History Main / VideogameGenres

*** ArenaShooter: Early FPS multiplayer-based subgenre where everyone starts on equal foot and the items are scattered across the map. (ex: ''VideoGame/{{Quake}}'', ''VideoGame/{{Unreal}}'')

*** ArenaShooter: Early FPS multiplayer-based subgenre where everyone starts on equal foot and the items are scattered across the map. (ex: VideoGame/{{Quake}}, VideoGame/{{Unreal}})

*** ArenaShooter: Early FPS multiplayer-based subgenre where everyone starts on equal foot and the items are scattered across the map. (ex: VideoGame/{{Quake}})

*** ArenaShooter: Early FPS multiplayer-based subgenre where everyone starts on equal foot and the items are scattered across the map.

** BeatEmUp: A Sub-genre of Action Game with the player character fighting primarily with punches and kicks against large hordes of [[{{Mooks}} relatively weaker]] enemies. (ex: ''VideoGame/StreetsOfRage'', ''VideoGame/FinalFight'')

* MedicalGame: A game in which the player takes the role of a doctor or medic and has to treat patients. (ex: ''VideoGame/TraumaCenter'', ''VideoGame/ThemeHospital'')

** EnvironmentalNarrativeGame: A story-driven adventure game which emphasizes narrative and exploring a physical location, with very little in the way of interactivity or gameplay challenge. Also known by other labels including "walking simulator", "story exploration game", "first-person adventure" and "interactive stories". (ex: ''VideoGame/GoneHome'')

* SportsGame: A game that simulates playing a traditional physical sport. (ex: ''VideoGame/NBAJam'', ''VideoGame/{{FIFA}}'', ''VideoGame/MaddenNFL'')

* ToysToLifeGame: A game involving physical toys interacting with the game. (ex: ''VideoGame/{{Skylanders}}'', ''VideoGame/DisneyInfinity'', ''VideoGame/LegoDimensions'')

** EasternRPG: A usually Japanese game that tends to have a linear plot and a party of predefined characters written into said plot. (ex: ''[[VideoGame/FinalFantasyI Final Fantasy]]'', ''VideoGame/DragonQuest'', ''VideoGame/TheWorldEndsWithYou'')

* ArtGame: A game that has artistry as its motto. (ex: ''VideoGame/{{Abzu}}'', ''VideoGame/{{Undertale}}'')
* ComedyVideoGames: A game with heavy focus on humor, that seldom ever takes itself seriously. (ex: ''VideoGame/EarthwormJim'', ''VideoGame/RavingRabbids'')
** ParodyVideoGames: A game that spoofs other games. (ex: ''VideoGame/{{Neptunia}}'', ''VideoGame/FiveNightsAtFuckboys'')
* DeconstructionGame: A game that {{deconstruct|ion}}s a common gameplay element or plot device. (ex: ''VideoGame/SpecOpsTheLine'', ''VisualNovel/DokiDokiLiteratureClub'')
* EdutainmentGame: A game that educates players as well as entertains them. (ex: ''VideoGame/WhereInTheWorldIsCarmenSandiego'')
* FantasyVideoGames: A game that features magic and mythology in a supernatural setting. (ex: ''VideoGame/{{Rosenkreuzstilette}}'', ''{{VideoGame/Wandersong}}'')
* HorrorVideoGames: A game that exploits the fears of players to cause anxiety, fear, and ultimately thrills. (ex: ''VideoGame/EternalDarkness'')
** MascotHorror: A particular type of indie horror game popular since the mid-2010s, starring a corrupted children's mascot. (ex: ''VideoGame/AmericanMcGeesAlice'', ''VideoGame/FiveNightsAtFreddys'')
* MechaGame: A game that focuses on HumongousMecha for combat. (ex: ''VideoGame/DaemonXMachina'')
* MilitaryAndWarfareVideoGames: A game that revolves around soldiers or warriors fighting in a military conflict. (ex: ''VideoGame/CommandAndConquer'', ''VideoGame/AceCombat'')
* RetrauxGames: Games using intentionally outdated graphics for a nostalgic effect. (ex: ''VideoGame/ScottPilgrimVSTheWorldTheGame'', ''VideoGame/TheAngryVideoGameNerdAdventures'')
* ScienceFictionVideoGames: A game that explores a concept that does not exist at the present time, but it someday might. (ex: ''VideoGame/PhantasyStar'', ''VideoGame/HalfLife'')
* [[SuperheroStories/VideoGames Superhero Video Games]]: A game which centers on the adventures of a {{superhero}} battling {{supervillain}}s. (ex: ''VideoGame/BatmanArkhamSeries'', ''VideoGame/{{Infamous}}'', ''VideoGame/SpiderManPS4'')

