30 of the Best Pixel Fonts for a Genuine Retro Look
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Pixel fonts are extremely useful when creating a design that’s genuine or true to the 1980s or ’90s. If you played video games from those decades, you know precisely the type of text and lettering that was used.
Thankfully, replicating the look in your own designs is simple, as long as you have the right fonts. In this article, we’ll showcase the best pixel fonts that recreate the glory of retro bitmap typography.
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The Best Pixel Fonts
Here are my favorite premium fonts that are perfect for use when you need a retro pixelated look. They’ll give you designs an authentic retro feel with ease.
If you love fonts, you’ll definitely want to check out Envato Elements. With an Elements subscription, you’ll get unlimited downloads of 39,000+ fonts, plus millions of other resources like WordPress themes, stock photos, graphics, sound effects, and more. It’s the best value you’ll find in the design industry.
Game Over- Modern Pixel-Style Font
Game Over is perfect for designing games, covers, posters, advertisements, t-shirts, and other merchandise. The font has a simple look with moderate pixel effects, so it’s easy to read. You can easily add a 3D effect to get the look shown in the preview image above.
The package includes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, punctuation, symbols, alternates, multi-lingual characters, and a webfont. You’ll need a program (like Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop) that supports OpenType to access the alternate glyphs.
NT Brick Sans
If you’re looking for a thick pixel font with a beautiful retro look, consider NT Brick Sans. It’s perfect for ’80s posters and other retro designs.
The font includes uppercase characters, lowercase characters, alternates, numbers, punctuation, and international characters.
TickerBit – Retro Pixel Font
Here’s a versatile pixel font that can be used for headlines and body copy. The letters are legible but still have a distinct and authentic pixelated appearance.
TickerBit has four variations: regular, italic, mono, and mono italic. You’ll get uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, punctuation, symbols, and accented characters (220+ characters in total). A web font version is also included.
Broken Console
Broken Console is an all-caps geometric font that accurately replicates the look of fonts and letters from classic video games. You’ll find plenty of ways to use this one, so you’ll definitely want to add it to your toolbox.
The download includes three variations: regular, bold, and bold shadow. Each font has uppercase letters, numbers, punctuation, and multi-language support.
Definety
Definety is a sharp, crisp font that you’ll love incorporating into your work. Some letters include pixelated diagonal lines, while the vertical and horizontal lines are straight and crisp. It’s perfect for posters, merchandise, apparel, branding, and more.
The package includes uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, punctuation, and international characters. In total, there are more than 400 glyphs included. A web font version is also available.
Pixel Retro Font
Pixel Retro Font was based on the typography of early video games. It’s excellent for designing your own games, posters, game and book covers, t-shirts, apparel, product packaging, etc. You’ll love the authentic look it provides.
The family includes a single font with uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, punctuation, and multi-lingual characters. A web font version is available.
Alpharush – Retro Gaming Typeface
You may have seen Alpharush on our list of the best gaming fonts. This retro typeface was inspired by 8-bit video games and is ideal for game designs, posters, apparel, and other 1980s-inspired projects.
The font includes uppercase and lowercase characters, numbers, punctuation, and a web font.
March Wotto
March Wotto is an excellent all-caps font with a genuine ’80s feel with lettering that looks like it was pulled straight out of your favorite Nintendo, Sega, or Atari games. It’s perfect for designing retro posters, t-shirts, or titles.
The font comes in OTF, TTF, WOFF, and WOFF2 formats. In addition to uppercase letters, it includes numerals, punctuation, symbols, multi-lingual support, and a web font.
Eight Beats Pixel Font
If you’re looking for a versatile ’80s pixel font that works for headlines and body copy, you’ll appreciate Eight Beats. With a genuine 8-bit appearance, your designs are sure to have an authentic retro feel.
The package includes uppercase characters, lowercase characters, numbers, and punctuation,
Pixelly
Pixelly’s designer calls it a “simple little pixel font.” The lowercase letters can be a bit difficult to read, but the capitals are clear and crisp, making it an excellent choice for headlines.
The font includes lowercase and uppercase letters, numbers, and accented characters. It also comes with extras that can be used for decorative elements. A web font version is also available for purchase.
Bitbybot Font
Bitbybit has an unmistakable pixelated appearance, but the letters are still easy to read. As a result, it’s a versatile font that’s very useful for retro designs or anything that resembles an old video game.
Regular and bold fonts are included. It has uppercase and lowercase characters, numbers, punctuation, symbols, and a web font. The package also comes with bonuses like an icon set and Instagram templates.
Level Up
Level Up is a heavy-weight font ideal for headlines, game titles, app designs, and posters. The download includes uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, punctuation, and symbols. A web font license is also available.
