You can play games on the Linux terminal. Here are the best command line games for you.
Linux has never been the first preference among operating systems for gaming. However, gaming on Linux has evolved, and now, even a new user can try to play the latest games on Linux.
You can download Linux games from various sources and also explore some of the best distributions tailored for gaming if that is what you want.
Moreover, you can also play some cool games on the terminal or the command line. Did you know that? 😲
Linux has one added advantage over its Windows counterpart. The mighty Linux terminal allows you to do many interesting, powerful, and useful things, including playing command line games.
Games that run on the terminal are light, fast, and fun to play.
And the best thing of all, you’ve got a lot of classic retro games available for the Linux terminal.
Who hasn’t spent hours together playing Tetris? Simple, but totally addictive.
Bastet is the Tetris of Linux. You can play the normal version or choose the harder version to challenge yourself.
Use the command below to install Bastet:
To play the game, run the below command in the terminal:
Use the spacebar to rotate the bricks and arrow keys to guide. You can also customize the keys as per your preferences.
Space Invaders on a command-line interface. I remember tussling for a high score with my brother on this. One of the best arcade games out there.
Copy and paste the command to install Ninvaders.
To play this game, use the command below:
Arrow keys to move the spaceship. Space bar to shoot at the aliens.
Yes, the King of the arcade. Right?
Pacman4console is the terminal version of the popular arcade hit Pacman. ⍩⃝
Use the command to get pacman4console:
Open a terminal, and I suggest you maximize it. Type the command below to launch the game:
Use the arrow keys to control the movement.
Remember the snake game on Nokia phones? 🐍
That game kept me hooked on the phone for a long time. I used to devise various coiling patterns to manage the grown-up snake.
We have the snake game in Linux terminal thanks to nSnake. Use the command below to install it:
To play the game, type in the below command to launch the game.
Use arrow keys to move the snake and feed it. You can also download various levels by following the instructions in the game.
Suggested Read 📖
Greed is a little like Tron, minus the speed and adrenaline.
Your location is denoted by a blinking ‘@’. You are surrounded by numbers, and you can choose to move in any of the 4 directions,
The direction you choose has a number, and you move precisely that number of steps. And you repeat the step again. You cannot revisit the visited spot, and the game ends when you cannot make a move.
It may look confusing, so I would say it may not be to everyone’s liking. It is still fun.
Install greed with the command below:
To launch the game, use the command below. Then use the arrow keys to play the game.
What’s better than being a pilot? An air traffic controller ✈️
You can simulate an entire air traffic system in your terminal. To be honest, managing air traffic from a terminal kind of feels, real and sounds cool. (what do you think?)
It is one of the games that come included with BSD Games package. You can explore the other free and open-source games included with it as well.
Install the game using the command below:
First, you need to read the instructions to play the game, to do that use the command:
Once you understand how it is done, enter the command below to launch the game:
Suggested Read 📖
Whether you have played Backgammon before or not, You should check this out. The instructions will be prompted when you launch the game. Play it against the computer or your friend if you prefer.
It is a two-player board game. This one is also included with the same BSD Games package as mentioned above.
Install Backgammon using this command:
Type in the below command to launch the game:
Jump. Fire. Hours of fun. No more words to describe it. Lots of fun! 🚗
Install the game using the command below:
Use the below command to start the game:
Press space to jump, ‘a’ or ‘l’ to shoot.
Here’s something to make your brain flex 🧠
2048 is a strategic as well as highly addictive game. The goal is to get a score of 2048.
You need to install an addition gcc package to build the game from source.
Head to its GitHub page if you are curious.
Copy and paste the commands below one by one to install the game.
Type the below command to launch the game and use the arrow keys to play.
Want to play Sudoku on the Linux terminal? Why not.
You can install it using the following command:
To run the game, simply type:
If you want to have fun with the Linux terminal, these games should give you a good experience. I guess it is time to press Ctrl+Alt+T now that you’ve read this.
You may also check out our list of the best ASCII games for Linux:
If you like ASCII art, here are some fun CLI tools to explore.
Or, perhaps you’ll run a train in the terminal?
💬 What is your favorite on the list? Or got some other fun stuff for the terminal? Do share your thoughts in the comments below.
Created It's FOSS 11 years ago to share my Linux adventures. Have a Master's degree in Engineering and years of IT industry experience. Huge fan of Agatha Christie detective mysteries 🕵️♂️
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