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# Top 10 Command Line Games for Linux
- URL: https://itsfoss.com/best-command-line-games-linux/
- Published: 2016-08-08T00:18:04.000Z
- Updated: 2023-05-25T05:13:43.000Z
- Description: You can play games on the Linux terminal. Here are the best command line games for you.
- Author: Abhishek Prakash
- Tags: List 📋, Terminal

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](https://itsfoss.com/linux-gaming-guide/) has evolved, and now, even a new user can try to play the latest games on Linux.

You can [download Linux games](https://itsfoss.com/download-linux-games/) from various sources and also explore some of the [best distributions tailored for gaming](https://itsfoss.com/linux-gaming-distributions/) 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.

📋

The list is in no particular order of ranking.

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## 1\. Bastet

![Playing Bastet](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2023/04/bastet.svg)

Bastet

Who hasn’t spent hours together playing [Tetris](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tetris?ref=itsfoss.com)? 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**:

```
sudo apt install bastet
```

**To play the game**, run the below command in the terminal:

```
bastet
```

Use the spacebar to rotate the bricks and arrow keys to guide. You can also customize the keys as per your preferences.

📋

We mention installation instructions for Ubuntu as we test it, but the games should be available in repositories of other popular Linux distributions.

## 2\. Ninvaders

![Playing Ninvaders](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2023/04/ninvaderss.gif)

Ninvaders

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.

```
sudo apt install ninvaders
```

To play this game, use the command below:

```
ninvaders
```

Arrow keys to move the spaceship. Space bar to shoot at the aliens.

## 3\. Pacman4console

![Playing Pacman4Console](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2023/04/pacmancon.gif)

Pacman4Console

Yes, the King of the arcade. Right?

Pacman4console is the terminal version of the popular arcade hit **Pacman**. ⍩⃝

💡

You need to re-size the window and keep it a bit big/wide to be able to launch the game.

Use the command to get pacman4console:

```
sudo apt install pacman4console
```

Open a terminal, and I suggest you maximize it. Type the command below to launch the game:

```
pacman4console
```

Use the arrow keys to control the movement.

## 4\. nSnake

![Playing nSnake](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2023/04/nsnake.gif)

nSnake

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:

```
sudo apt install nsnake
```

To play the game, type in the below command to launch the game.

```
nsnake
```

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 📖**

[Best Games On Steam You Can Play On Linux and WindowsHere’s a curated list of the best steam games in various genres. The games listed here are available on both Windows and Linux. When it comes to gaming, a system running on a Windows platform is what anyone would recommend. It still is an excellent choice for gamers with![](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/size/w256h256/2022/12/android-chrome-192x192.png)It's FOSSAnkush Das![](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/wordpress/2017/12/best-steam-games.png)](https://itsfoss.com/best-linux-games-steam/)

## 5\. Greed

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,

![Playing Greed](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2023/04/greed.gif)

Greed

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:

```
sudo apt install greed
```

To launch the game, use the command below. Then use the arrow keys to play the game.

```
greed
```

## 6\. Air Traffic Controller

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?)

![Air Traffic Controller](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2023/04/atc.png)

Air Traffic Controller

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:

```
sudo apt install bsdgames
```

First, you need to read the instructions to play the game, to do that use the command:

```
man atc
```

Once you understand how it is done, enter the command below to launch the game:

```
atc
```

**Suggested Read 📖**

[Play Multiplayer Tron Arcade Game In Linux TerminalWhen it comes to gaming in Linux, Linux has an added advantage of terminal games. These ‘terminal games’ are played in the Linux command line terminal. Unlike the usual games, terminal games are mostly in ASCII display. ASCII might not sound fancy, and it isn’t. But you can still![](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/size/w256h256/2022/12/android-chrome-192x192.png)It's FOSSAbhishek Prakash![](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/wordpress/2016/03/ssh-tron.gif)](https://itsfoss.com/play-tron-game-linux-terminal/)

## 7\. Backgammon

![Backgammon](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2023/04/backgammon.png)

Backgammon

Whether you have played [Backgammon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Backgammon?ref=itsfoss.com) 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:

```
sudo apt install bsdgames
```

Type in the below command to launch the game:

```
backgammon
```

## 8\. Moon Buggy

Jump. Fire. Hours of fun. No more words to describe it. Lots of fun! 🚗

![Playing Moon Buggy](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2023/04/moon.gif)

Moon Buggy

Install the game using the command below:

```
sudo apt install moon-buggy
```

Use the below command to start the game:

```
moon-buggy
```

Press **space** to jump, ‘**a**’ or ‘**l**’ to shoot.

## 9\. 2048

Here’s something to make your brain flex 🧠

[2048](https://itsfoss.com/2048-game/) is a strategic as well as highly addictive game. The goal is to get a score of 2048.

![Playing 2048](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2023/04/2048.gif)

2048

You need to install an addition **gcc** package to build the game from source.

```
sudo apt install gcc
```

Head to its [GitHub page](https://github.com/mevdschee/2048.c?ref=itsfoss.com) if you are curious.

Copy and paste the commands below one by one to install the game.

```
wget https://raw.githubusercontent.com/mevdschee/2048.c/master/2048.c

gcc -o 2048 2048.c
```

Type the below command to launch the game and use the arrow keys to play.

```
./2048
```

## 10\. Nudoku

Want to play Sudoku on the Linux terminal? Why not.

![Playing Nudoku](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2023/04/nudoku1.svg)

Nudoku

You can install it using the following command:

```
sudo apt install nudoku
```

To run the game, simply type:

```
nudoku
```

## Your pick?

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:

[Best ASCII Games for Linux That are Insanely GoodText-based or should I say terminal-based games were very popular a decade back – when you didn’t have visual masterpieces like God Of War, Red Dead Redemption 2 or Spiderman. Of course, the Linux platform has its share of good games – but not always the “latest and greatest”. But, there![](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/size/w256h256/2022/12/android-chrome-192x192.png)It's FOSSAnkush Das![](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/wordpress/2018/11/best-ascii-games-featured.png)](https://itsfoss.com/best-ascii-games/)

If you like ASCII art, here are some fun CLI tools to explore.

[10 Tools to Generate and Have Fun With ASCII Art in Linux TerminalLinux terminal is not as scary as you think. Of course, it could be intimidating in the beginning but once you know the terminal better, you start loving it. You are likely to use the terminal for serious work. But there are many fun stuff you can do in the![](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/size/w256h256/2022/12/android-chrome-192x192.png)It's FOSSAbhishek Prakash![](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/wordpress/2022/07/ascii-art-tools-linux.png)](https://itsfoss.com/ascii-art-linux-terminal/)

Or, perhaps you'll run a train in the terminal?

[Running a Train in the Linux Terminal With sl CommandChoo choo! All aboard the choo choo train in the Linux terminal.![](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/size/w256h256/2022/12/android-chrome-192x192.png)It's FOSSAbhishek Prakash![](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/wordpress/2015/04/Linux_Terminal_Train.jpeg)](https://itsfoss.com/ubuntu-terminal-train/)

💬 What *is your favorite on the list? Or got some other fun stuff for the terminal? Do share your thoughts in the comments below.*