What are all the video game genres that exist? 2022 list

Entertainment is a fundamental part of our daily life. Stress, routine and all unpleasant tasks make an entertaining moment a fundamental part of our day.

Within this activity, video games take a significant portionalong with social networks, are present on every smartphone and surely you must have more than one installed.

The generation of children that gave birth to video games is now an adult. And without a doubt, we have all played one and perhaps many of us continue to do so. Video games came to light in the late 1950s. and since then they have not stopped growing in sophistication, graphic quality, game mechanics and marketing. Let’s know more about them.

What is a video game genre and subgenre?

Due to the great diversity of games on the market today we are forced to order them. To do this, we need to classify them. Maybe we could do it for its aesthetics, release date, popularity, or platform, but we’ll save that for another time. We will focus on game systems, also known as “game mechanics”.

The mechanics is a set of rules and available functions that make up the experience proposed by the videogame. To put it another way, it is the role offered to the player. In this way, we can conclude that a video game genre is the set of features that the software provides to the user.

Within these genres there are a large number of variables, so, it would be impossible to include all video game titles in only genres. From all this it follows that there are other categories within this range of “game mechanics” which we will call subgenres.

If you don’t have a desktop or game console, you can also play with your iOS device or Android.

List of all video game genres that currently exist in the industry and their most prominent examples

We are going to use the general category to classify them more appropriately. In addition, we will provide you with examples for each item. We hope that within them are your favorite games. Check out!

Action

This kind of action the player must face increasingly stronger dangers or enemies. It is normal for development to take place in an environment of war or combat.

It is one of the most evolved since its creation. The graphic environment and the sound make this kind of games make your games seem more and more real.

Adventure

The player’s role in the adventure genre is that of the explorer. In the development of the story, the protagonist must interact with his environment (either objects or other characters) and thus discover the path that will lead to the outcome.

It is widely accepted today and is considered a good remedy for stress. Every time you play the hours pass very quickly, without you realizing it.

Careers

It is possible that some experts consider this type of video game within the sports or simulation category. But given their popularity and the sheer number of titles they contain, we think they deserve a separate category.

Racing games are mainly characterized by the competition between players to reach the finish line first.. The user is usually inside a motorized vehicle, be it a car, motorcycle or spacecraft.

It has versions where you can add peripherals such as pedals and other components that add a great degree of reality to the game thanks to its interface and sound.

There are two alternatives to this category: the most realistic games, where you run along tracks that simulate the real ones with vehicles that also do it, and on the other hand the most fanciful ones where the forces of thrust, gravity, or the fact of being able to launch objects to your opponents is possible.

If you want to practice some of this, we recommend:

• Mario Kart: Developed by Nintendo. This game groups different protagonists. The last release of this title was in 2017 being the ninth in the series.
• Need For Speed: At the forefront of visual development, this franchise is one of the most popular in the genre. Stories surround the illegal car races.

Shots

In the same way that gender “Careers”, deserves its own space on this list, shooting video games do the same. Namely, many experts claim that they belong to a different genre of sports.

These games are also known by their English name “shooting”, where the main thing here are weapons and aim. It is essential to stay alive until the end and control the ammo.

The scenarios of these games can be variedsince there are those set in wars of the past, futuristic or in fantasy territories like those of a horror movie.

Sports

Before continuing, it is important to emphasize that the first video game in history belongs to this category, it is the “Tennis for two” created on October 18, 1958 for the physical William Higinbotham.

In this genre we must say that there are as many subgenres as there are sports in the world. It is characterized by emulating an athletic activity as faithful as possible. Although there are some exceptions where you can exaggerate a bitin general game mechanics is quite real.

Some of the sports video game titles are usually re-released every year, updating the roster list of participating teams. In the same way with special editions referring to some event, such as an Olympics or a world championship.

And as with the shooting category, events are usually held with a large call for gamerswhere participants from different countries compete in a specific virtual sport.

An example of this is Pro Evolution Soccer. It is a well-known video game that, at first, worked as Winning-Eleven and is currently called ESP. It is one of the two most popular soccer games. Together with FIFA, millions of users await its renewal annually.

