I Spy is a children's book series with text written by Jean Marzollo, photographs by Walter Wick, and published by Scholastic Press. Each page contains a photo with objects in it, and the riddles (written in dactylic tetrameter rhyme[1]) accompanying the photo state which objects have to be found.

Although the first I Spy book contains unrelated pages of still life pictures, subsequent books are more thematic.[2]

When Macaroni sings a song, Cheese will never sing along. Mac likes to jump and play and sing, But Cheese does not like anything. Macaroni and Cheese are best friends, yet they couldn't be more different! Mac likes to pounce and bounce and jump, but Cheese just sits there like a lump. But when Mac. Scholastic Classroom Magazines are a great way to supplement classroom learning. Standards-based titles cover topics like current events, language arts, math, science, and social studies.

Several video games based on the I Spy books are available for Windows PCs, Nintendo DS, Nintendo Wii, App Store (iOS), Leapster, and the Game Boy Advance, including I Spy Spooky Mansion, I Spy Treasure Hunt, and I Spy Fantasy. These served as early examples of an increasingly popular hidden object game genre.

I Spy merchandise has been sold in at least 31 countries worldwide.[3]

Scholastic Games. 59 free fun and educational games Scholastic is a global children's publishing, education and media company. Their mission, as stated on the website. Teachers’ #1 Choice for Current, On-Level Nonfiction. Over 6 million students read Scholastic News every week! See why so many teachers rely on this exceptional magazine to engage their students, build nonfiction-reading skills, and increase content-area knowledge. Games.lol is your No. 1 download site for free online games for PC, Mac, and APK. We have popular games such as Granny, Subway Surfers, Pixel Gun 3D, 8 Ball Pool, Mobile Legends Bang Bang and others. Games.lol provides cheats, tips, hacks, tricks and walkthroughs for all games. Shop the Scholastic Teachers Store for books, lesson plans, guides, classroom supplies and more. Shop by grade, subject or format to ensure your students have the resources they need! Scholastic is a global children's publishing, education and media company. Their mission, as stated on the website, is to 'help children around the world read and learn.' Their online games feature popular book characters like Harry Potter, Captain Underpants, and Allie Finkle.

Wick stated in a 1997 news article, 'My career can really be put into two categories: before I Spy and after I Spy.. The success of the books has been really nice. I never got that lucky break in my commercial career, but all of that hard work .. was usable for I Spy.'[2]

Authors[edit]

Jean Marzollo is the award-winning author of over 100 books, including Help Me Learn Numbers 0-20, Help Me Learn Addition, Help Me Learn Subtraction, Pierre the Penguin, Soccer Sam, Happy Birthday Martin Luther King, The Little Plant Doctor, In 1776, Mama Mama/Papa Papa, and I Am Water, as well as books for parents and teachers such as The New Kindergarten.

Walter Wick is the author and photographer of the best-selling series Can You See What I See?.

Carol Carson Devine, the book designer for the first I Spy books, is art director at Alfred A. Knopf Publishers. She has designed covers for books by John Updike, Joan Didion, Alice Munro, Bill Clinton and Pope John Paul II.

Book list[edit]

For All Ages[edit]

Classics[edit]

  • I Spy (1992)
  • I Spy Christmas (1992)
  • I Spy Fun House (1993)
  • I Spy Mystery (1993)
  • I Spy Fantasy (1994)
  • I Spy School Days (1995)
  • I Spy Spooky Night (1996)
  • I Spy Treasure Hunt (1999)

Challengers[edit]

  • I Spy Super Challenger! (1997)
  • I Spy Gold Challenger! (1998)
  • I Spy Extreme Challenger! (2000)
  • I Spy Year-Round Challenger! (2001)
  • I Spy Ultimate Challenger! (2003)
  • I Spy Super Extreme Challenger! (2009)

For Beginning Readers[edit]

Paperback Readers[edit]

  • I Spy Funny Teeth (2003)
  • I Spy a Dinosaur's Eye (2003)
  • I Spy a School Bus (2003)
  • I Spy a Scary Monster (2004)
  • I Spy a Candy Cane (2004)
  • I Spy Lightning in the Sky (2005)
  • I Spy a Pumpkin (2005)
  • I Spy a Penguin (2005)
  • I Spy Santa Claus (2005)
  • I Spy a Balloon (2006)
  • I Spy a Butterfly (2007)
  • I Spy Merry Christmas (2007)
  • I Spy I Love You (2009)
  • I Spy a Skeleton (2010)
  • I Spy an Egg in a Nest (2011)
  • I Spy an Apple (2011)
  • I Spy Thanksgiving (2011)
  • I Spy School (2012)

