Top 20 bug-themed video games you need to try

About this gallery:

For this list, we’re zooming in on games where you either play as an insect or take on entire swarms of them. And as usual, we stuck to just one game per franchise.

Think we missed a must-play game about these little critters? Drop it in the comments and let us know!

| © Young Horses

20. Mister Mosquito (2002)

In Mister Mosquito, you play as—you guessed it—a mosquito, and your goal is to suck blood from a human family without getting swatted. It’s bizarre, it’s quirky, and yes, you’re flying around looking for just the right spot to strike. The game is a mix of stealth and strategy with a uniquely funny (and slightly disturbing) charm. Only in Japan could this idea fly…literally! Players find themselves chuckling as they dodge giant hands and sneakily take a sip, one buzz at a time. | © Sony Computer Entertainment

19. Bee Simulator (2019)

Ever wonder what it’s like to be a bee? Bee Simulator puts you in the wings of a hardworking honeybee, exploring a vibrant park as you gather pollen, evade wasps, and even dance to communicate with other bees! While it might sound simple, the game is full of fun details, making you appreciate the little things in a bee’s life. It’s like a crash course in bee biology, but with the fun cranked up. Plus, who doesn’t love the idea of “beeing” a hero for the hive? | © Varsav Game Studios

18. Bad Mojo (1996)

Bad Mojo is one of the weirdest games out there. Here, you play as a human-turned-cockroach, scuttling around a dirty apartment with one mission: survive. It’s creepy, it’s crawly, and it’s pure ‘90s weirdness. The game captures the life of a cockroach in surprising detail, and it’s both gross and fascinating at the same time. You’ll find yourself navigating spills and avoiding traps, but beware—it’s a grimy, grungy experience that’s not for the faint of heart! | © Pulse Entertainment

17. SimAnt (1991)

Will Wright’s SimAnt brings the lives of ants into the world of simulation games. Here, you’re managing an entire ant colony, from digging tunnels to fighting off pesky spiders and rival ants. The goal? Take over the yard! It’s educational, it’s strategic, and it gives you a real taste of the industrious ant life. While the graphics are vintage, the gameplay is endlessly engaging, proving that even tiny ants can be the stars of a strategy game. | © Maxis

16. A Bug's Life (1998)

Based on the Disney-Pixar movie, A Bug’s Life lets you step into the six-legged shoes of Flik, a determined ant with big dreams. The game follows the movie’s plot, so you’ll face off against mean grasshoppers, explore lush environments, and try to save your colony. It’s a lighthearted platformer with charming visuals that bring the animated film’s world to life. Perfect for fans of the movie, it’s a nostalgic trip back to a time when bug heroes ruled! | © Disney Interactive

15. Bugdom (1999)

Bugdom is a colorful adventure game where you play as Rollie, a heroic pill bug on a mission to save his insect friends. The game features a vibrant world with giant blades of grass, marauding bees, and plenty of bug-sized obstacles. For its time, it was an ambitious, 3D platformer that made bugs feel larger than life. It’s a fun and lighthearted romp through a world where being small is anything but boring. | © Pangea Software

14. Don't Make Love (2017)

Don’t Make Love is a unique take on bug-themed romance—yes, romance! You play as a praying mantis trying to navigate the delicate decision of whether or not to pursue love, knowing that, well, it could end badly. The game explores deep themes of intimacy, choice, and, hilariously, self-preservation. It’s a short, quirky game with surprising emotional depth, proving that even insects have a lot to think about when it comes to matters of the heart. | © Maggese

13. Starship Troopers: Extermination (2023)

Taking on the role of a space marine in Starship Troopers: Extermination, you’ll face off against waves of giant alien bugs inspired by the classic movie. The action is intense, as you blast through hordes of alien insects with high-powered weaponry. It’s campy, it’s chaotic, and it captures the spirit of the original movie, complete with a high dose of bug-squishing satisfaction. Suit up and prepare to take down a few (hundred) space bugs! | © Offworld Industries

12. Nature And Life - Drunk On Nectar (2017)

This eco-friendly simulation game lets you live the life of various insects, from caterpillars to butterflies, exploring nature and learning about different ecosystems. Drunk on Nectar is as much a learning experience as it is a game, offering detailed information on how insects live, eat, and reproduce. It’s a peaceful, meditative journey, perfect for players who appreciate the small wonders of nature. | © Vikram Sanjeev

