The Golden Age in Your Pocket: The Best Retro Ports for iPhone

There’s something about retro games that feels great on your iPhone or iPad. Maybe it’s the simpler controllers or the shorter gameplay loops. Or maybe it’s the fact that older games were built around playability and satisfying progression instead of endless tutorials, pay-to-win mechanics, and pop-up ads.

Whatever the reason, classic games feel right at home on your iPhone. And the best part is that, for the most part, most classic games you can play on your iPhone are legal. Sure, you’ll need to pay some money for them, but the good news is that you don’t need to mess with emulators, sideloading, or complicated setups. 

Some are straight ports of iconic console releases. Others are remastered editions with quality-of-life improvements like widescreen support, touch optimization, and controller compatibility. Either way, you’ll have a blast. Whether you played these in your childhood or want to know what the fuss is about, read on for 7 of the best retro games you can play on your iPhone or iPad.