The most popular online games

Online gaming is one of the most popular and addictive pastimes of the 21^st century. For those who need an easy way to relax after a long day of work, or desire the thrill of a difficult strategy game or the escapism of an RPG, there’s something for everyone. There are so many different games out there, and each one satisfies a different type of player. Since the coronavirus lockdown, too, there has been a big surge in the number of people playing online games. Here are some of the most popular choices for those who like to game online.

Minecraft

If you’re surveying online games, you have to start with Minecraft. It’s the most popular video game of all time, selling over 200 million copies across all its platforms. A classic example of the sandbox genre, Minecraft offers players a huge degree of freedom in play, a big factor in its huge online following. With international conventions, parodies and social media fans in abundance, Minecraft is one of those games that keeps on giving.

Grand Theft Auto

The classic action-adventure series has a simple premise: you jack cars. Within that, though, GTA offers a wide range of options for side stories, arcs and missions. The fourth-highest-selling game of all time, GTA is popular with all age ranges and groups. And if you enjoy games with a risky theme, GTA‘s thrills won’t disappoint.

Fallout: New Vegas

Though this dystopian RPG has since been replaced by new iterations including the most recent prequel Fallout 76, there’s nothing more atmospheric than encountering the iconic Sin City as a wartorn wasteland. Even post-apocalypse, the nightlife remains, and there are six locations where you can enter a classic Vegas entertainment complex.

Angry Birds

Technically, it’s an app, not an online game – but the Angry Birds universe has expanded so much further than its original iPhone 3 iteration, even taking in two movies. Low-priced, easy to play and simple, the game is a winner with all age groups. The birds, small coloured blobs, have to save their precious eggs from malevolent pigs. With its low-stakes feeling and humorous style, Angry Birds is a modern classic. 

Fortnite

With only three years under its belt and three main iterations, Fortnite is the runaway gaming success of the late 2010s. Over 125 million people played Fortnite: Battle Royale within the first year of its release, and the game has spawned a massive internet reaction, with a host of memeable “emotes”, celebrity fans and era-defining influence.

World of Warcraft

One of the most popular MMORPGs in the world, World of Warcraft has been a chart-topper for a whopping 15 years since its release in 2005. If you’re a dwarves, elves and trolls fan, you’ll love World of Warcraft. Known for its enthralling plot lines and world-building, and well-received at the time of release for its quick recovery from character deaths, World of Warcraft is a perennially popular choice. 

Pac-Man

The longest-running game on this list, Pac-Man has been around since 1980 – making it 40 years old this year. The game-play is almost ludicrously simple and has changed very little since its beginnings. Pac-Man, a yellow ball with a mouth, runs away from ghosts and eats digital dots while moving through a maze. Pac-Man is both good for children and a nice way to divert yourself speedily.

All of these games can be played online and are hugely popular choices. If you’re thinking of getting into gaming or trying an online game, try out these options.

The editorial unit