Microsoft has exciting news for Game Pass members: the introduction of Retro Classics with Game Pass, a collaboration with Antstream Arcade. This new feature brings over 50 classic Activision games from the 80s and 90s directly to your Game Pass subscription. Imagine diving into iconic titles like Commando, Grand Prix, Kaboom!, MechWarrior 2: 31st Century Combat, and Pitfall!, some of which date back 45 years. A unique aspect of Retro Classics is the ability to save your progress and resume later, a feature that many of these games never had before.
Microsoft emphasizes that Retro Classics with Game Pass represents "a step in our commitment to game preservation and backwards compatibility." This service will be accessible to all Game Pass membership tiers in regions where Game Pass is available.
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Microsoft has plans to continuously expand the Retro Classics collection, aiming to include over 100 classic games from Activision and Blizzard’s extensive back catalog. New titles will be added monthly, ensuring a fresh stream of nostalgic gaming experiences.
Here's the launch lineup for Retro Classics with Game Pass:
- 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
Microsoft's official statement highlights the seamless gaming experience offered by Retro Classics across various platforms:
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.
This announcement follows closely on the heels of the confirmation of Wave 2 of Xbox Game Pass’ May 2025 lineup and the news that Hellblade 2 will be coming to PS5 this summer.
