Summary
Pirates have been capturing the imagination in popular culture for a long time now and the video game audience is heavily invested in the mythology of these swashbuckling vagabonds. Some of these games, likeSid Meier’s Pirates!, have even helped to change the landscape of the gaming world. Not all pirate games are as successful though.
Some games are hidden by the sands of time, patiently waiting to be found by a daring buccaneer who finds the X that marks the spot. With so many pirate games available on the market, it is easy to lose track of them, but that’s not to say that there aren’t still plenty of great pirate games that deserve a second glance.
Updated July 27, 2025 by Mark Sammut:Ubisoft has just released Skull and Bones, one of the biggestpirate gamesof all time. While garnering a very mixed reception, especially for a project that has been in development for so long, the title will not be forgotten anytime soon, even if its longevity remains to be seen. The same cannot be said for every pirate game, many of which have been dragged out to sea and forgotten. The specifications have been added for every game included in this discussion.
Pirates: The Legend of Black Katwas released on Playstation and Xbox consoles in 2002. The plot follows adangerous female pirate: Katarina de Leon, better known as Black Kat. In a quest for revenge and lost treasure, Black Kat sails the seas searching for Captain Hawke, the man responsible for her father’s death.
The game itself had some solid gameplay, especially the sailing mechanics, which were simple but fun. There is a surprising amount of customization available too. Players can utilize different projectiles for the cannon, including chain shots, and they can even call upon magic in battle.The Legend of Black Katis a serviceable game to scratch those nostalgic itches, although newcomers who want to give this a try should go in expecting some slight jank.
Released in 2007,Pirates of the Caribbean Onlinewas a pirate MMORPG that built the movie universe into aplayable world for fans to enjoy. The game centered around creating a pirate, exploring the lore of the universe, and completing quests to progress in level. Players flocked to the game to battle against the most dangerous pirates from the franchise.
The studio closed the game in 2013, but some enthusiastic fans created their own spin-off game. TheLegends of Pirates Onlineis, of course, in no way affiliated with the original game, but is a fully built replica ofPirates of the Caribbean Online. While hardly a genre-defining MMO, this project had its charm, and it provided fans with a fun way to immerse themselves in this Disney universe.
In this pirate epic, players control Francis Blade as he explores the island of La Borgne after being shipwrecked. Once the player finds an amulet that allows Blade to transform into the Black Buccaneer, an undead voodoo pirate captain, the game gets more interesting. The aim is to repair a ship, so players can escape the island. There is also an exciting boss battle that rewards players with long-lost pirate treasure.
The game contains puzzles to keep players guessing what to do next. Although the game looked visually impressive for its era, the overall experience could be lackluster and frustrating, which led to a less-than-stellar reception. Still,Pirates: Legend of the Black Buccaneerhas its fans.
Age of Bootyis areal-time tile-based strategy gamepublished by Capcom. Players will need to take over tiles, fight for resources, and battle against other pirates who are looking to steal the loot. It has an easy learning curve, so, players can pick it up at a casual pace.
The challenge modes are not easy, however, as once players get toward the most serious difficulty, things can get tricky.Age of Bootyis an addictive experience when played with friends and rewards communication and teamwork. It’s simple, but there is depth to the game that can keep players hooked. Also,Age of Booty: Tacticswas released in 2016.
Launched way back in 2012 and published by KingsIsle,Pirate101was almost forgotten until 2022, when loyal players took a stand and flooded the servers. The idea was that joining en masse would force the developers to update the game. The game already boasts voice acting, companions, and turn-based combat.
The plan to force KingIsle to update the game worked as the studio promised updates to the game in 2022. While nothing too major, which makes sense due to the project’s age,Pirate101has received a couple of updates over the last few years, including a quality-of-life release. The game is free-to-play and offers customizable ships and pirates, and it’s family-friendly.
Pirates, Vikings, and Knights 2is a free-to-play game that combines three eras into one war zone. There is a team deathmatch mode, a territory mode, and a unique booty game. Each faction is unique and comes with different equipment, strengths, and special moves. Players use mouse movements to direct melee strikes, but opponents can try to deflect in the same way. It is a lot likeChivalryorMordhau,and it’s free!
Being a free, exciting medieval combat simulator is why the reviews for the game are still very positive. Sadly, due to the rise of newer titles, the game’s player baseis hovering around 25 peak concurrent players,according to Steam Stats.
Zack & Wiki: Quest for Barbaros’Treasureis an excellent pirate-themed adventuregame published by Capcomfor the Nintendo Wii. The Wii console is a unique platform that gaveZack & Wikia special twist to the point-and-click adventure style.
Players control Zack and his sidekick monkey Wiki as they search for the treasure of legendary pirate Barbaros. The game combines puzzle-solving with bright, exciting cutscenes.Zack & Wikigained highly positive reviews from critics due to the originality and unique experience that only the Wii could offer. Despite the cult following of fans, commercially, the game didn’t meet expectations.
Released in 2000 and published by Bethesda,Sea Dogsfollows in the footsteps of previous titles, such asSid Meier’s Pirates!The gameplay is more developed and uses an updated engine to allowSea Dogsto improve the design. It is action mixed with strategy and a hint of role-playing. At first, it can be confusing for players, but the gameplay actually has an endearing simplicity.
Players control Nicolas Sharp as he attempts to manage a ship and crew. Like many Bethesda games, the story is nonlinear, and players can pick and choose where to go. Despite obvious issues, the game is a fun experience but is a product of its time and has aged considerably.Sea Dogsis a nostalgic hit for players who have already played it, but outdated.
Treasure Islandis a game based on a novel written by Robert Louis Stevenson and published in 1882 that transcends its original period. The video game was released in 1984, making it one of the very first pirate games ever made, and, as a result, it is a product of its time. The gameplay is limited, but it is great for a nostalgia trip for the players who had the pleasure of playing the game at its peak.
In the game, players take control of Jim Hawkins, the protagonist of the book, who is preparing for a showdown with the immortalized Long John Silver. Throwing cutlasses at pirates and using limited resources to progress through each level; swashbuckling action at its finest. The game begs the question: why aren’t more classicbooks adapted into games?
Set in 1667,Sea Legendschallenges players to sail to Barbados, but there are many plot twists ahead. The game features piracy and war on the high seas with layers of a scripted role-playing quest to follow. Players take the role of Captain Richard Grey, a noble British sailor who can turn into a pirate if the player chooses.
There are elements of a point-and-click adventure style that is a precursor to popular pirate games like therevivedMonkey Islandseries. However, for a game released in 1996 and with a total download size of 135MB,Sea Legendshas some impressive 3D duels and interesting sailing mechanics. Family secrets, betrayal, and murder all await in this project.