** StealthBasedGame: A game in which the player character must hide and sneak through the level while avoiding notice from much more powerful enemies that the player character cannot take head-on. (ex: ''VideoGame/MetalGear'', ''VideoGame/SplinterCell'', ''VideoGame/{{Tenchu}}'')

** PlatformGame (Platformer): A game in which jumping is an important action for navigating the environment. Leaping and climbing between platforms of varying heights and over or onto enemy characters forms a large part of the gameplay. (ex: ''Franchise/SuperMarioBros'', ''Franchise/SonicTheHedgehog'', ''VideoGame/DonkeyKongCountry'')

*** CollectAThonPlatformer: A Platform Game set in relatively open levels where collecting a certain number of pickups is necessary to progress further into the game. (ex: ''VideoGame/BanjoKazooie'', ''VideoGame/JakAndDaxterThePrecursorLegacy'')

*** FirstPersonShooter (FPS): A 3D shooter in which the perspective is through the eyes of the player character, and the action revolves around shooting. (ex: ''Franchise/{{Doom}}'', ''VideoGame/CallOfDuty'', ''VideoGame/{{Halo}}'')
*** [[ThirdPersonShooter Third-Person Shooter]] (TPS): A 3D shooter that has the camera looking behind the player character or over their shoulder, and involves the use of guns and similar weapons. (ex: ''Franchise/RatchetAndClank'', ''VideoGame/GearsOfWar'', ''Franchise/{{Splatoon}}'')
*** HeroShooter: A First or Third-Person Shooter in which each character has different abilities and weapons. (ex: ''VideoGame/TeamFortress2'', ''VideoGame/{{Overwatch}}'', ''VideoGame/{{Paladins}}'')

*** RailShooter: A game in which the computer controls most of your movement and you control the shots. (ex: ''[[VideoGame/StarFox1 Star Fox]]'', ''VideoGame/SinAndPunishment'', ''VideoGame/TimeCrisis'')

*** BulletHell: A shoot'em up that has every single enemy fire hundreds or thousands of projectiles on-screen at once at the player character, testing their dodging skills. (ex: ''VideoGame/{{Raiden}}'', ''VideoGame/{{Ikaruga}}'', ''Franchise/TouhouProject'')

*** VerticalScrollingShooter: A shoot'em up that has a vertical Auto Scrolling Level, that is, up or down. (ex: ''VideoGame/NineteenFortyTwo'')

** FightingGame: An Action Game that is primarily about one-on-one fights between two (or rarely more) equally skilled opponents. (ex: ''Franchise/StreetFighter'', ''Franchise/MortalKombat'', ''VideoGame/{{Tekken}}'')
*** MascotFighter: Ultimate Showdown Of Ultimate Destiny is heavily featured. (ex: ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBros'', ''VideoGame/NickelodeonAllStarBrawl'', ''VideoGame/MultiVersus'')

** InteractiveMovie: A game that is based around video clips, and the player must press buttons at the right time, choose the right sequence of clips, or play other games using the video as a backdrop. (ex: ''VideoGame/DragonsLair'', ''VideoGame/SpaceAce'', ''VideoGame/NightTrap'')

** EndlessRunningGame: A game about enduring an endless sequence of obstacles as long as possible. (ex: ''VideoGame/TempleRun'', ''VideoGame/SubwaySurfers'', ''VideoGame/SonicDash'')

*** MascotRacer: Colorful characters use colorful weapons in their races. (ex: ''VideoGame/MarioKart'', ''VideoGame/NickelodeonKartRacers'')

* RhythmGame: A game that will flash commands, and the player has to input the same, synchronized to a beat or melody. (ex: ''VideoGame/{{beatmania}}'', ''VideoGame/GuitarHero'', ''VideoGame/HatsuneMikuProjectDiva'')

** StrategyRPG (SRPG): A game that is a Role Playing Game, but it plays like a Turn-Based Strategy or Real-Time Strategy. (ex: ''[[VideoGame/FireEmblemShadowDragonAndTheBladeOfLight Fire Emblem]]'', ''VideoGame/ChronoTrigger'', ''VideoGame/XenobladeChronicles'').

