But retro gaming isn’t just a nostalgic itch for parents. It’s an entire universe of creativity, problem-solving, and charm that still holds up. The key? You’ve got to frame it right. This isn’t about pushing old stuff on new minds it’s about inviting your kids into a digital time machine, one pixel at a time. Here’s how to make it fun and eye-roll free.
1. Start With Story, Not Nostalgia
Before you reach for that dusty cartridge or boot up your childhood emulator, pause, ask yourself: what makes this game special for them? Kids don’t care that you used to stay up all night beating Zelda. They care if the story is cool, the gameplay is challenging, and they’re not being lectured about “the good old days.” So lead with the magic of the game’s world. Talk about the puzzle-solving in Myst, the fast-paced adventure in Sonic, or the weirdly lovable frustration of Qbert. And keep the nostalgia to a minimum. This isn’t your memory lane—it’s their first look.
2. Make It a Family Experience
This is not the time to hand over a controller and walk away. Retro games can be punishing. Lives are limited, saving is tricky, and tutorials? Nonexistent. If you want your kids to enjoy the experience, play with them.
Sit beside them. Let them laugh at the funny pixel faces. Celebrate small wins. Share the controller during tough levels. When you become their teammate instead of their teacher, you build trust, and suddenly the “old game” becomes a shared adventure. And hey, if you get stuck together in a dungeon because you forgot which key opens what, that’s part of the charm.
3. Pair the Game With a Moment
Retro gaming hits different when it’s tied to something special. Light some candles. Bring out the popcorn. Declutter the living room and build a little “arcade zone.” Maybe it’s a rainy Saturday or a no phones allowed evening with pizza on the floor.
Turn it into an experience, not just a play session. This works especially well with games like Tetris or Dr. Mario, where short bursts of play can feel like part of a cosy night in. When kids connect retro games with positive emotions, the eye rolls vanish.
4. Frame Retro as “Indie Vibe,” Not “Outdated”
If your child is into quirky YouTube animation, pixel art, or lo-fi music, congratulations they’re already halfway to loving retro gaming. Today’s “indie” aesthetic is rooted in exactly the kind of simplicity that makes 80s and 90s games tick.
Explain that these games aren’t “old,” they’re “stylised.” That lo-fi background music? It’s called a chiptune, and it’s an art form. That clunky sprite character? They’re basically the original Minecraft skin. Use their existing preferences to build the bridge. They don’t need to appreciate the history. Just the vibe.
5. Let Them Laugh at the Graphics—Then Watch Them Get Hooked
Don’t get defensive when your kid snorts at Frogger’s blocky cars. That reaction is part of the entry process. Let them find it funny. The moment you stop trying to convince them that “these were groundbreaking graphics!” and instead let them mock the visuals freely, you take away the resistance. Ironically, once they stop resisting, they usually get into it.
Kids are naturally curious. If they’re not pressured, they’ll test the game out for themselves. And more often than not, gameplay will win them over, especially in classics like Donkey Kong or Pac-Man, where action is fast and rewards are immediate.
6. Use the Games as a Problem-Solving Playground
One thing retro games did better than most modern games? Problem-solving. Without built-in hints or glowing arrows, you had to think really think. Whether you were pushing blocks in The Legend of Zelda or figuring out how to defeat the boss in Mega Man, these games were little brain workouts.
Present retro gaming as a challenge, not entertainment. Invite your kids to solve the game, not just play it. Bonus: This turns screen time into something that’s easier to justify and feel proud of as a parent. And if they get stuck, try solving it together. You’ll be surprised at how satisfying it is to figure out a pixel puzzle as a team.
7. Bring in the “Mini Challenge” Element
Today’s kids love quick wins. Unlockables. Mini goals. Retro games don’t always provide these directly but you can create them.
Challenge your kids to beat a certain level in under five minutes. Or reach a specific score in Galaga. Or survive three rounds of Mortal Kombat without button-mashing.
Gamify the game. Add sticky notes to the TV with challenges. Keep score on a whiteboard. If you have multiple kids, turn it into a sibling tournament. It adds structure and fun, and brings a fresh sense of excitement to older titles.
8. Introduce Minesweeper Like a Brain Game
It doesn’t get more retro than Minesweeper. And yet, in an age where many games play for the player, it’s a refreshing change. Simple concept. Clean interface. No sounds or distractions. Just logic and deduction.
Frame Minesweeper as a “mystery game” where each click is a clue. Try playing together and narrating it like a detective case. Kids who enjoy Among Us, sudoku, or logic puzzles often love this once they give it a real shot.
9. Use Emulators—but Make It Feel Real
We live in a world of emulators and downloadable ROMs. And while they’re a practical choice, they can feel… a little clinical. If possible, enhance the experience by connecting a retro-style controller. You can get USB replicas of SNES or Genesis controllers that plug right into a computer or tablet.
Want to level up? Connect the emulator to your TV. Add some old-school game box art on the wall. Make it feel like an arcade corner just with less neon and no tokens. The more immersive the setup, the more likely kids are to respect the format.
10. Make Room for Their Opinions
This one’s big. After a session, ask what they liked and didn’t. Don’t take it personally if they thought Space Invaders was boring. Listen for what sparked their interest. Maybe they liked the rhythm of Punch-Out! But didn’t enjoy the limited movement of early platformers. Use this feedback to guide the next game. Retro gaming is a buffet some will click, some won’t. And that’s okay.
In fact, involving them in the selection process—“Do you want something spooky like Ghosts’ n Goblins or weird and funny like EarthBound?”—gives them a sense of ownership.