Phonics and More[edit]

  • I Spy Phonics Fun Boxset (2007)
  • I Spy A to Z (2009)

For Babies & Preschoolers[edit]

Board Books[edit]

  • I Spy Little Book (2002)
  • I Spy Little Animals (2002)
  • I Spy Little Wheels (2003)
  • I Spy Little Numbers (2003)
  • I Spy Little Christmas (2003)
  • I Spy Little Letters (2004)
  • I Spy Little Bunnies (2004)
  • I Spy Little Hearts (2004)
  • I Spy Little Learning Box (2004)
  • I Spy Little Toys (2005)

Square Paperbacks[edit]

  • I Spy Letters (2006)
  • I Spy Numbers (2006)
  • I Spy Animals (2006)
  • I Spy a Funny Frog (2007)
  • I Spy Hearts (2007)
  • I Spy Bunnies (2008)

Other Books[edit]

Sticker Books[edit]

  • I Spy Sticker Book & Picture Riddles (2012)

Novelty Books[edit]

  • I Spy a Christmas Tree (2012)

Special Books[edit]

  • I Spy Spectacular (2011)

Game adaptations[edit]

PC and Mac[edit]

  • I Spy (1997)
  • I Spy Junior (1999)
  • I Spy Spooky Mansion (1999)
  • I Spy School Days (2000)
  • I Spy Junior Puppet Playhouse (2000)
  • I Spy Treasure Hunt (2001)
  • I Spy Fantasy (2003)
  • I Spy Spooky Mansion Deluxe (2005)
  • I Spy Mystery (2006)
  • I Spy Fun House (2007)
  • I Spy Challenger (2014)
  • I Spy Pirate Ship (2015)

Nintendo DS[edit]

  • I Spy Fun House (2007)
  • I Spy Universe (2010)
  • I Spy Castle (2011)
  • I Spy Game Pack (compilation of I Spy Universe and I Spy Fun House, (2012)

Wii[edit]

  • Ultimate I Spy (2008)
  • I Spy Spooky Mansion (2010)
  • I Spy Game Pack (compilation of Ultimate I Spy and I Spy Spooky Mansion, 2012)

iPhone Apps[edit]

  • I Spy Riddle Race (2009)
  • I Spy Spooky Mansion (2009)
  • 'I Spy Arcade: Critter Craze' (2013)
  • 'I Spy Arcade: Fine Line' (2013)
  • 'I Spy Arcade: Match Attack' (2013)
  • 'I Spy Arcade: Spy Squares' (2013)

Leapster[edit]

  • I Spy Challenger (2011)
  • I Spy Super Challenger (2012)
  • I Spy Treasure Hunt (2012)
  • I Spy Spooky Mansion (2012)

Game Boy Advance[edit]

  • I Spy Challenger (2002)

DVD Games[edit]

  • I Spy Treasure Hunt (2012)
  • I Spy Spooky Mansion (2012)
  • I Spy Fantasy (2012)
  • I Spy (2014)

Flash[edit]

  • 'I Spy Bingo' (2009)
  • 'I Spy Puzzler' (2009)
  • 'I Spy Mystery Match' (2009)
  • 'I Spy The Library' (2010)
  • 'I Spy City' (2010)
  • 'I Spy : The View from Duck Pond Inn' (2013)
  • 'I Spy : Rhyme Time' (2013)
  • 'I Spy : Riddle Round-Up' (2013)
  • 'I Spy : Catch 'em if you Can' (2013)
  • 'I Spy : Make a Picture Online' (2014)
  • 'I Spy : Write a Riddle Online' (2014)

Tag[edit]

  • I Spy Imagine That! (2010)

Awards[edit]

The I Spy series has won numerous awards [1]:

Books[edit]

