You can put a penguin in any situation and they are still cute, including a game of global domination.  The object of Conquer Antarctica should be obvious.  How you do that is the fun part.

Your penguin has a little bazooka, allowing you to shoot snowballs at the enemy birds.  By choosing the correct trajectory and speed, you can knock the enemy off of their ice bergs.  This game is perfect for kids.  No blood or violence, just penguins having a snowball fight.  Of course, I’m not sure what the “grenade” option does yet….Enjoy!

What is the first game you ever played on Windows?  In fact, what was the game that taught you how to use a mouse?  That’s right:  Solitaire.  Today, there are hundreds of variations of this classic computer game.  And World of Solitaire is the best!

This web-based game gives you the ability to play within a web page…no download required!  By clicking on the menu at the top, you can choose different variations on this game, and even change your background.  You may never go back to playing the standard Windows Solitaire again.  Enjoy!

Some games focus on your ability to destroy.  Other games test your building skills.  This week’s diversion combines those two into a “build a bridge quickly before the approaching train sails into the ravine” type game.  Build the Bridge is great fun and tests your construction prowess.  The music is great, lending itself to the whole “train” theme.  Later levels get pretty, hard, though.  Enjoy!

Have you ever played a “Tower Defense” game?  The object is simple.  Build towers along a specified route to prevent the enemy from passing through.  While hundreds of these games have come out over the years, my favorite (at least today) is Cursed Treasure: Don’t Touch My Gems! The premise is simple: People are trying to steal your gems.  So, build towers to stop them.  Strategy is key.  Enjoy!

I love puzzles.  Bird Escape gives you a number of puzzling challenges.  Basically, you are trapped in a room with a bird.  The two of you must escape.  By clicking around the room, you can find numerous clues that will assist in this goal.  This game has no instructions.  I will give you one hint, though.  If you get stuck, move your mouse to the far side or top of the game screen to see if you can “move” to a different area.  If you TRULY get stuck, you can view the full walkthrough.  But hey, that’s cheating!

The first video game I ever played was named, Pong.  Your only control was a “dial.”  You used it to control a little paddle and played an electronic version of ping pong.  No color, just black and white.  Video games quickly evolved into Space Invaders, Centipede, and Pac Man.  However, I’ll never forget my first game of Pong.  Well, now you can play an updated version of this classic, Pwong, for free. Two new additions make it a brand new game: multiple balls and power-ups.  This one will keep you on the edge of your seat!

Pac Man was a great game.  You gobbled up the power pellets while avoiding the ghosts.  PacXon takes our hero in another direction, though.  In this game, you try to wall in the ghosts.  But be careful.  If a ghost hits your wall before it is complete, you lose.  This game is very similar to the old arcade game, Qix.  Strangely, this game created more adrenaline than any other shoot-em-up I’ve played!

Remember playing with blocks as a kid? You would work and work to build a tall tower, only to have it topple over or be knocked over by a little brother!  Puck’s Peak gives you the same challenge without the annoying siblings.

Using the shapes provided, your goal is to build a tower to a certain height.  This game requires careful placement and a steady mouse, but is loads of fun.  And the entertaining animations make it all the more fun.  So, the next time you get a little break, minimize your spreadsheet and play with some online blocks.  Enjoy!

Are you a good speller?  Find out at Tumble Bees.  It’s a cross between Tetris and a Spelling Bee.  Create words by clicking on any connecting tiles.  The bigger the words, the more points you get.  Special colored tiles give you more points. But be quick about it.  If the board fills with tiles, the game is over.  The host of the game, Pogo, suggests you create an account to play, but I just hit the “Play as a Guest” option to jump right in.

Sometimes the classics are still the best.  Take, for instance Monopoly World.  While there is no such thing as a “quick” game of Monopoly, there is no easier site to play it on than Pogo.  You can be in the game in seconds.  The 3D board is easy to see and all of the animations make it seem like a real game.  Best of all, you don’t need any extra players to start a game.  So, take a break from that spreadsheet, grab your mouse, and start your journey to Boardwalk!