Ah, the nostalgia of childhood gaming! I spent countless hours immersed in titles like GTA: Vice City, San Andreas, and Bully. Those cheat codes—FannyMagnet, FightFightFight, BigBang—still make me chuckle!

Unfortunately, those carefree days are gone; as a programmer, I can't afford to be caught playing games on my Mac during work hours. The idea of being dismissed for indulging in a video game feels daunting, especially when I barely find time to play.

But as the saying goes, "Where there’s a will, there’s a way." — George Herbert. I recently uncovered nine quick games available through Homebrew that I can easily start and finish without my supervisor noticing. While they may not boast the graphics of traditional games, they’re perfect for alleviating boredom.

# 1. netToe (Tic Tac Toe) This Terminal version of Tic Tac Toe offers three gameplay modes: - Player vs. CPU - Player vs. Player - Two players over a network

With three difficulty levels, the CPU randomly decides who goes first, and players input coordinates to mark their spots. For instance, entering 'b2' places your mark in the center. It’s a delightful way to pass the time.

To install netToe, use: brew install nettoe To launch netToe, type: nettoe

# 2. nsuds (Sudoku) If you’re a Sudoku fan, nsuds is for you! It features five difficulty levels, starting with fewer pre-filled squares and less time for completion as you progress. After each game, nsuds provides a performance summary and tracks cumulative scores for bragging rights.

To install nsuds, use: brew install nsuds To launch nsuds, type: nsuds

For Sudoku beginners, Nudoku is a great alternative with helpful features: - Check if you're correct - Receive hints - Highlight matching numbers - Solve the puzzle

To install Nudoku, use: brew install nudoku To launch Nudoku, type: nudoku

# 3. nSnake (Snake Game) nSnake is reminiscent of the classic snake game but includes enhancements such as adjustable snake speed, fruit count, and wall features.

To install nSnake, use: brew install nsnake To launch nSnake, type: nsnake

For a simpler experience, try naga: To install naga, use: brew install naga To launch naga, type: naga

# 4. yetris (Tetris) If traditional Tetris feels too restrictive, yetris might be your answer. It allows for customizable gameplay, such as hard or soft drops, block rotation, and game stats visibility.

To install yetris, use: brew install yetris To launch yetris, type: yetris

For a more challenging Tetris experience, try bastet, which uses an algorithm to provide the least favorable blocks.

To install bastet, use: brew install bastet To launch bastet, type: bastet

# 5. typespeed typespeed transforms typing practice into a competitive game. Words zip across the screen, and you must type them accurately before they disappear.

To install typespeed, use: brew install typespeed To launch typespeed, type: typespeed

For more formal typing practice, consider Klavaro, which offers various exercises.

To install Klavaro, use: brew install klavaro To launch Klavaro, type: klavaro

# 6. MyMan (Pac-Man) MyMan brings the classic Pac-Man experience to Terminal with ASCII graphics.

To install MyMan, use: brew install myman To launch MyMan, type: myman

# 7. nInvaders (Space Invaders) nInvaders revives the iconic Space Invaders game, challenging you to shoot down descending aliens.

To install nInvaders, use: brew install ninvaders To launch nInvaders, type: ninvaders

# 8. rogue rogue is a dungeon crawler where you explore dangerous dungeons for magical ingredients.

To install rogue, use: brew install rogue To launch rogue, type: rogue

# 9. wordle Wordle is a word-guessing game that has become a sensation. You’ll have six attempts to guess a five-letter word.

To install wordle, use: brew install wordle To launch wordle, type: wordle

For more macOS Terminal commands, check out these resources: - Useful Mac Terminal Commands: nikhilvemu.medium.com

If you're keen on Homebrew tools, you can find more recommendations to enhance your experience.