  • I Spy: A Book of Picture Riddles (HC)
    • California Children's Media Award, Honorable Mention
    • NYPL 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing
    • 'Definitely fun, and educational, too; this is a true eye-opener.' — Los Angeles Times
  • I Spy Christmas (HC)
    • Parents' Magazine Best Book
    • 'Features gorgeously styled, full-spread color photos of many objects.'—Publishers Weekly, starred review
  • I Spy Fun House (HC)
    • Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year
    • 'Sumptuously styled.. A lot of mirror mazes and magic tricks.'—Publishers Weekly
  • I Spy Mystery (HC)
    • Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year, National Parenting Publication Award Honorable Mention
  • I Spy Spooky Night
    • American Bookseller Pick of the Lists
    • 'A must, in multiple copies, for any Halloween collection.' — School Library Journal, starred review,
    • 'Spectacularly eerie pictures chock full of hidden objects.'— Booklist
  • I Spy Treasure Hunt
    • 2001 Parent's Choice Award
    • 'Intricate and ingenious.'—Booklist
    • 'Marzollo's structured rhymes provide the clues while Wick's stunningly detailed miniature village provides the hidden answers for readers to seek out.' — School Library Journal
  • I Spy Phonics Fun Boxset
    • 2008 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award Winner

Interactive adaptation[edit]

  • I Spy Treasure Hunt (CD-ROM)
    • 2001 Parents’ Choice Software Recommended Award
    • Best Selling PC Games PlayDate 2001
    • 2001 Parent's Guide to Children's Media Award
    • The National Parenting Center's Seal of Approval
    • Choosing Children's Software Best Picks Award
    • The #1 Best-Selling Educational Title October 2001, NPD Intelect
    • Kids First! Endorsement
    • 2001/2002 BESSIE (Best Educational Software) Award
    • 2002 Distinguished Achievement Award Finalist, Association of Educational Publishers
    • 2002 Parenting Magazine's Software of the Year Award
  • I Spy Fantasy (CD-ROM)
    • Top Choice Software Award, Museum of Science Boston
    • All Star Software, Children's Software & New Media Revue - 4.9 Rating
    • The National Parenting Center Seal of Approval
    • Child Magazine Best Software & Video Games of 2003
    • Parent & Child Teacher's Pick Best Tech 2003
    • Best Educational Software, Review Corner
    • 2004 BESSIE (Best Educational Software) Award
    • 2004 Parents’ Choice Gold Award
    • 2004 Distinguished Achievement Award 'Best Graphics', Association of Educational Publishers
  • I Spy Spooky Mansion Deluxe (CD-ROM)
    • National Parenting Publications Awards (NAPPA) Gold Award Winner 2004
    • All Star Software, Children's Software & New Media Revue - 5.0 Rating
    • 2004 Parents’ Choice Recommended Award
    • 2004 Top Choice Software Award, Museum of Science Boston
  • I Spy Mystery (CD-ROM)
    • Dr. Toy's 100 Best Children's Products for 2006
    • Dr. Toy's 10 Best Software//CD-ROM/High-Tech Products for 2006
    • Best Interactive Games of 2006, Child Magazine
    • Best of 2006 Technology, Parent & Child Magazine
    • 2006 Best Video Games for Kids, Best PC Puzzler – Nick Jr. Magazine
    • Editor's Choice, Children's Technology Revue
  • I Spy Fun House (CD-ROM)
    • National Parenting Center Seal of Approval
  • I Spy Treasure Hunt (Leapster)
    • National Parenting Center Seal of Approval
    • Parents’ Choice Silver Award
  • I Spy Fun House (Nintendo DS)
    • The National Parenting Center's 2008 Seal of Approval
    • Kids First! Endorsement
    • Parents’ Choice Recommended
  • Ultimate I Spy (Wii)
    • iParenting Media Award
    • Parents’ Choice Gold Award

TV adaptation[edit]

  • I Spy TV Series
    • 2004 USA Film Festival – Finalist
    • Telly Awards – Finalist
    • Parent's Choice Award – Silver Honor Award
    • Chicago International Television Award – Certificate of Merit
    • 2003 Chicago International Children's Film Festival – Certificate of Merit
    • Chicago International Television Award – Certificate of Merit – Program
    • Chicago International Television Award – Certificate of Merit – Series
    • Daytime Emmy Award – Winner – Individual Animation (Pete Sluszka)
    • International Film & Video Festival – Screening & 3rd Place certificate
    • Literacy in Media Awards – Finalist
    • Parent's Choice Award – Silver Medal
    • Shenandoah University Parent's Guide – Recommended
    • USA Film Festival – Finalist