You may also be interested NBA 2K. Like the previous example, this game is renewed year after year. Being the American national basketball league the protagonist.

Strategy

In this type of game, the participant must focus on several characters or objects at the same time. For this, the visual of the game is almost omnipresent.

The objective of these strategy games is usually to develop technologies, create populations and armies to defeat the opponent. It is important to apply different types of strategies when attacking or defending, since resources are limited.

Most titles of this genre are usually about war themes and to a lesser extent economic or social development.

Role

role-playing games, also called RPG they are characterized by having a more developed background story than other genres. In it, the player must select a type of character before starting the game.

Another feature is the high level of customization that allows giving the protagonist(s). The enemies to defeat grow in difficulty as the story progresses, but each one of them will grant the player experience points and more powerful items.

The setting of this category usually occurs in an era of the medieval type, with fanciful overtones; or a dystopian future to a lesser extent. Currently, RPGs with massive online gaming capacity or MMORPGs are very popular.. Here, through a connection to the network, the participants form alliances or compete with each other.

They tend to be very addictive, for example, the world of warcraft. In the fantastic world of Azeroth great battles are fought between orcs, humans and other creatures. Within each race we can create different characters such as warrior magicians and priests.

Simulation

They usually have great graphic quality and try to resemble reality as much as possible.not only in the visual, but also in the kinetics and simulation of effects.

It is usual for games to share the same engines as real simulators for professional training.

Musical

As the name suggests, this genre focuses on music. They usually require peripherals in their participation. Which can be a microphone, a special guitar or a particular 3D scanner.

In order to win, the gamer must demonstrate their musical skills and follow rhythms and melodies that vary in difficulty. It is common for these games to offer multiplayer modes.

It is ideal to play in family gatherings, since people of different ages can be integrated without any problem.

If you want to be a virtual musician, we recommend GuitarHero. The dream of almost everyone at some point, to be a star guitarist. To do this, we must practice different songs, it is a game for the skilled.

Party

It is a category of games that is characterized by the need to need several simultaneous players. They must cooperate or compete with each other.

It is very common for these virtual games to contain a variety of mini games. In them, the participants must obtain points that they will add to their respective team markers.

Mario Party is a prominent example of this genre. The title has several versions, the first being released in 1998 for Nintendo 64. This game has evolved hand in hand with new platforms. The last to launch was for the console Nintendo Switch in 2018.

sand box

The name of the category comes from its greatest exponent: Minecraft. These games are characterized by not having a defined story line. Inside, the player can modify or create an environment or map from scratch.

Our character usually starts the game without any resources; being necessary to obtain them in order to create tools. This dynamic makes the game itself.

If we need to highlight a specific example, we have already named it and it is Minecraft. The greatest exponent of this category. This popular sandbox knows no ages, as much fun for kids as it is for adults. Main goal? Be creative.

Education

Specially designed for children. The objective of these video games is to provide specific knowledge without neglecting the playful aspect. In this way, players learn in a fun way.

They are characterized by having a wide range of themes for different ages. The graphical interface is these software is essential.

A great game, if you are intrigued to know what life was like in ancient Mesopotamia, it is Discover Babylon. Although it is not a very popular genre, it is always worth learning a little more about the cultures that came before us.

Puzzle

These games of mental skill and logic are very popular today thanks to mobile phones, since they do not require many resources to run.

Within the genus there are different varieties. Among them, those of riddles, hidden objects, fitting of pieces, grouping of cards, etc. Card games, such as Solitaire, are often considered to fall into this category.

Who has not ever played Candy Crush, even at work? As addictive as it is entertaining, this game is one of the most downloaded games on mobile phones around the world.

List of all subgenres of action video games that exist

This subgenre is undoubtedly one of the most popular and for this reason we are going to divide it into the following:

Struggle

In these cases, the player will face others in a combat arena. They are usually martial arts fights, although they often use weapons. It is common for the competitor to have a spectator’s point of view.

