Flash games are fun too

xkcd makes a good point. Even with all the awesome games, awesome game consoles, and state-of-the-art entertainment center equipment in existence, sometimes we just can't put down a small flash game that one person who's only known by a pseudonym wrote in their spare time. So here's a list of some flash games I enjoy during time that could be spent playing much less obscure titles.

Most, if not all of these, are on Newgrounds. A good portion were also developed by Armor Games, whatever that's worth.

Karoshi: Suicide Salaryman (flash sequel Super Karoshi, there are also three PC games) - Puzzle platforming with a twist: to get through each level, you must kill yourself. However, you have to solve the puzzle to do so. Puzzles range from simple timing exercises to complex block-pushing button-hitting extravaganzas that can render the level unfinishable if you don't do it right. Later levels do weird things with the engine itself, such as reversing your controls or having spikes that aren't actually spikes. The second PC game has a level editor.

Shift 1, 2, 3, and 4 - Another puzzle platformer. This one's in black and white, but to get through most levels, you need to shift from the white area to the black area or vice versa. Levels tend to be really confusing up until the point where you go "ohhhh! I see!" and everything clicks. Includes a level editor starting with Shift 2.

Portal: The Flash Version - I sure do like me some puzzle platformers. Based off of Valve's Portal, this 2D platformer has all original levels and is pretty good. Can you think with portals?

Winter Rider - A sidescrolling motorcycle game. Ride your motorcycle over all manner of snow-covered obstacles including tree stumps, houses, cars, trucks, and snowplows. I seriously recommend switching to the bike you unlock after level 9, it's so much easier to control than the piece of crap you start with. I'm still trying to get a sub-10 minute time on the game, but doing so is really difficult as you basically can't mess up ever.

Achievement Unlocked - Who needs gameplay when you have an achievement system? 99 achievements are ready for you to unlock in this hilarious parody of achievement-whore culture. Some are as simple as preloading the game, viewing the Armor Games logo, and finding the main menu, all of which happen right away with minimal interaction (one click in the preloader), but others are a little more obscure, such as finding the developer's favorite spot or turning your elephant a variety of colors.

Xiao Xiao No. 4 - The legendary stick figure death series' fourth installment is a 3D rail shooter. If you've played Virtua Cop, Time Crisis, or Area 51, you know what I'm talking about. My only complaint is that it's rather short.

Windows RG - It says it's a movie, but it's fairly interactive, so it counts. This is the Windows that Mac commercials claim Windows is actually like. It crashes all the time. Nothing works right. At least you can play Solitaire. Oh wait, that's broken too. Have fun.

The Legend of Zelda: The Lampshade of No Real Significance - A parody of the Legend of Zelda series. Includes a classic Zelda item trade sequence, a boss, and a lot of video game humor. Make sure to run around talking to everyone before you start the trade sequence, just because the things they say change once they've got their item.

Upgrade Complete - This is along the same vein as Achievement Unlocked. Only this time instead of trying to get all the achievements, you're upgrading everything. Including the game's graphics. You need to buy the background music, the mute button, better menu graphics, better logos, and the main menu itself. To finish the game? Yeah, you buy the end. The actual gameplay is a top-down shooter, that starts out with Atari-like graphics and sound. Simply defeat each wave and collect the coins as they fall to get money to upgrade your ship. This part has a fair amount of depth, as you have a limit of 12 ship parts, but what those parts are exactly and where they're placed is up to you. It almost feels like it should be its own standalone game with bosses and stuff.