* AdventureGame: A game that is about puzzle-solving, exploration, and narrative, and a relative (or total) absence of randomized combat. (ex: ''VideoGame/TheWalkingDead'')

* FantasyVideoGames: A game that features magic and mythology in a supernatural setting. (ex: ''VideoGame/{{Rosenkreuzstilette}}, ''VideoGame/Wandersong'')

* MechaGame: A game that focuses on HumongousMecha for combat. (ex: VideoGame/DaemonXMachina)
* MilitaryAndWarfareVideoGames: A game that revolves around soldiers or warriors fighting in a military conflict.
* RetrauxGames: Games using intentionally outdated graphics for a nostalgic effect.

*** HeroShooter: A First or Third-Person Shooter in which each character has different abilities and weapons. (ex: ''VideoGame/{{Overwatch}}'', ''VideoGame/{{Paladins}}'')

*** MascotFighter: Ultimate Showdown Of Ultimate Destiny is heavily featured. (ex: ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBros'', ''VideoGame/MultiVersus'')

** EasternRPG: A usually Japanese game that tends to have a linear plot and a party of predefined characters written into said plot. (ex: ''[[VideoGame/FinalFantasyI Final Fantasy]]'', ''VideoGame/DragonQuest'')

*** PuzzlePlatformer: A game that combines parts from Platform Games and Puzzle Games together. (ex: ''VideoGame/{{Portal}}'')

*** RailShooter: A game in which the computer controls most of your movement and you control the shots. (ex: ''[[VideoGame/StarFox1 Star Fox]]'', ''VideoGame/SinAndPunishment'')

** StrategyRPG (SRPG): A game that is a Role Playing Game, but it plays like a Turn-Based Strategy or Real-Time Strategy. (ex: ''[[VideoGame/FireEmblemShadowDragonAndTheBladeOfLight Fire Emblem]]'', ''VideoGame/ChronoTrigger'', VideoGame/XenobladeChronicles).

** PlatformGame (Platformer): A game in which jumping is an important action for navigating the environment. Leaping and climbing between platforms of varying heights and over or onto enemy characters forms a large part of the gameplay. (ex: ''Franchise/SuperMarioBros'')
*** CinematicPlatformGame: A Platform Game that portrays itself more realistically. (ex: ''VideoGame/PrinceOfPersia'')
*** CollectAThonPlatformer: A Platform Game set in relatively open levels where collecting a certain number of pickups is necessary to progress further into the game. (ex: ''VideoGame/BanjoKazooie'')

*** StylishAction: A game that allows the player to create spectacle through its mechanics, where their performance in fighting enemies gets graded under certain criteria and then rewarded accordingly. (ex: ''VideoGame/DevilMayCry'')

*** [[ThirdPersonShooter Third-Person Shooter]] (TPS): A 3D shooter that has the camera looking behind the player character or over their shoulder, and involves the use of guns and similar weapons. (ex: ''VideoGame/GearsOfWar'', ''Franchise/{{Splatoon}}'')

*** LightGunGame: A game in which the player has a pointing device that resembles a gun and points it at the screen to shoot on-screen enemies. Often a RailShooter, but the player character can be completely stationary as well. (ex: ''VideoGame/DuckHunt'')

*** RailShooter: A game in which the computer controls most of your movement and you control the shots. (ex: ''[[VideoGame/StarFox1 Star Fox]]'')
*** ShootEmUp (Shmups): A fixed-scrolling shooter that is not three-dimensional. (ex: ''VideoGame/SpaceInvaders'')
*** BulletHell: A shoot'em up that has every single enemy fire hundreds or thousands of projectiles on-screen at once at the player character, testing their dodging skills. (ex: ''Franchise/TouhouProject'')

*** VerticalScrollingShooter: A shoot'em up that has a vertical Auto Scrolling Level, that is, up or down. (ex: ''VideoGame/{{Raiden}}'')