Game & Puzzle adaptations[edit]

  • I Spy Preschool Game
    • 1998 Canadian Toy Testing Council Three Stars
    • Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Seal Award
    • Parents Choice Approved
    • 2002 PlayDate Top-Selling Board Game
  • I Spy Flip 5
    • 2009 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Seal Award
    • Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award
  • I Spy Ready, Set, Silhouette
    • 2009 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Seal Award
  • I Spy Bingo Game
    • 2003 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Seal Award
    • Canadian Toy Testing Council Three Stars
    • Creative Child Magazine 'Preferred Choice'
  • I Spy Memory Game
    • 1995 Dr. Toy's 100 Best Children's Products
    • Duracell Kids Choice National Toy Award
    • Learning Magazine Teacher's Choice Award
    • National Parenting Publication, Honors Award
    • Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Seal Award
    • Parenting Magazine Best Toys of the Year
    • Parents Choice Gold Seal of Excellence
    • Parents Magazine Best Toys & Games
    • Working Mother Magazine
    • The Right Toys for the Right Age
    • 1997 Specialty Retailer Top Toys
    • 2004 Dr. Toy's Best Classic Products
  • I Spy Travel Game
    • 2003 Dr. Toy's 100 Best Vacation Products
    • 2002 Parents Choice Gold Seal of Excellence
  • I Spy 3D
    • 2008 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Seal Award
    • 2007 Dr. Toy's Best Vacation Products
    • iParenting Media Award
    • sCanadian Toy Council 2 Stars
  • I Spy Eagle Eye Game
    • 2006, Dr. Toy's 10 Best Games
    • Dr. Toy's 100 Best Children's Products
    • National Parenting Center Seal of Approval
    • National Parenting Publications
    • Honors, Creative Child Magazine 'Preferred Choice'
    • iParenting Media Award
    • Canadian Toy Testing Council Three stars
    • 2007 Learning Express Best Game
  • I Spy Private Eye
    • 2008 National Parenting Seal of Approval Award
    • Creative Child Preferred Choice Award
    • Dr. Toy's 100 Best Children's Products
    • Dr. Toy's Top 10 Games
    • NAPPA Award Winners
  • I Spy Spooky Night
    • 2004 Canadian Toy Testing Council Award Three Stars
    • Creative Child Magazine Preferred Choice
    • Educational Games
    • Dr. Toy's Best Smart Play/Smart Toy Products
    • Dr. Toy's 100 Best Children's Products
    • iParenting Media Award
    • Nick Jr. Family Magazine Top 50
  • I Spy Monster Workshop Puzzle (63 Pc)
    • 1998 Working Mother Magazine
    • The Right Toys for the Right Age
  • I Spy 1,2,3 Floor Puzzle
    • 1998 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Seal Award
  • I Spy Go Fish Card Game
    • 1999 Canadian Toy Testing Council Award Three Stars
    • Crayola Kids Magazine 'The Years Best Toys'
    • Women's Day 'Top Toys Under $10'
  • I Spy Snap Card Game
    • 1999 Canadian Toy Testing Council Award Three Stars
    • Crayola Kids Magazine's 'The Years Best Toys'
    • 2000 Southeastern Wisconsin 'Big Cheese' Toy Test

External links[edit]

Mac

References[edit]

  1. ^Raugust, Karen (2011). 'Celebrating 20 Years of I Spy' (1). Publishers Weekly (Online).
  2. ^ abWignall, Jeff (June 1997). 'The Secret Worlds of Walter Wick'. Photo District News.
  3. ^'Scholastic Media Launches New I SPY^TM^ Game on Nintendo DS^TM^'. PR Newswire US. July 18, 2011.
Retrieved from 'https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=I_Spy_(Scholastic)&oldid=943434178'

This may seem like a pretty subjective category, and I'd like to preface this list by saying that it most definitely is. That being said, there are some games that are just empirically good — great graphics, fun to play, great story, whatever. And though some folks might have you believe that Macs aren't meant for gaming, there are actually a ton of awesome titles to choose from.

I'll try and leave out games that you can play on iPhone and iPad unless the Mac is the best place to play 'em.

Here are the best games for Mac!

Note: Make sure you double-check the system requirements for each game before you make a purchase.