Video Game Font
Video Game Font is appropriately named. It was inspired by games of the 1980s and is sure to give your designs the genuine feeling of nostalgia that you’re after.
It’s an all-caps font that also comes with 17 pixelated Martians that can be used in your designs. It comes in OTF and TTF formats, along with four formats of web fonts (EOT, WOFF, WOFF2, and SVG).
Jaunt: 8-Bit Pixel Font
Jaunt is another versatile pixel font inspired by 8-bit video games. You can use it for many purposes since the letters are easily read. Use it to create a design reminiscent of your favorite games.
It comes with uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and punctuation.
Waves Chunky CPC
Waves Chunky CPC stands out from many other pixel fonts because of its width and fatness. The letters are perfect for headlines in retro posters, game titles, apparel, merchandise, etc.
You’ll get uppercase and lowercase characters, numbers, punctuation, and symbols.
Pixelo
Pixelo has a fun and playful appearance. It’s perfect for retro t-shirt designs, posters, games, product labels, and even branding.
The download includes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numerals, punctuation, and symbols. A web font version can be licensed.
Sabo Pixel Font
Sabo is a unique all-caps pixel font. The bold characters are ideal for headlines, titles, t-shirts, and other apparel.
The package includes two fonts: regular (an outlined font) and filled. As you can see in the preview image, the two styles can be mixed and matched.
Hackbot – Retro Pixelated Font
Hackbot is ideal for titles, headlines, posters, game covers, and other retro designs that call for standout text.
You’ll get uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, punctuation, symbols, alternates, ligatures, and multi-lingual support. A web font version is also included in the download.
Game Over – 8bit Pixel Font
Game Over is a simple all-caps font reminiscent of 1980s and ’90s video games. The letters are easy to read while also displaying the familiar 8-bit pixelation.
The package includes capital letters, numbers, and punctuation. A web font version is available for purchase.
Pixel Arcade
This fun retro font has a unique look while maintaining genuine 8-bit characteristics. You’ll love using Pixel Arcade for retro game designs, posters, flyers, product packaging, merchandise, etc.
The family has three different fonts: display, joystick, and cartridge. They can also be layered and stacked to create even more possibilities. It has uppercase letters, numbers, punctuation, symbols, and international characters. A webfont license is available.
Micro
Micro is a beautiful bold pixel font. The letters are clean with pixelated edges or corners. Use it for headlines, titles, and other text that needs to grab attention.
The font comes in three formats: OTF, TTF, and WOFF (web font). It includes uppercase and lowercase letters, numerals, punctuation, symbols, and multilingual support.
Custle Guard
Custle Guard is a thick heavyweight pixel font that works well for headlines and titles. Use it within game designs, posters, social media images, and other retro-inspired projects.
This is an all-caps font that also includes numbers and basic punctuation. It comes in OTF format.
Pixel Rand
Pixel Rand is a pixel font with a unique style. It comes with uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and punctuation. Use it for headlines or body copy within your retro designs.
Kleyn
This versatile font can be used for headlines or body copy. Every letter includes a pixelated look reminiscent of the ’80s or ’90s.
The download includes two fonts: regular and wide. You’ll get uppercase and lowercase characters, numbers, and basic punctuation. Each font comes in five formats (OTF, TTF, EOT, WOFF, and WOFF2).
Pixes Font
Pixes is perfect for game design, posters, t-shirts, merchandise, product packaging, and branding. It’s an all-caps font with numbers, punctuation, and accented characters. A web font version is also included.
Free Pixel Fonts
Now that we’ve looked at the best pixel fonts available, let’s discuss some free alternatives. Of course, many free fonts are licensed for personal use only, which means they cannot be used in client projects or other business purposes. Be sure to always check the license details before using a free font.
Fipps
Fipps features a drop shadow that gives the letters a 3D look.
Blox BRK Font
Blox BRK is a unique font. The lowercase and uppercase letters are turned at different angles and can be mixed and matched. The lowercase letters include solid lettering with a pixelated 3D look. Uppercase letters have pixelated lettering with a solid shadow.
Unibody 8
The Unibody 8 family includes five fonts (regular, bold, black, italic, and small caps), all created out of blocky pixels.
PixAntiqua
PixAntiqua features pixelated letters in lowercase and uppercase.
Back to 1982 Font
Back to 1982 (free for personal use only) is an outlined font with a shadow that gives a 3D appearance.
Start Using These Pixel Fonts Today
As you can see, there are plenty of options for creating text that resembles classic video games. The best pixel fonts showcased here will take your retro designs to the next level.
I recommend Envato Elements because you can download as many fonts and creative resources as you want (with a commercial use license). Get instant access and begin downloading.
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