Microsoft Announces Retro Classics With Game Pass, Kicks Things Off With Over 50 Activision Games From the 80s and 90s
Microsoft has announced Retro Classics with Game Pass, a collaboration with Antstream Arcade to bring a collection of over 50 classic Activision games from the 80s and 90s to Game Pass members.
The list includes the likes of Commando, Grand Prix, Kaboom!, Mech Warrior 2: 31st Century Combat, and Pitfall!. Some of the games go back 45 years. Players can even save their progress and continue later, a first for many of these games.
Microsoft said Retro Classics with Game Pass is “a step in our commitment to game preservation and backwards compatibility.” Retro Classics will be available to all Game Pass membership options in the regions where Game Pass is currently available.
Platform sections include Atari 2600, DOS, and Amiga. It’s worth noting there is a PlayStation (PSX) section of Retro Classics, which currently includes MechWarrior 2: 31st Century Combat. MechWarrior 2: 31st Century Combat was developed and published by Activision in 1995 on PC before coming to PlayStation and Sega Saturn in 1997. The only game in the SNES section is 1993’s MechWarrior.
Over time, Microsoft will add more classic games from Activision and Blizzard’s back catalog to Game Pass, expanding the Retro Classics collection to over 100 games. Expect additional games to be added monthly.
Retro Classics with Game Pass launch lineup:
- Activision prototype #1
- Atlantis
- Atlantis II
- Barnstorming
- Baseball
- Beamrider
- Bloody Human Freeway
- Boxing
- Bridge
- Caesar II
- Checkers
- Chopper Command
- Commando
- Conquests of the Longbow: The Legend of Robin Hood
- Cosmic Ark
- Crackpots
- Decathlon
- Demon Attack
- Dolphin
- Dragster
- Enduro
- Fathom
- Fire Fighter
- Fishing Derby
- Freddy Pharkas: Frontier Pharmacist
- Freeway
- Grand Prix
- H.E.R.O.
- Kaboom!
- Laser Blast
- MechWarrior
- MechWarrior 2: 31st Century Combat
- Megamania
- Pitfall II: Lost Caverns
- Pitfall!
- Police Quest 1
- Pressure Cooker
- Riddle of the Sphinx
- River Raid
- River Raid II
- Robot Tank
- Sky Jinks
- Space Quest 2
- Space Quest 6
- Space Treat Deluxe
- Spider Fighter
- Star Voyager
- Tennis
- The Adventures of Willy Beamish
- The Dagger of Amon Ra
- Thwocker
- Title Match Pro Wrestling
- Torin’s Passage
- Trick Shot
- Vault Assault
- Venetian Blinds
- Zork I
- Zork Zero
- Frostbite
- Quest for Glory 1
Here’s the official blurb from Microsoft:
With Retro Classics, Game Pass members can expect a seamless gaming experience across console, PC, and on supported devices with cloud gaming. Whether playing on Xbox console, the Xbox app on PC, or streaming on supported LG and Samsung Smart TVs, Amazon Fire TV devices, and Meta Quest headsets, Retro Classics offers a versatile and accessible way to enjoy these nostalgic titles.
Game Pass members can access Retro Classics through their Game Pass membership by searching and installing the feature via their console or on the Xbox app on PC. Additionally, players can take on friends, rivals, or the entire world with unique challenges. For the achievement hunters, there are some great new ones to collect, and for newer players, the ability to save and reload your progress, a first for many classic titles.
The announcement comes hot on the heels of confirmation of Wave 2 of Xbox Game Pass’ May 2025 lineup, and the announcement that Hellblade 2 is coming to PS5 this summer.
Wesley is Director, News at IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.
About Post Author
