Portal 2007
Why it still holds upOne tool and its momentum rules still open many solutions today, and the humour and writing make you want to keep going.
2000s puzzle games that still hold up
The moments that stop you until you work it out
Games
Portal 2007
Why it still holds upOne tool and its momentum rules still open many solutions today, and the humour and writing make you want to keep going.
Braid 2008
Why it still holds upOne idea, rewinding time, with a fresh rule in each world, makes every mistake part of solving the puzzle, and that is the reason to play it now.
Machinarium 2009
Why it still holds upPuzzles stay in one place and the world is told without words, so each room is a self contained riddle that is easy to dip into now.
Professor Layton and the Unwound Future 2008
Why it still holds upWith no time limit and hints paid for with coins you find, each puzzle can still be taken at your own pace today.
Professor Layton and the Curious Village 2007
Why it still holds upWith puzzles given by the villagers and hidden in objects, every conversation is still a possible challenge today.
Peggle Nights 2008
Why it still holds upBecause one shot can clear a board, each launch is still a small gamble today.
Katamari Forever 2009
Why it still holds upRolling up ever larger objects to make stars is still the whole idea, and it is quick to grasp now.
Crush 2007
Why it still holds upFlattening a level in your head opens a path that was not there.
Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box 2007
Also known as Professor Layton and Pandora's Box
Why it still holds upEvery stop still has its own brainteaser, across puzzles spread along a train journey.
Meteos 2005
Why it still holds upBlocks launched before the stack fills the screen still make every round a test of speed today.
Boulder Dash EX 2002
Why it still holds upA digging puzzle with falling rocks is still easy to start and hard to stop.
Pokémon Puzzle Challenge 2000
Why it still holds upSpeed and difficulty set separately and six modes still let you tune how hard it plays.
Tetris DS 2006
Why it still holds upSix different ways to play Tetris give the block game plenty of variety now.
World of Goo 2008
Why it still holds upStructures that have to hold their own weight still make each level a puzzle worth solving today.
Zack & Wiki: Quest for Barbaros' Treasure 2007
Why it still holds upEach stage is still a hands on experiment, with puzzles solved by gestures as if the remote were the tool.
Windosill 2009
Why it still holds upA short, quiet toy of a game is still easy to finish in one sitting.
Kirby Tilt 'n' Tumble 2000
Why it still holds upWith the handheld itself as the controller, every level is still played with your hands as much as your thumbs today.
Klonoa: Empire of Dreams 2001
Why it still holds upEnemies you can lift and jump off keep every screen a small puzzle today.
Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2004
Why it still holds upEach level is only a few screens long and asks for a planned route, which still suits a quick puzzle today.
LittleBigPlanet 2009
Why it still holds upA new campaign to play on a handheld still keeps the series' creative side.
Professor Layton and the Last Specter 2009
Also known as Professor Layton and the Spectre's Call
Why it still holds upPuzzles taken in your own order, with hints that nudge without solving, still carry the mystery today.
Penumbra: Overture 2007
Why it still holds upWith no gun to rely on and puzzles worked with your own hands, the mine still asks you to think rather than shoot.
Peggle 2007
Why it still holds upA launch that clears a board is still the whole goal today.
Some of these are puzzles from start to finish, others hide them inside a platformer, a story or a ball rolling up whatever it touches. Many were made for handhelds and still suit short sittings.