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Minesweeper

This sideloaded Android Auto app transformed my car’s screen into a retro gaming arcade
BetaBeacon
September 11, 2026

This sideloaded Android Auto app transformed my car’s screen into a retro gaming arcade

- Some of the games in Xtream Player are knock-offs of well-known titles like BrickIt, SweepIt, SnakeIt, Circle Ninja, and Chess. - The games have simplistic visuals and are reminiscent of early 1980s 8-bit home console games. - Xtream Player is not as advanced as GameSnacks in Android Auto. - Getting Xtream Player to work in Android Auto requires enabling Developer Mode for both Android and Android Auto, installing AAEnabler, and paying a one-time premium fee.
Whatever happened to Minesweeper and 3D Pinball on Windows?
Winsage
August 31, 2026

Whatever happened to Minesweeper and 3D Pinball on Windows?

Microsoft included the Solitaire Collection with Windows 10 and Windows 11, while many classic games required separate downloads. The company has shifted focus towards its Xbox platform, leading to the discontinuation of games like 3D Pinball: Space Cadet due to technical challenges. Raymond Chen noted that the transition from 32-bit to 64-bit architecture caused significant issues for 3D Pinball, including a bug where the ball would pass through objects. Ultimately, the decision was made to exclude Pinball from the product lineup to avoid the complexities of porting its code.
Why Windows stopped including fun games like Minesweeper, Solitaire, and Pinball
Winsage
August 31, 2026

Why Windows stopped including fun games like Minesweeper, Solitaire, and Pinball

Microsoft integrated games into the Windows operating system from its early versions, starting with Reversi in Windows 1.0 in 1985 and introducing Solitaire in Windows 3.0 in 1990. Over the years, various versions of Windows included a range of built-in games, peaking with Windows Vista and Windows 7, which featured titles like Chess Titans and Mahjong Titans. However, with the release of Windows 8, Microsoft removed classic games from the operating system and transitioned to an app-centric model, directing users to the Windows Store for gaming. The Microsoft Solitaire Collection became a single app, while other games were made available as separate downloads. This shift marked a change in how Microsoft approached gaming, moving from integrating games as part of the OS to treating Windows as a platform for independent applications and services.
An ultra-rare piece of Microsoft history could be hiding on your shelf
Winsage
August 23, 2026

An ultra-rare piece of Microsoft history could be hiding on your shelf

Rare red Tetris stickers and a shirtless child hologram from Windows 95 are sought-after collectibles from Microsoft's early days. The Microsoft Entertainment Pack for Windows, launched in 1990, initially featured a sticker instead of a printed Tetris promotion due to unresolved licensing rights at the time of the first print run. The later versions incorporated the sticker into the box art. Additionally, an anti-piracy hologram from Windows 95 depicted a child without a shirt, which was later replaced with a version showing the child clothed. Both original items have become valuable to collectors.
New Steam Free Game Brings Back A PC Classic From Your Childhood
AppWizard
June 16, 2026

New Steam Free Game Brings Back A PC Classic From Your Childhood

Steam has launched a new free game called Better Minesweeper, a modern revival of the classic PC game Minesweeper. This updated version includes quality-of-life enhancements, deeper customization options, and varied playstyles. Features include sharable seeds, daily runs for high score competitions, the ability to draw on the game board, import and share custom skins, and replays that can be shared and viewed in a browser. Better Minesweeper offers various game modes such as Custom 3BV, Aim Trainer, and Worse Minesweeper. The game is available for download on Steam.
868-Back makes hacking as cool as '90s Hollywood thought it was
AppWizard
June 4, 2026

868-Back makes hacking as cool as ’90s Hollywood thought it was

868-Back is a roguelike puzzle game created by Michael Brough, set on randomly generated 6x6 grids where players navigate through eight floors filled with enemies. Players use limited resources to acquire weapons and currency while accumulating points, with each collected item spawning additional adversaries. The game features single-screen gameplay that encourages strategic thinking and adaptability, transforming the grid into a dynamic environment for creative play. It builds upon Brough's earlier title, 868-Hack, while expanding its scope and offering constant surprises.
I'm tired of everything getting turned into a roguelite, but I'll make an exception for pinball
AppWizard
May 15, 2026

I’m tired of everything getting turned into a roguelite, but I’ll make an exception for pinball

Developers are rapidly creating quick-hit games inspired by various mechanics, with 257 new roguelites released on Steam in the past month. One notable title is Pin-Crawl, which introduces a roguelite twist to pinball gameplay, featuring upgrades that create chaotic effects and unique spells for strategic advantages. Although its visuals may not match those of established titles, it offers innovative gameplay mechanics, including stats, bosses, and meta progression. Pin-Crawl aims to deliver quick, engaging sessions, appealing to players' nostalgia for pinball while blending it with roguelite elements.
‘Fantasy globetrotting Minesweeper’ game Dungeon Sweeper Plus announced for PC
AppWizard
May 10, 2026

‘Fantasy globetrotting Minesweeper’ game Dungeon Sweeper Plus announced for PC

Publisher PLAYISM, in collaboration with developer Setamo, has announced Dungeon Sweeper Plus, a puzzle game inspired by Minesweeper, set to launch on PC via Steam in 2026. The game supports multiple languages: English, Japanese, Korean, Traditional Chinese, and Simplified Chinese. Players will explore an initially empty world, uncovering tiles that reveal vibrant biomes and perilous dungeons, guided by clues in the form of graves. Originally launched as a free game on itch.io in 2023, the Steam version will feature upgrades such as collectible coins for trading delightful flags, a wider variety of biomes, and a soothing musical score.
What is the Microsoft Windows game that Iran is ‘using’ to tease Donald Trump
Winsage
April 7, 2026

What is the Microsoft Windows game that Iran is ‘using’ to tease Donald Trump

The United States and Iran are engaging in digital tensions, with Iranian embassies using social media for pointed critiques of President Trump. A notable instance occurred when the Iranian consulate in Mazar-i-Sharif shared a satirical video combining gameplay from the 90s game Minesweeper with a map of the Strait of Hormuz, humorously highlighting Trump's navigation efforts. The video features animated explosions and sarcastic text, emphasizing the risks associated with US navigation in the strategically important waterway. Iran has stated it deployed mines in the Strait of Hormuz to control maritime traffic, and the use of Minesweeper in this context serves to illustrate the dangers of navigating these waters.
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