11. Journey of a Roach (2013)

Journey of a Roach combines quirky humor with a unique point-and-click adventure style, all from a cockroach’s perspective. After a nuclear apocalypse, two roach buddies set out to explore the world’s remains, navigating tunnels and using their roachy abilities to solve puzzles. It’s a surprisingly heartwarming story about friendship and survival, despite the, um, roach factor. A roach’s journey has never been so endearing! | © Daedalic Entertainment

10. Buggos (2022)

Buggos brings real-time strategy to the bug kingdom, putting players in control of an entire bug horde on a mission to conquer humanity. The more you swarm, the stronger you get, letting you upgrade your army of creepy crawlies as you take over the world. It’s fast-paced, chaotic, and a hilarious twist on the RTS genre, letting you unleash your inner swarm and revel in the mayhem. | © Intrepid Devs

9. Empires of the Undergrowth (2017)

In Empires of the Undergrowth, you’re the architect of an ant colony, building tunnels, managing resources, and fighting off enemies. The game combines strategy with real-time action as you grow your empire and expand underground. The thrill of leading an army of ants into battle is surprisingly intense, and the game’s attention to detail makes it both educational and exciting. It’s like SimAnt on steroids! | © Slug Disco Studios

8. Worms Armageddon (1999)

Classic, chaotic, and endlessly fun, Worms Armageddon turns our favorite little wrigglers into fierce warriors. With a wild arsenal of weapons (hello, Holy Hand Grenade), players go head-to-head in a game of tactical destruction. There’s nothing quite like the mix of strategy and absurdity as you launch a sheep at an enemy worm, making it a timeless classic that’s bug-themed in the best, most explosive way possible. | © Team17

7. COCOON (2023)

COCOON is a beautifully atmospheric puzzle game that takes players through a surreal world of interconnected orbs and strange landscapes. You guide a tiny bug-like creature through mystical realms, solving puzzles and navigating a world that feels like an abstract dream. It’s mesmerizing, immersive, and a feast for the senses, inviting players to explore the world from a bug’s perspective with style and grace. | © Annapurna Interactive

6. Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling (2019)

Fans of Paper Mario will feel right at home in Bug Fables, an RPG where you lead a team of bugs on an epic quest for the legendary Everlasting Sapling. With turn-based combat and charming paper-style visuals, this game is filled with heart, humor, and adventure. Each bug brings unique abilities to the team, making this a delightful journey that proves bugs can be brave heroes, too. | © Moonsprout Games

5. Webbed (2021)

Webbed lets you play as a tiny, adorable spider exploring a vibrant world of nature. With web-swinging mechanics that would make Spider-Man proud, you’ll help your spider friend navigate and save her boyfriend from a big, bad bowerbird. It’s a cute, lighthearted adventure that’ll have you cheering for spiders—something you never thought you’d do. | © Sbug Games

4. Botanicula (2012)

From the creators of Machinarium, Botanicula is a whimsical journey through a magical tree, where you guide a group of tiny bug-like creatures on a mission to save their home. The game’s charming, hand-drawn art style and quirky sound effects make it an enchanting experience. It’s playful, strange, and utterly delightful—a must-play for anyone with a soft spot for whimsical nature adventures. | © Amanita Design

3. Grounded (2020)

Grounded shrinks players down to bug size in a backyard survival game where insects are suddenly massive and dangerous. You’ll have to fend off spiders, build shelters out of leaves, and scavenge for resources in this honey-I-shrunk-the-players adventure. It’s a mix of exploration, survival, and teamwork that turns a backyard into an epic battleground. Just watch out for those spiders—they’re terrifying up close! | © Obsidian Entertainment

2. Bugsnax (2020)

Bugsnax is part bug, part snack, and all bizarre. Set on Snaktooth Island, you’ll hunt down creatures that are a cross between bugs and food, capturing them to solve mysteries and satisfy the island’s quirky inhabitants. It’s delightfully weird, with a hint of mystery that keeps you hooked. You’ll never look at a bug or a snack the same way again! | © Young Horses

1. Hollow Knight (2017)

In Hollow Knight, you explore the vast, mysterious kingdom of Hallownest as a tiny, bug-like knight. This indie classic combines challenging combat, rich lore, and stunning visuals to create an unforgettable experience. The world is haunting and beautiful, filled with strange insect inhabitants and epic battles. It’s a deep, emotional journey that turns bugs into true heroes, making Hollow Knight one of the best indie games of its time. | © Team Cherry