Video and Computer Game Genres

The majority of video and computer games can be categorised into particular genres, such as first person shooter, strategy, platform or sports games. However, there can be a great deal of overlap between categories, and many games may fall into a number of divisions. For example, 'Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance' and 'Diablo' and have elements of both role-playing and action-adventure games, whilst Myst is an example of an adventure game/puzzle crossover.

In this section, you'll find a guide to the most popular video and computer games genres, along with details about some of the titles you'll find in each category.

Action-Adventure Games

Games that requires the player to combine elements of action with exploration, puzzle solving and item gathering ...

Adventure Games

Exploration and puzzle solving games, such as Broken Sword, Monkey Island and Syberia ...

Economic Simulation Games

A genre of games in which players must use their business and management skills; for example, SimCity, RollerCoaster Tycoon and Capitalism ...

Educational Games

Learning through play with titles such as Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing and Robocode ...

Fighting Games

Versus fighting games such as Tekken and Street Fighter, along with beat 'em up games such as Double Dragon and Samurai Warriors ...

First-Person Shooter Games

A shooting game seen from the first-person perspective, for example, Doom, Call of Duty and Halo ...

God Games

Control individuals, groups, entire continents or worlds with games such as The Sims, Black & White and Populous ...

Massive Multiplayer Online Games

MMOGs -a genre in which thousands of players may interact over the Internet, including games such as World of Warcraft, EverQuest, City of Heroes and World War 2 Online ...

Music Games

Rhythm-based action games, including PaRappa the Rapper, Amplitude, Rez and Guitar Hero ...

Platform Games

Games such as Sonic, Mario and Donkey Kong in which players must leap between a series of suspended platforms ...

Puzzle Games

A genre of games that require logical thinking and problem-solving, such as Minesweeper, Lemmings and Tetris ...

Racing Games

Feel the need for speed with car racer games such as F1 Challenge, Gran Turismo and Ridge Racer ...

Role-Playing Games

One of the most popular genres of computer game, where the player must move through a virtual world, completing quests and fighting enemies in exchange for experience and loot ...

Simulation Games

Games in which players can fly planes, drive trains, learn military procedures and even control a spacecraft ...

Sports Games

Games that let you play football, golf, tennis or rugby all from the comfort of your armchair ...

Strategy Games

Real-time (RTS) and turn-based (TBS) games such as Total War, Civilization, Warcraft and Platetarion ...

Traditional Games

Playing board, card and other traditional games on the computer ...