Hidden object games have come a long way from the days of Carmen Sandiego, I, Spy and Where’s Waldo. While games in that genre were being developed long ago, none made waves in the games industry until recently. When Big Fish Games’ Mystery Case File (MCF): Huntsville was released in early 2006, it burst out into the market with its intricate and souped up gameplay causing gamers and developers alike to sit up and take notice. The success of MCF has led to the birth of the series (ahem, rumored to be 6 in total) as well as a whole new generation of new, improved hidden object games.

These days, players are not only required to hunt down items on screen, but there are plenty of mini-games, puzzles, mystery and story to uncover and solve along the way. With games like Travelogue 360 Paris, this game genre’s technology was pushed even further with its 360° rotating map! This is the beginning of a 2 part series guide to some of our all time favorite hidden object games.

Mystery Case Files: Huntsville by Big Fish Games
Released back at the time when this genre was still underdeveloped, the simple gameplay for Huntsville is what paved way to the newer games. This game charted new waters not just with its hide-and-seek gameplay but as well as its tile-swapping mini games which helps you, the player to nab criminals. There are some unpolished edges to the game, as well as the occasional bug or two but this is a decent start to the Mystery Case File series!

Mystery Case Files: Prime Suspects by Big Fish Games
This is the second installment of the Mystery Case File series and it just gets better. This time around, you have the task to collect clues to identify the suspect who stole the Queen’s diamond. There are plenty of clues added to the game where you’ll have to find to be able to catch the right culprit. I found the power ups in the game rather interesting, as you had to find things like batteries to power your torchlight in order to see in dark rooms or to power your x-ray scope to see through walls. If you thought MCF: Huntsville was tough, this one will give you a good run for your money.

Big City Adventure: San Francisco by Jolly Bear Games
This game is perfect if you’re looking for something to get the family together with. You’ll love its gorgeous graphics and the fun mini-games in between levels. There are jigsaw puzzles, pattern recognition puzzles and memory puzzles to keep you glued to your screen for hours. You’ll be fed different trivia about the city while being taken on a sightseeing tour of it. A great way to take a trip to San Francisco without spending a penny!

Magician’s Handbook: Cursed Valley by Play First Games
If you love magic and the macabre, you should give this game a spin. You’ll be taken through a journey around Cursed Valley whilst recovering objects to break the curse that grips the land. There are interesting spells that cast light and repel shadows for you to use, instead of just the normal Hint power ups. Also, you can pick up certain enchanted items to upgrade you spells. This game may be a tad dark for younger kids, but for the other people represented in the demographics, it’s got fun levels to keep you coming back for more.

Paparazzi by Gogii Games
Paparazzi catapulted to fame because of its simple, yet fun photography hidden object game. You’ll play a paparazzi photographer to the stars who’s in for a scoop by taking incriminating photographs of…objects. You have a companion named Lulu who’ll give you hints but with a price – she’ll take a huge cut off your pay! Look out for a hilarious “capture the celebrity” mini game in there that where you’ll have to take as many shots of a celebrity who darts all over the place as possible. Thanks to its hilarious theme, it’s a quirky twist to hidden object games.

Private Eye: Greatest Unsolved Mysteries by Gogii Games
This is an unofficial sequel to Paparazzi; and this time you play a stamp collector! This game looks more polished and sharp, although gameplay wise they are almost similar. One new feature introduced in Private Eye to spruce it up is the level-within-levels. There are hidden levels within each main level, and it’s up to you to uncover them and find some more hidden objects there. On top of that, you have a new assistant, Kimmy who’ll give hints based on a timer system. The game still has funny characters and story, but I prefer Paparazzi’s better. This game is a must if you’ve loved Paparazzi.

Mystery of Shark Island by Play First Games
This game is one of my personal favorites, largely due to its great storyline and interesting concept. Normally, hidden object games have a static level that loads before you start playing, but in Mystery of Shark Island, a new level is loaded when the wave brings in a beach full of new shells. There are mysterious locked puzzles that open as you collect more shells along the way. You should check out the interesting power ups system, and best of all; (I wish all hidden object games have this) you are given a picture list of what you need to find, instead of having a boring text list. Now that’s brilliant!

Magic Academy by Nevosoft
This game takes you on a tour around a school of wizardry (no, not the one Harry attends!) to look for your missing sister. Unlike other hidden object games where you’re often looking for random, unrelated objects, Magic Academy makes you look for related objects. For example, a professor may ask you to locate all his beakers and test tubes in the laboratory, and the librarian will send you on a mad hunt around the library for pesky rodents that are destroying the books. This game is great for younger kids, thanks to its simple gameplay format and easily identifiable characters (they look like characters from the Harry Potter movie!) and storyline.