For seven years I’ve been collecting the best PC games every year that don’t need a graphics card, tracking down games for those of us with older computers or laptops. And I love doing it so much (and there are justso many freakin’ games out there) that I decided ten new games a year just isn’t enough. This is now a biannual feature — you’re welcome, five people who asked for it.
These games can run on a toaster, so long as that toaster runs Windows. They’re also great picks for a Steam Deck or pretty much any other handheld PC. Oh, and it sure doesn’t hurt that all of these games are under $20 at full price, and many come with demos. And it helps that these are the kinds of games that often go on sale, especially the Steam Winter Sale that’s coming up right quick. (For the sake of future readers, I’m sticking to the retail prices for this roundup.)
Here are my picks, in no particular order, now updated with 20 games for all of 2025. Want even more? Then check out the same article from 2024, 2023, 2022, and 2021.
9 Kings
I’ve been addicted to9 Kingsfor a few weeks. It’s nominally a base-builder, wherein you lay down buildings and units on a very small number of tiles and create an army from the result. But the randomized nature of your enemies, and the cards you get from them to power up your units and structures, feels a lot like carving out a run inBalatro.
The interplay of the buildings and tiles, and how the different ones you can collect from the different opponent kings, are crucial. Discovering all the beneficial combinations and creating your own strategy to maximize them is how you go from 10 damage in a “year” to 10 million, and the process makes this an incredibly satisfying, bite-sized strategy game.
9 Kingsis in early access, currently $15 on Steam.
Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo
Y’all youngsters might not know this, but the Game Boy Advance might be the best 2D console of all time. And this game is a love letter to some of its best.Pipstrello and the Cursed Yoyolloks like a colorful take on ye olde top-downZelda, but where all the weapons and traversal powers revolve around the titular yoyo. But the colorful world and great tunes (provided by famed game composer Yoko Shimomura) make me think more of an oldCartoon Networkproduction.
It can’t be overstated how hard this game goes on the yoyo schtick, showing off an incredible amount of charm and creativity. Real-time combat and puzzles will challenge your reflexes and timing, but there’s an interestingly sarcastic undertone to all of this that works well with the anthropic mafioso baddies. Completionists will have a fun time with the surprisingly broad and deep world, too.
Pipstrello and the Cursed Yoyois $20 on Steam. It’s also available on Epic, PlayStation, Xbox, and Switch.
So to Speak
The phrase “edu-tainment” might make you cringe if you remember Mavis Beacon, but gamified language learning is about as good as it gets if you don’t have access to full immersion. EnterSo to Speak,a puzzle game that teaches you the basics of Japanese vocabulary in an interface that makes Dulingo look positively pedestrian. It’s a big help if, like me, you’re helpless when it comes to kanji characters.
Progressing through the game will let you move from basic words to phrases and full sentences, with a focus on visitors and travel. But you’ll also get a nice taste of some Japanese culture if that’s what you’re looking for. The setup here is brilliant — well, at least I think so — and I’m excited to see if the developer can expand it into other languages.
So to Speakis $18 on Steam.
The Roottrees are Dead
Who would have guessed that clerical games would be athingafter the success ofPapers Please? InThe Roottrees are Dead, you’re an investigator trying to piece together the aftermath of a small plane crash that took out a family of billionaires. Using a mountain of evidence and exploring a fictional, late-90s version of the internet, you’ll discover the dark secrets hiding just beneath the veneer of wealth and power.
This is an incredibly unique setup, a sort of genealogical whodunnit that will tickle the drama fancies of anyone who’s ever gasped at a soap opera parentage reveal. Originally released as a free browser game, this full version gets remastered visuals and audios, plus full voice acting when you discover relevant tapes and other evidence, plus some bonus mysteries.
The Roottrees are Deadis $20 on Steam.
Cast N Chill
I don’t think I’ve ever seen pixel art this gorgeous…and I say that as someone who’s so freakin’ tired of pixel art as shorhthand for indie.Cast N Chilldoes what it says on the box, offering an intriguing mix of basic 2D fishing that wouldn’t be out of place on the NES with some incredible atmosphere. If you have no actual interest in fishing, you might not get a lot out of the mechanics, unless the upgrade grind gets its hooks into you. No, I’m not apologizing for that pun.
You can catch and document 50 different kinds of fish, 13 of which are legendary. But I suspect a certain kind of player will miss a lot of them, just watching the designated boat dog.
Cast N Chillis $15 on Steam.
Wizordum
MagicalDOOM. That’s it, that’s the game. WhileWizordumisn’t the first game to adapt fast first-person shooter mechanics to slinging spells instead of blasting bullets, it’s benefiting from a lot of recent work in the boomer shooter niche. 2.5D graphics mean a lot of pixel art on display, even as goblins and skeletons are wizzing past your head at about 40 miles an hour. I’m digging the epic fantasy tunes, too.
