Since the ‘80s and ‘90s, gaming and sneaker culture have been deeply intertwined. Through exciting collaborations and custom designs, sneakerheads have showcased their love for gaming on their favorite kicks—and vice versa. Iconic retro sneakers have even made appearances in video games like GTA and Fortnite. This list celebrates the best gaming-inspired sneaker creations, featuring 10 must-have pairs that every gamer will love.
1. Tekken 8 x Nike Air Foamposite One
Nike and Bandai Namco are adding another gem to their “Fist Meets Fate” collection with a fresh TEKKEN 8 x Nike Air Foamposite One sneaker. We’ve already been introduced to the Kazuya Mishima-inspired pair, but now, the duo has unveiled a new design that truly amps up the competition. To learn more: Tekken 8 x Nike Air Foamposite One
2. Air Jordan 1 ‘Xbox’
The uber-limited Air Jordan 1 ‘Xbox’ quietly walked onto the E3 2018 showroom floor and immediately caused trouble. Coming right after the Nike Air Force 1 ‘PlayStation’, this pair leaned into flex without shouting. Glow-in-the-dark outsoles lit up like a dashboard at night, while Xbox logos sat on the insoles and lace tips for anyone paying attention. Resale prices jumped fast, the internet did its thing, and the shoes later resurfaced at auction to support Huntington’s Disease research.
3. Nike Air Force 1 ‘PlayStation’ (2018)
Sony’s PlayStation 2 dropped in 2000 and still hasn’t been topped, selling 155 million consoles and ruining many sleep schedules, probably yours too. Nike tapped that legacy for an Air Force 1 that showed up at E3 2018, borrowing cues from the DualShock 2. You see it in the glossy patent matte leather, the holographic gel Swoosh, and the sacred symbols on the heel.
4. AIR SNES Nike Sneakers
Every now and then a sneaker shows up and makes you question why your shoes can’t do more. The Nike AIR SNES does that. Gustavo Bonzanini looked at a pair of Nike Air Max 90s and decided your feet deserved console power. Built for the Super Nintendo’s 35th anniversary, tied to its 1990 Japan launch as the Super Famicom, the shoe hides a Raspberry Pi Zero W in the tongue. RetroPie runs the games. Battery life hits about 30 minutes, so plan wisely. Bonzanini even used RCA cables to “make the design feel like it could exist in 1990.” You could literally unplug a shoe and beat Bowser. Read more about the AIR SNES here.
5. Air Jordan 4 ‘NES’
If you’re a retro gaming fan, there is no way you can look past these nostalgic Air Jordan 4 “NES” sneakers. Classic game titles that gripped gamers for endless hours feature prominently on the tongue. On the right shoe, you’ll notice a Super Mario Bros. patch, while Duck Hunt decorates the left. To learn more: Air Jordan 4 ‘NES’
6. Nike Air Force 1 ‘Playstation’ (2006)
Locked at $4,000 on StockX, the original Air Force 1 PlayStation still feels unreal. This Friends and Family pair landed during peak console tension, right before the PlayStation 3 launch and a year after the Xbox 360 hit shelves. Only 150 pairs existed, each numbered, dressed in piano black patent leather that looked sharper than most TVs in 2006. Kobe Bryant owned a pair, of course.
7. Nike SB ‘Black Myth Wukong’
If you know the game well, you’ll instantly recognise that this pair is directly inspired by the protagonist and his Monkey King armour set. The base features a soft, ashy hue and scale-like accents on the quarter panels to mimic the armour’s plating. This spectacular homage to the “Black Myth: Wukong” adventure game is brought to an end with a sail midsole and red rubber outsole combo. To learn more: Nike SB Black Myth Wukong
8. Air Force 1 “Minecraft”
These Minecraft x Air Force 1 sneakers feature the iconic pixelated design that fans have come to know and love. The design also includes an image of the character positioned on the shoe’s lateral side, directly beneath the Nike swoosh as well as the word “Minecraft” printed onto the mudguard. To learn more: Air Force 1 Minecraft
9. Air Jordan 5 “Playstation 5”
The design clearly draws inspiration from the classic PlayStation 5 colour palette. However, Brathwaite chooses sail-coloured leather for the upper instead of stark white, and it makes a world of difference. You’ll also spot black accents throughout the sneaker’s design, from the plush tongue and inner lining to the “PSP” branding details and midsole. To learn more: Air Jordan 5 ‘PlayStation 5’
10. Air Jordan 1 “Nintendo Game Boy”
This fantastic custom design by Andrew Chiou highlights all the things we remember fondly about the Game Boy. The pair features a retro-aged look that perfectly captures what one of these little machines might look like after time if it had been well-loved and well-used. To learn more: Air Jordan 1 ‘Nintendo Game Boy’
11. Nike Dunk ‘Super Mario Bros’
This pair of Dunks shows a mismatched dedication to several Super Mario characters and stages players will encounter while playing the games. The shoes have plenty of clever little design details that make a cohesive image, even though they are entirely different. The fur design of Donkey Kong and the details of Princess Peach’s dress are two elements that truly stand out.
12. Nike Dunk Low x Mortal Kombat
These Mortal Kombat Nike Dunk Low sneakers pay a fitting tribute to one of the most iconic video game characters of all time. Everything about the design screams “Scorpion,” from the vibrant yellow and black colour palette to the snakeskin leather on the ankle and even the character’s iconic Kunai rope dart elegantly wrapped around the silver patent leather Swooshes. To learn more: Nike Dunk Low x Mortal Kombat
13. Sonic x F1 Nike Dunk Low
The Sonic x F1 Nike Dunk Low sneakers sport a base of aged white, which can be likened to a gentle sail hue. This colour covers the mudguard, eye stays, and quarter panels of the sneakers, infusing them with an old-school vibe. To learn more: Sonic x F1 Nike Dunk Low
14. Nike Blazer Mid 77Have a Good Game
You drop $100, lace up, and suddenly a 43-year-old silhouette feels playful again. Nike’s Blazer Mid ’77 Have a Good Game landed on October 8, 2020, dressing its vintage bones in white leather, exposed foam, and a glitchy black Swoosh. Flip the heel tab and you get Velcro patches, a blue heart or red smiley, because why not customize your mood. The rainbow fade midsole glows after dark, literally, with iridescent hits lighting up the upper.
15. Nike Air Jordan 1 “Venom Takes Over”
This stylish black “Venom” Air Jordan 11 celebrates four decades of the iconic Marvel villain’s presence in the comic book world and video games. Boasting a predominantly black colour scheme, it features a velvet and patent leather mudguard in this dark hue, with accents of white on the upper and lace tabs that capture Venom’s signature white spider symbol, eyes, and teeth. To learn more: “Venom” Air Jordan 11
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