cities, and scenarios that we haven’t seen before. These new stories occur in the same universe, which enlarges the lore and even explains many of the aspects of the other games.

In Octopath Traveller II, players explore eight different storylines, each leading you across different parts of the world. Each character has a unique motivation to navigate across the continent and distinctively interact with NPCs, getting crucial information for their journey.

Playing Octopath Traveller II is like playing eight games in one. Imagine eight divergent storylines that, in total, sum up over eighty hours of gaming, which is a real achievement in the genre.

I must say that Octopath Traveller II has some of the most delightful graphic sections that I have seen in a game in the past five years. It uses the pixel art visual style marvelously in a 3D environment, which creates a unique habitat through which the gamers can move freely. Light effects, tones, and colors help to create a distinctive atmosphere that you probably can’t find in another game.

Key Features:

• Eight unique stories that will lead you to all the corners of Solistia, the game world.

• A beautiful graphic section that mixes pixel art with 3D models and uses the color theory as never before.

• A classical turn-based combat through which you face powerful monsters and bosses.

Octopath Traveler II Steam CD Key is available on RoyalCDKeys.

• Release Date : August 15, 2023

• Developer : Hungry Couch Games

• Publisher: tinyBuild

• Platforms : Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Microsoft Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S

• Metascore : N/A

When I was a kid, I used to play Contra games. You know, those games where you need to shoot at everything that moves while dodging hundreds of bullets that cross the air. Generally, Contra games included a stage with a predominant top-down perspective. Watching the Black Skylands gameplay, it is clear that this title took a lot from Contra and other platformer-shooter games.

However, Black Skyislands is more than just a top-down shooter; it is also a sandbox with RPG elements that takes place in a floating, open world. In this universe, you play as a sky pirate person, trying to defend the flying island from an external threat. Doesn't this situation remind us of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom? Coincidences!

As TLoZ: TotK, in Black Skylands, you can unleash your creativity by customizing weapons, equipment, and skyships with permanent upgrades. This will improve your possibilities to survive new menaces. Besides, just like the Nintendo masterpiece, you can also wander across all the floating lands as long as you are capable of doing it.

The graphic section of BS is one of the strongest points of the title, from the skyships and the action you unleash when boarding them to the character models and menus. Each pixel is meticulously cared for, and all maps have incredible effects of movements, air, and illumination, which is not easy to achieve. And if that was not enough, the open world is full of challenging secrets so that you can spend hours and hours trying to complete it!

In a few words, it’s an immersive shooter charged with simplicity, charm, and beauty but with outstanding gameplay and visual style that works great together.

Key Features:

• A top-down shooter with simple but functional storytelling.

• A video game full of pirates releasing impressive skyship battles.

• A beautiful and dynamic graphic section made by real artists.

Black Skylands Steam CD Key is available on RoyalCDKeys.

• Release Date : March 20, 1997

• Developer : Konami Computer Entertainment Tokyo

• Publisher: Konami

• Platforms : Sega Saturn, PlayStation, Xbox 360, PlayStation Portable, PlayStation 4, Android, iOS

• Metascore : 93

Castlevania: Symphony of the Night is one of the reasons why the Metroidvania genre still exists nowadays. Castlevania: SotN added the suffix “Vania” to the word by finally building the concept of a non-linear way of experiencing the gameplay where you need to get special items to unlock rooms and progress through the adventure.

Symphony of the Night, originally released twenty-seven years ago – is not only a game that created a genre – one characterized by its pixel art visuals – but is also one of the best titles of its era and likely the most famous Castlevania journey.

SotN stands out due to its simple but unique aesthetic and sense of exploration, two elements that are integral parts of the further games of the saga and future Metroidvania, like Hollow Knight or Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Night. It also introduced memorable characters, such as Alucard, the dhampir son of Dracula.

I’ve played Symphony of the Night on so many consoles that I do not remember what my favorite version is, but it might be the original one since the first experience does not have an equal. SotN makes your heart fill with blood from the first moment when you see how developers build scenarios, creatures, and Alucard himself with impressive pixel art that remains excellent until our days.

