Minesweeper is a game of deduction that dates back to at least 1990, though the concept originated even before that. Here’s a refresher on the rules, plus a list of the best modern Minesweeper iterations.
What Is Minesweeper? The Rules Explained
The objective of Minesweeper is to “sweep” the board of non-mined tiles by clicking on them, while avoiding clicking on the mines. Depending on which version of Minesweeper or its many clones that you are playing, the first click might be safe or it might kill you in a blaze of not-quite-glory (don't worry, you can restart right away).
Tiles that don’t contain mines are either blank (indicating there are no mines nearby) or contain a number. The number indicates the number of mines that can be found in adjacent tiles. So if you click on a tile and see the number “1” appear then you know that one of the surrounding eight tiles has a mine on it.
To win a game of Minesweeper is to remove all non-mine cells from the board. You can “flag” unopened tiles (usually with the right mouse button) to avoid clicking on them by accident. Click on a mined square and it’s game over and time to start again.
The Best Versions of Minesweeper
Minesweeper along with Solitaire, is fondly remembered as one of the best ways to pass the time on a computer in the 1990s. It has a special place in the hearts of many, which might explain why there are so many versions and clones available today.
Minesweeper Online
If you just want to hop right into a game of Minesweeper in your browser, give this online version a shot. There are three difficulty levels available with different-sized grids, you can lay down flags with Shift+Click, and the timer starts as soon as your first click.
Minesweeper Arbiter
Minesweeper Arbiter is one of the most popular clones available today for the Windows platform. There’s no need to install anything, simply download the app, unzip it, and start playing. The app features some nice-to-have enhancements like a searchable game history, the ability to save high scores as videos, and a decimal timer that’s accurate to hundredths of a second.
Minesweeper X
Minesweeper X is another highly popular clone that features many of the same features as Arbiter including automatic video saving for high scores and a decimal timer. It too is a portable app for Windows that you can simply download and run. You can even download custom skins if you want.
Minesweeper for Windows 11
Microsoft still produces an “official” version of Minesweeper that bears mentioning, if only in passing. The game is tainted by ads and has a dismal Microsoft Store rating, but it introduces an adventure mode and daily challenges. It also syncs progress between devices, assuming you log in with your Microsoft account.
Minesweeper for Mac
Mac users can play this simple and ad-free version of Minesweeper that’s available on the Mac App Store. It has multiple difficulty modes, a unique “enemy” mechanic that gives you 0.1 seconds to avoid detonating a mine, and a record of your past games.
Infinite Minesweeper
Regular Minesweeper too easy for you? Give this infinite clone a shot. It runs in your browser and allows you to play forever, or at least until you click on a mine.
Play More Classic Windows Games
Windows users can still download and play classic games like 3D Pinball Space Cadet. On top of this, Microsoft still makes one of the best versions of Solitaire (the other game your boss hates).