This is very much a single-player affair, but speedrunners can post their times to an online leaderboard. The real lasting impact of the game might be its built-in level editor, which lets you make and share challenges in a veryMinecraftsort of way. I bet it’ll appeal to you if you’re tired of rolling for initiative and just want to blast some baddies.
Wizordumis $20 on Steam.
Glass Cannon
A “glass cannon” is a term for someone or something that can dish out a lot of damage, but not take much in return. This little physics puzzler takes things a little more literally. It’s a mix of puzzle and action with a physics-based setup and a roguelike progression system. And if that sounds too technical, just go by this: shoot all the bad guys (or bad shapes) with as few bullets as possible.
Carefully choosing your angle to take advantage of bounces and maximizing your upgrades for damage and spread are the keys to victory. The randomized levels and relatively low variety of enemies might seem limiting at first, but it’s the combination of upgrades that’ll keep you coming back for an optimal run.
Glass Cannonis $5 on Steam.
Urban Myth Dissolution Center
Imagine ifControlcame out in the 80s and was more interested in Japanese horror than online copypasta, and you’ve gotUrban Myth Dissolution Center.You play a psychic ghostbuster in training who’s part of the titular organization, tracking down clues to solve spooky cases and interacting with a rich collection of characters.
This one’s definitely on the creepy side of things, with a direct appeal to fans of both retro games and anime. Fans ofDoki Doki Literature Clubmight feel right at home with all the hidden intrigue and deep characterization, but if you can’t handle the psychedelic pixel art cinematics, I couldn’t blame you.
Urban Myth Dissolution Centeris $18 on Steam. It’s also available on PlayStation and Switch.
Chronicles of the Wolf
Do you like the mechanics ofCastlevania, but you’re more of a Team Jacob sorta gamer? ThenChronicles of the Wolfis what you’ve been waiting for. This side-scrolling action game is set on the backdrop of the legendary (and at least nominally real) Beast of Gévaudan attacks in 18th-century France. Oh, and just in case the fact that a wolf hunter is running around a medieval castle instead of the woods didn’t clue you in, there’s a few cameos from some famous players in the genre, too.
The whole game is shamelessly riffing onSymphony of the Night, and that’s not at all a bad thing. There’s a bit more polish in play than you might expect from the setup, with some gorgeous art and voice-over as well as some tunes that’ll make you wonder where you left your PS1 memory card.
Chronicles of the Wolfis $20 on Steam. It’s also available on PlayStation, Switch, and Xbox.
Desktop Survivors 98
Okay, I know some of you weirdos are gonna be into this one.Vampire Survivorshas inspired a whole demonic hoard of similar “walk around, avoid attacks, upgrade your stuff” games, but I bet you’ve never seen it play out with the infamous Clippy as a main character. The game mechanics are familiar, but the visuals — a certain blissful green hill and a lot of grey windows — are even more so.
But don’t think this game is nothing but a nostalgia play (though it certainly is). Little hooks into other “programs” from ye olde Windows will add in goofy game elements you’re not expecting. If you’ve ever lost hours to customizing your Windows theme, you’ll find something to love here.
Desktop Survivors 98is $5 on Steam.
Absolum
Absolumis the game I think I’ve spent the most time on personally this year. It’s a simple pitch: Take an old-school beat-em-up and add roguelike progression so every run is a little different, and you can add strategy and intention to your builds. But the polish on display here is impressive.
The hand-drawn art is refreshing, the character designs are fun and fluid, and there are tons of extra “hires” and rideable creatures for you and your friends to add to your run. Online multiplayer is great, even with randos. The only real downside is the story, which is extremely forgettable. But if you like brawlers or roguelikes, you simply must play it.
Absolumis $25 on Steam. It’s also available on PlayStation and Switch.
The Seance of Blake Manor
If a certain southern-fried Netflix detective has you itching for some whodunnit mystery, thenThe Seance of Blake Manoris what you’re looking for. Step into the polished shoes of a turn-of-the-century (19th century, I guess I have to specify now) detective as you track down a missing woman, using point-and-click skills as well as some genre savvy to find clues and eliminate suspects. While it’s technically 3D, those who grew up on 80s and 90s adventure games will feel right at home.
Come for the mystery, stay for the dialogue. The game uses a ticking clock, but you’ll have plenty of time to explore the manor and talk to the residents without feeling too stressed. The story might not fall into the same category, however — it’s decidedly on the spooky side.
The Seance of Blake Manoris $20 on Steam.
