12 Video Game Compilations We Never Thought We’d Get

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Ignacio Weil

Gaming - October 25th 2025, 19:00 GMT+2

Bubsy in The Purrfect Collection — Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection (2025)

Somehow, against all odds, Bubsy is back – and honestly, it’s kind of beautiful. This compilation bundles together his most infamous adventures, giving the loudmouthed bobcat a chance at redemption through modern emulation, save states, and behind-the-scenes extras. It’s a self-aware nod to a mascot who never quite made it, wrapped in just enough nostalgia to make you smile instead of cringe. The jokes still land awkwardly, the platforming still teeters between fun and frustration – and that’s exactly what makes it charming. It’s Bubsy being Bubsy, and that’s strangely comforting. | © Atari

GEX Trilogy — Gex Trilogy (2025)

Yes, the wise-cracking TV-obsessed gecko is back – because someone, somewhere thought that the mid-90s platformer trilogy starring Gex needed a shiny modern collection. What makes this work? You get all three core games (2D original and the two 3D sequels) with upgraded visuals (native 16:9 widescreen), rewind and save states, bonus materials and the full irreverent “Gex” attitude baked in. It’s quirky because Gex was never quite top-tier in platforming royalty, but that’s precisely why this compile feels refreshing – no pretence, just pure retro oddness. And hey, if you’ve been meaning to play Gex for the first time, or revisit it with modern touches, this might be your moment. | © Limited Run Games

Cropped Monty Mole — The Monty Mole Collection (2024)

Here’s one for the true retro buff: the unexpected resurrection of Britain’s underground rodent star, Monty Mole. The collection corrals the original trilogy (*Wanted! Monty Mole, Monty on the Run, Auf Wiedersehen Monty*) plus two bonus micro-titles (the seasonal Moley Christmas and *Sam Stoat: Safebreaker*). It’s charmingly niche: these games debuted on 8-bit home micros, not consoles, so seeing them packaged today feels like archeology. While controls and presentation aren’t flawless, the novelty factor is high if you enjoy digging into lesser-known platformers. You’ll play it partly for the gameplay, partly for the “wow, I remember this obscure thing” feeling. Definitely one for the retro mission-accomplished list. | © Pixel Games UK

Capcom Fighting Collection (2022)

If you love getting your teeth into classic arcade-style fighting games, this one delivers big: this collection from Capcom pulls together ten vintage fighters (including the full *Darkstalkers* series, *Hyper Street Fighter II*, *Cyberbots, Red Earth*) all wrapped with modern conveniences like online multiplayer, training modes, and art galleries. The magic here: you’re not just dusting off classics; you’re getting the chance to explore obscure entries from a major fighting-game studio with ease. Whether you’re a seasoned fighter fan or a newcomer curious about the genre’s past, this collection has something. It’s efficient, fun, and feels like a love-letter to a genre often overshadowed by newer glitz. | © Capcom

Turrican Flashback 2021 — Turrican Flashback (2021)

“Run-and-gun action from the 16-bit era, revived” would be a decent summary – but there’s more to this one. The collection gathers four entries from the legendary (yet under-appreciated) Turrican series, known for huge levels, blasting action and an iconic soundtrack by Chris Huelsbeck. You get modern touches: save states, rewind, widescreen filters, CRT emulation options – all wrapped up in one package. While the gameplay is still tough and the visuals raw by today’s standards, the value here is in preserving something special that might’ve been lost to time. If you appreciate game-history gems, this one’s a quiet win. | © ININ Games

Cropped NAMCO MUSEUM ARCHIVES — Namco Museum Archives Vol. 1 & 2 (2020)

Two volumes of retro arcade hoarding gold: the venerable Bandai Namco Entertainment digging into its vaults to offer NES/Famicom versions of classics (*Pac-Man, Galaxian, Dig Dug, Dragon Spirit: The New Legend* and others) many of which were never properly released west. It’s ideal for retro fans who like “how did they pull that off on NES hardware?” moments, or for players curious to experience the arcade era in its early home-console form. Bonus points: the authenticity feels genuine; this isn’t just a “greatest hits”, but a vault-dig of nostalgia. If you’re exploring gaming’s roots, this collection is a treasure trove. | © Bandai Namco Entertainment

Cropped The Bitmap Brothers Collection 2020 — The Bitmap Brothers Collection (2020)

