10 Best Pixel Art Games, Ranked

Originating from the golden age of arcade video games, pixel art plays a huge role in making games come to life. Both aesthetically pleasing and emphasizing the tone of a game, these colorful pixels bring out a nostalgic feeling in all of us. With the first examples showcased in Pac-Man and Space Invaders, it’s hard not to find this art style completely classic.

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Although we’ve come a long way in developing graphics that feel life-like, pixel art will always hold a special place in our hearts. Even to this day, some modern games dive into having a pixel art style that revives our nostalgia. From bullet hell shooters to calming adventures, here are the greatest pixel art video games to dive into.

10 Vampire Survivors

In this casual gothic horror, you are constantly attacking monsters left and right. With its rouge-lite elements that keep you on your toes, you’ll barely be able to catch your breath during gameplay. And oddly enough, that’s a good thing.

Because of how intense this bullet hell shooter is, it might take some time to warm up to. In other words, it’s one of those games that is bound to charm you. The pixel art also gives Vampire Survivors a very old-school arcade feeling. Even though Vampire Survivors is fantastic in nearly every way, this might not be the game for you if you’re looking for a relaxed gaming experience.

9 Coffee Talk

If you’ve ever wanted to experience the strange combination of being a barista and talking to mystical beings, then Coffee Talk would be right up your alley. Mixing a barista simulator and compelling storytelling devices, everything about this game brings complete serenity.

While managing a unique coffee shop that’s only open at night, you’re greeted by humans and creatures that come to try your coffee. As they frequent the shop, you hear fascinating stories and details about their lives that make you slowly grow closer to them. When it comes to the art style in this game, it’s reminiscent of your classic cozy indie game.

8 World Of Horror

On the surface, World of Horror might appear as just a run-of-the-mill interactive narrative horror story. But it accomplishes a whole lot more than just giving you a couple of scares now and then. Inspired by the works of Junji Ito and H.P. Lovecraft, this 1-bit pixel art game tells us a frightening cosmic tale.

The roguelite horror makes World of Horror a bit difficult. However, the story is what truly drives you to continue on, no matter the terrifying figures that stand in your way. How uniquely it unfolds based on your actions makes it so different from a typical narrative story.

7 Enter The Gungeon

When it comes to notably difficult games, Enter the Gungeon is up there with the hardest. Combining bullet hell shooter and dungeon crawler mechanics, Enter the Gungeon follows a mischievous group through various firearm-themed rooms.

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For a game that throws a lot at you right as you start playing, it gives you room to tactfully get by without dying instantly. You can dodge-roll and table-flip out of nearly any deadly situation, making it a fun adventure that you can’t help but appreciate. Not to mention its adorable art style that doesn’t match its ruthless gameplay.

6 Hyper Light Drifter

Hyper Light Drifter is the beautiful product of a Soulslike and Roguelike coming together to create one big immersive gaming experience. This action RPG is reminiscent of iconic 16-bit classic games with modern gameplay. Letting you be swift on your feet while fighting futuristic creatures, Hyper Light Drifter is an experience like no other.

In an expansive world full of danger and lost technologies, you play as a silent protagonist who tries to find a cure for his ailment. Along your quest, you’ll encounter strange enemies that emphasize the oddity of this vast environment. If you’re a fan of the Metroid series, you’re bound to love Hyper Light Drifter.

5 Terraria

If you mixed Minecraft, Metroid, and pixel art all together, you’d get the breathtaking experience of Terraria. Being in the same realm as the iconic survival sandbox, everything is entirely up to you. Through and through, there are endless possibilities to explore in the game’s environment with all the creative abilities it gives you.

While it’s typically heavily compared to Minecraft, Terraria takes the concept of the virtual sandbox a step further. Ranging from crafting weapons and fighting bosses to mining dark caverns to find treasure, there’s little that you can’t do. Overall, this game caters to any thrill-seeking adventurer’s heart for how much exploration it lets you accomplish.

4 Undertale

Morals play a big part in getting a specific outcome in Undertale. Whether you like to kill everything in sight or save everyone you can, Undertale’s ending is a huge reflection of your morality.

Taking inspiration from games like Mother and Mario & Luigi, the gameplay and plot are comedic yet somehow tearful simultaneously. It employs mini-bullet hell-type combat during boss fights, challenging you to dodge the small pellets swiftly thrown at you. Because of this, it can get a bit difficult at times. But, at the end of the day, it’s hard not to carry on through the challenging combat to uncover the story.

3 Shovel Knight

This side-scrolling platformer captures what made arcade and SNES games so fascinating. Featuring timeless gameplay, Shovel Knight instils a world full of adventure that can light a fire in us. And as many critics see it as one of the greatest games of all time, this impact from the game seems nearly universal.

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Following the story of a knight as he collects treasure on his mission to fight a group of villainous knights, your only means of attack is with your shovel. Traversing through the vibrant environment is a visually-simulating experience, making its beautiful homage to retro side-scrollers clear as day.

2 Omori

At first, Omori may seem like a cheery game. However, the deeper you dive into it, you’ll find that this exploration game unravels into being utterly depressing. Due to it having a realistically dark story, it doesn’t take too much to form an emotional connection to the characters.

The game tags along with the titular character and his friends as they venture through Headspace and Faraway Town. At its very core, Omori is a faithful modernized take on the traditional JRPG experience. Being mainly compared to iconic pixel art JRPGs like Earthbound and Yume Nikki, it collides with childhood innocence into the terrifying unknown.

1 Stardew Valley

Stardew Valley is one of those timeless games that will never lose its unique spark. Utilizing its art style in a nostalgic and comforting way, this game is one of the most iconic pixel art video games. It’s highly replayable with its farming simulator aspects and a cozy atmosphere filled with interesting characters.

Even though its been more than five years since its release, Stardew Valley remains a memorable relaxation game. After your grandfather’s death, you’re left with his farm in the town of Stardew Valley. From here, you’re tasked with growing your crops and becoming closer to the quirky cast of nearby characters.

NEXT: Best Roguelikes, Ranked