13. "Minecraft"
Original release date: May 17, 2009
Platform: Xbox 360, Xbox One, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita
"Minecraft" is a huge, open-world sandbox game that was originally released for the PC in 2009. Since then, it has been released on other platforms, including on the current-gen Xbox One and PlayStation 4. Microsoft just purchased the company behind the game, Mojang, for more than $2 billion.
The game looks like a huge gridded landscape, with various blocks representing trees, dirt, rocks, etc. The landscape is "procedurally generated," meaning that content is generated via an algorithm and can basically be infinite. And there's an in-game time system, which cycles through day and night.
There are various activities you perform in the game: combat, exploration, crafting, gathering items, and building things. There are no specific goals, but there are different modes: Survival, Adventure, and Creative. But Creative mode is where "Minecraft" really shines, with people building amazing creations and structures. Including a working version of Disney World, where you can even ride the rides.
