Categories of Video Games: A Primer

When you go into the video game store and see racks and racks of games, how do you find the ones you are interested in? How do you know if you will like a game, besides the standard way of renting it to try it out? Use this guide to help you find the categories of games you already like to play, then consult with the video game store personnel, particularly at a smaller store where they are familiar with almost all systems and games in stock. If you are buying for someone else, it is much easier to find an interesting game for them if you know what type they like.

If you find a game you are interested in but it is not available for your system, consider buying a used console or using someone else's system to try it before you buy it. You may want to add another system to your repertoire!

Action video games are mostly of the run-and-jump variety, with the purpose being to get to the next level, then the succeeding levels, until you win (i.e., finish the game). Many games include a special ending that can only be viewed after completing all the levels. Super Mario Bros. is probably the most famous type of Action game.

Action/adventure games involve the completion of an epic quest, involving a big world and many things to do. It is an action/combat type of game. Legend of Zelda is an epic quest.

Fighter games have two opponents, usually the good side and the bad side, or your player versus the opposition. Examples include Street Fighter, Mortal Kombat and Wrestling.

Puzzle games are varied, but they all have the same characteristic: they require thought and action to come up with solutions. Tetris is a fast-paced puzzle game, and is one of many types that speed up with succeeding screens to force the player to manipulate the pieces with ever-increasing agility.

Rhythm and music games combine popular songs with game action. Dance Dance Revolution, or DDR, is very popular with kids and adults, because it involves different types of songs, with varying tempos, with the athletics necessary to make the right steps at the right time. It is played by standing in front of a screen, and can have multiple players on different mats. This is also a spectator sport, with friends singing along and cheering on the players.

People have been successfully losing weight by employing the increased metabolism of this game play. Rock Band and Boogie are also in these types of music games. And another very popular game, Guitar Hero, involves "playing" a compact guitar. It is reminiscent of your younger days, playing air guitar in front of the bedroom mirror, because you hold an actual model of a guitar, which is used as the controller. It is very popular with youngsters, oldsters and a variety of spectators.

Simulation games are more popular on the PC. However, some have carried over to the video game genre, such as Sim City.

Shooter games are either in first person, where you are the person doing the shooting, or third person where you control the shooter. Call to Duty and Rainbow 6 are all examples of first person shooter games. Doom and Halo are examples of third person shooter games.

Strategy video games involve the control of troops or gangs in a war-type setting. Some of these include Field Commander, Starcraft and Advance Wars.

RPG, or Role Playing Games, are the most common type of games with older players. These involve setting up a character, and possibly a situation, taking the character through different scenarios. They usually have a main storyline with other, smaller storylines. The main example of RPG games is Final Fantasy and its many variations.

Sports games involve major sports teams, with you controlling a specific team. Examples of these are Madden Football, NBA Live, and NCAA.

Racing games have you set up your vehicle, and maybe your character, and race against the clock or another player. Need for Speed and Forza are good examples of racing games.

NASCAR is a video game that can be classified as both a Sports game and a Racing game. Other games could be classified in two different categories, so it is a good idea to have a few examples of games you like. The more information you can give, the more likely the store person can get you the next game you are going to like.

World of Warcraft is an example of an MMORPG, or a Massive Multi-Player Online Role Playing Game. This is a different genre and will be covered under a different article - The World of MMORPGs.