The best pixel art games

10 days ago, by Enzo

Pixel art may evoke the early days of video games, but it has never stopped reinventing itself. From timeless classics to the most promising new releases, here’s a selection of pixel art games that have left a lasting impression, each in its own way. Let’s dive into these pixelated worlds and discover our first selection...

With its meticulously drawn settings, expressive characters, and charming post-apocalyptic world, Eastward is a true love letter to pixel art. Dead Cells, meanwhile, proves that pixel art can be just as spectacular as any modern production, with its fluid animations, detailed environments, and fast-paced combat.

The cyberpunk world and cinematic art direction of REPLACED take pixel art to new heights of visual storytelling, with its play of light, detailed animations, and dystopian settings. This action-platformer features a particularly polished retro-futuristic atmosphere—a real treat for science fiction fans.

Let’s take a brief detour to talk about Valheim. While it certainly deserves its place among games with a unique aesthetic, it isn’t really pixel art: its Viking world is built on deliberately rudimentary 3D graphics. Celeste hides a formidable platformer behind its delicate pixel art graphics, one that demands precision, patience, and perseverance.

Stoneshard offers a challenging RPG set in a medieval fantasy world rendered in detailed, dark pixel art. With dungeon exploration, injury management, and tactical combat, it’s aimed at players who love turning every expedition into a true test of survival.

Finally, how could we cover this topic without mentioning Binding of Isaac: Rebirth? The game uses its retro aesthetic to build a world that’s as unsettling as it is memorable. This roguelite relies on procedurally generated dungeons and hundreds of items with sometimes absurd effects, ensuring a wide variety of gameplay experiences.

From its melancholic charm to its unique creativity, pixel art continues to give rise to a wide variety of experiences. Behind these sometimes minimalist graphics lie rich worlds, inventive mechanics, and adventures capable of leaving a lasting impression on players. What about you—what’s your favorite pixel art game?