Top 5 Old Puzzle Games Included in Microsoft Windows Releases

Ahh, the old days – when computers were slow and pixelated puzzle games were all the rage! From Solitaire to Mahjong Titans, Microsoft Windows was loaded with free entertainment. With hours of addicting gameplay on our pixelated screens for no cost whatsoever, who could resist?

In this blog, we’ll take a walk down memory lane by revisiting some of Microsoft’s classic puzzle games included in past Windows releases. Take out your nostalgia lenses – it’s time to look back at five of the most popular puzzle titles that captured the hearts of the millennial generation!

Puzzle Games that Kept Millennials Busy

If you’re old enough to have played the many free games on your computer but not old enough to remember them all, here’s a quick refresher on Microsoft Windows’ classic puzzle titles. Sit back, relax, and let your inner ’90s kid rejoice.

Solitaire

On the top of our list is Solitaire, an iconic card game played for hundreds of years, with the first recorded mention being in 1801. Microsoft Solitaire was first released as part of the Windows product line in 1990, and the first operating system it was included in was Windows 3.0. However, the game was already in development since the summer of 1988.

Microsoft added this game to “soothe people intimidated by the operating system,” and it became a staple through the years. Since using a computer was still new, Solitaire helped users familiarize themselves with the mouse through its drag-and-drop feature.

Now, Solitaire isn’t only available in Microsoft Windows as the game itself became more accessible through the countless gaming apps developed through the years. For instance, Solitaire: Decked Out is a modern version with adorable graphics and characters to keep the players engaged.

Minesweeper

Minesweeper is another classic free game included in almost every Microsoft Windows release. The game’s objective is to clear a rectangular board called a grid while avoiding mines randomly placed throughout the grid.

It was first released as part of Windows 3.1 in 1992. However, it was already added as a part of the Microsoft Entertainment Pack 1 in 1990, which means users could play Minesweeper the same year as Solitaire when it first came out.

Elements of Minesweeper:

• There are three difficulty levels (Beginner, Intermediate, and Expert)
• The location of mines is discovered through the process of elimination and understanding the meaning of the numbers
• Numbers appear when you click a tile that doesn’t have a mine underneath
• Some tiles are empty, and some have numbers between 1-8
• Numbers mean how many mines are adjacent to the uncovered tile

Minesweeper is arguably one of the most popular puzzle games many players are still addicted to. Due to its simple gameplay but complex way of solving the puzzle, this game remains a classic, and its legacy will most likely live on for many more years. Fortunately, everybody can play Minesweeper on their smartphones or PCs for a more accessible experience.

FreeCell

FreeCell is another solitaire game included in Microsoft Windows releases starting from Windows NT 3.1, NT 3.5, and NT 3.51 in 1993. However, it was first released as part of the Microsoft Entertainment Pack 2 in 1991.

The game has the same gameplay elements as Solitaire, but the only difference is that FreeCell’s cards are dealt face-up from the beginning. Additionally, it only has a few unsolvable deals.

Building the cards during play:

• The top cards of each cascade start a sequence
• Tableaus must be created with alternating colors (red, black, red, black)
• Foundations are built in suit and in ascending order (Ace, 2, 3, 4, 5… King)
• The sequence ends with a King
• Empty spaces are filled by any card and completed in ascending order

Similar to Solitaire and Minesweeper, FreeCell became more accessible over the years due to its availability on smartphones and computers. Plus, new versions of the game offer modern elements. Since the game is easy to master, many beginners try their luck by playing through apps or browsers for no commitment or fun.

Hearts

Another card game that revolves around trick-taking is Hearts. However, instead of taking as many tricks as possible, the goal is to avoid getting any to receive the lowest score. It was first introduced in Windows 3.1 in 1992 until Windows version 7. It also has an internet version called Internet Hearts, which was only released in Windows Me and XP.

The game originated from the card game Reversis, which became popular in the mid-1700s in Spain. Here, each trick won means there’s a penalty. Once the game begins, players must avoid receiving any Hearts card or the Queen of Spades, which will give penalty points. One point for each Hearts card and 13 points for Queen of Spades.

If you want to try this card game, Hearts.land allows you to compete against a smart AI to hone your skills. It’s accessible as you can play it on your smartphone without an internet connection.

Mahjong Titan

Finally, we have Mahjong Titan, a computer version of Mahjong Solitaire. It was included in Windows Vista (2001) and Windows 7 (2009). It has an addictive gameplay where the player must systematically match the tiles to win the game.

Game features:

• Six style layout choices (Spider, Dragon, Cat, Fortress, Crab, and Turtle)
• Five background choices
• There are always (often two) pairs on the topmost five tiles in the Turtle layout
• Games are not entirely random

Since this version is not as enticing as the newer version, Microsoft Mahjong, players look for innovative games to meet their needs. For instance, Mahjong Club – Solitaire Game is designed for computers with at least Windows 10 (v2004) as one of its minimum requirements. It means this game is intended for more sophisticated gameplay.

Your Daily Dose of Classic Puzzle Games from Microsoft Windows

If you want to experience the old but iconic puzzle games that used to come pre-installed in the old Microsoft Windows, this list will give you an idea of where to play them again. Try them out for a quick break during work or school.

From Solitaire, Minesweeper, FreeCell, and Hearts to Mahjong Titan, these games will surely give you a blast of nostalgia and satisfaction when winning. Don’t waste your time, and start playing the old classics today!