Retro Bowl Download: App, PC, Mac & Switch Guide (2026)

You can download Retro Bowl officially on mobile devices and Nintendo Switch, or play it directly on PC and Mac through your web browser without downloading any software. Developer New Star Games made official apps for iOS and Android, a Nintendo Switch edition and an official browser version on Poki and Kongregate, but no desktop installer was found.

Where to download Retro Bowl (official versions)

New Star Games, the UK studio of Simon Read (creator of New Star Soccer), released Retro Bowl on mobile app stores in January 2020. The in-game credits attribute design and code to Simon Read, art to @pixelnfl, and music to Heatley Bros. If you want to play on a smartphone, tablet, or console, verified downloads are available across major digital storefronts.

On iPhone and iPad, you can install the free app from Apple's App Store. Android players can install the verified release through Google Play. Both mobile apps are free to install. For console players, New Star Games released a paid digital edition on the Nintendo Switch eShop. Apple Arcade subscribers can also access subscription editions directly through the service.

Official download platforms and destinations include:

iPhone and iPad: Free mobile app on the App Store.
Android devices: Free mobile download on Google Play.
Nintendo Switch: Paid digital download on the Nintendo eShop.
Apple Arcade: Available to subscribers as Retro Bowl+ and annual NFL editions with paid features unlocked and no ads.
Web browser: Free instant play with no install required on Poki, Kongregate, and the home page of retrobowl.me.

Retro Bowl on PC, Mac, Windows and Chromebook

Many players search for a native Retro Bowl download for Windows, macOS, or Steam, but no official desktop version was found when we checked in November 2026: no official .exe, .dmg or Steam release from New Star Games. If you want to play on a PC, Mac, Windows laptop, or Chromebook, you do not need to download or install third-party files.

Instead, you can play the official browser game directly on your computer. Developer New Star Games published official web editions on Poki and Kongregate, and retrobowl.me runs the same free browser game. In the browser you get the same passing, running, kicking and front-office decisions, your save stays in that browser, and nothing is installed on the computer.

Free app vs Unlimited Version vs Retro Bowl+

The standard mobile app on iOS and Android is free to download. Inside the free app, New Star Games offers an optional in-app purchase called the Unlimited Version.

According to the game's internal text, the Unlimited Version "Unlocks Team Editor, Weather and Kick Returns, Coaching Credits x 25". In other words, it adds the Team Editor, weather and kick returns to your games and puts 25 Coaching Credits in your account. The mobile app also sells optional packs of Coaching Credits.

Retro Bowl+ offers an alternative model on Apple Arcade. Launched in June 2023, it includes the base game with the unlimited version at no extra cost. Because Apple Arcade excludes ads and microtransactions, Retro Bowl+ includes the Team Editor, weather effects, and kick returns with no in-app purchases required.

NFL Retro Bowl and Retro Bowl College apps

In addition to the original game, New Star Games expanded the series into college and licensed pro football. For college football fans, the studio launched Retro Bowl College (iPhone app name "RB College") on September 18, 2023 on iOS and Android. Retro Bowl College+ arrived on Apple Arcade on August 6, 2026 with paid features unlocked. Read our Retro Bowl College guide for more details.

For licensed professional football, New Star Games launched NFL Retro Bowl '25 on Apple Arcade on September 5, 2024 as a relaunch of Retro Bowl+ with official NFL and NFLPA licenses. NFL Retro Bowl '26 followed on September 4, 2025, and NFL Retro Bowl '27 released on September 3, 2026 with Gauntlet Mode. These NFL editions are exclusive to Apple Arcade on iPhone and iPad, with no Android or browser release.

Is there a Retro Bowl 2 or Retro Bowl 3?

As of November 2026, New Star Games has not announced a Retro Bowl 2 or Retro Bowl 3. The series continues through updates to the original, yearly Apple Arcade NFL editions, and Retro Bowl College. An update on February 9, 2023 added Exhibition mode, letting you pick two teams and play a single game against the CPU or local pass-and-play with a friend on one device.

Any downloads posted as "Retro Bowl 2" or "Retro Bowl 3" are unofficial. retrobowl.me hosts one labelled fan game: Retro Bowl Fan-made by adove15. New Star Games also developed the retro soccer title Retro Goal, released on mobile in 2021 and Nintendo Switch on November 24, 2022, but it is not playable on retrobowl.me.

Avoid fake downloads and mod APKs

Sites offering a "Retro Bowl PC download", .exe files, or "mod APK" downloads are not from New Star Games. Downloading modified files carries real risks of malware, corrupted save data, and game crashes.

To protect your devices and saves, stick to official app stores or browser play. If you want to learn how Coaching Credits work and find safe ways to manage your team, read our Retro Bowl cheats guide.

Release timeline

The following chronological timeline covers official Retro Bowl releases and major updates from New Star Games:

January 17, 2020: Retro Bowl releases on iPhone and iPad (App Store) and Android (Google Play).
2021: New Star Games releases Retro Goal on iOS and Android.
February 10, 2022: Retro Bowl releases on the Nintendo Switch eShop.
November 24, 2022: Retro Goal launches on Nintendo Switch.
February 9, 2023: Exhibition mode update adds single-game exhibition play against the CPU or local two-player pass-and-play on one device.
June 23, 2023: Retro Bowl+ launches on Apple Arcade with the Unlimited Version included at no extra cost.
September 18, 2023: Retro Bowl College (RB College) releases on iOS and Android.
September 5, 2024: NFL Retro Bowl '25 launches on Apple Arcade with official NFL and NFLPA licenses.
September 4, 2025: NFL Retro Bowl '26 releases on Apple Arcade.
August 6, 2026: Retro Bowl College+ arrives on Apple Arcade with paid features unlocked.
September 3, 2026: NFL Retro Bowl '27 launches on Apple Arcade featuring Gauntlet Mode.

Retro Bowl download: frequently asked questions

Can I download Retro Bowl on PC or Mac?

No official downloadable Retro Bowl installer exists for Windows, macOS, or Steam. You can play the complete game directly in your browser on this website with no install required.

Is Retro Bowl free to download on mobile?

Yes, the mobile app is free to download on both iOS and Android. It offers an optional in-app purchase called the Unlimited Version that unlocks the Team Editor, weather effects, kick returns, and 25 Coaching Credits.

Is Retro Bowl available on Nintendo Switch?

Yes, Retro Bowl released on the Nintendo Switch eShop on February 10, 2022. It is a paid digital download on the Nintendo platform.

What is Retro Bowl+ on Apple Arcade?

Retro Bowl+ launched on Apple Arcade on June 23, 2023 as the base game with the unlimited version at no extra cost. It requires an Apple Arcade subscription and features no advertisements or in-app purchases.

Is there an official Retro Bowl 2 or Retro Bowl 3?

No, New Star Games has not announced Retro Bowl 2 or Retro Bowl 3. The developer supports the original title through regular updates, the Retro Bowl College spin-off, and annual Apple Arcade NFL releases.

Can you download NFL Retro Bowl on Android?

No, the NFL Retro Bowl editions ('25, '26, and '27) are exclusive to Apple Arcade for iPhone and iPad. There is no official Android or browser version for the licensed NFL game.

Sources

retrobowl.me is a fan site and is not affiliated with New Star Games, the NFL or Apple. Checked November 2, 2026.

Retro Bowl Download Guide — App, PC, Mac & Switch

Retro Bowl (classic)