8 of the Best Retro PC Games to Play Today

Many of the best Windows PC games are retro titles from the 1990s and 2000s. Games from the golden era of PC gaming defined genres and propelled storytelling to exciting new levels. So, why restrict yourself to the newer PC games? Many of the best retro PC games are reasonably accessible on digital storefronts and compatible with current Windows 11/10 desktops and laptops, especially those with remastered versions. These are eight of the best retro PC games you can play today.

Command and Conquer: Red Alert

Command and Conquer: Red Alert is one of the classic real-time strategy games of the C&C series. Players loved Red Alert because of its accessible and intuitive gameplay, pioneering multiplayer mode, and pulsating high-energy soundtrack. Red Alert also had an engaging alternative history storyline with Stalin and the USSR on the rampage in Europe during the 1950s. Memorable and sometimes humorous live-action FMV cutscenes brought Red Alert’s storyline to life.

Today, you can play Red Alert and the original Command and Conquer in the Remastered Collection pack. The Command & Conquer Remastered Collection includes a remastered 4K version of Red Alert with a rebuilt multiplayer and modernized UI, along with three expansion packs. Plus, players can watch unreleased FMV footage and listen to 20 rerecorded music tracks from the C&C games in the Command & Conquer Remastered Collection.

Half-Life

Half-Life is widely rated to be one of the best PC games in history. This was the game that transformed the first-person shooter genre with its immersive narrative, environmental storytelling, and revolutionary level design. Its reactive alien and Marine enemies made for some of the most intense FPS combat action seen, with great weapon variety. Even today, the Black Mesa incident remains atmospheric with effective scripted sequences throughout.

Although the original Half-Life looks a little outmoded graphically, you can play the unofficial Black Mesa remake for the game instead. Black Mesa updated Half-Life with revamped graphics, a new soundtrack, and a slightly refined single-player campaign. Black Mesa’s single-player campaign is basically the same as in the original Half-Life, but it also includes expanded Xen levels.

Half-Life 2

Half-Life 2 perfected the first-person shooter genre after the revolution of its predecessor. This is one of the best retro PC games, mainly because of its Gravity Gun weapon that provides some great physics-based gameplay. The Gravity Gun is one of the best weapons in gaming history because of how it enabled players to manipulate environmental objects. Half-Life 2 also has a great technical legacy with the Source engine, which it introduced, enhancing the game with some groundbreaking lighting, shaders, and water effects for its time.

Valve updated Half-Life 2 in 2024 for its big anniversary. That update enhanced the visuals in HL2 with HDR lighting added to maps and higher-detail models. Now Half-Life 2 also comes bundled with its Episode One and Episode Two expansions.

Age of Empires II

Age of Empires II is still the crème de la crème of real-time strategy games, which offers considerable content variety and an enduring gameplay loop. It’s an accessible RTS game that’s relatively simple to get started playing, but still has considerable tactical depth. You can get stuck into 40+ civilizations and play through many engaging historical campaigns in the single-player Age of Empires II. Then check out the thriving Age of Empires II multiplayer community.

AoE II is still going strong today as one of the best retro PC games with its Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition pack. That beautiful remastering of Age of Empires II breathed stunning 4K graphics into the game, along with a remastered soundtrack. Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition also includes the three primary Age of Empires II expansions for even more extensive content.

Halo: Combat Evolved

Halo: Combat Evolved was a first-person shooter that had a profound impact on the Xbox and Windows PC. Players loved the original Halo because of its more open level design that gave the game a sense of scale seldom seen in other first-person shooters. Halo’s massive environments, vehicular combat, legendary soundtrack, and Golden Triangle gameplay formula made it a classic game.

You can play Halo: Combat Evolved with the Master Chief Collection. That pack includes the Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary game. Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary is optimized for PC with 4K UHD graphics, FOV customization, and updated multiplayer.

BioShock

BioShock is one of the best retro PC games because of its unmatched atmosphere and world-building. The crumbling underwater world of Rapture was a truly innovative, haunting, and unique game setting that few other first-person shooters have ever matched. BioShock’s enthralling creative combat that mixes guns with Plasmids is also something special.

The best way to play this classic PC game today is to check out BioShock Remastered. That remastered version of BioShock has 4K resolution support and higher-res textures and models. It also includes additional director commentary and the Museum of Orphaned Concepts for players to explore.

Quake II

Quake II was another landmark first-person shooter that raised the bar for its genre. Its revolutionary lightning effects, satisfying weaponry, and highly responsive, fast-paced gameplay made Quake II one of the most beloved first-person shooters. The fast-paced action arena multiplayer in Quake II also offers endless shooting frolics beyond its single-player campaign with classic Deathmatch and Capture the Flag modes.

Now players can select to play the original (old) Quake II or its enhanced version. ID has updated Quake II with enhanced models and 4K widescreen resolution support. The enhanced version also includes a new Call of the Machine expansion to play alongside all the original mission packs.

Team Fortress 2

Team Fortress 2 is one of the most iconic team-based multiplayer shooters with enduring appeal. This game has remained one of the more popular multiplayer titles on Steam since 2007 because of its unique graphical art style, humor, and game mode variety. Its distinct class system provides varied playstyles, and the game is designed for fun, cooperative gameplay.

Valve still maintains official servers for Team Fortress 2. However, regular content updates for it are more community-driven. For example, numerous updates added new maps and cosmetic items to Team Fortress 2 during 2025.

Those retro PC games are among the best released for the Windows platform. Most of them have been updated with revamped graphics and sound to keep them fresh today. Playing those retro games will give you a genuine blast from the past in 2026.