Firewatch

Firewatch, at its core, is a mystery game set in the Wyoming wilderness. You play as Henry, a man who decided to give the simpler life a try by joining a fire lookout team. Set in 1989, you watch for smoke during an especially hot, dry summer, aided via radio by your supervisor, Delilah. However, something draws you out of your tower and into the woods, where you must explore the unknown wild, making choices that could make or break your relationship with Delilah.

This is a gorgeous game, with a beautifully crafted open world, true-to-life characters, and a story that changes, depending on the choices you make throughout your story. Cissy Jones from the first season of The Walking Dead plays Delilah, and Henry is portrayed by Rich Sommer of Mad Men fame.

If you're looking for more than just a game — an experience — then Firewatch should be at the top of your to-play list. What starts as a simple game of watching for forest fires becomes a strange, twisty-turny, mystery-filled rabbit hole with new discoveries at every turn. It's like a book you just can't put down.

  • $19.99 - Download now

XCOM 2

Set 20 years after XCOM: Enemy Unknown, XCOM 2 continues the turn-based tactics franchise in style, with much of the same gameplay that you love from the first one.

You'll once again play as the Commander, who, until the beginning of the game, was in alien stasis following Earth's surrender to the aliens. Once rescued by Central Officer Bradford, you'll resurrect XCOM and go to town reclaiming Earth from the aliens, one turn at a time.

If you love a good turn-based tactics game and you also love games like Halo or Mass Effect or even the first XCOM game for Mac, definitely check this one out.

  • $49.99 - Download now

Life is Strange

Life is Strange is an episodic mystery game of sorts that has you playing as Max Caulfield, a photography students who randomly discovers that she has the ability to rewind time (saves her best friend's life). The pair end up investigating the disappearance of a fellow student, while Max struggles with the realization that altering the past can have consequences in the future.

Essentially, you go through the entire game making choices, and the choices you make can screw things up for you down the road or make life much easier (think Until Dawn). With well-crafted characters and a moving story, Life is Strange is for the folks who like a cinematic experience fraught with emotion (á la Heavy Rain). The first episode is $5 and you can buy subsequent episodes via in-app purchases.

  • $4.99, with in-app purchases - Download now

Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic

This game may be a little old (like first generation Xbox old), but it's a classic and the fact that it's on the Mac is just wonderful. It's 4,000 years before the Galactic Empire and the Sith are just wiping out Jedi left right and central. So, of course, you're the last hope of the Jedi and you have to lead your brothers and sisters in arms in a last stand of sorts against the ultimate evil.

The cool part is you actually get to ultimately choose which side you want to be on, opting to conquer or save your fellow Jedi, using Force powers and sweet lightsaber moves all the way through. You get to customize your character and they change as the game goes on, depending on the choices you make and your style of play (kinda like the Fable series).

If you love an action-packed romp around the cosmos and, of course, Star Wars, then definitely download this right now. Keep in mind that it is an older game, but if you grew up with it like I did, it'll be a nostalgia-filled journey.

  • $9.99 - Download now

Limbo

In Limbo, you play as a nameless boy who's unsure of what happened to his sister, so you enter Limbo looking for her, A.K.A. the 'edge of hell'. As the boy, you must journey through Limbo, as you encounter only a few other human characters who either attack you, run away, or are dead. You have to puzzle and platform your way to the end, and I'll be honest: It's rather unsettling.

Like, really unsettling.

There isn't much for a soundtrack, aside from nature sounds and physical sounds of running, jumping, and hits and such. If you're like a dark, creepy game, with a very open ending that's been hotly debated, then definitely check out Limbo. It's unlike anything you've ever played and the lack of a real narrative really gives it its atmosphere. (Watch out for that damn spider… BLECH).

  • $9.99 - Download now

Braid

Braid is very similar to one of the most popular games of all time. Get into the actual gameplay, and you'll be like, 'THIS IS JUST SUPER MARIO', but then you'll sit back, listen to the AMAZING soundtrack, notice the little detail in Tim's hair while it flows in the wind when he runs, enjoy the beautiful scenery and interesting-looking enemies, and you'll be like, 'SUPER WHO?'.

Scholastic Mac Games List Free

In all seriousness, Braid is a lovely little game and it really emphasizes Tim's motives for rescuing the princess without ever saying exactly what they are or what exactly his 'mistake' was. Gameplay is quite simple; it's a Mario-style platformer, and you have to collect puzzle pieces along the way and slowly build a large puzzle in each world.