I really like how Symphony of the Night combines searching with role-playing features. This way, to survive in the hallways and wide rooms of Dracula’s castle and fight against powerful creatures and bosses, you need to develop the four Alucard attributes: strength, constitution, intelligence, and luck. This condition mixes both of my favorite genres, creating a title that exudes creativity, imagination, and intrigue.

All fans of Metroidvania should try Castlevania: Symphony of the Night since this title built the founders of the genre. Still, nowadays, SotN is a game that stands out due to the quality of the map – which is like a giant dungeon– visuals, mobility, and platforming –Alucard moves incredibly well, and the action flows as in just a few games.

Key Features:

• A classic of all time that paved the Metroidvania path.

• Control Alucard, the son of Dracula, while fighting against hundreds of monsters and weird creatures.

• A vast map you cross through a side-scrolling movement.

• Release Date : October 20, 2022

• Developers : Luca Galante

• Publisher: Luca Galante

• Platforms : Microsoft Windows, macOS, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Android, iOS, Nintendo Switch

• Metascore : 86

Vampire Survivors is a top-down shooter that reminds us of classic games like Contra, just like Back Skylands since it is a shoot-them-up roguelike video game. It undoubtedly has a retro style that takes the best of the first shooters for consoles like NES and SNES and takes it to another level, with thousands of enemies appearing to kill you in a matter of seconds.

If I have to describe Vampire Survivors in one sentence, I would say that it’s a crazy madness of enemies attacking you from everywhere while you’re trying to slash them. In this sense, the gameplay is very simple: you need to survive as long as possible and gain killing points to unlock new characters and items that can help you in the subsequent waves of enemies. In Vampire Survivors, death is everywhere, so getting resources to face increasingly dangerous enemies is essential.

In terms of graphics, Vampire Survivors looks like Nintendo games in their early days, which has its charm, especially for people like me who love retro gaming. Pixel art visuals are not from another world, and technically, Vampire Survivors is not the best game ever. Still, aesthetics fit perfectly with the gameplay and the purpose of the game, which is to terminate vampires and creatures easily and massively! Vampire Survivors is a game you must play!

Key Features:

• A casual game that still is a complete challenge.

• Multiple monsters are trying to kill you, which makes this title extremely difficult.

• Simple but functional pixel art graphics like in the best days of the NES.

Vampire Survivors Steam CD Key is available on RoyalCDKeys.

• Release Date : August 7, 2018

• Developers : Motion Twin | Evil Empire

• Publishers: Motion Twin | Playdigious

• Platforms : Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, iOS, Android, PlayStation 5

• Metascore : 89

Dead Cells is one of these games that emanate from the inspiration of Castlevania: Symphony of the Night and Super Metroid, released for SNES, Nintendo DS, and other platforms. Dead Cells takes the best of the searching mechanics of the Nintendo title, and the map constitution of SotN to create a robust video game that charms most fans of Metroidvania.

At first glance, Dead Cells stands out due to its splendid pixel art visual style that is incredibly well-achieved with great models, effects, and environments. All the characters feature incredible animations that vividly express their actions. Moreover, Dead Cells boasts vibrant colors, with each hue reflecting a specific situation and contributing to an immersive atmosphere perfect for intense action.

Even though Dead Cells consists of many ideas extracted from other Metroidvanias, it also has a Souls-like component that manifests through permadeath. It means if you die, you will have to start your adventure from the beginning without the items and abilities you’ve unlocked through the adventure. Moreover, Dead Cells features procedurally generated maps so that you can play Dead Cells again and again, and you always will have to discover a new path.

Key Features:

• A procedurally generated world with intricate rooms, hallways, and challenges.

• A simplistic visual style, but that really expresses thanks to its personality.

• An excellent combination of roguelike and Metroidvania with a smooth progression.

Dead Cells Steam CD Key is available on RoyalCDKeys.

• Release Date : March 4, 2022

• Developers : Square Enix | Artdink

• Publisher: Square Enix

• Platforms : Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch

• Metascore : 84

Triangle Strategy, during its creation, was directly influenced by the Octopath Traveller franchise, which is not at all strange if you think that the same studio developed it. Triangle Strategy also takes a lot of classic tactical role-playing games, such as Ogre Battle, Final Fantasy Tactics, and the Fire Emblem franchise.

