Pico-8 Games List
Pico-8 is a fantasy console for playing and making smol games. There has been a vibrant community surrounding the system for years, and some fantastic games have been produced during that time. This list is a compiled collection of my personal favourites, and games I consider to be some of the best on the system.
Time Wasters
These games a short and quick to play, but an absolute blast whenever you want to waste some time or just chill!
⬩ Combo Pool by Nusan - I’ve sunk more hours into Combo Pool than any other Pico-8 game. Beautifully simple pool-style game that’s an absolute joy to play over and over again.
⬩ Succer by Reload - An adorable little Football (soccer) game that I can never seem to get enough of. Pick a team and score some goals!
⬩ Marballs & Marballs 2 by Lucatron - A fantastic Marble Madness clone with some really fun levels. The sequel builds upon the original even more, adding a lot more to the gameplay.
⬩ Tetyisby Spaz48 - What would a list of games be without a tetris clone? This one is a really well polished game, with lovely visuals and effects to boot!
⬩ Cyclo 8by Nusan - Another fun game from Nusan. Cyclo 8 is a physics bike game, controlling the provides a great challenge and despite only having 7 levels, there’s lots of time to spent in it.
⬩ Cave Runners!by Spaz48 - A challenge, yet forgiving platforming game: Get to the objective as fast as you can. Best feature is no death or damage, letting you focus on having fun!
⬩ Picopolisby Jeb - A Simcity demake / idle game where you build up and manage a city to make money and continue the flow.
Cream of the Crop
The best of the best on the system, from ingenious card games to fantastic stories. There’s lots to be found here!
⬩ High Stakesby Spaz48 - An incredible concept that creates brilliantly engaging gameplay. Sort of like minesweeper, flip cards while avoiding the one Vampire card that will end the round for you.
⬩ Invader Overloadby MorningToast - This is hands down the best Invaders game I’ve played. Great aesthetics, powerup system and boss battles. Definitely a highlight of Pico-8
⬩ Celesteby Noel - The poster child of the entire system, not much has to be said for Celeste. An enjoyable platformer with a great mix of challenge and fun.
⬩ Dank Tombsby Krajzeg - One of the most polished games made on the system. Dank Tombs is a great mix of dungeon crawling, puzzles and platforming reminiscent of the Zelda series.
⬩ Dusk Childby SophieHoulden - A brilliant, story-driven platformer. One of the first big games for the system. Still holds up after all that’s changed with Pico-8.
⬩ Terraby cubee - Terra is a feature rich demake of Terraria. I still can’t get over how they fit it in a Pico-8 cart. *Note - requires mouse controls to play.
⬩ DragonDot 3by NMcCoy - An Action-Adventure game which brings it’s own creative twists to the genre. This game will hook and draw you in with it’s great depth and power-up system.
⬩ The Lost Nightby arlefreak - A gorgeous RPG from the Amano games duo, Mario and Joven. You’re guaranteed to have a great time playing this gem.
Arcade Games
Fast paced, score based games.
⬩ We Missed You!by Rhys - A top down, gta1 style arcade delivery game. Race across town to delivery parcels as time ticks down. Don’t forget to raise your score by hitting cars!
⬩ Pico Racerby Spaz48 - A classic for Pico-8, an outrun style racer that provides a great challenge while looking great.
⬩ Pico Drillerby johanp - Demake of Mr.Driller for the gameboy. Well polished, and fast paced. An all round fun time!
⬩ Sewers of d’Oh!by Ultrabrite - An endless breakout clone with it’s own flair and fun to be had.
⬩ Pullfrogby arlefreak - Pullfrog’s concept is both creative and yet so simple. Tetris in a sense, yet you control the blocks thru a wonderful little frog. I love him.
Pic ’n Mix
A mix of different titles that deserve a mention too!
⬩ NEMO&⬩ NEMO Puzzle Pack IIby Mooon - Polished, level-rich Picross games to chill and relax to. Highly recommend.
⬩ DeFactoby NuSan - An automated factory game like factorio. Great time sink for anyone who enjoys the strategy of games like these.
⬩ UFO Swamp Odysseyby paranoidcactus - A short metroidvania style platformer. Search the junk yard to find a way to escape.
⬩ FUZby Jusiv - A tiny adventure based on FEZ. A brilliant homage, with great fun to be had.
⬩ Hungry Harry 3Dby paloblancogames - A 3D platformer for Pico-8. Yes you read that right. Get to the end of each level while eating along the way.
⬩ Golf Sundayby johanp - Tiny, chill golf game made for the LowResJam 2021.