Ratatan
It’s hard to find a good rhythm game these days, especially if you want something that isn’t just a retread of an existing franchise.Ratatanmixes things up by throwing side-scrolling and roguelike elements into the rhythm-action, all wrapped up in aesthetics that are simultaneously cutesy and highly energetic.
Pataponplayers will feel right at home. The game is great alone or in groups of up to four players online. But be sure to watch the trailer first — I get the feeling that the music will be very hit-or-miss depending on your tastes.
Ratatanis $25 on Steam, currently in early access.
Drop Duchy
Tetris-style puzzles, deck-building, and a kingdom expansion/conquering/management sim. Weird things to cross over in the same formula, butDrop Duchymanages it with an ingeniously simple setup. But simple doesn’t mean it lacks depth — I get the feeling that Settlers of Catan and Fire Emblem were big influences on this game.
You’ll need to manage military resources, terrain, and your card deck in order to conquer the land, with three different factions to choose from. It’s a great idea, solidly executed, and puzzle fans are gonna love it.
Drop Duchyis $15 on Steam. It’s also available on Switch, Android, and iOS.
Time Flies
Normally I’m not one for minimalist, experimental games, but something aboutTime Fliesreally intrigues me. You play a little fly buzzing around a black-and-white MS Paint world, completing some very basic tasks. It’s a little like a mix betweenUntitled Goose Gameand — oh god, I’m really dating myself here —Mister Mosquitoon the PS2.
Essentially an environmental puzzle game, all you’ve got to do is figure out how to accomplish a little chaos as a tiny fly. Just keep in mind that a fly is easy to squish…even on your own, accidentally.
Time Fliesis $15 on Steam. It’s also available on Epic, Switch, PlayStation, and the Mac App Store.
Tiny Bookshop
I’m writing this article in between Black Friday, the holidays, and preparations for CES. Folks, my brain is fried. And right about now the idea of running a little bitty bookshop strapped to the back of a station wagon really appeals. Sitting thoroughly in the cozy game genre,Tiny Bookshoplets you do just that.
There’s nominally a story here, wherein you’ll meet your neighbors and customers and learn about them. But mostly it’s about customizing and decorating a bookstore with only enough space in it for one shelf. The vibes in the seaside town and chill music are immaculate, in a very wish-fulfillment kind of way. One of the Steam reviews describes it as “a big anti-stress ball.”
Tiny Bookshop is $20 on Steam.
Kaizen: A Factory Story
Retro tech is all the rage right now, so it was only a matter of time before someone distilled it down into a management game. InKaizen: A Factory Story, you’re in charge of an electronics company that is absolutely not Walkman-era Sony.
Part management-optimizer a laFactorio, part satisfying puzzle game, this one shows off a deep love for classic technology and 1980s design. You’ll need to design the automatic systems pumping out gadgets and toys, and try not to develop a crippling pachinko habit.
Kaizen: A Factory Storyis $20 on Steam.
Sektori
It’s been far too long since we got a newGeometry Warstwin-stick shooter. This one wears its inspiration on irs sleeve, showing off absolutely relentless visuals while it smacks you in the head with thumping techno music.
The stages inSektoriare small and dense but constantly shifting, offering bite-sized shmup action in a condensed package. But the bosses are the real showpiece here, putting your skills and your upgrade strategy to the test with massive screen-filling attacks.Sektorioffers a mix of challenge and spectacle, though some players might feel overwhelmed by the stylized colors and animations.
Sektoriis $15 on Steam. It’s available on PlayStation and Xbox.
Kingdoms of the Dump
What if an SNES-style RPG hero was garbage? As in literally a trash can, fighting the detritus of a civilization in turn-based combat. With a mix of 2D and pixel animation,Kingdoms of the Dumplooks the part. “Pretty” might be a weird thing to say about a game set in a dump, but it certainly applies here.
Fans of the older Final Fantasy games and Chrono Trigger will find a lot to like here, especially if you’re looking for something a little more avant-garde than the usual anime angst. The creative character and enemy designs are a highlight, and you might get more trashy puns than you can handle.
Kingdoms of the Dumpis $20 on Steam.
Forestrike
Real fist fights aren’t long, back-and-forth dances set to dynamic camerawork. They’re mostly short, brutal, and over in a few seconds.Forestrikeisn’t exactly trying to be realistic — it’s deeply rooted in kung-fu movie tropes, after all. But your goal is to end a fight quickly and decisively, taking little to no damage. How do you do this? Die, die, and die again.
In a setup that will be familiar to players ofKatana Zero, you get future-telling powers that let you experiment, try different approaches, and find the optimal route through roguelike battles. But make sure you’ve got it right before you commit, because if you mess up the final fight, it’s game over.
Forestrikeis $10 on Steam.
