What Are the The Top Video Games in Each Genre?

When you're shopping for top video games, it's useful to know the different genres in which video games are typically grouped. Some people enjoy certain video game genres, and would potentially like any good video game within that genre. Other genres are similar in nature, so fans of some genre types may be open to games from a similar genre.

There's no complete consensus on what defines a particular genre, and some games may fall into one or more genres or resist classification entirely. Despite the quibbling, knowing the basic elements of each genre can help you find games that will appeal to you.

Action

Action games include a wide range of scenarios, from stealth-based assassin games with very specific objectives to survival horror games where the object is simply to escape alive or to solve a mystery. Action games typically combine combat, puzzle solving and accumulating new weapons or items.

Fighting

Fighting games are fairly straightforward, featuring one-on-one combat between two or more characters. Players use specific button combinations to perform fighting moves and attempt to reduce their opponent to zero health.

Shooters

Shooter games also combine a number of different play styles, such as first-person shooters, third-person shooters, shoot -em ups and tactical shooters. In a first-person shooter, you play from the character's perspective. In a third-person shooter, you play from a camera angle behind the player, giving you a big-picture view of the action. Shoot -em ups involve destroying massive amounts of enemies, while tactical shooters focus on teamwork, coordination of effort and intelligent ways to outsmart the enemy.

Sports

Sports games simulate popular professional sports, giving users the option to build teams modeled after professional NHL, NFL MLB and other franchises. Most games recreate the experience of playing the sport in one-on-one games against the computer or a human opponent, and many offer online play as well. Some games add a strategic element, allowing you to make every decision for the team, from picking players to choosing uniform colors, with your management decisions directly impacting how your team plays.

Strategy

Strategy games incorporate a number of sub-genres and require users to focus on big-picture strategies to consolidate power and overcome enemies. In strategy games, players typically control large groups of resources and units and must decide how to deploy them to their best advantage.

Puzzle

Puzzle games sometimes cross over into adventure and educational realms and require players to solve puzzles or overcome abstract challenges. These games emphasize logic over reflexes and promote intelligent thought about potential solutions.

RPG

RPG is short for Role-Playing Games that typically require the player to assume the mantle of an adventurer to navigate a series of locations, solve puzzles and overcome enemies while following a set storyline. Like some other genres, RPGs vary tremendously and encompass several sub-genres, the most popular of which is MMORPGs, or Web-based Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games, where you can play with thousands of others from around the world.

Simulation

The simulation genre typically involves vehicle operation of some type, with popular simulation games built around flying, racing, space flight, trains and vehicular combat. The focus of simulation games is to provide realistic opportunities to operate vehicles that the user would probably never have the opportunity to use.

Music and Party

Music and party is a genre of growing popularity in both arcade and home consoles. Popular music games require players to dance, simulate playing musical instruments or sing. Party games focus on multiplayer modes featuring opportunities for many people to compete against one another.