There’s often nothing better than a cup of coffee and a quick game
time during a break, whether you’re having a rest from work, waiting for the bus, or simply just relaxing on the sofa.
The question is, though, what should you choose to play?
In this article, you’ll discover 10 timeless classics you should try next time you have a few minutes (or longer) spare!
1. Minesweeper
In many ways, Minesweeper is the quintessential time killer. It’s fast, fun, surprisingly addictive, and easy to learn.
The game got its start on the original Windows 3.1 operating system, and has been included by default with most versions since. The gameplay is centered around clicking square tiles in a bid to clear the board without triggering any mines; each time you uncover a tile, a number is shown to indicate how many mines are in the area that you need to avoid.
It’s a game of logic and risk assessment, and with options available across many different platforms, you can play it anywhere at any time.
2. Pac-Man
Pac-Man made waves in the 1980s for its uniquely addictive gameplay and was the talk of the arcade all over the world. It drew in scores of people, and while the arcade buzz is now a thing of the past, the game is now more accessible than ever and can be played in many different ways.
The premise is simple: your role is to guide Pac-Man through increasingly difficult mazes to eat all the dots on the screen, all the while avoiding the colored ghosts that haunt the board. The game is accessible to all ages, and you won’t be able to put it down once you start playing.
3. Sudoku
Sudoku gives you a great mind workout as well as being a lot of fun. Traditionally played with paper and pencil, the game has been enjoyed for decades, and today, it can be enjoyed digitally on your phone, tablet, desktop, or laptop.
The objective is to complete a 9x9 grid with appropriately placed numbers. It’s all about filling individual 3x3 boxes with the numbers 1 through 9, and making sure there aren’t any repeating numbers.
4. Snake
There are dozens of versions of Snake at this point, and it’s easy to see why the game has so much staying power.
No matter whether you’re playing a graphically enhanced version or the blocky monochrome type, the objective is the same. Players must guide a digital snake around the screen to eat randomly placed dots: each dot that’s eaten makes the snake slightly bigger, increasing your points but making navigation just that extra bit more difficult each time.
Banging into the border of the map triggers a game over, as does inadvertently banging into yourself as your size increases more and more.
5. Mahjong
Mahjong has been enjoyed all over the planet for centuries, and is a great game to play with friends and family if you have more than a few minutes.
The aim of the game is to match pairs of identical tiles, of which there are multiple different sets you’ll need to familiarize yourself with (such as dots, winds, bamboo, flowers, and so on). It’s all about planning ahead and learning to read your opponent, and with every game being a little different, you’ll never tire of it. 
5. Chess
If you have a little more time to spare, definitely consider chess. Most people are put off because they think the game will be too complicated to learn, but that isn’t the case. The beauty of chess is that the strategy scales depending on the people playing, meaning it can be as basic or as deep as you want it.
There are also digital versions you can play online, so you don’t even need a physical chessboard!
7. Bejeweled
Color matching puzzle games are very common these days, but the one that started it all was Bejeweled. The game can be easily played on your smartphone, making it perfect for whipping out when you’re bored, and no matter how long you’re playing for, the gameplay loop will have you hooked.
The main objective of Bejeweled is to rack up points by matching three of the same colored jewels on the board, which is accomplished by rotating groups in various directions. It’s very much a ‘just one more round’ sort of game.
8. Tetris
Tetris is an undisputed timeless classic, and it’s still just as fun now as it was on the original Game Boy from back in the day.
If you haven’t played before, the game has you rotating a variety of different-shaped falling blocks with the aim of aligning them in a solid horizontal line to clear space at the bottom of the screen.
These days, you can play the game on multiple platforms. There’s even the popular Nintendo Switch Online version, Tetris 99, which has you facing off against 99 other players battle royale-style!
9. Solitaire
Solitaire is the perfect companion for a peaceful 15 to 20-minute break, and all you need to play is either a physical deck of cards or your smartphone.
The aim of Solitaire is to move all the cards on the tableau into four separate piles that are organized in ascending order by suit. It’s a relatively simple premise, but it requires a fair amount of patience and strategy.
10. Crosswords
Crosswords have long been the perfect choice for a relaxing break from work or a sit-down on the sofa in the evening, and while traditionally played in magazines, there are plenty of options for playing online today.
Some online versions also give you the benefit of being able to compete with friends and others from around the world, and these platforms are being updated all the time so that there are always new puzzles to choose from.
Wrapping Up
Hopefully, this article has given you some food for thought as to what to play when you find yourself bored or looking for something to take your mind off the stresses of the day. Have fun!
