The Most Enjoyable I’ve Ever Had With AI Is Vibe Coding Retro Video Video games. This is How I Did It

Google says Gemini 3 can do a variety of issues, and whereas I do not doubt that for a second, my curiosity within the newest AI mannequin was minimal at greatest. Frankly, my greatest curiosity within the newest model of Gemini is what it will do for NotebookLM, my favourite AI tool.

However when my editor informed me he vibe coded a Minesweeper remake, my wheels began spinning, and ultimately went off the rails. I would already had some expertise with vibe coding with Gemini and walked away glad with the outcomes, however the challenge itself was sensible and extra of a proof of idea than real curiosity. Throwing gaming into the combo, particularly old-school video games from my childhood — that modifications issues. 

I made a decision to mess around with Gemini’s vibe coding powers, and I could not have had a greater time. I by no means anticipated gold, and that is not what I obtained. But it surely was sufficient to fulfill my retro gaming wishes. Better of all, all the pieces it spat out was playable inside an internet browser. From a reworked Chip’s Problem to an 8-bit Tomba! and a really primary, 3D idea of the primary Silent Hill sport, this may be essentially the most enjoyable I’ve ever had with AI — and I barely scratched the floor. 

Beneath, I am going to go over what I did, together with how simple it was to code and make edits simply by chatting with Gemini. 

Gemini 3 feels extra succesful and thorough

Having a dialog with Gemini 3 feels totally different. The chatbot appears extra conscious of context and is ready to handle sure points you may need as follow-up questions within the first go. Earlier variations of Gemini might additionally do that, however Gemini 3 merely appears to be extra thorough with its responses. And that is simply in regard to having an everyday dialog about any specific topic. For my experiments, Gemini went above and past at not solely explaining the technical (above my head) stuff, but additionally breaking it down into easier-to-understand items when it was making a sport for me. 

As an example, in the midst of my testing, I requested if it might bundle one in all these video games into an Android Bundle Equipment file format, so I might sideload it to my cellphone. Gemini informed me it could not do this, however requested if I would like some steps on find out how to do it, and I stated sure. After it generated the sport I requested for, it created a separate doc with steps on find out how to convert the HTML file it offered me into an APK utilizing a wide range of instruments, damaged down into effort ranges. I did not go additional past this level; I nonetheless felt like this was a Gemini I hadn’t chatted with earlier than.

The price of nostalgia

If you happen to’ve ever wished to relive previous video video games of your previous and have visited a specialty retro gaming retailer, an unsettling actuality comes into view. Previous video games can get extremely costly. In my visits to a number of shops seeking unique Silent Hill titles, I’ve discovered I would have to drop someplace close to $500 simply to purchase two of them — and that is if I have been fortunate sufficient to search out them in inventory. And if you do not have the console to play them on, anticipate to pay much more, or be okay with the titles turning into a part of a group and nothing extra.

Making an attempt to know on the tendrils of a youthful self’s previous pleasure comes at a value, and it should be out of attain for many individuals. This is the place AI would possibly have the ability to assist protect these video games — or not less than the reminiscence of them — as they grow to be more durable to search out and costlier as they age. There is a purpose Gemini and different LLMs are so good at remaking previous video games: They’re educated on huge portions of textual content and code, nearly actually together with the supply code for these video games. 

For the needs of my checks, I deliberately requested Gemini to create “demakes” of previous video games: stripped-down, simplified variations which can be primarily playable proof of ideas. 

Gemini channeled my childhood with a number of “demakes” 

As soon as I noticed precisely what Gemini might do, the sport was on. I instantly tapped into the old-school video games that got here preinstalled on Home windows. For essentially the most half, the top end result with only one move was quick and playable, however the AI wanted extra directions to make one thing price anybody’s time. Nonetheless, I used to be impressed with lots of Gemini’s first drafts and knew they’d solely get higher with refinement. 

Chip’s Problem

One sport I have not seen get any type of remake therapy within the App Retailer or Google Play is Chip’s Problem. If you happen to have been a Home windows 3.1 consumer, you most likely know this sport — even in the event you do not suppose you do. 

Run round to get keys to the subsequent stage, keep away from enemies, the top. Gemini slapped collectively one thing paying homage to this sport in its first attempt, and I am pretty assured it’d have the ability to give it a full remake with sufficient directions. 

