Games of the '80s and '90s knew how to show players a good time. They weren’t concerned about a story, and the innovators that did have compelling stories were bogged down by endless cutscenes. In the early days of the NES, SNES, PS1, and beyond, gameplay was often more favored.
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It’s great that video games have evolved further to have moving stories with cutting-edge graphics, but for those who want to get straight to the action, it can be challenging to find a game sometimes. That’s where these indie games come in, as the gameplay hooks rarely take a breather. Also, there are some AAA games worth noting.
Minecraft
Dig, Build, Repeat
Minecraft
- Released
- November 18, 2011
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E10+ For Everyone 10+ Due To Fantasy Violence
- Genre(s)
- Sandbox, Survival
Minecraft will randomize a world unless players use a SEED, and then that’s it. There's no objective, no story, and no tutorial to speak of. It’s like buying a bucket of LEGO bricks, dumping it in front of a child, and then saying, “Have fun.” Minecraft is the modern LEGO equivalent, which offers simple-to-follow gameplay and an endless list of ways to be creative. There's a reason why it’s still popular with kids and adults over a decade later, with seemingly no end in sight.
Rogue Legacy 2
The Family Business
Rogue Legacy 2
- Released
- April 28, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E10+ For Everyone 10+ Due To Crude Humor, Fantasy Violence
- Genre(s)
- Roguelike, Metroidvania
Rogue Legacy 2 is the perfect roguelike for those who don’t want to be bothered by story in-between runs and want to feel a greater sense of progression quickly. Gold collected on runs can be used back at the castle to rebuild it, which will unlock new stat boosts and perks.
What makes this series unique is that players will come back as a new line in the family, each of which will be randomized by classes, from a quick-firing gunslinger to a pirate that can ride an airship. With a colorful hand-drawn look and responsive gameplay, Rogue Legacy 2 is an easy recommendation for roguelike newbies.
Ball X Pit
Rebuilding Ballbylon
BALL x PIT
- Released
- October 15, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
Ball x Pit is a new game published by Devolver Digital, which enters their library of oddball games. The core of the experience resembles ball breaker games like Arkanoid or Peggle, but with a roguelike twist. Players will shoot their balls at undead soldiers as they are guided along a vertical path.
They will level up and get stat boosts along with temporary power-ups. Upon death, players can use gathered materials to help rebuild Ballbylon, which acts as the permanent upgrade system, and it can do everything from boost stats to unlock new characters. It’s a goofy name, but the gameplay is beyond solid and hard to forget.
Mario Kart World
Vroom Vroom!
Mario Kart World
- Released
- June 5, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Everyone // Mild Fantasy Violence, Users Interact
- Genre(s)
- Racing, Open-World
Mario Kart World will give players a lot to do, whether they want to race alone in single-player matches or go online. There are standard Mario Kart modes, but the Battle Royale-inspired circuits are a lot of fun to go through and addictive once players have a taste of sweet victory. There’s also an open world to explore, wherein players can discover secrets like new costumes and mini-games. If anyone needs an easy-to-access racing game with colorful characters, wondrous levels, and music that feels nostalgic, Mario Kart World is it.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Characters For Days
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
- Released
- December 7, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E for Everyone: Cartoon Violence, Comic Mischief, Suggestive Themes
- Genre(s)
- Fighting
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is a great fighting game for anyone who wants a little extra out of their experience. There’s no story mode to speak of, but there are plenty of characters to play with, each of which feels distinctly different from the other. Perhaps the Fire Emblem characters will blend together a bit, but overall, there is a character here for everyone. The Spirits mode is a great place to test out characters offline, before jumping into tournament-level matches online or on the couch with friends.
Broforce
For America!
Broforce
- Released
- October 15, 2015
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- t
- Genre(s)
- Shooter
Broforce has a vague story built around terrorists taking over a territory, and the most badass soldiers throughout time are tasked with destroying their compounds. It’s an '80s and '90s movie come to life in pixelated form, with each mission flowing into the next without much downtime.
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The starting hero will be randomized, along with who they transform into after rescuing hostages. It can range anywhere from a MacGyver to a Die Hard parody. The best part of the game, besides witnessing each hero’s weird power, is being able to blow up levels like a true movie action hero.
Fortnite
A Platform For Content
Fortnite
- Released
- September 26, 2017
WHERE TO PLAY
Fortnite started as a standard defense game against hordes of enemies, but after the Battle Royale mode was added, it changed everything. Almost a decade later, Fortnite has now become a platform for other games to launch from, including a music-inspired game, a Lego version, and tons of events like concerts to attend. Plus, there are lots of collaborations to unlock from DC characters to video game icons like Master Chief. As a free-to-play game, it’s hard to think of anything more generous and better supported than Fortnite, whether players want to be the star or team up with others.
Dragon’s Crown
Questing For Days
Dragon's Crown
- Released
- August 6, 2013
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Suggestive Themes, Use of Alcohol and Tobacco, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
Anyone looking for an RPG with very little story set in a 2D space should look no further than Dragon’s Crown. Players can choose between six characters, each of which represents a classic class type in RPGs like the hulking Fighter or the range-heavy Elf. Each character levels up separately, and players are more than encouraged to try them all out in new runs. The dungeons have branching paths, giving players a reason to replay them, and the combat is simple to understand alone or with friends. It’s like Diablo minus the intense narrative.
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