Well the way I see it is this:
I didn't want to go for an authentic 16-Bit Pixel look. What I'm aiming for is the style that you have in your memory. What you remember games looked like, not what they actually look like.
I consider the game Retro because the gameplay is as simple as back in the day. No crazy combos, no skilltrees, none of the things that turn modern games into busywork (imo anyway).
On the other hand however, I do have authentic 16-Bit sound design, because I truly believe that the limitations from those sound chips created some of the greatest art. The same logic would apply to Pixel art, but from a pratical perspective I just can't afford production of that style as a solo dev.