It is a throwback to simpler, easy times – getting high and playing OG video games….
Gen Z is known for valuing sustainability and avoiding overconsumption, making secondhand and vintage items appealing, so they have a through back look, but another generation is also looking backwards fondly. Retro gaming while consuming cannabis is on the rise. A new millennial trend has emerged—pairing retro video games with a mellow high and a curated playlist of nostalgic music. It’s part comfort, part dopamine boost, and all about chasing the joy of simpler times.
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Whether it’s a solo night with a Game Boy or a four-player throwdown on an old Nintendo 64, millennials are rediscovering the magic of the past—with weed in hand and speakers turned up. Games like GoldenEye 007, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2, and Kirby’s Dream Land finding new love from today’s gamers.
The shift is easy to understand: With adult responsibilities piling up and daily stress at an all-time high, many millennials are embracing activities that feel safe, familiar, and dopamine-rich. Cannabis enhances that experience, making gameplay more immersive and even emotionally resonant.
“It’s less about getting stoned and more about feeling grounded,” says Rachel, 34, a Portland-based designer who hosts weekly retro gaming nights. “You fire up Super Smash Bros, share a joint, put on an old MGMT track, and suddenly you’re 19 again—but without the finals.”
To match the mood, music is essential. Below is a cannabis-friendly playlist built for three stages of your night: the mellow warm-up, the mid-session nostalgia spike, and the chill comedown.
Level 1: Warm-Up – Light and Uplifting
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“Electric Feel” – MGMT
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“Float On” – Modest Mouse
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“Young Folks” – Peter Bjorn and John
Level 2: Peak High – Nostalgia Boosters
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“Feel Good Inc.” – Gorillaz
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“Paper Planes” – M.I.A.
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“1901” – Phoenix
Level 3: Cool Down – Soft and Spacey
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“Sunset Lover” – Petit Biscuit
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“Night Owl” – Galimatias
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“Weird Fishes/Arpeggi” – Radiohead
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More than just entertainment, these cannabis-powered gaming nights have become a form of self-care—an easy ritual that blends relaxation, nostalgia, and connection. For a generation known for anxiety and burnout, it’s a reminder that joy can be simple: a few friends, an old console, and the right playlist.
