Top 10 Pirate Themed Video Games

Who ever said pirates couldn't be lovable misfits? This is the tale of Zack and Wiki, a boy pirate and his magic monkey ally seeking fame and fortune. Their journey takes them to a number of varied and lush island locales, ranging from volcanoes to jungles to icy caves. The meat of the adventure, however, is in the quirky puzzles which provide a welcome challenge and in the lighthearted characters who harken back to the early days of point-and-click adventures.

A little unconventional, but the Hero of Hyrule's sea adventure has apirate's spirit at heart. The eternal hero Link's journey to save his sister from evil clutches has him cross paths with a pirate crew, lead by the young captain Tetra. In addition, the game has Link sailing the Great Sea, travelling from island to island and occasionally looting a dungeon or two. “The Wind Waker” presents its watery realm as a colorful, cheerful world – fitting the fun of traversing entire oceans and looting mysterious chests.

Turns out steam punk and pirate iconography mesh well together. “Crimson: Steam Pirates” follows the adventures of Captain Thomas Blood, a newcomer looking to make his mark in the history of piracy. The game stands out from the pack in being a turn-based strategy game, all about planning out moves, using special abilities and striking your enemies at the right time. That plus the alternate 19th century setting – complete with historical figures like Jules Verne and Nikola Tesla – makes it an experience you won't forget.

Island management is always interesting, but the infusion of pirates doubles the fun. You are the Pirate King, in charge of a pirate island and tasked with keeping the locales in line. Trouble is, order and reason aren't of interest to pirates. Keeping the pirates focused on bringing in money, training the local captives, warding off angry warlords – it may seem like a lot, but the game embraces randomness and maintains a tongue-in-cheek sense of humor through it all.

In the wake of his robotic friend and partner Clank's disappearance, our furry hero Ratchet embarks on a quest that brings him to the attention of the deceased Captain Slag's crew. “Quest for Booty”, for as short as it is, succeeds for a number of reasons. It shows off lush jungles and dank caverns, pits Ratchet against a conga line of robot pirates, and regularly gives the stage to secondary characters – like the wonderfully dopey Rusty Pete.

Watch out, travellers – for the Sky Pirates are near. “Skies of Arcadia” introduces us to the young man Vyse and the Blue Rogues, a benevolent pirate crew soon drawn into an epic quest to collect six Moon Crystals and save the world. This role-playing game channels a generally light tone, complete with charming anti-heroes. Combine that with exploring dungeons for treasure chests and flying around in an airship, and you have a very unique take on the pirate mythos.

Pirates can crop up anywhere, even in a game about a monkey with a ballcap. Our ape heroes Diddy and Dixie seeks to free his friend Donkey Kong from the villainous Kaptain K. Rool. The game starts on a pirate ship and transitions into a variety of jungle and swamp levels, though it never loses its high-flying adventure feel. Surprisingly, it's also channelling the darker side of pirate lore – every environment is filled with danger, and K. Rool's minions play up the tough and brutish angle whenever they're encountered.

Raise your glass to Sid Meier, for he has struck gold on this one. A remake of the 1987 game of the same name, this version places you in the role of a nobleman turned privateer after their family is taken captive by the dastardly Marquis. Despite being a revenge tale of sorts, the game never descends into grim and gritty storytelling – instead, it's a joyful blend of ship sailing, sword duels, ballroom dancing, treasure hunting and ship-to-ship combat that embraces the romantic side of a pirate's life.

Though we love the series as a whole, the original adventure shines brightest. “The Secret of Monkey Island” stars Guybrush Threepwood, an up-and-comer who wants nothing more than to be apirate – and he wants the world to know. Guybrush's quest takes him from the quaint Melee Island to the titular Monkey Island, introducing him to the quirkiest of characters and filling the experience with witty jokes aplenty, without undermining our piratehero's sincerity or charm. This is one point and click adventure game worthy of the pirate banner and your time.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions:

“Lego Pirates of the Caribbean: The Video Game” (2011)
“Age of Booty” (2008)
“Scurvy Scallywags” (2013)
“Nelly Cootalot: Spoonbeaks Ahoy!” (2007)

Nothing is true, everything is permitted – including pirates, apparently. As the Assassin's Order and Templar Order fight over ancient artifacts, deckhand Edward Kenway soon finds himself embroiled in the conflict while also staving off the end of piracy's golden age. Despite this, melodrama is not the name of the game here, as “Black Flag” wisely emphasizes its gorgeous Caribbean setting and astoundingly large open world. Harpooning sea beasts, hunting for treasure and rubbing elbows with Blackbeard himself – choice is this game's speciality.
Do you agree with our list? What’s your favorite pirate themed game? For more charming Top 10s published daily, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.