Games Like Silicon Zeroes

BUILD CIRCUITS. WRITE CODE. RTFM.

Why similar: Programming 69% ★, Simulation 7.1%, Difficult 6.5%, Puzzle 6%, Education 6%

Why You'll Like It: This game is the gold standard for hardware-based puzzle games, requiring you to build circuits and write assembly code to meet specific constraints.

TIS-100 is an open-ended programming game by Zachtronics, the creators of SpaceChem and Infinifactory, in which you rewrite corrupted code segments to repair the TIS-100 and unlock its secrets. It’s the assembly language programming game you never asked for!

Why similar: Programming 65% ★, Hacking 11.3% ★, Difficult 5.9%, Simulation 5.9%, Puzzle 5.9%

Why You'll Like It: It shares the same focus on low-level assembly programming and debugging broken code to solve complex logic puzzles.

Learn CPU architecture with puzzles

Why similar: Programming 57% ★, Education 12.7%, Hacking 11.2% ★, Simulation 9.2%, Puzzle 6%

Why You'll Like It: It provides a deep, hands-on experience in building a computer from the ground up, starting from basic logic gates to a fully functional CPU.

The year is 1997. You used to be a hacker, but now you have the phage. You made a deal: one hack, one dose. There’s nothing left to lose… except your life.

Why similar: Programming 54.9% ★, Hacking 23.9% ★, Simulation 7%, Puzzle 6.4%, Difficult 4.1%

Why You'll Like It: This hacking-themed game features a similar programming-heavy loop where you must optimize your code to complete tasks within strict memory and cycle limits.

Hard Chip is a 3D simulation/puzzle game about building processors focusing on realism. Explore the world of semiconductor chip design and delve into the intricacies of CPU logic, floor planning, and propagation delay.

Why similar: Programming 39.7% ★, Hacking 21.3% ★, Education 11.1%, Simulation 10.3%, Difficult 9.5%

Why You'll Like It: This title focuses heavily on designing and simulating digital logic circuits, mirroring the hardware-building core of Silicon Zeroes.

MHRD is a hardware design game, in which you design various hardware circuits in a hardware description language. The hardware circuits you design get more complex as you go until you create a fully functional CPU design.

Why similar: Programming 54.5% ★, Simulation 17.8%, Education 10.3%, Indie 6.5%, Puzzle 5.8%

Why You'll Like It: A hardware design simulation that tasks you with building a CPU using a hardware description language, perfect for those who enjoy the technical side of Silicon Zeroes.

Opus Magnum is the latest open-ended puzzle game from Zachtronics, the creators of SpaceChem, Infinifactory, and SHENZHEN I/O. Design and build machines that assemble potions, poisons, and more using the alchemical engineer’s most advanced tool: the transmutation engine!

Why similar: Programming 65.3% ★, Puzzle 13.3%, Simulation 11.7%, Indie 5.4%, Difficult 3.5%

Why You'll Like It: While focused on alchemy, the core loop of building complex, automated machines to solve puzzles is a perfect match for fans of Zachtronics-style games.

Retrace the path of the Prime Mover to uncover the story of the Byte of Burden! Prime Mover is an open-ended puzzle game about designing circuit boards.

Why similar: Programming 57.5% ★, Simulation 14.9%, Puzzle 8.5%, Education 6.6%, Indie 5.9%

Why You'll Like It: You design circuit boards to solve puzzles, focusing on the spatial and logical arrangement of components to achieve specific outputs.

Zachtronics is back with an ambitious new design-based puzzle game. Take on the role of a Reactor Engineer working for SpaceChem, the leading chemical synthesizer for frontier colonies. Construct elaborate factories to transform raw materials into valuable chemical products!

Why similar: Programming 59.8% ★, Puzzle 15.5%, Difficult 15%, Indie 4.4%, Simulation 2.1%

Why You'll Like It: This classic puzzle game requires you to build intricate, automated assembly lines to manipulate molecules, demanding the same level of logical rigor.

Infinifactory is a sandbox puzzle game by Zachtronics, the creators of SpaceChem and Infiniminer. Build factories that assemble products for your alien overlords, and try not to die in the process.

Why similar: Programming 58% ★, Puzzle 13.7%, Simulation 12.7%, Difficult 8.5%, Indie 5.6%

Why You'll Like It: It translates the logic-based puzzle experience into a 3D space, where you must build factories to assemble products under strict constraints.

Automate swarms of office workers to solve puzzles inside your very own parallel computer made of people. A thrilling followup to the award winning Human Resource Machine. Now with more humans!

