The Most Famous Games in the World

It’s hard to believe that just over 100 years ago, there were no video games. Although the very first computer generated game, Tennis For Two was created in 1958 and Spacewar! was the first computer game to be released to the public in 1962, it wasn’t until 1972 that Atari released Pong, the very first commercially successful arcade video game. Since then, there have been countless types of games created by individuals, as well as huge gaming companies like Nintendo and PlayStation. Here are ten of the most famous games in the world today. They’re in no particular order...

Pacman

Believe it or not, Pacman was born over 30 years ago. That’s right! The arcade classic is nearing its thirtieth birthday—which is as good a reason as any to take a look back at some of gaming’s greatest hits and talk about what makes them great. If you were lucky enough to grow up with an Atari 2600 or Nintendo Entertainment System (or you have kids who did), then you know all too well how addictive these games can be. There are countless classics out there, but we’ve picked five that should have stood out among even today’s audiences: Pac-Man, Super Mario Bros., Tetris, Pokémon Red/Blue/Yellow and Street Fighter II. Check out our list below for more details on each game, along with why they made our list. And don’t forget to tell us your favorite game ever in the comments section below! The game has been featured on television shows such as Glee and Chuck, in movies like Scott Pilgrim vs. The World and by various celebrities like Katy Perry, Pink and Justin Bieber (to name just a few). It doesn’t get much better than that! But seriously now – though people may think you were lying when you said Pokemon was actually real life...you weren’t lying after all. What started off as a series of video games developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo eventually became an entire franchise spanning everything from cartoons to trading cards. In fact, according to Google Trends, Pokemon is still one of the most popular search terms in 2013. So what makes it so special? Well, let’s see...it helped create a new generation of gamers; spawned a successful card game; and gave children everywhere something to do during recess. I guess you could say that Pokemon really is the best thing since sliced bread. Or perhaps it would be more appropriate to say that Pokemon gives hope to every loser out there who never wins anything. Either way, if you haven't played any of the games yet - I highly recommend checking them out!

Snake

The grandfather of mobile games. Developed by a Japanese programmer, Masiyuki Momotaro Uesaka, and launched in June of 1979. It was part of what's considered to be Nintendo's second wave of home video game consoles that also included titles like Donkey Kong and F-1 Race. Essentially, it helped popularize gaming itself by allowing people to play on their own terms for as long as they wanted rather than having to adhere to one specific time limit like arcade cabinets forced players to do. It was first distributed in North America under the name Tetris, released in 1989 for both Game Boy and Game Gear platforms by Bullet Proof Software. In 1997, it was re-released as part of Nokia's N-Gage service. Since then, Snake has been ported onto more than 10 different platforms including Android phones and tablets, Windows Phone 7 devices, Windows 8 PCs and Macs. While there have been many variations of Snake over the years—some with power ups or boss battles—the core gameplay remains unchanged: eat food pellets while avoiding obstacles to grow longer; when you crash into something your body breaks off until you're left with just your head; if you run out of food or hit an obstacle again your head falls off completely and its game over. As far as basic concepts go, it doesn't get much simpler than that! There are plenty of high-quality versions available for free today (I recommend SuperSnake 4x4), but none can beat a classic. Play some Snake today and remember why it is still regarded as one of history's most influential mobile games after all these years. I dare you not to fall down a rabbit hole trying to better your high score.

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Mario Bros.

The most famous game ever made. Mario Bros. is a platformer video game developed and published by Nintendo for arcades in 1983. It was later released on various home platforms, including NES/Famicom, Game Boy Advance, and even mobile devices (on iOS and Android). You are Mario or Luigi, and you must jump through various levels while avoiding enemies trying to knock you out of your platforming area. Run into them enough times, and it’s game over! It’s a fun little challenge with its simple but classic gameplay. Beating all eight worlds unlocks a bonus level where you can play as Toad. In 1985, Nintendo re-released Super Mario Bros., Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels (known as Super Mario Bros.: For Super Players in Europe), and Super Mario Bros. 2 in Japan as part of their Famicom Disk System add-on. All three games were later re-released for Game Boy Advance on August 24, 2003 as part of Famicom Mini Vol. 10. In 2007, these three games were again re-released worldwide as unlockable titles available from the start in Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3. These versions also support wireless multiplayer via Download Play; however, due to its unavailability outside Japan, wireless multiplayer is only possible between two Japanese copies of SMA4: SMB3 or between one Japanese copy and an international copy that has been imported from Japan. Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console – While not technically a release of any previous version(s) of these games (due to being specifically coded for Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console), 2013 saw new releases of both original titles within one week of each other; February 21 saw New Super Mario Bros. 2 come out worldwide on eShop, followed by New Super Mario Bros. U coming out in North America on February 25 and Europe on March 1. Both have sold very well since then, especially NSMB2 which is currently sitting at 8 million units sold worldwide. This makes it the best selling title in franchise history (not counting remakes such as New Super Mario Bros. Wii). Super Smash Bros.: One of Nintendo's most popular franchises, first appearing back in 1999 with N64's smash hit Super Smash Bros.. Since then there have been five more installments to date; Melee (GCN 2001), Brawl (Wii 2005), 3DS/Wii U (2012) and Ultimate (2018). The series features many characters from numerous different franchises fighting against each other using unique movesets based off those characters' abilities.

