📚 How to Play Retro Game Trivia – Game Modes, FAQ & Tips

Published by RetroTrivia.Games — April 29, 2025

Retro Game Trivia is a free browser-based game where you guess a retro video game once per day. You can try different game modes — each one offering a fun challenge based on classic games, from clues to screenshots to cover art.

Letter Reveal Mode

This mode mixes ideas from Wordle and Hangman. You guess the game title one letter at a time. Every time you guess wrong, you’ll get a new clue.

You don’t need to be a retro expert — clues help players of all skill levels. Try to guess with as few letters and clues as possible, and build your winning streak!

Try Letter Mode here.

Letter Reveal Mode gameplay showing clue and letter slots — In Letter Reveal Mode, each wrong guess unlocks a new clue as you fill in the title letter by letter.

Clue Mode

The most difficult mode. You get 5 clues and must type the game’s full title exactly. If the answer is Fallout and you type Fall out, it’s counted wrong. This mode rewards spelling precision and deep knowledge.

Try Clue Mode here.

Clue Mode gameplay with 5-input guess field and clue text — Clue Mode is the most challenging — you must type the full retro game title correctly.

Box Art Mode

You’ll see part of a game’s original cover art, but sections are hidden. Pick the right game from a short list. It’s great for players who remember retro box art from physical copies or magazines.

Try Box Art Mode here.

Box Art Mode showing cropped cover art and multiple game titles — Box Art Mode challenges you to guess a game based on a partially hidden cover image.

Image Mode

You get a pixelated or retro screenshot. Then pick the correct game from multiple choices. Some are obvious. Others might really test your memory.

Try Image Mode here.

Image Mode showing a pixelated retro game screenshot and answer options — Can you recognize the game from just a screenshot? Image Mode puts your memory to the test.

Tracking Stats

Stats track your win percentage, mode streaks, and how many clues you used. Stats are saved locally to your browser. You can reset anytime — but it wipes your progress!

View Sats here.

Retro Game Trivia stats screen showing wins, streaks, and hint usage — Your Stats page tracks wins, streaks, and average clue usage across all game modes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How are games chosen? Each day, we pick a game that originally launched on this date in history using data from IGDB.
What if the game is obscure? Sometimes you’ll see niche or regional titles — but we prioritize well-known releases.
Can I play older puzzles? Not yet — but support for past puzzles is on the roadmap.
Why just one game per day? We want the game to be a quick daily challenge like Wordle. But bonus modes are planned!
Where is the data from? All titles and info come from IGDB.

Ready to Play?

Start guessing today’s retro game: Play Now!