There’s something poetic about a team once dubbed the “rock stars of gaming” getting their own victory lap decades later. *The Bitmap Brothers Collection* bundles together cult favorites like *Speedball*, *The Chaos Engine*, and *Xenon 2: Megablast*, reminding everyone that cool metallic aesthetics and thumping soundtracks weren’t born in the modern era. It’s a love letter to chunky pixels and industrial design wrapped in genuine swagger. The games still play fast and weirdly well, and seeing them treated with this much respect feels almost rebellious in a market obsessed with polish. Not every title has aged gracefully – but that’s half the charm. | © Rebellion Developments

Cropped Konami Arcade Classics Anniversary Collection — Konami Arcade Classics Anniversary Collection (2019)

Before *Castlevania* became an empire and *Contra* turned every kid into an action hero, Konami was churning out arcades that ate coins like candy. This collection dives into that wild period with a tight selection of shmups and action titles, all given crisp emulation and extra love through modern menus and galleries. It’s not the biggest anthology, but what it lacks in volume it makes up for in arcade punch. Playing *Gradius* or *Life Force* again feels like rediscovering the DNA of gaming itself. There’s an honesty here – a small, well-curated shrine to Konami’s roots that hits harder than expected. | © Konami

Cropped SNK 40th Anniversary Collection 2018 — SNK 40th Anniversary Collection (2018)

SNK could’ve easily rested on its *King of Fighters* legacy, but instead it went way back – before the Neo Geo, before fighting games ruled the arcades. This anthology revives the company’s earliest hits like *Crystalis* and *Ikari Warriors*, wrapping them in beautiful museum-style menus, rewind features, and historical tidbits that make the whole thing feel like a time capsule. It’s thoughtful without being stuffy, nostalgic without feeling forced. Few collections pull off this balance between preservation and fun quite so effortlessly. You’ll come for the arcade action, but stay for the sense of discovery. | © NIS America / SNK Corporation

Cropped Atari Flashback Classics 2018 — Atari Flashback Classics (2018)

This is the kind of compilation that makes your living room feel like an ‘80s arcade exploded inside it. Featuring over 150 games across Atari’s most famous systems, it’s less a “greatest hits” and more a “complete archaeological dig.” From *Asteroids* to *Yars’ Revenge*, it captures both the magic and the madness of the company that started it all. Sure, a few games show their age – but there’s something mesmerizing about booting up those minimalist graphics and realizing how much modern gaming owes to them. If you want a single download that is gaming history, this is it. | © Atari SA

Midway Arcade Origins 2012 — Midway Arcade Origins (2012)

If your idea of nostalgia involves sticky arcade floors and the sound of endless quarters dropping, this one hits home. *Midway Arcade Origins* brings together over 30 of the studio’s most chaotic coin-ops – from *Rampage* to *Gauntlet –* and packs them onto modern systems with all the charm intact. The presentation’s a bit barebones, but that simplicity actually fits the subject: these games don’t need gloss to be fun. There’s a rawness to the experience, a reminder of a time when gameplay was everything. It’s not perfect, but neither were the arcades – and that’s why it feels right. | © Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment

Cropped Data East Arcade Classics 2010 — Data East Arcade Classics (2010)

Some compilations chase prestige; this one just wants to have fun. *Data East Arcade Classics* is a rowdy, wonderfully uneven trip through 15 arcade hits that defined the scrappy side of the ’80s scene. Where else can you jump from *BurgerTime* to *Bad Dudes* to *Caveman Ninja* in a single session? It’s goofy, energetic, and proudly unpolished – exactly how Data East always was. The Wii release might not scream “definitive,” but its spirit absolutely does. These were games made for joy, not legacy, and getting them all in one place feels like finding a forgotten jukebox still playing your favorite songs. | © Majesco Entertainment

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Let’s be honest – most video game compilations are like that one surprise guest at a party: unexpected, slightly awkward, but weirdly fascinating. Over the years, developers have bundled up their old, unloved, or just plain weird games into shiny new packages, hoping nostalgia (or curiosity) might finally give them a second life. And sometimes… it actually works.

In this list, we’re celebrating the most unexpected of these re-releases – the ones no one asked for, yet somehow exist anyway. From forgotten platformers to experimental flops turned cult classics, these compilations prove that in gaming, nothing is ever truly left behind. So grab your controller, and let’s dive into the strangest blasts from the past we never saw coming.