Alongside ninjas and robots, pirates are one of those inherently cool concepts that near enough everyone enjoys to some degree. And yet there are far fewer high quality video games about them than you would expect. There are certainly plenty of games that feature pirates, either as playable characters or as enemy fodder, but they are often not the focus, which is both surprising and a shame, as there is a clear hunger for them. Early access survival game Windrose was a huge hit when it arrived on Steam in April, selling over a million copies and garnering over 200,000 concurrent players, but it remains a relative rarity. To help boost pirate representation, Ubisoft is launching Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced this week and there are at least two other pirate games scheduled for this year: city builder Corsair Cove and free-to-play role-player Sea Of Remnants. To mark Black Flag Resynced's launch, here is a list of the best pirate video games, scored on their overall pirate-ness on a scale from 'thar she blows' to 'shiver me timbers', complete with details on how to play them without resorting to digital piracy.
12. Lego Pirates Of The Caribbean: The Video Game
We would be remiss not to include at least one game from Disney's Pirates Of The Caribbean franchise, especially since the first movie made pirates cool again for 2000s kids. Unfortunately, Disney dropped the ball by not taking more advantage of video game tie-ins, with no traditional big budget releases. There was a dedicated MMO in 2007 that managed to last for six years and persists today through a legally distinct fan remake, but not much else. For this list, we are going with the Lego game by Traveller's Tales. Although the studio's Lego formula was on the verge of growing stale even by 2011, it is still a formula that works well and one the Pirates films are a great match for. Given how many pirate games on this list are focused on adult fans, this is also a good choice for young children to join the fun, especially via co-op. While it has never been re-released for modern platforms, likely due to licensing issues, it is readily available on PC through Steam.
11. One Piece Odyssey
One Piece has been no stranger to video games, but it was not until 2018's One Piece Odyssey that a game managed to not feel half-baked and truly capture the source material's status as a juggernaut of Japanese pop culture. It is a fully-fledged turn-based role-playing game that gives you control of the entire Straw Hat crew. The game takes you through the greatest hits of the manga/anime storyline and the battle system is surprisingly novel, splitting the battlefield across different areas and demanding a welcome level of strategy. If you have only recently got into the franchise, One Piece Odyssey is worth tracking down – it is on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, and PC – although there are lots of other tie-ins as well, with Dynasty Warriors spin-off One Piece: Pirate Warriors being the most financially successful. A new One Piece game was also recently announced for an October 22 release, although it is a cosy restaurant sim called One Piece: Grand Gourmet.
10. Skies Of Arcadia
Skies Of Arcadia is a very well regarded Japanese role-player from the Dreamcast era, but instead of sailing the seven seas, you are a sky pirate chartering floating islands while rebelling against an evil empire. Despite the change in setting you do feel like a pirate, as you explore the skies to fill out your map and recruit new crew members to man your ship, which in turn aids you in different ways during battle and dungeon exploration. There were rumours of a remaster a few years ago but, so far, Sega has done nothing with Skies Of Arcadia beyond occasional references in other games, meaning the only way to play it is by tracking down a copy of either the original Dreamcast version or the GameCube port; neither of which are particularly cheap based on eBay listings. While a straight re-release for consoles would be ideal, the next best thing is for Nintendo to add it to its library of GameCube games on Switch 2, but there is so far no sign that it will.
9. Zack & Wiki: Quest For Barbaros' Treasure
A 2007 Wii exclusive by Capcom, Zack & Wiki: Quest For Barbaros' Treasure's quirky humour and cartoony graphics belied an extremely inventive and, at times, genuinely challenging point 'n' click puzzle game. As pirate-in-training Zack, you use magic monkey friend Wiki as a bell to turn nearby animals into tools for solving puzzles; all of which makes use of the Wii remote in different ways. It is very charming and easily one of the Wii's best third party games, but dismal sales mean Capcom is unlikely to ever acknowledge it again, even though it would be a good fit for the Switch and Switch 2. Like Skies Of Arcadia, this sadly is not available on modern platforms and you cannot even buy it digitally, now that the Wii U eShop has been shut down. So, if you ever want to play it yourself, you need a working Wii or Wii U and a physical copy. The latter is fortunately very cheap to get hold of on eBay and we found one CeX listing for just £2.50.
8. Shantae And The Pirate's Curse
WayForward's half-genie hero Shantae has always had to contend with pirates, led by arch enemy Risky Boots, but Shantae And The Pirate's Curse saw her forced to adopt the pirate lifestyle herself, after losing her genie powers. While not as fantastical as her animal transformations, Shantae's pirate gear, like a giant hat for floating on gusts of wind and a cannon that shoots you into the air, help make for some very interesting level design. Combined with some clever use of backtracking and gorgeous pixel art graphics, this is an obvious recommendation for any Metroidvania fan and fortunately no longer locked to the 3DS and Wii U. You can get it on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC. Although it is obvious it was designed for the 3DS, as its graphics do not look so good when blown up on a big TV screen. By coincidence, WayForward announced a new Shantae game only this month, which will be out next year. While pleasing news, we hope it is a step up from 2020's mediocre Shantae And The Seven Sirens.
