Ah, Minesweeper! One of the most classic gaming puzzles that have stood the test of time across multiple devices and platforms! From its beginnings as a Windows 3.1x game almost three decades ago to its modern-day iterations on Android and iOS phones, Windows PCs, and even video game console systems like Nintendo Switch, Minesweeper online has kept us entertained for years with its deviously simple yet mind-bending complex challenges.
But how exactly did this curious little game come to be, and why is it still going strong in 2023? Join us today as we look back at the evolution of Minesweeper online through the years – from its inception until now – along with exploring some fascinating games based on this timeless puzzler.
Travel Back in Time: How Minesweeper Came to Be
Did you know that the most successful game ever invented isn’t Tetris or League of Legends? It’s in the form of a seemingly family-friendly game called Minesweeper. This logical puzzle game was first developed in 1990 by two Microsoft employees, Curt Johnson and Robert Donner for Microsoft Windows.
It was said that Minesweeper isn’t the first of its kind, and Mined-Out by Ian Andrew is where the idea came from. Curt Johnson admitted that the game was borrowed from another game, but he insisted it wasn’t Mined-Out and they forgot which game it was.
The game is also known as Flower Field and was part of the Microsoft Entertainment Pack 1. After that, it was installed in Windows 3.1 in 1992. By this time, its official name became Microsoft Minesweeper and was released in the subsequent Windows releases without substantial upgrades until Windows Vista.
The basics of the game aren’t about clicking mindlessly on the grid of squares. It’s deeper than that, which has genuinely challenged even the greatest puzzle player’s deduction reasoning skills! If you want to play the game, you must know its main principles first.
Learn more about the basics of Minesweeper:
- Traverse the grid without triggering any mines
- The uncovered numbers mean how many mines are in its adjacent square
- Flagging allows players to remember where they believe the hiding mines are
Due to its popularity, anyone can play online Minesweeper these days. They can be downloaded as mobile apps, while some are on browser-based platforms! It has also been adapted into numerous modern games with many conventional elements for an innovative approach.
Notable Games Based on Minesweeper
We have compiled a list of contemporary games with the same gameplay as Minesweeper. Check them out below:
DemonCrawl
A roguelite puzzler that combines Minesweeper gameplay with numerous addicting features, such as innumerable stages, items, and abilities, is DemonCrawl.
Features of DemonCrawl:
- Over 500 unique items to collect
- Five different Quests with varying formidable levels
- More than 50 thrilling stages
- Open-ended player progression for endless possibilities
- Numerous game modes
Although you can’t play this game on browsers or websites, the free mobile app makes it easier to play on the go! Therefore, downloading it is truly a no-brainer.
Mastermine
This 3D puzzle game has a twist that makes it stand out. It’s based on Minesweeper, where players must solve puzzles, but on a 3D cube. The best part is if you have always wanted to play online Minesweeper, you can do so with Mastermine, as it has a cross-platform feature. It allows you to compete against your friends for the fastest times!
Mastermine features:
- Cube size increases to keep up with the pace
- Use power-ups to re-arrange the cube
- Original game modes to try: Time Crisis, Campaign, and Sandbox
Mastermine is also 100% ad-free, giving you more time to focus on the puzzles without distractions. Download it if this kind of compelling game is right up your alley!
Globesweeper
An intriguing game that’s similar to Mastermine is Globesweeper. It’s a Minesweeper game, but shaped like a Globe. What’s interesting about this puzzle game is that players can play for many hours if they want to!
Some basic features of Globesweeper:
- Choose from Hexagon, Triangle, and Classic Square game modes
- Five various globe sizes
- Four difficulty levels
- Play from 92 tiles to 20,480 tiles
- Unlock 14 themes by obtaining achievements
Are you ready to beat a colossal Minesweeper game? If so, this game will challenge your Minesweeping skills to the highest level! Let’s see if you can handle an hour-long Minesweeping action!
Runestone Keeper
Another RPG roguelike game is Runestone Keeper. It’s a dungeon-crawler that also incorporates mines as enemies. Players can also take advantage of its Equipment system, which means more attributes for more potent weapons. If you’re not satisfied, you can always fight monsters for more!
Other Runestone Keeper features:
- Dive into a dungeon adventure
- Collect items and skills to help defeat your opponents
- Explore diverse monster mixes
If you’re keen on experiencing something different but still Minesweeper-related, this game is worth a try. You can download the free mobile app if you’re also a fan of role-playing games!
Dungelot Shattered Lands
Last but not least is Dungelot Shattered Lands. It’s another dungeon-crawler game in an expansive world where players will experience epic roguelike gameplay. The monsters here are also weird, such as zombie cows and giant evil mushrooms! Some enemies are in the form of mines as well.
Features of Dungelot Shattered Lands:
- Explore through 18 dungeons filled with monsters and secrets
- Unearth powerful items to help you on your journey
- Defeat bosses to progress further in the game
- Collect loot from fallen enemies
- Characters have distinctive playstyles
- Four characters to choose from
- Trade with merchants
- Mini-games and side quests to undertake
- Three fantasy worlds to unearth and unlock
With the combination of Minesweeper and RPG elements, Dungelot Shattered Lands offers an immersive gameplay experience. It’s a game you don’t want to miss out on!
The Advent of Technology Has Changed the Game
Numerous technological advances allowed game developers to incorporate Minesweeper characteristics into their games. It has made this logical puzzler more interesting than before, becoming a basis for countless adventure-based games that keep players hooked for hours.
The future of Minesweeper looks promising, as new technologies will continue to change the way people play and interact with this classic game. Who knows what kind of stimulating games we’ll have in the near future? One thing’s for sure—Minesweeper is here to stay!
