Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 23, 2026

NEStalgia

NEStalgia was a massively multiplayer online role-playing game for Microsoft Windows created by American indie developer Silk Games. NEStalgia was launched on February 23, 2011, then released for Steam on April 15, 2014. The core gameplay follows the classic Japanese role-playing game format with turn-based battles, random encounters, and explorable towns and dungeons.

Last revised
Jun 23, 2026
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≈ 3 min
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Wikipedia ↗
NEStalgia
Title screen
DeveloperSilk Games
PublisherSilk Games
DesignerBen Mallahan
EngineBYOND
PlatformMicrosoft Windows
ReleaseFebruary 23, 2011
Steam: April 15, 2014
GenreRole-playing game
ModeMultiplayer

NEStalgia was a massively multiplayer online role-playing game for Microsoft Windows created by American indie developer Silk Games.123 NEStalgia was launched on February 23, 2011,34 then released for Steam on April 15, 2014.56 The core gameplay follows the classic Japanese role-playing game format (particularly Dragon Quest)1 with turn-based battles, random encounters, and explorable towns and dungeons.

Gameplay

There are eight character classes in total. The focus of NEStalgia is a cooperative party system in which players join up to battle monsters and complete quests together.2378

In addition to the classic elements, the game has world chat, a guild system, Player versus player combat, rare items and gear to find, a quest log, and a player auction house for item trading.91011

Development

The game was designed by Ben Mallahan, who has been creating online games using the BYOND game creation system since 2001.1213 NEStalgia was in development for two years, which included an 11-month public beta period. The game was launched on February 23, 2011.4

Since release, NEStalgia has undergone many changes. Notable changes include improved framerate, graphical and interface upgrades, and a "companion" system that allows solo players to recruit and fight alongside most monsters in the game.1415 Although NEStalgia was developed and powered using BYOND, it became downloadable as a standalone game in June 2012.16

NEStalgia was submitted to Steam Greenlight in August 2012.1617 It was Greenlit on August 28, 2013, then launched on Steam on April 15, 2014.618

The last update for the MMO was in September 2016.19 All official game servers have been offline since October 2018.20 The official forum has been offline since December 2019.21

References

References

  1. McElroy, Griffin (2011-02-24). "NEStalgia mixes old school RPGs with new school MMOs". Joystiq. Retrieved 2011-02-27.
  2. North, Dale (2011-02-24). "8-bit MMORPG NEStalgia launches". Destructoid. Retrieved 2011-02-27.
  3. Rose, Michael (2011-02-23). "Online Multiplayer RPG NEStalgia Launches". Indie Games. Archived from the original on 2011-02-27. Retrieved 2011-02-27.
  4. Mallahan, Ben (2011-02-25). "Information & answers for new NEStalgia players". Silk Games. Retrieved 2011-02-27.
  5. Mallahan, Ben (2014-04-06). "NEStalgia v1.68 Released, Steam Coming Soon". Silk Games. Archived from the original on 2014-04-26. Retrieved 2014-04-25.
  6. "NEStalgia on Steam". Silk Games. 2014-04-15. Retrieved 2014-04-25.
  7. Goldman, Tom (2011-02-24). "NEStalgia Takes 8-Bit RPGs Online". The Escapist. Retrieved 2011-02-27.
  8. Tarason, Dominic (2011-11-22). "Freeware Game Pick – NEStalgia: The Retro MORPG". DIY Gamer. Retrieved 2012-09-04.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  9. Kollar, Phil (2011-02-23). "If World Of Warcraft Was An NES Game, It Might Work Something Like This". Game Informer. Archived from the original on February 27, 2011. Retrieved 2011-02-27.
  10. Bobleanta, Vlad (2011-02-24). "NEStalgia is a retro-tastic 8-bit multiplayer online RPG". Download Squad. Retrieved 2011-02-27.
  11. Harac, Ian (2011-11-01). "NEStalgia". PC World. Retrieved 2012-09-04.
  12. Zivalich, Nikole (2011-02-23). "NEStalgia, The Retro MORPG -- MMO And Classic RPG Elements Together At Last". G4tv. Retrieved 2011-02-27.
  13. "About Silk Games". Silk Games. Retrieved 2011-02-27.
  14. "Top Ten Previously Unannounced v1.52 Changes". Silk Games. 18 October 2011. Archived from the original on 2020-08-06. Retrieved 2012-08-09.
  15. Sloka-Frey, Kyle (2012-08-20). "Interview With Ben Mallahan, Lead Designer of NEStalgia". Indie Game Magazine. Archived from the original on 2013-06-20. Retrieved 2012-09-04.
  16. Sloka-Frey, Kyle (2012-08-15). "NEStalgia Looks to Broaden its Horizons". Indie Game Magazine. Archived from the original on 2013-05-28. Retrieved 2012-09-04.
  17. Valentaten, Daav (2012-08-31). "Top 10 Indie Picks For Steam Greenlight". Gamesta. Archived from the original on 2013-01-24. Retrieved 2012-09-04.
  18. "Steam Workshop::August 28th Batch of Greenlit Titles".
  19. "NEStalgia - Steam News Hub".
  20. "NEStalgia".
  21. "Silk Games Forums - Information".
External links