10 Best Pixel Art Games for Mobile You Should Definitely Try!

Nostalgia! I guess this is the first thing that comes to our mind every time we come across a pixel-art game. Interestingly, these games became popular in the early days not because they were intended to look that way, but because of the limitations in hardware and display capabilities which led developers to create graphics using low-resolution. What makes it even more fascinating is that despite the advancements in technology today that permit them to create highly realistic graphics, many developers are still utilizing this distinctive pixel art style. This allows the newer generation of gamers to experience the classic gaming environment.

Today, we are listing ten excellent pixel art games that will surely bring the best nostalgic gaming experience. Interestingly, Pixel art games can span various genres, including platformers, RPGs, shooters, and more. These games notably feature vibrant colors, clear, and identifiable sprites, and of course, the retro atmosphere that provides the old-school vibes.

Stardew Valley

Developed by Eric Barone, Stardew Valley was originally released for Windows but eventually ported to other platforms, including Android and iOS devices. Generally, Stardew Valley is more like a homage to the iconic Harvest Moon game. Like the classic game, Stardew Valley is also a farm simulation game that follows the story of a guy who inherits his grandfather’s dilapidated farm. Much like any other farm simulation game, the game allows you to do various activities, including the ability to grow and harvest crops, raise livestock, mine resources, and socialize with the townspeople.

Stardew Valley was a massive success and was even hailed as one of the greatest games of all time. Thanks to its well-polished gameplay, well-built characters, and compelling storyline. Of course, what makes the game a lot more engaging is the pixel art style that provides nothing more than nostalgia. The beautiful graphics were even accompanied by a well-fitting piece of music that made the game even more engaging.

Download: Stardew Valley – Android / iOS

Terraria

With more than 44 million copies sold worldwide and being considered the 9th best-selling game of all time, Terraria is truly a success. Developed by Re-Logic was first launched for PC in 2011 and was eventually ported to different platforms. The game notably features crafting elements similar to Minecraft but instead of a 3D atmosphere, the game features 2D graphics and is played in a Metrovania fashion. In the entire course of the game, players will be asked to craft various items, build structures, explore the huge procedurally generated world, mine and gather resources, and survive.

Terraria, however, is more than just crafting and exploring. You will also be asked to defeat various bosses to progress and complete the main campaign. The game’s huge success can also be attributed to its nostalgic graphics that make you feel like playing a classic arcade game. On top of that, Terraria is a game developed for different types of gamers. You can go on an adventure, explore the wilderness, collect treasure, or even build remarkable or out-of-this-world structures.

Download: Terraria – Android / iOS

Vampire Survivors

If you love the classic Castlevania game, then you might find Vampire Survivors equally fascinating. While it does remind you of Castlevania in terms of its Pixel art style graphics, Vampire Survivors is played in a very different manner. For instance, the game is not a Metrovania but a rougelite survival RPG. The game begins with a character selection, but Antonio is the default character for beginners while the rest can be unlocked in various ways.

As soon as the game starts, the character will be prompted to the battlefield. The enemies will start to arrive and all you need to do is to use your weapon and kill as many as possible while preventing them from inflicting damage, otherwise, you’ll get killed and you have no other option but to start back from the very beginning. You are also encouraged to collect gems to gain a new level. This allows you to get new skills or upgrade your attributes to maximize your chances of survival. The longer you stay in the game, the more challenging it becomes.

Download: Vampire Survivors – Android / iOS

Octopath Traveler: Champions of the Continent

Octopath Traveler is a retro-inspired role-playing game developed and published by SquareEnix. Interestingly, the game was first released in 2018 for Nintendo Switch and eventually ported onto other gaming platforms. In collaboration with Acquire, Octopath Traveler: Champions of the Continent was born. Octopath Traveler pays homage to some of the classic role-playing video games that we all know, including the highly acclaimed Final Fantasy series and even Konami’s Suikoden franchise. It follows the story of the magical continent of Osterra, years before the original Octopath Traveler took place. It will introduce a new set of characters, a new story, and new quests to explore.

The game also features classic turn-based combat. However, one thing that quickly separates the game from typical RPGs is the unique 8-party system. Here, you are playing the role of one of the eight travelers whom you can summon using your divine ring, hence the title. Characters in the game will vary in terms of their Influence (influence of wealth, power, and fame) most of which can be obtained as the story progresses or via the in-game gacha system. Appearance-wise, the game described its graphics as “HD 2D”, a modern retro-gaming approach where developers combine classic SNES-style characters and textures with polygonal environments and high-definition effects.

Download: Octopath Traveler – Android / iOS

Dead Cells

Dead Cells is developed by Motion Twin and is published by Playdigious. It provides an excellent homage to Metrovania and Roguelike games by putting nostalgic pixel art style graphics and incorporating a modern approach to it. It is a merge between a Metrovania game like Castlevania and roguelike gameplay which the developer aptly referred to as “roguevania.” The main story of Dead Cells varied from time to time. For instance, the game started with an amorphous creature called Prisoner where you must fight your way out of a diseased island to slay the island king.

Currently, the game is having a special campaign that gives tribute to the well-acclaimed Castlevania franchise. Dead Cells now allows you to unlock some of the well-loved Castlevania characters, including Alucard and Ritcher Belmont to name a few. In the entire course of the game, you will be prompted to a dynamically changing castle. You will fight your way out by making the best out of your weapons. There are no save points and once you get killed, you have no other option but to start back from the very beginning. If you think you have what it takes to survive, feel free to explore this game and see how far you can go!