Among the most popular, we can mention:

• street-fighter: Belonging to Capcom, it was launched in 1987. It was more successful with its sequel and enjoyed an anniversary edition in 2018.
• Mortal Kombat: This title is still very popular, although its first installment was in 1992, we can play it today. Its last version was Mortal Kombat XI

beat ’em up

To defeat them! This subgenre, similar to the previous, the protagonist or protagonists (since they usually have the multiplayer option) must defeat multiple enemies at the same time. The combat scenario is usually progressive. The viewer’s point of view is also in the third person.

In this classification, the following stand out:

• Golden Axe: A true classic of the SEGA company. It is considered a cult game and many fans are inspired by it for cosplay.
• Double Dragon: This video game was so popular that it even had its own animated television series.

Arcadian

It is undoubtedly the origin of video games. Unlike modern games, the interface is simple, as is its story; but compensated with an ease to play almost addictive. These games had their heyday in the 70s and 80s. It was normal to find them in public places, in machines also called arcades.

For this type of subgenre appear:

• Pac Man: This yellow man had his success in the 80’s. This game was created by the Japanese Toru Iwatani. As a curious fact, we will tell you that on May 21, 2010, Google launched a Doodle in tribute. The best thing is that we can still play it!
• space invaders: Even older than Pac-Man, it was present in every arcade site in the world.

platforms

Also played on arcade machines. The platform game (not to be confused with video game platforms) consists of a character that must dodge obstacles and eventually eliminate enemies in its path. They appear almost always in 2D scenarios that ran horizontally just like Beat ’em up.

We will name as the most relevant:

• Super Mario: Nintendo’s flagship character is the most popular plumber in history. The Mario franchise has countless titles available on many platforms. His popularity is such that the president of Japan presented the 2020 Olympics disguised as Mario.
• Sonic: It’s a Sega emblem. One of the most popular characters in the world of video games. The mythical blue hedgehog has his own movie on the big screen.

List of all adventure video game subgenres developed so far

As we have mentioned before, we can divide the adventure genre into the following categories:

conversational adventure

Initially, these games did not have images. The player had to interact in writing, through commands with the computer. Subsequently, As video games evolved, images began to be added instead of written descriptions.

This type of games is not popular today, although there are variants of it. Examples of this are visual novels or interactive movies in which the development of the story will depend on the decisions made by the person.

Among the most popular video games find:

• Cozumel: set in the year 1920 in the Yucatan Peninsula. In this game you must overcome mysteries and unearth a wonderful Mayan treasure.

Adventure game

Also called point and click (point and click). they had its heyday in the 90s, when the use of computer mice had become very popular. Command actions were no longer required at this point, so using a peripheral was enough for the game setup.

The popularity of this subgenre lasted until the end of the same decade. Nowadays it has practically disappeared, were it not for the games of exploration where some puzzles must be solved or search for specific objects to continue the narrative.

During this time it was developed as outstanding:

• Monkey Island: A world of pirates, full of humor and mystery. It was such a success that 4 more episodes were released.

Action and adventure

It is an amalgam between genres. It includes characteristics of action and adventure games, where you not only have to explore the environment, but also defeat enemies. Within this subgenre there are others such as survival horror, stealth and battle royale.

For this subgenre, we can name:

• Tomb Raider: This franchise surpasses the world of video games, as comics and up to three movies were released, two of them starring Agelina Jolie.
• The Legend Of Zelda: Although perhaps you already knew, the protagonist of this story is not Zelda, but Link, a noble boy who must travel through the magical world and defeat the forces of evil.

List of shooting “shooter” game subgenres created

We can divide this genre into three, depending on the perspective of the player.

first person shooter

In this classification we put ourselves in the skin of the character; in a close-up we will only see the weapon in our hands. In this way, the game proposes a sensation of putting ourselves as protagonists and challenges us to have a good aim and the senses well placed to any eventuality that may happen in the virtual environment.

If we want to enjoy these shots, we have to choose:

• Doom: A classic among horror games. In this game, our protagonist will have to face zombies and demons.
• Counter-Strike: Originally within another great title, called half-life. This shooting is one of the most popular of the genre, being one of the most played video games in the world.

3rd person shooting

Together with the previous subcategory, this one is characterized by having a great quality in the graphics, evolving over the years until bordering on photorealism.

In this type of game we will usually see our character from behind. Being able to interact with the environment, and in some cases, move freely through the virtual world.