** FightingGame: An Action Game that is primarily about one-on-one fights between two (or rarely more) equally skilled opponents. (ex: ''Franchise/StreetFighter'', ''VideoGame/{{Tekken}}'')

** BossGame: A game composed mostly/entirely of {{Boss Battle}}s. (ex: ''VideoGame/ShadowOfTheColossus'')

** InteractiveMovie: A game that is based around video clips, and the player must press buttons at the right time, choose the right sequence of clips, or play other games using the video as a backdrop. (ex: ''VideoGame/DragonsLair'')

** EndlessRunningGame: A game about enduring an endless sequence of obstacles as long as possible. (ex: ''VideoGame/TempleRun'')

* DrivingGame: A game in which the player drives a vehicle of some kind. (ex: ''VideoGame/{{Driver}}'')
** RacingGame: A game in which the player drives a vehicle of some kind and races against either other players or time. (ex: ''VideoGame/NeedForSpeed'')
*** MascotRacer: Colorful characters use colorful weapons in their races. (ex: ''VideoGame/MarioKart'')

** MatchThreeGame: A game in which the player must match three objects of similar color/shape/species to eliminate said objects from the playing field. (ex: ''VideoGame/CandyCrushSaga'')

* RhythmGame: A game that will flash commands, and the player has to input the same, synchronized to a beat or melody. (ex: ''VideoGame/{{beatmania}}'', ''VideoGame/GuitarHero'')

** StrategyRPG (SRPG): A game that is a Role Playing Game, but it plays like a Turn-Based Strategy or Real-Time Strategy. (ex: ''[[VideoGame/FireEmblemShadowDragonAndTheBladeOfLight Fire Emblem]]'').

* SportsGame: A game that simulates playing a traditional physical sport. (ex: ''VideoGame/{{FIFA}}'', ''VideoGame/MaddenNFL'')

* TypingGame: A game that requires the player to write various words quickly and skillfully. Often used as edutainment, but not always. (ex: ''VideoGame/{{Clockwords}}'', ''VideoGame/MavisBeaconTeachesTyping'')

* ArtGame: A game that has artistry as its motto.
* ComedyVideoGames: A game with heavy focus on humor, that seldom ever takes itself seriously.
** ParodyVideoGames: A game that spoofs other games.
* DeconstructionGame: A game that {{deconstruct|ion}}s a common gameplay element or plot device.

* FantasyVideoGames: A game that features magic and mythology in a supernatural setting.
* HorrorVideoGames: A game that exploits the fears of players to cause anxiety, fear, and ultimately thrills.
** MascotHorror: A particular type of indie horror game popular since the mid-2010s, starring a corrupted children's mascot.
* MechaGame: A game that focuses on HumongousMecha for combat.

* ScienceFictionVideoGames: A game that explores a concept that does not exist at the present time, but it someday might.
* [[SuperheroStories/VideoGames Superhero Video Games]]: A game which centers on the adventures of a {{superhero}} battling {{supervillain}}s.

* ActionRTS: An RTS style game with some action sprinkled in, in the form of controlling a unit directly; either in first- or third- person style. Wether the unit being controlled is a mook or a HeroUnit is irrelevant.

* ArtGame: A game that has DoingItForTheArt as its motto.

** ExplorerHorror: Horror games that revolve around exploring grim locations and collecting objects, with minimalist storytelling. (ex: ''VideoGame/YumeNikki'')

* [[{{Roguelike}} "Rogue-lite"]]: Games which feature procedually generated content and {{Permadeath}}. An off-shoot of traditional roguelikes, the genre has expanded to cover other genres beyond turn-based [=RPGs=] and has elements not found in most traditional roguelikes, such as a {{Macrogame}} that unlocks features or upgrades for future playthroughs. The term "roguelike" has become interchangeable with old-school and modern games of the genre, but is sometimes called as such to differentiate between the two. Also known as "hybrid roguelikes". (ex: ''VideoGame/TheBindingOfIsaac'', ''VideoGame/{{Hades}}'')

** SurvivalSandbox: A game where the primary objective is to survive for as long as possible in a hostile, often open-ended environment. (ex: ''VideoGame/{{Minecraft}}'')

*** {{MUCK}}: A Multi-User Text-Oriented Game that emphasizes role playing and player intervention.