Microsoft Unveils Retro Classics on Game Pass, Starting with 50+ Activision Titles from the 80s and 90s

Microsoft has unveiled Retro Classics with Game Pass, a partnership with Antstream Arcade set to reintroduce over 50 iconic Activision games from the 80s and 90s to Game Pass subscribers. Titles such as Commando, Grand Prix, Kaboom!, MechWarrior 2: 31st Century Combat, and Pitfall! are part of this nostalgic collection, with some games dating back 45 years. For the first time ever, players can save their progress and resume later, enhancing accessibility for these classics.

According to Microsoft, Retro Classics with Game Pass represents a significant step in their dedication to game preservation and backward compatibility. This offering will be available across all Game Pass membership tiers in regions where the service is offered.

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View 70 ImagesOver time, Microsoft plans to expand the Retro Classics collection to over 100 games by adding more titles from Activision and Blizzard's extensive archives, with new additions expected monthly.

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

In an official statement, Microsoft emphasized the versatility of the Retro Classics experience, allowing seamless play across consoles, PCs, and cloud gaming-enabled devices like supported LG and Samsung Smart TVs, Amazon Fire TV, and Meta Quest headsets. Subscribers can search for and install the feature via the Xbox app on PC or directly on their console.

Additionally, players can engage in multiplayer modes against friends, rivals, or global competitors, with achievements available for avid collectors. Newcomers will appreciate the ability to save and reload progress, a first for many of these timeless titles.

This announcement follows recent confirmations regarding Wave 2 of Xbox Game Pass’ May 2025 lineup and the reveal that Hellblade 2 will release on PS5 this summer.