Non-linear video games

The opposite of linear video games, non-linear video games are video games with a free-form system of progression. This includes sandbox and open-world games. A non-linear game or path is when a game lets the player affect where they go next. The path branches out, like a tree. Players have a choice of where to go, or what to do, next. Non-linear games are favoured in certain genres like role-playing video games.

Popular non-linear games

 * Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
 * WWF No Mercy
 * Super Metroid
 * Far Cry
 * Ultimate Spider-Man
 * Metroid Zero Mission
 * Heavy Rain
 * Super Mario 64
 * Banjo-Kazzoie
 * Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
 * Monster Tale

Early non-linear games

 * Go (c. 300 BCE)
 * Chess (c. 400 CE)
 * Jet Rocket (1970)
 * Chainmail (1971)
 * Dungeons & Dragons (1974)
 * Empire of the Petal Throne (1974)
 * Western Gun (Gun Fight) (1975)
 * Heiankyo Alien (1979)
 * Rally-X (1980)
 * Adventure (1980)
 * Flight Simulator (1980)
 * 005 (1981)
 * Bosconian (1981)
 * Ultima (1981)
 * Time Pilot (1982)
 * Tutankham (1982)
 * Bega's Battle (1983)
 * Mega Zone (1983)
 * Mountain King (1983)
 * Nobunaga's Ambition (1983)
 * Panorama Toh (1983)
 * Portopia Serial Murder Case (1983)
 * TX-1 (1983)
 * The Battle-Road (1984)
 * Brain Breaker (1984)
 * Courageous Perseus
 * Dragon Slayer (1984)
 * Elite (1984)
 * Ginga Hyōryū Vifam (1984)
 * Hydlide (1984)
 * Mugen no Shinzou (Heart of Fantasy) (1984)
 * Atic Atac (1984)
 * Baraduke (1985)
 * Mercenary (1985)
 * Riglas: Tamashii no Kaiki (1985)
 * Romance of the Three Kingdoms (1985)
 * Star Luster (1985)
 * Alternate Reality: The City (1985)
 * The Legend of Zelda (1986)
 * Dragon Quest (1986)
 * Metroid (1986)
 * Out Run (1986)
 * Darius (1986)
 * Takeshi's Challenge (1986)
 * Vampire Killer (1986)
 * Wibarm (1986)
 * Miami Vice (1986)
 * Starflight (1986)
 * Castlevania II: Simon's Quest (1987)
 * Mega Man (1987)
 * Megami Tensei (1987)
 * Sid Meier's Pirates! (1987)
 * The Goonies II (1987)
 * War of the Dead (1987)