Space Invaders

A typical video game, one player against a screen full of aliens. Space Invaders was originally designed to take advantage of a new technology called color graphics. It was based on research that showed how small creatures such as ants and bees were attracted to bright colors, making it popular among kids as well as adults. This is partly why Space Invaders sold well when it was introduced in 1978—it wasn’t just good; it also capitalized on current cultural trends. To beat Space Invaders you have to destroy all 16 waves of invaders before they reach Earth (hence its popularity). Each level gets progressively harder, requiring better hand-eye coordination and strategy (gameplay) to win, making it fun for players at anyanyanyany age. It’s so successful that it's still available today, including online versions where people can play together or by themselves. As of 2014, Space Invaders has earned over $800 million worldwide. [Source: spaceinvadersfacts] [Source: gamespot] 

In 1979 Taito releasedreleased a space shooter game called Space Invaders. It was one of many games that were inspired by Spacewar!, an arcade game developed by MIT students in 1962. The concept behind Space Invaders is simple: a player controls a spaceship at the bottom of a screen, shooting at waves of aliens coming from above. The aliens attempt to destroy Earth and are only stopped when they are all destroyed. The player wins by destroying all enemies or reaching a high score before their ship is destroyed. While it’s not clear exactly how much money has been made from Space Invaders, it’s estimated to be over $800 million dollars. [Source: spaceinvadersfacts] [Source: nytimes]

Breakout

Released by Atari Inc. way back in 1976, it paved way for other popular game franchises such as Pong and Tetris. One of its earliest consoles was also said to be a significant contributor to launching an entire industry. The popularity of Breakout has endured over several decades, from arcades to mobile devices. And if you’re nostalgic for that old-school feel but don’t have access to a gaming machine or console, there are plenty of Breakout games online that replicate—or even improve upon—the experience of playing on those early Atari systems. On a smartphone or tablet, simply search Breakout in your app store and choose one that suits your fancy. As with most apps, some are free while others require payment.

If you want to play a different version of Breakout, check out Arkanoid instead. It’s basically the same concept: You control a paddle at the bottom of a rectangular screen and try to break through blocks at various heights. When you do so successfully, your ball will fly up into another area where more blocks await destruction. Once all blocks in one level have been cleared away, it’s time to move onto another stage with different block configurations and challenges. This is not only fun but helps keep things interesting! And if that wasn’t enough, some versions allow you to create your own custom levels—the possibilities are endless! Some even let you share those custom levels online for others to enjoy. So if you feel like getting creative or testing your skills, head over to an app store and download Arkanoid today. And remember: Keep paddling until all blocks are gone!

2D Action RPG Platformer (Shoot ‘Em Up): Similar to arcade games such as Donkey Kong or Pac-Man, 2D action RPGs are fast-paced adventures full of platforming action and puzzle solving as well as character upgrades along with multiple weapons/tools that make gameplay increasingly exciting.

Tetris

The one-block puzzle game has been downloaded more than 500 million times, making it one of the most popular games of all time. The simple gameplay and complexity, as well as its use of colors, shapes and music to change how it is played, makes Tetris a fun game to be enjoyed by anyone. Plus, there are dozens of versions on a variety of different platforms. While many people believe Tetris helped ignite interest in video games around the world because it was available on just about every system imaginable upon its release in 1984, others say that it did not make much impact on gaming history at all. What is your take? Do you think Tetris deserves its status as one of the most famous games ever or does it not belong on any list? Why or why not? Explain your reasoning for including or excluding it from such a list. Provide three reasons for your answer. In addition, consider what other games might have a place on such a list. Would Pong make it? Mario Bros.? Pac-Man? Space Invaders? Halo? Grand Theft Auto IV? Super Mario Brothers 3? What other titles would be worthy of inclusion on such a list and why do you think they should make it over other contenders like Sonic The Hedgehog, Donkey Kong Country or Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock (the last two could probably both fit). For example, some might argue that certain titles have changed the face of gaming so much they deserve recognition while others might suggest those types of claims are hyperbole used to sell games (and hardware) rather than true contributions to society. Discuss. What other factors should be considered when determining whether a game belongs on such a list? How important is innovation vs. popularity vs. influence vs. longevity? Does it matter if an older title is still being played today (either through emulation or fan-created content)? How can someone who wants to create their own top 10 list go about doing so?

