Caesar III 1998
Why it still holds upA governor's job of keeping a city thriving is still on offer today.
Simulation games that still hold up
A world with rules underneath, and time to learn them
Games
Caesar III 1998
Why it still holds upA governor's job of keeping a city thriving is still on offer today.
On sale
Tropico 4 2011
Why it still holds upThe eight factions are still groups of people who cannot all be pleased.
In a bundle
Lunar Lander 1979
Why it still holds upLanding gently while the fuel runs out is a simple idea that is still tense today.
On sale
Capitalism Plus 2016
Why it still holds upThe supply chain still leaves the farm, the factory and the shop all yours to connect, or to get wrong.
Elite 1984
Why it still holds upAn open-ended universe still invites a player to set their own course.
ActRaiser 1990
Why it still holds upPopulation growth in the building stages makes the Master stronger for the fighting, a link between the two halves that is still there today.
On sale
NightHawk F-117A Stealth Fighter 2.0 1991
Why it still holds upThe radar still scores a flight on where you were not noticed.
Battlezone 1980
Why it still holds upSteering a tank with two sticks is still a distinct way to play today.
The Sims 3 2009
Why it still holds upA neighborhood that keeps living is still a good place to settle in.
On sale
Hacknet 2015
Why it still holds upTyping every command yourself, scanning, breaking in and digging through files against a countdown, is still what makes it worth playing.
Forza Motorsport 2 2007
Why it still holds upA car you build and paint yourself still gives each career an identity.
Star Wars: X-Wing vs. TIE Fighter 1997
Why it still holds upThe eight players still fly dogfights against people, on whichever side you choose.
The Sims 2000
Why it still holds upWithout a goal to reach, it is still open to whatever household you set up today.
On sale
Overcooked! 2 2018
Why it still holds upEach round is still a scramble to communicate, in kitchens that change under your feet.
On sale
Microsoft Flight Simulator X 2006
Why it still holds upIts range still makes it worth flying today, from a glider to a jumbo jet, with real weather and air traffic control across thousands of airports.
Colony Wars 1997
Why it still holds upA campaign that branches after a lost mission still gives a reason to try it again.
Zoo Tycoon 2001
Why it still holds upAnimals that fight and fences that decay still keep the zoo something to tend.
Animal Crossing: City Folk 2008
Why it still holds upA town that follows the real calendar still gives you a reason to check in each day.
On sale
Patrician III 2002
Why it still holds upThe ladder still leads to the chair at the head of the League, and the choice is which road gets you there.
Prune 2015
Why it still holds upA tree that grows where you cut still gives each level a quiet puzzle.
On sale
MudRunner 2017
Why it still holds upThe mud is the reason to play it now, since it changes under every wheel and turns each delivery into a fight with the ground.
Project CARS 2 2017
Why it still holds upA track that changes from lap to lap is still a good reason to take a seat in the cockpit.
Animal Crossing: Wild World 2005
Why it still holds upA village that follows the real calendar is still worth checking in on today.
Eve Online 2003
Why it still holds upOne shared universe still means every player's war or trade touches someone else's.
The Sims 2 2004
Why it still holds upA home can still change as the household does, with three modes for living, buying and building.
SimCity 2000 1993
Why it still holds upA city that grows both up and down through layers still has plenty to build today.
Garry's Mod 2006
Why it still holds upA world with no goals is still an open invitation to build something today.
Animal Crossing 2001
Why it still holds upA village that follows the calendar is still worth a visit today.
On sale
Assetto Corsa 2014
Why it still holds upTuning every setting of a car still lets you chase small gains.
On sale
Assetto Corsa Competizione 2019
Why it still holds upA single racing class with real teams still gives each race a focused scale.
On sale
Uplink 2001
Why it still holds upThe contracts still make it a hacking game that feels like the films, one job at a time.
Viva Piñata 2006
Why it still holds upA garden full of candy colored animals still makes tending it a cheerful chore.
The Movies 2005
Why it still holds upMaking films with your own stars still gives a management game a creative side.
Populous 1989
Why it still holds upEach level is still a matter of changing the land, with powers that reshape the world and no units to order.
Arma 3 2013
Why it still holds upRealism and a huge sandbox still leave you to plan your own operation.
Oxygen Not Included 2019
Why it still holds upIndirect orders still turn a simple wish for a wire into a chain of small problems.
Mini Metro 2015
Why it still holds upEvery new line is still a bet on where passengers will pile up next.
Plague Inc: Evolved 2015
Why it still holds upRacing a cure still keeps each round tense.
Euro Truck Simulator 2 2012
Why it still holds upLong routes and steady money still give it a calm pace.
Anno 2070 2011
Why it still holds upEcology against industry still gives every city a choice to make.
On sale
Two Point Hospital 2018
Why it still holds upSilly illnesses and a steady loop of building, curing and expanding still keep a hospital busy.
Forager 2019
Why it still holds upThe islands are still bought a square at a time, with the farm running while you go to look at the next one.
On sale
Door Kickers 2014
Why it still holds upThe drawn line still has you draw the raid and then watch whether you drew it right.
On sale
Turmoil 2016
Why it still holds upEach year is still a short race worth running today, against three rivals for the oil under the same town.
On sale
RollerCoaster Tycoon 3 2004
Why it still holds upDesigning a coaster, riding it yourself and testing it again until it is safe for the guests is still what makes it worth playing today.
Black & White 2001
Why it still holds upA god whose deeds shape the world is an idea that is still worth trying.
On sale
Prison Architect 2015
Why it still holds upA sandbox of buildings and schedules still gives you a lot to tinker with.