Best retro adventure games

Adventure games focus on exploration, story and puzzle-solving rather than combat. Progress comes from examining your surroundings, collecting items and figuring out how they fit together.

Typical commitment: weekend project. Tip: Classic adventure games can be cryptic by modern standards. Take notes, try everything on everything, and save before risky choices.

Pick one of these for me

Adventure games by system

The 48 most celebrated retro adventure games

#8 Riven box art
Riven PS1 · 1997 · Adventure Classic
#9 Adventure box art
Adventure 2600 · 1980 · Action-Adventure Classic
#15 LSD box art
LSD PS1 · 1998 · Action-Adventure Classic
#16 Myst box art
Myst Saturn · Adventure Classic
#18 Amerzone box art
Amerzone PS1 · 1999 · Adventure Classic
#22 D box art
D PS1 · 1996 · Puzzle Classic
#35 Thexder box art
Thexder NES · 1985 · Adventure Classic