198X similar games & best alternatives

198X - Trailer
198X - 198x_1.avif
198X - 198x_2.avif
198X - 198x_3.avif
198X - 198x_4.avif
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198X - 198x_6.avif

198X

PlayStation 4, PC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox One, Nintendo Switch • 2019

Should you play it?

Part 1 of arcade epic 198X. A coming-of-age story told through multiple games and genres. Experience the thrill of shooting, driving, jumping, fighting and role-playing in 5 full-blown arcade stages – combined with cinematic pixel-art storytelling.

What works

  • Beautiful pixel art and animation
  • Excellent synthwave soundtrack
  • Nostalgic and emotional narrative
  • Varied and well-crafted arcade mini-games
  • Strong voice acting and storytelling

Things to keep in mind

  • Very short gameplay duration
  • Limited replay value
  • Lack of controller support and settings
  • No multiplayer or social features
  • Some gameplay sections can be frustrating or too easy

What to play next

Top picks

Games that feels the closest overall

  • ANONYMOUS;CODE

  • The Happyhills Homicide 2: Out For Blood

  • Terror At Oakheart

  • One Dog Story

  • Gunbrella

  • Omega Strike

More exploratory

Games that feels like 198X but with more exploration of areas and secrets

  • System Shock: Enhanced Edition

  • RUBATO

  • Turbo Kid

  • VirtuaVerse

  • Arzette: The Jewel of Faramore

  • ICEY

More fantastical

Games that feels like 198X but with more imaginative fiction

  • Everhood

  • Shovel Knight: Specter of Torment

  • Nefarious

  • Anomaly Agent

  • Crossing Souls

  • Memories of a Vagabond

More expressive

Games that feels like 198X but with more self-expression and customization

  • Double Kick Heroes

  • UNBEATABLE

  • Soda Girls

  • BLADECHIMERA

  • Jack Move

  • killer7

Choose your own criteria ->

Similarity map

How to compare these games

Compare nearby games

Each card is a nearby game on the similarity map, compared with 198X. Swipe sideways to move between games. Titles already listed in What to play next are left out.

  • Cover and title: open that game’s page.
  • What works / keep in mind: the same highlights as the desktop comparison panel.
  • Bars: the main motivational differences versus this game.
How to use the graph

Similarity map

Each dot is a game placed from its motivation profile relative to this page’s game. Direction shows which motivation differs most; distance along that axis shows how large the gap is.

  • Purple star: this page’s game at the centre — everything is relative to it.
  • Direction: each axis is a main motivational difference vs this game (e.g. more / less competitive).
  • Distance on an axis: how large that difference is (ring scales show +/− points).
  • Coloured chips: click to highlight games that mainly differ on that motivation; click again to reset.
  • Dotted line: link between this page’s game and the one selected for comparison.
  • Hover a dot to preview that game in the panel on the right; click to keep that comparison.
  • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom.

How to read the map This is a polar difference map: direction = which motivation differs, and distance = how much (same units as the sidebar deltas).

Swipe to compare nearby games with 198X. These titles are not in What to play next.

198X: Less representative of its motivational profile, with noticeable differences. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Expression, Fellowship, Cooperation, Competition. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Fantasy, Exploration, Continuation.

Last update: 21/08/2026