The Best Retro Games on Roku
In my experience using a Roku streaming player, games were never its strong suit, however, I did come across some nice retro classics over the years.
These games are still available for download but not all are on the Roku app store, the games are available to sideload if you are interested, at least if you feel nostalgic.
In order for the games to make it to this list, they needed to be popular back in the day, I hope I’m not dating myself as some of these games go way back!
Just as a disclaimer, I will provide the links to the games but will leave it to you if you want to install them at your digression
So just sit back enjoy this list…
couse when this baby hits 88MPH you’re going to see some serious Sh** !
Moon Patrol
An arcade game released in 1982, where you drive a lunar rover, that can jump over craters, cruising around the lunar surface, originally for the Atari but then ported to other systems like the Apple 2 and Commodore 64.
This port was made by Marcelo Lv Cabral, I had to sideload this app using the developer mode on my Roku and downloaded it from Github here
The game has 2 graphics modes, Arcade, and Atari ST, and you can change the controller mode vertical or horizontal
Lode Runner
A puzzle game of sorts, with latter’s and foes, from 1983, originally for the Apple 2, Atari commodore 64 and IBM PC, it was then ported over to even more platforms like the one I remember playing it the Nintendo Entertainment System or NES for short, this game is still fun to play, has a tone of graphics modes and game versions just have a look at the video, you can use your remote vertically and horizontally.
Lode Runner was ported by Marcelo Lv Cabral, you can find the code on Github here, to install this game simply click here this will take you to the add new app Roku site.
Prince of Persia
Originally for the Apple 2 computer in 1989 with a multitude of ports ranging from Nintendo Gameboy to the Commodore Amiga, I remember playing this one back in the day, can’t remember what system though… still a great classic a fantasy cinematic platformer, as you may see in the video my Roku Stick didn’t have enough power to play in all the modes as 4 rooms mode was recommended. This game was ported to the Roku by Marcelo Lv Cabral, it has DOS and Macintosh graphics modes, you can use the remote in vertical and horizontal modes, and it even comes preset with cheats just in case you can’t make it past a certain level.
You can find the code for this game on Github here, and if you want to add it to you Roku now click here
PAC-MAN
Even if you didn’t grow up in the 80’s you have got to know this one! Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock all these years, PAC-MAN the maze arcade game first came out in 1980, not sure what platform this game first came out on, but I remember playing it on my cousins Atari at the time and thinking this is the best game ever! The Atari joystick was perfect for this game, I can actually get a higher score if I use a joystick for this game, believe it or not, PAC-MAN is still available as an arcade game, this is a game that will never die out.
In this port to the Roku, the game is more of a championship game, sharing your score with the online community, you can start from a high score if you feel your just that good, this game also gives you the option to use the remote vertically or horizontally, I just love how they remastered the sound in this game. Every now and again I find myself bored just staring at my TV screen and this is usually my go-to game in times like that…
This is a premium game, it was 5 bucks for me but have a look maybe it’s cheaper in your country, check it out here
Just a little tip, try to google Pacman
Donkey Kong
This one needs no introduction, the one, and only cult classic, Donkey Kong, released in 1981 for the Nintendo that introduced Mario, a game of strategy and timing, from climbing latters to jumping over barrels, I still find this game tough to play, I remember there being arcade championships for this game, probably still are…
This port to the Roku was made by Marcelo Lv Cabral, you can use your remote vertically or horizontally, and have the option to change the Board order, USA Arcade or Japan Arcade, this one is my favorite, you can select how many lives to start with from 3 to 6.
Unfortunately, Nintendo caught wind of this port on Roku and had Roku remove it as it violated the copyrights of Nintendo, however, the game’s code is available on Github here, I was able to sideload it through dev mode, but will emphasize if you are going to try installing this game, please do so at your own risk.
Galaga
And last but definitely not least the infamous Galaga, 1981 shooter game, controlling a starship shooting killer bugs, this game was awesome, originally on the Atari and Nintendo, personally remember it on the Nintendo as well as at the arcades, I believe it can still be found at arcades as the game keeps getting revamped, one thing you might not know, Galaga was actually a sequel to Galaxian a game from 1979 for the Atari that was very similar to Galaga.
This game is available on the Roku app sore I purchased it for 5 bucks, but have a look, it might be another price for you, click here to go to the Roku Galaga page
I hope I made you feel a little nostalgic and got you inspired to try at least one of these games.
I know there are many games available for the Roku, but retro games, that I could find, there are only these, if you know of any more drop me a comment below.
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