The best pirate and privateer video games

Fleets ready to cut through the waves, mysterious islands, treasures to be discovered and ships to board… The world of pirates has always inspired novelists and film directors. Video games are no exception, with numerous titles featuring privateers and naval battles. Whether you’re looking for adventure, action or even management, games in the pirate universe offer varied gameplay and stories. Here’s a small, non-exhaustive selection, to coincide with the release of Skull & Bones.

Cat Quest: Pirates of the Purribean (2024) – PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series, Nintendo Switch, PC

Still developed by The Gentlebros and published by Kepler Interactive, the third installment in the series, Cat Quest: Pirates of the Purribean, takes place this time in the Purribean, an open world just waiting to be explored. The title uses the same 2.5D art direction that made the previous games such a hit, but immerses us in the world of piracy. This action-RPG invites you to set off in search of the North Star, a long-lost legendary treasure. You’ll have to face the Pi-rats, under the orders of the Pirate King, who are hunting you down on this archipelago that you’ll discover aboard your ship! A colorful game that will be all the more enjoyable on a good gaming screen.

Skull & Bones (2024) – PS5, Xbox Series, PC

Following in the footsteps of Assassin’s Creed Black Flag, of which it is a spiritual sequel, Ubisoft is back with a new open-world game set in the pirate world. The game took 11 years to develop, and involved most of the publisher’s studios. Skull & Bones is set in the golden age of piracy, and allows players to sail the seas from the Caribbean to the Indian Ocean. The goal is to become the greatest pirate by outsmarting your opponents, played by other online players, and building the largest war fleet.

One Piece World Seeker (2019) – PS4, Xbox One, PC

How can we talk about piracy without mentioning the manga One Piece? The franchise has been adapted several times for video games, but One Piece World Seeker, developed by Ganbarion and published by Bandai Namco, offers a unique experience that once again lets you play as Luffy. The story begins with him under arrest in “Sky Prison”, high in the air. He discovers that the arrest was intentional, and just a pretext for finding treasure. The title takes place in an open world, where Luffy will have to fight or use stealth depending on the situation. There’s also the Gum Gum Rocket technique for faster travel, and the Gum Gum Bazooka, just like in the manga and anime.

Sea of Thieves (2018) – PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series, PC

First exclusive to the Xbox platform, then made available on PlayStation 5, Sea of Thieves was developed by legendary Rare studio, and takes you on board your pirate ship to find a wealth of treasure. Designed to be multiplayer, it lets you recruit other players and form a crew. It uses the Unreal Engine 4, which impressed with the quality of its sea and wave modelling. To this day, it remains a benchmark and is still widely played around the world. Numerous modes have been added over the years, and it continues to offer new content. A DLC in the Monkey Island universe was also made available to gamers.

Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End (2016) – PS4, PS5

In this fourth opus in the Uncharted franchise, Nathan Drake sets off on a treasure hunt, on the trail of Henry Avery, one of the most famous English buccaneers, who actually existed and was nicknamed “The King of Pirates”. Although it’s not exactly a “pirate game”, Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End explores many of the legends of this universe and takes you to the four corners of the globe. This title is intended as a conclusion to the Uncharted story, and succeeds in raising the bar even higher in terms of graphics and storytelling. A PlayStation classic for all adventure lovers!

Assassin’s Creed Black Flag (2013) – PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Wii U, PC

Often regarded as one of the best games in the franchise, Assassin’s Creed Black Flag once again lets you play as Desmond Miles, who uses the Animus to study the memories of Edward Kenway. The story begins as Edward washes up on an island after a naval battle and discovers an assassin, Duncan Walpole, about to die. After killing Walpole, Edward takes his identity and decides to pursue his quest for the riches promised by Cuba’s governor, Laureano Torres. The gameplay features combat, exploration on land and exceptional ship battles at sea.

LEGO Pirates of the Caribbean (2011) – PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, PC

Developed by Traveller’s Tales and published by Disney Interactive Studios, LEGO Pirates of the Caribbean is a swashbuckling action-adventure game. It is based on the most iconic moments of the first four feature-length films in the Pirates of the Caribbean saga starring Johnny Depp: The Curse of the Black Pearl, Dead Man’s Chest, At World’s End and On Stranger Tides. It will even be released on PlayStation 4 in 2027. The title uses all the mechanics that have made LEGO games so successful, and offers the possibility of two players on a split screen.

Monkey Island (1990 – 2022) – Atari ST, Amiga, Mega-CD, PS2, PS3, PS4, PS5, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Xbox Series, Nintendo Switch, PC, Mac

The brainchild of Ron Gilbert, the Monkey Island saga has been going strong for over thirty years. It features Guybrush Threepwood, a young man who wants to become a pirate. The story takes place in the XVIIᵉ century, during the days of piracy, on the island of Mêlée in the Caribbean. The saga uses anachronisms, which add a great deal of humor to the game. Developed by LucasArts, this game marked the history of point-and-click, and has long been a benchmark of the genre. The series will has four episodes as well as a fifth, developed by Telltale Games and released in 2009, with a more narrative focus. In 2022, the franchise made a stunning comeback with Return to Monkey Island, with Ron Gilbert at the helm once again!

Shantae and the Pirate’s Curse (2008) – PS4, Xbox One, Wii U, 3DS, Nintendo Switch, PC

Shantae and the Pirate’s Curse is a platform game developed by WayForward Technologies for the Nintendo 3DS and Wii U. It is the third installment in the Shantae series, following Shantae: Risky’s Revenge. It was launched in North America on the 3DS eShop on October 23, 2014, then on the Wii U eShop on December 25, 2014. It arrived in Europe on February 5, 2015. The game was then adapted for PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch. This latest version had a limited physical release, and is now selling at a premium on auction sites. The story follows the adventures of the half-genie, Shantae, who must once again save Sequin Land from a new enemy, the Pirate Master, aided by her old nemesis, Risky Boots.