Mahjong

Mah-jongg (pronounced muh-JONG) is a game of skill and chance that originated from China. The modern version of mah-jongg was developed by British officials who were stationed in China during the late 1800s. Chinese immigrants brought mah-jongg to America with them after settling on West CoastCoastCoastCoastCoastCoastCoastFranciscoseaportsstseaports, particularly San Francisco. The game caught on in popularity and soon became a favorite pastime for many Americans, including Western celebrities like Buster Keaton and Mae West. Mah-jongg has gained popularity throughout Europe and Japan over time; it is now played around 80 countries worldwide! Today, there are various variations of mah-jongg: American, Japanese, Korean and even German versions exist. Each region has its own set of rules and regulations. But no matter what variation you play, chances are you’ll have fun while challenging your brain at the same time! I love Chess . I am so good at playing chess . And I always beat my friends when we are playing chess together . And also I love reading about chess history , and one day I would love to be a professional chess player , maybe even win world championship someday ! So let's learn more about chess ! In 2015 , Magnus Carlsen won his third consecutive title of World Champion. He is ranked No. 1 in both classical and rapid with an Elo rating of 2853 as of November 2016, making him once again highest rated player in history. He surpassed Garry Kasparov's record of 2851 which he held since 2001 until 2013, when Carlsen took over first place. His peak rating was 2882 in May 2014 making him only second person ever to break 2800 mark - first being Garry Kasparov who had reached a peak rating of 2851 before his retirement from top level play.

Chess

or checkers, is a two-player strategy board game played on a chessboard, a checkered gameboard with 64 squares arranged in an eight-by-eight grid. Chess is played by millions of people worldwide. It is one of the world's most popular games, played by millions of people worldwide. The game takes place on a chessboard—a checkered gameboard with 64 squares arranged in an eight-by-eight grid. Each player begins with sixteen pieces: one king, one queen, two rooks, two knights, two bishops, and eight pawns. Each of these pieces has its own way of moving across the board and capturing other pieces; together they display some remarkable patterns as they move about their business. These patterns are at once simple to understand yet astonishingly complex. To begin playing chess, you need to know only three things: how each piece moves, how each piece captures, and which side is which. There are also special rules for castling (moving both your king and your rook at once) and for promotion (turning a pawn into any other piece). If you can remember those three things—and perhaps another ten rules or so—you'll be well on your way to becoming a master player. However, mastering even basic play requires years of study. Some players spend entire careers studying openings alone! And that's just one aspect of chess. A great deal more could be said about tactics, strategies, gambits, sacrifices, endgames—even computer programs that beat grandmasters! Although there are many books written on these subjects (including several devoted entirely to openings), it would take volumes just to scratch the surface. And while computers have been beating grandmasters since Deep Blue defeated Garry Kasparov in 1997, humans still hold several advantages over machines. For example, humans can see ahead much farther than computers can; a good human player will spot tactical opportunities that no computer program could ever detect. But computers have advantages too: They don't get tired or distracted during long matches and they never make careless mistakes under pressure.

Connect Four

Though it’s hard to beat The Game of Life, there are few other games that get as much playtime. Whether you grew up with a Connect Four, Socker Bopper or similar game, chances are you were enamored by its simple strategy. If you’re looking for a fun and relatively simple board game to introduce to your kid(s), we recommend giving Connect Four a try! You can find it at almost any store and there are plenty of variants to keep things interesting for long after your kid has grown too old for tic-tac-toe. For example, once they master the classic version, you could upgrade to something like Super Battle for added action and excitement. In short: Connect Four is easy enough for kids but challenging enough for adults. What more could you ask from a board game? 

Want an even simpler way to entertain your child? Tic-Tac-Toe is all you need. With just three squares on each side, young children will be able to grasp how to place pieces without putting too much strain on their developing brains. It’s essentially an upgraded version of connect four so if your child already knows how to play that game then they won’t have much trouble with Tic Tac Toe either! Just make sure they don’t cheat! Alternatively, if neither seems feasible then you can take a look at some our other suggestions which provide more entertainment per square inch than either

Minesweeper

Sometimes called the Thinking Person’s Solitaire, Minesweeper has a simple premise: you click on an empty space and all cells around it that contain mines are revealed. There’s a fair bit of strategy required to solve each puzzle—though you can use hints to help yourself out—but that just means Minesweeper is fun for all ages and skill levels. Since it was first released as part of Windows 3.1 (back when Microsoft dominated operating systems), Minesweeper has been downloaded over 10 million times; today, you can play it online or as part of just about any operating system. As far as gaming goes, it doesn’t get much simpler than Minesweeper. And if you think that makes it boring, well...you probably don’t have what it takes to be a pro gamer anyway. If you do, here’s some more information about competitive Minesweeper. Just remember: no cheating! That’s against the rules.

Here's how to win at Minesweeper - A Beginner's Guide by Ken Chen . I recommend reading it because he explains very detailed instructions on how to win. He also explains why not knowing where a mine is helps us find other mines which is why there's no point looking for a mine that we know exists, because we'll just waste time with that extra time we could've spent finding other mines instead of guessing randomly where one might be at.