New Classics

From TV shows to fashion, hits from the 1980s and ’90s are popular again. Game companies are getting in on the trend. Inspired by the old-school arcade experience, new and upcoming video games are packed with kooky colors and plenty of action.

Beloved Gorilla

Nintendo introduced Donkey Kong in 1981. Since then, he’s swung his way through lots of gaming platforms, from arcade machines to handhelds such as the 1998 Game Boy Color. Now he’s starring in Donkey Kong Bananza, (above) available on Nintendo Switch 2. The game is inspired by the original, but it’s meant to be a new, 3D look at the characters. Expect lots of throwbacks and surprises.

He-Man’s New Look

Inspired by a popular 1980s cartoon, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe: Dragon Pearl of Destruction is all about retro graphics. It combines arcade-style pixel-art animation with “fast-paced, modern gameplay,” according to its manufacturer, Mattel. The game is expected to come out later this year, on multiple consoles. A PC version will be available, too.

Bop Till You Drop

Do you have quick reflexes? Test your speed with Bop It! The Video Game. It’s inspired by the original Bop It game, which debuted in 1996. Players raced to hit, spin, and flick the handheld device before running out of time. The video game version tests how quickly players can “bop!” and “twist!” and “pull!” their way through four animated worlds. It’s available now on Nintendo Switch, PC and Mac, and mobile.

Pizza Cats Are Back

Samurai Pizza Cats, an animated kids’ show, first aired in Japan in 1990. It followed a feline ninja crew who worked together to protect their hometown from evil (and to deliver pizza). Soon, the crafty cats will make their return, in Samurai Pizza Cats: Blast from the Past. It’s an action-adventure game. Though still in development, it’s expected on all major platforms in 2027.