Triangle Strategy is an offspring of new games that mix pixel art visual style with 3D environments by creating a compelling and visually beautiful game that steals the heart of most players who are willing to play it. TS has plenty of details, textures, glooms, and brights that make things and objects come to life. Everything on the screen has a lot of charm and charisma, especially the characters, reflecting their personality, moods, and abilities perfectly.

As in every tactical RPG, in Triangle Strategy, you carry out turn-based combats. Besides, the interaction between characters and the possibilities offered by the geography of the maps expands the gameplay to an unlimited experience. Moreover, since characters will improve their abilities during the journey, you will experience, throughout the adventure, how they gain strength and new powers that improve even more the general gameplay.

Key Features:

• A title based on classic tactical RPGs, creating a nostalgic yet modern aesthetic.

• A video game with deep emotions and expressions featured through excellent pixel art.

• Thirty playable characters with unique abilities and synergy between them.

• Release Date : November 8, 2023

• Developers : WONDER POTION

• Publisher: NEOWIZ

• Platforms : Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch

• Metascore : 83

SANABI is one of those games that have come to life lately, characterized by outstanding pixel art visual style and side-scrolling gameplay. Certainly, SANABI is a platformer that excels in its grappling gameplay, offering a fluid experience reminiscent of only a handful of games. The control of the legendary retired veteran you follow the story of is impressive and really easy to learn despite the complexities of his movements and mechanics.

Every weapon you use in SANABI plays a crucial role since they allow you to kill different types of enemies and advance across the scenarios in several ways, such as hooking up from structures and walls.

The ambiance of SANABI looks like it was extracted from a film like Blade Runner or Brazil (1985), which are characterized by futuristic citadels and cyberpunk aesthetics. Since I love the cyberpunk concept, I have marveled at the textures, technology, and neon lights of SANABI and how effects and characters’ moves stand out against the dark background.

SANABI also features a clever and lovely story that delves into the main character’s feelings and his relationship with his daughter. In general, SANABI is a complete experience from the very beginning to the end that leverages the possibilities of the platformer's movements and displacement.

Key Features:

• A pixel art platformer that will test all your abilities with the control.

• One of the surprises of the past year with incredible gameplay and beautiful visuals.

• A smooth playthrough that will provide fun for hours.

Sanabi Steam CD Key is available on RoyalCDKeys.

• Release Date : February 23, 2022

• Developer : Square Enix

• Publisher: Square Enix

• Platforms : PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4

• Metascore : 87

The original Final Fantasy VI was released thirty years ago for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System or SNES. In its time, Final Fantasy VI was acclaimed as one of the best RPGs for the SNES but also one of the most important of all time.

Fortunately, two years ago, Square Enix released a new version of the classic, revisiting the quality life of gameplay and its pixelated graphics. This new version is called Final Fantasy VI Pixel Remaster.

Its name suggests everything! The Pixel Remaster version encompasses a notable improvement regarding the visual style and the quality of pixels. Scenarios, maps, objects, and even characters have been redefined in this pixel game, achieving a totally new game in terms of environments and interaction with the surroundings.

But that is not all! Square Enix did an excellent job taking the digital art of Final Fantasy VI to another level, improving the game’s visuals, and adding new scenes that rock the game! For example, the mythical Aria di Mezzo Carattere scene in the opera house is now brought to us in 3D, which is incredible! Besides, Square Enix has added authentic voices to the song in several languages.

Beyond all the improvements to the quality of the game –such as detailed maps and smoother shapes– the game by itself is a jewel that each fan of role-playing games should play at least once in their lives. It features an amazing and sad storyline and the best villain in the franchise!

Key Features:

• A masterpiece of the pixel art form with impressive models, attacks, effects, and more.

• Revisited visuals with vibrant colors and more details.

• Dozens of characters, stories, and a complete world to explore.

There are a lot of amazing pixel art games! Considering that, I know this list could seem a little short, but the games mentioned here really reflect the essence of pixel art games. I invite you to get them directly from the links I’ve shared above and start to enjoy them right now. Keep in mind that on RoyalCDKeys you can find them at unbeatable prices!