Jezzball

Jezzball is the proper time killer and is as enjoyable at this time because it was many years in the past. Attempt to seize not less than 75% of the area by constructing partitions with strains with out getting hit by one of many continually bouncing balls throughout the area. 

8-Bit Tomba!

Considered one of my all-time favourite PlayStation 1 video games is Tomba! I would first performed the primary stage on a demo assortment disc for the primary PlayStation and received hooked. I’ve emulated Tomba! on my cellphone and pill over time, however in 2024, a remake — formally known as the Particular Version — was launched and is now out there on PC, PS5 and Change. In Tomba!, you play because the titular pink-haired hero on a quest to save lots of the world from evil pigs.

Gemini channeled the essence of what an 8-bit model of Tomba! can be on its first attempt. It was very stripped down, however the stage identify, Tomba’s skills and small collectibles have been all there.

Silent Hill

Gemini made me so many enjoyable and easy demakes, so I wished to up the ante. I requested it to remake the primary Silent Hill — in essence. I wasn’t anticipating a full-fledged sport right here, however I wished it to be one thing higher than the earlier video games it had made, and in 3D this time. 

Gemini understood the task, telling me: “To do Silent Hill justice, we can’t simply make a sport; we should create an ambiance.”

Gemini created the sport in three iterations and appeared to interrupt it into phases. First, the ambiance. The demake channels the unique by including a layer of fog to purposely create a barrier from what you’ll be able to see forward of you. What was a technical limitation from the unique Silent Hill nonetheless makes for an ideal impact at this time. Add within the falling snow, and a few constructions resembling buildings and bushes, and we have been off to a superb begin for a demake of this nature. 

Subsequent got here extra vital elements of the Silent Hill collection. The static-filled radio, the power to swing a metal pipe and an enemy to combat. Gemini already had this in its queue, however wished to test in with me to guarantee that this was what I wished — and I could not have agreed extra. The one a part of this that wanted adjusting was the enemy. Within the first run via, it was only a cube-shaped blob, which hardly resembled something intimidating sufficient to swing a pipe at. Gemini tweaked it to look just a little bit extra like a creature, though it nonetheless resembled one thing far much less scary than something within the unique video games. 

Then got here the ultimate touches. Silent Hill would not be the collection it’s with out its music, and Gemini knew this. It created two audio information — one low frequency it dubbed “the drone” and one excessive frequency it dubbed “the scrape.” The music is unsettling sufficient to maintain you barely on edge. One other quintessential piece of the collection is its puzzles, however Gemini did not go too complicated right here and simply threw in a key that may very well be discovered whereas strolling. 

Lastly, the shift to the “otherworld.” Gemini made this a handbook possibility that shifts the fog to purple and rusts the partitions — all with a wailing siren within the background.

This is how to do this for your self (and why you need to)

If you wish to ask Gemini to recreate an previous online game — or any kind of sport (I had it make a contact model of Hungry Hungry Hippos) — you will need to make certain your settings are configured appropriately.

Subsequent to the textual content subject the place you discuss to Gemini, you will need to take a look at the mannequin you are utilizing. You possibly can select between “Quick” and “Pondering” fashions, however for creating video games, you will most likely need to select the latter. The “Pondering” mannequin (Gemini 3) goes to offer extra in-depth data and can dig deeper into creating no matter you need it to. The Quick mannequin, Gemini 2.5 Flash, will not spend fairly as lengthy on the duty. 

When asking Gemini to create a sport that is playable in your cellphone or inside an internet browser, you will most likely need to ask the AI to present you an HTML file. 

I attempted ChatGPT, too

In an extremely unfair check, I requested ChatGPT (the free model) to recreate Tomba! In 8-bit, it shortly delivered a crude however playable, easy sport. It lacked all of the styling of the sport that Gemini nailed on the primary attempt, together with the power to make use of his weapon, and extra. 

After I requested ChatGPT to make the extent and characters look higher, as a substitute of updating the code, it generated a picture. After I corrected it with my intentions, it went to work updating the fashion and colours of the sport. This model was higher when it comes to fashion however lacked any type of polish Gemini added after I requested the identical precise query for the second iteration. I would be curious to see how significantly better the most recent ChatGPT fashions would fare on this check.