Childhood Games Then and Now

     Playing games is one of the hobbies or past-time activities that kids and adults love. Games, in general, are an important part of our life as it contributes to healthy social relationships if the game is played physically. It can also help develop a healthy brain if mind games like problem-solving and word games are played.

     Back in my childhood day, physical games are popular. If my memory serves me right, I always go to our neighbor's backyard to play the Filipino version of hopscotch called 'piko' and Chinese garter game. Both of these games require flexibility and agility so you can hop and jump effortlessly. Physical games are fun and exciting. We never get tired of playing this game and became a habit because this was what we do during our free time or after class as long as we don't have homework to do. Fast forward to today, I wonder if the kids these days will enjoy physical games like I do. 

Childhood Games Then and Now

Childhood Games Then

     As I've mentioned above, we grew up playing physical games most of the time. There were no gadgets to entertain us but there are other forms of games that we play using what we so call 'gadgets' or equipment. I can say that these are the counterpart of online games today played not on screen but with real-life opponents.

     One of my favorites is billiards. I love playing billiards because it's a physical and mental game in one. My parent's bought a billiard table so we can play indoors when raining outside. As time passes by, some of the games that we play we're no longer suitable for today's generation. Kids are into gadgets as a result of advancements in technology. It may have a positive and negative effect on them but I'm happy that it's more of the pros than the cons. 

Childhood Games Then and Now

Childhood Games Now

     I thought that the games we were playing before will be obsolete, whether physical or mind games but boy I'm wrong! While browsing the internet one afternoon, I saw the website Plays.org and got curious and saw that they offer hundreds of free games across every genre. All games in their collection are unblocked free HTML games which you can play directly in your web browser with no app downloads.

     Upon checking the website, the category-based navigation for their game collection is very promising. I browsed different categories like Player Categories, Room Escape, Education, Arcade Classics, and Sports Games to name a few. Guess what I saw, my favorite billiard games!!!

     My eyes were also glued on the Arcade Game category because of Pac-Chef (Pac-man version) and Tetra Blocks (Tetris) but my hands were really itching to strike the cue like the way it used to be but online!

Childhood Games Then and Now

Mafia Billiard Tricks

     Wow, this game! I play as Gino Pullano, a young up-and-coming pool player who grew up in the rough city streets. I enter a humble establishment asking if I could learn a thing or two about pool from the Family. I like that Cousin Vinnie is teaching me the whereabouts of the game, one step at a time. I love the story, the guides, and the gameplay overall. Playing Mafia Billiards during my free time taught me how to do the tricks that I cannot do before. The guide is also a big help to learn various ball tricks to improve my pool game.

Childhood Games Then and Now

     The billiard fanatic in me is so happy with this game. Even though this can only be played online, I feel like playing it on a real billiard table again. It's easy to play, no need for other keys. I just use the mouse and hover it in the direction that I need to target. It's one of the free online games that I will recommend because it also helps me exercise my brain to think of the strategy so I can win every round. 

     If you miss playing all the games during your childhood day and think that it's impossible to play them now, then think again. Check out the games at plays.org because they are constantly adding more and more games during weekends. Maybe there's an online version of your favorite childhood games then and fret not that you can still play those good old childhood games now. 

Good Times!~