TechSource: 5 Games You Can Play from Your Linux Command Line

5 Games You Can Play from Your Linux Command Line

Posted: 13 Jul 2014 07:55 PM PDT

When it comes to gaming, Linux has taken major steps forward. What once was a deserted island for gamers has now become a growing arena for both gaming fans as well as game developers. With each passing week, we see more and more gaming franchises debuting on this platform. Thanks to the massive investment of Steam in Linux, you can now have a full-fledged gaming experience without booting up your Windows installation.

That said, Linux was once, and still is, the ultimate playground for geeks. While many are busy fighting wars in the latest Call of Duty game, a true Linux fan can be seen having as much fun, if not more, playing an old-school command-line title. For the fans who lean towards the latter category, we have a list of some of the finest command-line games out there for Linux. If you are not a geek, though, don't worry. We have included instructions for you to start playing these games right away.

To get started, open the terminal by searching for it in the Dash or by using the combination (Ctrl + Alt + T) if you are using the Ubuntu desktop.

1. Worm

Ever had an old-school Nokia phone? I'm sure most of you have had one. If yes, then you might remember those good old days when you spent hours playing the legendary game Snake. What a game that was. With the growth of smartphones, sadly, those days are over. Now you have Temple Run, Angry Birds, Flappy Bird and many other titles. However, if you are a true Snake fan, you know nothing comes even close to that game. If we have made you mildly nostalgic, don't worry, because the first game in this list is the closest you'll get to playing Snake. Worm is a fantastic command-line game that will keep you hooked for hours. Just type in or paste the following command in your terminal to install the game:

sudo apt-get install bsdgames

Then, type the command "worm" in your terminal and enjoy!

2. Tetris

Oh! The beloved Tetris! One of the most popular games of the 80's and 90's was tetris. Those brick-sized video games were capable of keeping kids and adults hooked for hours. Released in 1984, this Russian tile-matching puzzle game has sold more than 170 million copies worldwide and ranks second in IGN's list of 100 Greatest Video Games of All Time. With this awesome game, you can't help but keep yourself addicted for hours. To install Tetris in your command-line, use the following command:

sudo apt-get install bsdgames

Then launch the game by typing the command "tetris" without the quotes and enjoy.

3. Space Invaders

Save the space from aliens in this ever-popular game. Released in 1978, Space Invaders was a phenomenon back then, and probably still is. The aim of this title is to defeat waves of aliens with a laser cannon to earn as many points as possible. To install the game on your computer, simply type in the following command:

sudo apt-get install ninvaders

Then launch the game by typing in "ninvaders" in your command line.

4. Backgammon

One of the oldest two-player board games out there, Backgammon has been played for as long as 5000 years. Unlike Chess, though, this game does rely on luck quite a lot. However, if you have the right strategy, you might win against the luckiest of opponents. Playing Backgammon in your terminal isn't as fancy as the real thing, but it still got all the features for you to enjoy a full-fledged competitive play.

To install Backgammon in your terminal, type in or paste the following command:

sudo apt-get install bsdgames

To open the game, you have to type "backgammon" without the quotes.

5. Arithmetic

Last, but not the least, this simple math game will help you improve your brain function every time you take a break. Simply load up the game and try your best to remember everything you'd learned in math class. Go easy on yourself though, it's just a game. We all suffer from poor math skills every once in a while.

To install the game, type in or paste the following command:

sudo apt-get install bsdgames

Then type "arithmetic" without the quotes and enjoy.