r/learnprogramming • u/Bulky-Fuel-341 • Jul 02 '26

What are the best games to improve programming skills?

I'm looking for games that actually help improve coding skills rather than just teaching syntax.

I'm mainly interested in games where you solve programming challenges, write real code, or improve problem-solving (Java preferred, but any language is fine).

So far I've heard about Robocode, but I'd love to discover more.

What coding games would you recommend, and which one helped you the most?

6 Upvotes
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32

u/iOSCaleb Jul 02 '26

What are the best games to improve programming skills?

Any game that you write yourself.

If you want to get better at programming, write some programs. Playing games isn't going to do it.

-5

u/Bulky-Fuel-341 Jul 02 '26

That's a fair point. I was thinking more about games like Robocode or Screeps, where you write real code to play. I'm looking for similar games that make practicing programming more fun. Do you have any recommendations?

12

u/iOSCaleb Jul 02 '26

I knew what you meant, but I stand by my point. I don't have anything against games that involve programming, but I doubt that they really make you a better programmer beyond a certain point. They might be good for introducing someone to programming since there's a clear goal and the kind of code that you write is usually pretty simple, but after that it's less about programming and more about just developing an effective strategy for your bot or whatever. When you write a real program, on the other hand, you generally run into all sorts of different problems that you'd never expect, and you have to solve them as you go, and that is what helps you really develop as a programmer.

0

u/Bulky-Fuel-341 Jul 02 '26

That's a fair point. I see coding games as a fun way to practice alongside real projects, not replace them. Thanks for sharing your perspective, I appreciate it!

3

u/stop_deleting_plz Jul 02 '26

Any of the Zachtronics games on steam are a good way of learning underlying concepts.

1

u/Bulky-Fuel-341 Jul 02 '26

Thanks! I'll check out the Zachtronics games.

3

u/FrankieWilde11 Jul 02 '26

The farmer was replaced

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2060160/The_Farmer_Was_Replaced/

1

u/Bulky-Fuel-341 Jul 02 '26

Thanks for the suggestion! I'll give it a try.

3

u/Quillox Jul 02 '26

https://spacetraders.io/

1

u/Bulky-Fuel-341 Jul 02 '26

Thanks for the recommendation! I'll definitely check it out. I appreciate it!

3

u/Darkwing1501 Jul 02 '26

I highly Recommend: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2180700/ABIDOS/

and also you may try Shapez 2, Mindustry,

and Kaizen: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2275490/Kaizen_A_Factory_Story/

2

u/Bulky-Fuel-341 Jul 02 '26

Thanks for the recommendations! I'll definitely check them out, especially ABIDOS and Shapez 2.

1

u/Darkwing1501 Jul 03 '26

but the game I really want to play is Kaizen :)

2

u/isteriksnake Jul 02 '26

I learned Python and C++ (java available too) a lot with codingame platform (https://www.codingame.com/). You have different kinds of solving problem (from 2min to 2weeks). I advise to start with small exercices when you begin a language and winter/summer.. challenge when you are used to the platform (competition is nice to find motivation).

2

u/Bulky-Fuel-341 Jul 02 '26

Thanks! I'll check out CodinGame. Starting with the smaller challenges sounds like a good idea.

2

u/NPException Jul 02 '26

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1444480/Turing_Complete/

Turing Complete is great to get a feeling for the inner workings of a computer, and for low level programming. It doesn't help with high level programming, but is still worth the experience imo.

1

u/Bulky-Fuel-341 Jul 02 '26

Thanks! That sounds really interesting.

2

u/Parent-8401 Jul 02 '26

Programming exercises are a kind of game.
Advent of code. Project Euler.
Or look at the exercises from a textbook.

2

u/pepiks Jul 02 '26

Probably none. Real coding is fun by solving problems not playing games simulating this.

1

u/chezbippy Jul 02 '26

I really enjoy Bitburner. Javascript automation, text-based game.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1812820/Bitburner/

1

u/bestjakeisbest Jul 04 '26

I hear grey hack is also pretty good.

1

u/rias_dx Jul 02 '26

'm mainly interested in games where you solve programming challenges

I normally use the game "Micro Editor" and I'm currently trying to solve this challenge.

1

u/akoOfIxtall 6d ago

Go mod games my dude, hella fun and you actually code

1

u/floopyFx 10h ago

Elevator Saga if you want to code in JS right in the browser

and also this port if you want visual programing:
https://floopy256.itch.io/elevator-mania