10 Early Viral Video Games You Forgot Were Everywhere

It's easy to forget games as the years pass. With hundreds upon hundreds of new releases coming out every year across a range of different consoles, it's near impossible to recall them all. But during the previous decade there was a substantial boom of viral games, often found on mobile devices and websites. These games were easy to access, fun and simple to play and quickly became viral hits.

Many of these games aren't really spoken about these days. The lucky ones may have gone on to get proper releases on home consoles, but many eventually fade into obscurity after their time in the spotlight. It's actually quite impressive how quickly some of these games can go from being all you see and hear about over social media to becoming a relic of the past.

It also seems like viral games are less common these days. While Among Us has certainly risen in popularity in the past few weeks, before that there aren't many games that had as much of an impact such as games like Temple Run and Flappy Bird. Depending on how you feel about some of these games, maybe you think that's for best.

Jetpack Joyride was one of the first viral video games to take over the app store at the start of the decade. First releasing in 2011 on iOS, the game has been ported to a range of mobile devices as well as the PS4. Alongside this it's won a long list of awards as a result of it's simple side-scrolling premise. Despite all of these accolades however, it eventually faded into obscurity.

In Jetpack Joyride you play as a little man called Barry who has stolen a jetpack and must escape a top secret laboratory that seems to go on forever, using the signature jetpack and a myriad of unique power ups to avoid missiles and lasers while also injuring the poor scientists running around in fear. Or you can run past them and high five them. Whatever you fancy.

It's easy to see why the game did so well. It's concept is incredibly simple yet addicting, always leaving you wanting to try once more to beat your friends high scores. Pair that with some pretty cool graphics and you've got a great little time waster.