Zack & Wiki: Quest for Barbaros’ Treasure (2008) – Wii, Wii U

Zack & Wiki: Quest for Barbaros’ Treasure is a point-and-click adventure video game developed by Capcom and released for Wii in October 2007. It arrived in Europe a few months later, on January 18, 2008. The title offers a third-person experience, allowing the player to take control of the protagonist, Zack, using the Wiimote. A moving cursor lets you point and grab objects, or navigate through levels. Its originality lies in the ability to transform enemies into usable objects by shaking Wiki like a bell. When Zack uses one of these objects, the game switches to first-person view, engaging players to imitate the use of the object with the Wii controller. Whether it’s cutting wood with a saw, opening an umbrella or using pliers, each successful execution is rewarded with points, the quantity of which depends on the quality of the performance. This game draws its inspiration from Robert Louis Stevenson’s novel Treasure Island and Monkey Island.

The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker (2003) – GameCube, Wii U, Nintendo Switch

Directed by Eiji Aonuma, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker is set on an archipelago in a vast sea. Once again, the player takes on the role of Link, living on the Island of Dawn with his sister Arielle. He tries to save her, when the evil Ganondorf mistakes her for Princess Zelda. Link is helped by the pirate captain Tetra, and they board the Red Lion ship. The game lets you navigate large stretches of water and explore the islands of the archipelago. The game’s special feature is the use of wind mechanics, which can be controlled with a wand.

Pirates of the Caribbean (2003-2007) – PS2, PS3, PSP, Xbox, Xbox 360, GBA, Nintendo DS, PC

Based on the film franchise of the same name, several Pirates of the Caribbean games have been released. In 2003, the Bethesda-supervised game Pirates of the Caribbean was released on PC, GBA and Xbox to accompany the film. It was very well received by players and the trade press alike. Then, in 2006, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest on Nintendo DS received a mixed reception from professionals, but was much appreciated by fans. The same year, Pirates of the Caribbean: The Legend of Jack Sparrow was released on PS2, PS3, Xbox and PC. The title also received a lukewarm reception from the media, but was enjoyed by players. Finally, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End was released on most media at the time, an action game that was well received by the press and gamers alike.

Corsairs (1999) – PC

Directed by Rudolf Feller, Corsairs was particularly well received by critics in 1999. The title takes place in the XVIIᵉ century and lets you explore several parts of the world, including the Caribbean, Madagascar and Australia. The player takes on the role of a privateer, able to serve either England or France, whose goal is to become rich and famous. The gameplay features real-time strategy during battles, lets you explore the seas aboard your ship, and also offers the possibility of boarding opposing ships. This leads to a real-time combat phase, where the player takes control of the various members of his crew.

Overboard! (1997) – PS1, PC

Also known as Shipwreckers! in the U.S., Overboard! is an action game developed and published by Psygnosis in 1997 for PC and PlayStation. The player takes command of a galleon, sailing across the oceans in search of lost treasure. The journey takes you up against fearsome sea monsters and hostile pirate ships, as you solve puzzles to progress. Overboard! offers an immersive experience where the player controls a ship from a third-person viewpoint, evolving in real-time 3D environments.

Cutthroat Island (1996) – Mega Drive, Super Nintendo, Game Gear

Immerse yourself in the captivating world of Cutthroat Island, an adaptation of the famous 1995 film of the same name. The title lets you play as Morgan and Shaw, and even has the option of two players. The story begins as they escape from prison and embark on a frantic quest for legendary treasure. To achieve this goal, you need to collect all the coins on the map showing the way to fortune. Throughout the game, weapons and bonuses can be discovered, allowing you to perfect your fighting techniques.

The Pirates of Dark Water (1994) – Mega Drive, Super Nintendo

The Pirates of Dark Water is a beat ’em all, inspired by the cartoon of the same name. King Primus entrusts his son, Ren, with the task of recovering a lost treasure to defeat his formidable enemy. Alongside his intrepid companions, Ren will have to navigate through increasingly difficult levels, while eliminating opponents. A thrilling adventure, where the quest for treasure is accompanied by epic battles. Although moderately well received by the specialized press, the title appealed to fans of the genre, and had beautiful graphics for its time. Note that the content of the Mega Drive and Super Nintendo versions is completely different.

Sid Meier’s Pirates! (1987) – Amiga, Amstrad CPC, Apple II, Atari ST, Commodore 64, PC, Mac

Sid Meier’s Pirates! is a video game designed by Sid Meier and published by MicroProse in 1987. It plunges players into a simulation of pirate life in the Caribbean in the XVIIᵉ century. The player doesn’t directly embody a pirate, but rather a buccaneer, sometimes even a privateer, serving Spain, Holland, England or France, with the possibility of changing allegiance during the course of the game. The gameplay offers a wide variety of activities, including attacking ships and cities, hunting pirates, searching for treasure and even avoiding violence in favor of trade. The title follows a historical framework, allowing the player to reap rewards from the governors of various French and English cities, by attacking Spanish cities. Sid Meier’s Pirates! is a classic video game, offering a unique experience combining strategy, adventure and the simulation of pirate life. The title was even remastered in 2004.

For as long as video games have existed, pirates have inspired developers. A universe so rich that it has led to numerous proposals from studios. Whether it’s adventure, action or even management, pirates, privateers and buccaneers are a real source of inspiration. This is our non-exhaustive selection of the most memorable video games. Don’t hesitate to tell us in the comments which pirate titles you enjoy!