A surprise indie hit, "Retro Rewind - Video Store Simulator" has become one of the best releases on Steam this March. Developed by a two-person team in Canada, the management sim has already sold over 100,000 copies, making it one of the platform's most successful recent indie launches.
Released on March 17, the game taps into strong nostalgia for the VHS era, letting players manage a classic video rental store inspired by the golden age of Blockbuster. Its simple but addictive gameplay loop helped it climb Steam's top sellers list, even during the competitive Spring Sale period.
Competing VHS Simulator Enters Early Access
Just days before its rise, another title, "Rewind 99," launched on March 11 in Steam Early Access. Like "Retro Rewind," it focuses on managing a VHS rental store, but takes a more experimental direction.
According to Polygon, "Rewind 99" brings store management with RPG progression systems, open-world exploration, and NPC interactions. It also includes co-op gameplay and leans heavily into humor, contrasting with Retro Rewind's more grounded nostalgic tone.
Developers describe it as a hybrid between a sandbox RPG and a simulation game, offering players more freedom but a less traditional management focus.
Steam Performance: Which is More Popular?
Despite their similarities, "Retro Rewind" has clearly taken the lead in popularity. The game has accumulated thousands of active players and widespread coverage from streamers and gaming creators.
"Rewind 99," meanwhile, has reached a peak of around 1,100 concurrent players and gathered a smaller but still positive review base, earning a "Very Positive" rating on Steam.
Why Similar Games Keep Appearing
The overlap between the two titles suggests a growing trend on Steam: indie developers independently exploring similar nostalgic concepts. With thousands of games launching monthly, it's increasingly common for near-identical ideas to emerge around the same time.
Upcoming projects like "Video Store Simulator" suggest that VHS-era management games are becoming a niche genre of their own. We might see more titles like this in the future.
Competition Without Conflict
Despite comparisons, both development teams continue actively updating their games with new features and fixes. The creators of "Rewind 99" have even outlined long-term development plans, aiming for a full release in 2028, depending on player feedback.