7. Pillars Of Eternity 2: Deadfire
Before Baldur's Gate 3, Pillars Of Eternity by Fallout: New Vegas and The Outer Worlds developer Obsidian Entertainment showed how much hunger there was for old school computer role-playing games and it was successful enough to earn a pirate themed sequel. Pillars Of Eternity 2: Deadfire's refusal to make concessions and modernise the formula is both one of its biggest strengths and its biggest flaws, but pirate fans should stick with it because it offers some fantastic seafaring action. Not only is the turn-based ship combat very good, but customising and upgrading it will help you grow attached to your vessel to the point where it feels like a party member, and exploring is incredibly moreish and rewarding. The game is available on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC, and also shares the same fantasy setting of Eora as Avowed, so diehard fans of that may be interested in checking it out despite it playing very differently.
6. Like A Dragon: Pirate Yakuza In Hawaii
Like A Dragon: Pirate Yakuza In Hawaii might have a mouthful of a title, and be on the weaker end of the scale for Sega's Yakuza/Like A Dragon series, but it does have an excellent pirate atmosphere. The ship combat is surprisingly great for a first time effort and it is satisfying building your crew through completing side quests, mingling with them on-board, and then leading them in large scale battles or exploring islands to retrieve lost treasures. It helps that the game boasts some of the best beat 'em up combat in the series, with protagonist Majima capable of speedy knife combos and air juggles, while wielding various pirate tools like cutlasses he can throw as boomerangs and a Zelda-esque hookshot. Pirate Yakuza In Hawaii is available across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, and it is also on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One if you are still locked to the previous generation.
5. Sid Meier's Pirates!
Sid Meier's Pirates! is one of the earliest attempts at a pirate sim/strategy game and was considered groundbreaking for its time. For a long while it was virtually the only serious pirate themed game on any format. Originally released for the Commodore 64 in 1987, and then the Amiga and NES a few years later, XCOM developer Firaxis Games (which was founded by Sid Meier) fully remade it in 2004, adding nicer graphics and updating some of the more old-fashioned gameplay elements. The game reflects every aspect of a pirates' life, with sailing and naval battles, but you will also need to learn how to trade and barter, take part in fencing duels, sneak into towns, and even woo a governor's daughter. At over 20 years old, the game is not widely available, but it is at least on PC via Steam and at a remarkably low price of £5.99.
4. Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag
You all knew this would be here. The original Black Flag is not only one of the best Assassin's Creed games ever made, alongside Assassin's Creed 2, but it is perhaps the quintessential open world pirate game. Although the original version is still available (and considerably cheaper) the remake Resynced is definitely the definitive edition of the game, with not just better graphics but improved combat and stealth, expanded story elements, and greater depth to the ship combat. The other benefit of playing Resynced is that it de-emphasises the present day story elements of Assassin's Creed, so that it is a full fat pirate adventure, with a huge array of things to see and do whether you are following the main plot or not. Resynced is available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, but since it is only just come out it will be a while before there are any decent deals for it.
3. Shadow Gambit: The Cursed Crew
The story of Shadow Gambit: The Cursed Crew is a tragic one, as it was the final game released by Mimimi Games, which closed its doors just a week after the game's launch, due to how expensive game development had become. That is a crying shame as Mimimi Games specialised in the admittedly niche stealth strategy genre, with games like Shadow Tactics: Blades Of The Shogun and Desperados 3, that were inspired by the earlier Commandos franchise. Shadow Gambit is the same idea but with you commanding a crew of ghost pirates, each with their own abilities. Since it is a pirate game though, you also get to explore various islands and steal treasure and artefacts while avoiding the ghost-hunting Inquisition. It is quite old-fashioned but incredibly charming and has more fun storytelling than some of the bigger name games on this list. Thankfully, despite the developer's closure, the game remains readily available across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, since indie publisher Hooded Horse bought the rights in 2024.
2. Sea Of Thieves
One of the few live service game successes that is not a battle royale, Sea Of Thieves is the go-to video game for anyone obsessed with the pirate life fantasy and who wants to play with friends. Working together with friends or family, you get to sail your ship across the open seas, seeking treasure and fending off rival pirates and other enemies. And unlike Black Flag, its cartoony visuals mean it gets to revel in all the pirate stereotypes. It can be a struggle for new players to get the hang of but after eight years on the market, Sea Of Thieves has more than enough content to keep you coming back, including an entire Pirates Of The Caribbean expansion, complete with a Jack Sparrow cameo. Thanks to Microsoft's multiplatform pivot, Sea Of Thieves is now available on PlayStation 5 as well as Xbox consoles and PC. It is not free to play, but it is reasonably priced at £39.99.
1. The Secret Of Monkey Island
There is no reality where The Secret Of Monkey Island would not be included on this list, as it is easily the best pirate video game and one of the best point 'n' click adventure games ever made. Aside from the immaculate pirate vibes and clever puzzles, it is persistently funny throughout. In fact, it is one of the very first video games to be intentionally funny and it is a shame it did not get made into a movie before Pirates Of The Caribbean, which was the plan at one point, because the two share a similar sense of humour at times. The games follow wannabe pirate Guybrush Threepwood in his often surreal adventures and not only is the first game a classic but so too is the second and third (The Curse Of Monkey Island). Inevitably, things dipped off after that, with Telltale Games' Tales Of Monkey Island from 2009 being merely okay, but 2022 soft reboot Return To Monkey Island, from original creator Ron Gilbert, was great. If you want to start from the beginning, a remastered special edition of the original game (which keeps the original graphics as an option) is available on PC via Steam, along with its sequels. If that is still not enough Monkey Island for you, it got a whole Sea Of Thieves expansion to itself (which is fitting as the series heavily inspired Sea Of Thieves' own sense of humour), bringing back Guybrush and other characters, plus both Mêlée Island and Monkey Island to explore.