Download: Dead Cells – Android / iOS

Moonlighter

If you love playing classic dungeon crawler gamers, Moonlighter is a great fit. Interestingly, this game was initially released in 2018 as a console game. It was a massive success and was eventually ported to other platforms, including PC, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch.  Luckily, Netflix brought the hit game onto mobile devices. Generally, Moonlighter is a dungeon crawler game that follows the story of a guy who inherits Moonlighter, a shop that sells rare artifacts. In order to get rare items, you must explore the dungeons. However, this is not going to be easy because the dungeons are inhabited by an overwhelming number of hostile creatures.

Much like other Dungeon Crawlers, the map of the game will constantly change. It is procedurally generated, making each attempt an entirely new experience. Your mission is to unlock the fifth dungeon of Ryoka. To do so, you must find the four keys which are guarded by four powerful bosses. Another objective is to find rare and valuable items that you can sell. As the proprietor of Moonlighter, you must find the rarest and most valuable treasures from the dungeon and sell them at the right price. You can also upgrade your character to maximize his chances of survival.

Download: Moonlighter – Android / iOS

Cat Bird

Is it a cat? Is it a bird? It’s Cat Bird! This game is an absolute visual delight that treats you with adorable pixel art-style graphics. As the title suggests, Cat Bird is a platformer game that features a strange cat that has wings that allow her to fly. The game will take you to a series of challenging levels with varying ranges of difficulty. The main objective is to help the cat bird reach the exit. To do so, you must skillfully surpass all the obstacles that you will encounter along the way. Each level is composed of different obstacles, including deadly spikes, rotating saws, and many other challenging mechanisms that you must win over.

Currently, Cat Bird offers more than 40 challenging levels. It also includes Boss battles which makes the game a lot more interesting and thrilling. You are also encouraged to collect hidden crowns and if you fail to locate them, you can always revisit the previous level which gives Cat Bird a decent replay value and longevity. If you are up for bigger challenges, you might also consider exploring the Time Trial Mode and trying to set your own record. There are also leaderboards and achievement systems to spice up your journey.

Download: Cat Bird- Android / iOS

Tomb of the Mask

Developed and published by Playgendary, the same team behind “Kick the Buddy” and “Bow Master,” Tomb of the Mask takes you on a challenging adventure. The core objective of the game is to take control of your character and explore the mystic Tomb. Here, you will be asked to collect treasures and find your way out by reaching the exit portal safely. Each map is filled with a great number of deadly traps that you must avoid at all costs.

Interestingly, the graphics and the gameplay of this game are heavily inspired by the classic Pac-Man game. It comes with the same pixel-art labyrinth and is also accompanied by a classic 8-bit sound to complete the nostalgic gaming experience. Despite all the similarities to PacMan, Tomb of the Mask is still a unique game of its own. For instance, the maps in this game are procedurally generated per level. You can also unlock new characters which are referred to here as the Masks. You can also purchase various Powerups and consumables from the in-game Shop that give you temporary special abilities to keep you in the game.

Download: Tomb of the Mask – Android / iOS

Harvest Town

Brought by AVIDGamers, Harvest Town is yet another farm simulation game in beautifully rendered pixel art style graphics. The game is also inspired by the classic Harvest Moon. While it may not be as huge as the Stardew Valley, Harvest Town is special on its own. The game follows the story of a guy who goes back to his hometown only to realize that he must restore his family’s old manor back to its former glory. Interestingly, the game is more than just a farming simulation as it comes with a huge chunk of RPG elements.

The player will be asked to engage in various conversations among the townspeople. This allows players to progress and explore the rest of the storyline. Collection, however, is the core objective of Harvest Town. To upgrade the manor, you must gather enough resources. You can also learn various skills as you progress, including the ability to log, mine, fish, farm, cook, craft, and more. There’s even a point in the game that you must engage in battle. If you love to experience the classic Harvest Moon game on your mobile device, you might consider adding Harvest Town to your game list.

Download: Harvest Town – Android / iOS

Guardian Tales

Guardian Tales is a role-playing game that takes you to an epic and nostalgic adventure. It captures everything we enjoyed and loved about classic RPGs and this game gives them justice. The game follows the story of a guardian who is destined to become a legend. The journey will take place in the land known as Kanterbury which is now being attacked by invaders. The core objective is to guide your hero and prevent Kanterbury from the dark invasion. Presented in a beautiful top-down perspective, Guardian Tales will quickly remind you of the classics like Final Fantasy and Legend of Zelda.

Much like other RPGs, you will also be accompanied by other heroes that you encounter along the way. Guardian Tales also features a simple yet tricky combat system. While the game features a pixel art style, the graphics are more comparable to those Gameboy Advanced games rather than SNES. The beautiful graphics are also accompanied by a relaxing piece of music that makes the game even more engaging. Interestingly, the game also comes with PvP campaigns that allow you to compete with other players online in a real-time 3v3 battle. The game also features puzzle-solving, dungeon crawling, hero and weapon collection, guild system, house customization, and many more. It is definitely a complete package and is absolutely worth playing.

Download Guardian Tales – Android / iOS

Most Pixel art games aim to replicate the visual style of specific eras. These might include various consoles from different generations, such as SNES, Atari, PlayStation One, and GBA, providing nothing but nostalgia. Some developers, however, are now using the Pixel art in a more modern and stylized manner. Regardless of the approach, pixel art games have a unique visual appeal that sets them apart in the gaming landscape. Feel free to explore these ten Pixel art games above and let us know what you think!