The ‘90s were an iconic era for pop culture – and nowhere was that more true than in videogames. Legendary 16-bit series such as Super Mario and Sonic the Hedgehog hit their platforming peak in the first half of the decade, before 3D graphics swept in and blew our minds with some of the most unforgettable role-playing stories and immersive worlds ever seen onscreen.

Games from this era have stood the test of time, remaining just as incredible to revisit today as they were when we first played them 30-odd years ago. As proof, dive back into these classics, made even easier to pick up on mobile – no need to blow into a cartridge or bust out a CD wallet.

Pokémon was the videogame series of the ‘90s, causing a pop-culture phenomenon across games, TV and trading cards that has continued to this day. The monster-catching game’s latest incarnation, Pokémon TCG Pocket, is the perfect way for OG fans to relive their memories of swapping Charizards in the playground and hunting for Mew in booster packs.

The app captures the joy of tearing open packs of cards, organising your collection and battling your deck against rival Trainers. With simplified rules, the chance to exchange cards with friends and the ability to view your shiny cards up close in glorious 3D, it arguably makes the Pokémon Trading Card Game even better than you remember, too.

When it comes to racing games, Mario Kart has been in pole position in our hearts since the Goomba-squishing plumber and pals first hit the track in 1992. More than three decades later, we still can’t beat the rush of dropping a banana in front of a rival racer, sending them spinning with a red shell or pulling off the perfect corner drift.

Mario Kart Tour zooms beyond the Mushroom Kingdom to add circuits inspired by real-life cities to some of the iconic tracks you remember from across the Mario Kart series. You’ll find all the characters you know and love – along with their vehicles to unlock – plus plenty of different modes to try, from classic races to competitive battles and tricky challenge courses to test your driving skills. Wahoo!

Why revisit just one videogame from the ‘90s, when you can replay hundreds of classics in a single app? Antstream Arcade puts an instant collection of retro games in your hand, letting you jump straight in to games you remember from consoles including the Super Nintendo, PlayStation, Game Boy, Mega Drive and more.

From the intense action of Metal Slug and hilarious chaos of Worms to the epic adventures of Super Star Wars and classic Disney platformers such as Aladdin and The Lion King, Antstream Arcade’s library boasts thousands of games from decades past. Best of all, each game is streamed direct to your device, making it effortless to hop between games as you take a trip through memory lane.

Wololo! Age of Empires let us lead our very own civilisation from the primitive Stone Age through to medieval times and beyond, pitting armies against each other in a race to develop advanced technology, construct thriving settlements and marvellous wonders, and crush those who stood in our way.

The real-time historical strategy game has made its own journey through the ages, too. Age of Empires Mobile stays true to the sweeping battles and unique civilisations of its predecessors, while bringing things into the modern era with touch controls and bite-size play sessions ideal for on the go. Build your civilisation, defend against attacks, form alliances and see if your empire will stand the test of time.

The Blue Blur was a ‘90s icon from the moment he sped into Green Hill Zone. But it was in sequel Sonic the Hedgehog 2 that Sonic properly cemented his legacy as the biggest platforming game since Mario, joining forces with peppy fox friend Tails for the first time to collect the Chaos Emeralds and stop the nefarious Doctor Robotnik.

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 Classic is the best way to step back into Sonic’s shoes, faithfully bringing the exhilarating levels as you remember them to iPhone and iPad, along with some brand-new features. Measure your score against the world with online leaderboards, jam along to a remastered version of the toe-tapping soundtrack, save your game and take control of Sonic sidekicks Tails and Knuckles. Don’t forget: you’ve gotta go fast!

Baldur’s Gate marked many players’ first experience of Dungeons & Dragons’ Forgotten Realms, bringing the rich world, deep tactical combat and captivating storytelling of the dice-rolling fantasy game to an epic videogame adventure. Journey across the Sword Coast with a party of companions to the titular city of Baldur’s Gate to solve the mysterious death of the group’s mentor and avert a deadly conspiracy.

The Enhanced Edition of the ‘90s role-playing masterpiece overhauls its controls and gameplay for mobile, making it the definitive way to play. You’ll also find brand-new corners of the world to explore and fresh faces to encounter on top of the original game’s epic story and its expansion, Tales of the Sword Coast. When it comes to ’90s adventures, they don’t come bigger or better than Baldur’s Gate.