These first two shooting subgenres are currently usually accompanied by a “multiplayer mode” where participants through the internet compete with each other. In fact, competitions with great prizes are often held, where players from all over the world measure their skills.

We can find the following videogames:

• Uncharted: Originally exclusive to Playstation3. This video game managed to jump to other platforms due to its great acceptance and popularity.
• Resident Evil: The main character must fight against the Umbrella corporation that has transformed humans into monsters. The video game saga has dozens of titles available on multiple platforms.

Shoot ’em up

With a more omnipresent perspective than the previous one, the player will have to live up to the genre: shoot and shoot.

Items that will make your weapon a more destructive instrument are usually found in the path of the character. It does not matter if we are in a war tank, a spaceship or walking through the jungle, the objective is simple: shoot everyone.

If you want to have fun with this virtual reality, you can choose:

• metal slug: Bloody and funny at the same time. His popularity has not waned over the years. This war game is engaging and full of comic winks.

List of existing strategy video game subgenres

Within this we can name three subgenres:

real time strategy

It can be in multiplayer mode, online or against the AI ​​(artificial intelligence) of the PC. In this case the opponents develop their armies and resources simultaneously. and uninterrupted, and once they decide, attack each other. Given this dynamic, the mechanics of the game are usually very fluid.

We highlight in this subgenre:

• Age Of Empires: Developed by Microsoft Games and considered an almost educational game. It has a great programming to play, which includes tutorials and different configuration modes. In it, we must repel attacks from other civilizations and advance to the next (historical) age as quickly as possible.

turn-based strategy

In this case, each gamer must wait his turn to perform an action. The movements or operations carried out by it are usually limited by time or number of executions. This subgenre is more like a board game and usually requires more concentration and strategy than others.

We will name in this class of video games:

• Phoenix Point: Released in September 2019, it promises to be the game that will renew the enthusiasm for the genre.

Other subgenres

We have made this section to cover all the mixes and games with particular characteristics that are not completely “pure” to be defined within the previous subgenres.

For example, artillery turn-based games, such as:

• Angry Birds: In which a group of friendly birds must knock down buildings made by enemies.
• Worms: These worms will allow you to pass the time by getting into very difficult places.

List of existing simulation game subgenres

Within this category we can name five classes.

vehicle simulation

Games vary by transport. There are automobiles (although it is usually pigeonholed in the racing genre), airplanes or even agricultural machinery.

If you want to have fun with these games, you can choose:

• Grand Tourism: This game has paid attention to every detail of all the cars found within the software. It is one of the flagship series of Play Station, being one of the best sellers.
• Farm Simulator: A particular video game with which we can drive harvesters, seeders and all kinds of agricultural vehicles, the objective? Be the best farmer.

construction simulation

It shares certain characteristics with strategy games, although it is more focused on time and resource management. In this subcategory, the player can build cities, empires, even zoos. Next, you will need to manage each one in the best possible way. Decision making is crucial in this type of video game.

We highlight as one of the main ones:

• SimCity: With this game we can build a city from the ground up. Not only that, we must maintain and manage it with all the events that this entails.

life simulation

Here we put ourselves in the skin of the character. Every decision we make will be crucial for its survival. This type of game usually stimulates the fantasy of being another person, although there are also others in which we will have to embody an animal virtual.

If you want to change your person, choose the following:

• The Sims: Perhaps the most popular example. We will have to solve the daily problems of our avatars and help them in their daily lives.

combat simulation

More realistic than shooting games. It is characterized and differentiated at the same time by the realistic situations faced by the player. An example of this is dying from a single shot received. The graphical interface and configuration are usually more complicated than other games and strategies are more fundamental.

For this reason, some military forces use this type of simulator for real training of troops.

Take a look at the best simulator:

• Operation Flashpoint: Depending on the delivery, we will be a soldier of the Soviet Union or the United States. The year in which it is set also varies, from the cold war to the present day.

Others

Within this subcategory we can find profession simulators, love encounters, animal hunting or even fishing.

You can enjoy a day of fishing with:

• Fishing Sim World: If the possibility of going fishing is far away or if your fanaticism for this activity is at another level, we recommend this game.