If you like platformers and love games with out-of-this-world soundtracks, then check out Braid.

  • $9.99 - Download now

Thomas Was Alone

Believe it or not, playing a platformer as a faceless rectangle can actually be pretty fun. Of course, the right elements have to be there, like a killer soundtrack and, simply put, absolutely lovely narration by British radio a TV presenter Danny Wallace.

He tells the story of Thomas, a rectangle who is, you guessed it, alone. Thomas has to jump and slide his way through each level, entering a portal each time. Basically, all you can do is move right, left, and jump as you platform along, solving puzzles, and don't forget — the game's called Thomas Was Alone. This get significantly more interesting than you might think at the beginning. Get ready to feel stuff … for shapes. Not even kidding.

  • $8.99 - Download now

Doom 3

What's there to be said? It's Doom — on the Mac. You're part of an elite marine division, sent to protect a Martian teleportation facility, and things are hunky dory until you're invaded by 100% evil aliens. So, you're going to have to walk down hallway after hallway, mowing down demonic aliens that can only be described as 'WTF'.

Doom is the classic first-person shooter and this 3D adventure only ups the ante, bringing you further into the world of monsters and insane weaponry. There's an online multiplayer element to this iteration, so replayability is definitely there.

If you're into classic first-person shooters where gore and horror abound, then Doom 3 is your bag, baby.

  • $9.99 - Download now

Gone Home

Gone Home is a story exploration game where you examine objects and open drawers and doors to discover clues. You've been away for a year and come home thinking your family will be there to greet you, only to discover that the house is empty and you have no idea why.

Things may seem kind of creepy at first, and you'll uncover your sister's journal, complete with narration, as well as other objects from your childhood and things left behind. You likely won't expect the ending and you'll definitely feel all the feels throughout your journey, so be prepared for a lot of reading and an almost cinematic experience.

Gameplay is simple and barebones, but you like a good story exploration game, definitely check this one out, since it's pretty heavy on story.

Scholastic Free Online Games

  • $19.99 - Download now

Sleeping Dogs

Crime never pays. I mean it does in terms of the money that gangs make from drugs and what have you, but it all comes back to bite them in the ass sooner or later. In Sleeping Dogs, you get to do the biting, playing as Hong Kong cop, Wei Shen, who's a streetwise badass martial artist, straddling the law and playing both sides to take down the city's biggest Triad gang.

If you enjoy open world games and have any love for the badassery of classic Hong Kong action movies, then Sleeping Dogs is right up your alley. You basically just get to go around kicking the crap out of criminals, while also playing the bad boy in some heavy undercover activity.

You'll have to live and learn as the game goes on, while honing your skills to survive twists and turns that are matters of life and death.

If you're up for an exciting action/adventure full of violence and intrigue, you got it.

  • $29.99 - Download now

Darkest Dungeon

Darkest Dungeon is a very involved roguelike dungeon crawl with fantastic art, and an interesting twist on the genre, centering on the stress of adventuring. If your characters' stress levels get too high, you're gonna have a bad time.

You'll fight wave after wave of all sorts of ghouls in turn-based combat, simply trying to keep your party alive and calm. This game isn't just about defeating monsters, but about defeating your party's personal demons as well. You'll have to chill out at taverns to keep everyone's stress in check, camp to deliver pep talks, and save the characters you love from all-too meaningful permadeath.

Fans of Lovecraft will adore Darkest Dungeon for it's great horror and awesome hand-drawn art style that gives everything a gritty, visceral feel. If you like scary-ass RPGs, then check it out.

  • $24.99 - Download now

Heroes of the Storm

Heroes of the Storm is a MOBA game in teams of five fantasy characters battle against one another for supremacy in a series of different game modes. You'll have to destroy opposing team members, as well as their structures to gain points for your team and ultimately win the match. Many MOBA-style games have the same problem: one person can be a hero and win the game on their own, while screwing over the rest of their team. Not the case in Heroes of the Storm, where if one team member isn't up to snuff, the rest of the team feels it.

One team, one dream!

Made by Blizzard, this is one of the best ARTS games around, with awesome characters, solid voice acting, great graphics, and necessary teamwork that doesn't make you want to drive your Magic Mouse through your 5K iMac screen.

HotS is free to play, but you'll be stuck with the playable characters offered to you, which rotate every week. You can earn gold in the game, but to get anything decent will take a looooong time. Therefore, you can buy heroes, skins, and mounts in the game with USD. Otherwise, play for free and just enjoy.

  • Free, with in-app purchases - Download now

Portal 2

It doesn't matter which platform you're playing on, Portal 2 is hands-down one of the greatest video games of all time. It builds on the fun and weirdness of Portal from the Orange Box and throws you into a more fascinating story, with puzzles that never really feel like puzzles, since you're out of the testing chambers just trying to escape.

You once again play as Chell (the voiceless captive with the sweet boots and 'stubborn will to live') who is once again trying to escape the Facility, which she totally ruined years earlier. Wheatley, a personality core voiced by Stephen Merchant, revives Chell to escape the Facility with him, but all is not as it seems.

This game is incredibly atmospheric, often creepy and weird, as well as gut-bustingly hilarious. You'll learn about the history of the ruined Facility, mainly from GLaDOS (in an unusual form) and voice recordings from Aperture Science founder Cave Johnson, voiced by the legend J.K. Simmons (the funniest part of the game).

Portal 2 also has a sweet multiplayer mode where you play as testing robots Peabody and Atlas, working with a partner to frustratingly solve testing chambers (you might lose friends over some of the more difficult levels).

If you're at all into physics puzzles and hilarious, quirky games, then Portal 2 is not to be missed. Hell, even if you don't like puzzle games, play it. You'll be a better person for it. You can even download the stellar soundtrack for free

  • $19.99 - Download now

Rocket League

Scholastic Mac Games List 2017

It's soccer. With cars. There really isn't much more to say except that's it's freakin' awesome. Think of a physics-based FIFA with wild and crazy vehicles and full-frontal multiplayer mayhem. And if those aren't enough hype buzzwords then imagine yourself as a small child, forced to play soccer in order to 'build character'. Now imagine that you're a child driving a monster truck around a massive enclosed arena, smacking giant balls around and flying and flipping around because physics.

Yeah.

If you're kind of into multiplayer sports games, but prefer them with a side of absolutely wacky, then Rocket League is totally for you.

  • $19.99 - Download now

Undertale

Undertale is for those of you who are just sick and tired of having to murder innocent, repulsive monsters. If you've ever thought 'why can't I just talk to the monster instead', then you should play Undertale.

Scholastic Mac Games List 2016

In this indie RPG, you play as a child who has fallen into the Underground, which is a large, isolated region beneath the Earth's surface, separated by a magical barrier. Along the way, you'll meet monsters and have to face them in mini bullet hell combat, where you can choose to spare them instead of killing them. The choices you make affect the outcome of the game, including the story, dialogue, and the characters you meet, as you try and make your way back to the surface.

Undertale was released to excellent critical praise, garnering Game of the Year nods from multiple gaming publications. If you love a good top-down RPG, with fantasy elements and the ability to be a pacifist, then Undertale is great for feeling the feels or kicking some serious hiney.

  • $9.99 - Download now

Civilization V

I have Civ V on this list instead of VI, but might add VI when the bugs are ironed out. Sid Meier's Civilization V has you ruling the world from the dawn of man all the way into the space age, where you will wage wars and conquer nations in the pursuit of progress and total domination.

You'll also discover new technologies, strike treaties, and all that other diplomatic stuff that world leaders do.

There is a multiplayer mode, though it is restricted to a LAN.

If you're into amazing turn-based strategy games and love a good game of Risk, then Civ V is calling to you. Answer it.

  • $29.99 - Download now

Myst

Originally released in 1993, Myst was recently revamped for the Mac, so that you can explore the open world of Myst Island and its Ages in a gloriously rebuilt environment. The world is completely interactive and you'll have to discover and solve puzzles in order to find books containing access to all of the Ages.

The ending of the game changes depending on the choices you make, and you'll be torn between helping one of two brothers or their father, with your own fate entirely unknown until it's too late. Myst is an absolute classic and the graphics update puts a modern spin on it, bringing the Myst you grew up with into the 21st Century.

If you love a classic puzzle game, a story filled with intrigue and twists, and open-world exploration games, then totally check out Myst. Mac pc chips games download.

  • $17.99 - Download now

What do you play?

What's your favorite game for the Mac? Any absolute essentials I may have missed? Let me know in the comments below!

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