Why similar: Programming 69.4% ★, Simulation 9.5%, Puzzle 8.1%, Education 7.9%, Indie 4.3%

Why You'll Like It: A programming-based puzzle game that tasks you with managing multiple workers to solve tasks, emphasizing parallel processing and logic.

Program little office workers to solve puzzles. Be a good employee! The machines are coming... for your job. From the creators of World of Goo and Little Inferno.

Why similar: Programming 66.6% ★, Education 9.8%, Puzzle 8.2%, Simulation 7.2%, Indie 4.4%

Why You'll Like It: This game teaches the fundamentals of assembly-style programming through a series of increasingly difficult office-themed logic puzzles.

Set in a post-apocalyptic future, The Signal State puts your logic skills to the test with complex puzzles inspired by modular synthesizers. Repair machines, rebuild an abandoned farm, and be part of a revolution that will change the fate of agriculture once and for all.

Why similar: Programming 52.2% ★, Hacking 18.1% ★, Simulation 14.1%, Puzzle 9.9%, Indie 4.6%

Why You'll Like It: This game focuses on modular synthesis and logic, requiring you to patch together circuits to solve complex signal-processing puzzles.

Build the most advanced operating system ever created! Can you master the fictional simulation language of this mind-bending machine? Design circuits, automate UBITS (coloured mobile data blocks), and optimize your system. The Admin is always watching, and he’s not what he seems.

Why similar: Programming 47.7% ★, Hacking 20.5% ★, Simulation 11.9%, Education 10.6%, Puzzle 6.3%

Why You'll Like It: A modern take on the assembly-programming genre that offers deep, challenging puzzles focused on automation and logic.

Use the MOLEK-SYNTEZ to create small molecules with various pharmacological effects from the comfort of your small Romanian apartment.

Why similar: Programming 58.3% ★, Simulation 23.6%, Puzzle 11.3%, Indie 5%, Singleplayer 1.8%

Why You'll Like It: A chemistry-themed programming game that requires you to manipulate atoms and molecules using a custom assembly language.

You’re a machine learning specialist who makes neural networks but your cat seems to be better at it. Now you must solve puzzles to build a cat-to-human translation system (who knows what else this cat is capable of!). Earn a fortune, buy kickass cat outfits, learn how machine learning really works!

Why similar: Programming 63.1% ★, Education 15.1%, Simulation 12.3%, Puzzle 6.9%, Indie 2.6%

Why You'll Like It: It introduces machine learning concepts through visual programming puzzles, offering a more accessible but still deeply logical experience.

Virtual Circuit Board is the sandbox drawing-based logic simulator where you can build, program, decorate, and simulate anything from simple monochrome circuits to complex and colorful computers. Play with digital logic in this sandbox-only experience.

Why similar: Programming 47.6% ★, Hacking 19.7% ★, Education 13.4%, Simulation 12.5%, Puzzle 4.9%

Why You'll Like It: A sandbox-focused simulation that allows you to build complex digital circuits and logic systems without the constraints of a traditional puzzle game.

Boot up your Z5 Powerlance and dial into Last Call BBS, the last game from Zachtronics! The Barkeep’s loaded up his retro computer with a full set of puzzle games for you to download and play. No need to worry about copy protection, they’re all fully cracked and ready to enjoy!

Why similar: Puzzle 52.4%, Simulation 45.9%, Singleplayer 1.7%

Why You'll Like It: A collection of Zachtronics puzzles that includes hardware design and programming challenges, capturing the same retro-tech aesthetic.

Kaizen is an open-ended puzzle automation game from the original Zachtronics team, set in 1980s Japan. Design, build, and optimize production lines to create iconic products, like calculators, camcorders, and arcade machines.

Why similar: Programming 54.6% ★, Education 11.8%, Simulation 11.7%, Difficult 10.2%, Puzzle 7.2%

Why You'll Like It: A factory-building game that incorporates programming elements to optimize production lines and solve logistical puzzles.

Robo Instructus is a puzzle game in which players manoeuvre a robot by issuing instructions via a simple programming language. As players progress through the game they unlock new functions to overcome new puzzles, each of which can be solved in multiple ways.

Why similar: Programming 55.7% ★, Difficult 12.3%, Education 11.1%, Puzzle 8%, Simulation 8%

Why You'll Like It: You must program a robot to navigate obstacles and complete objectives, emphasizing logical flow and efficient code structure.

Invent a new computer! Logic World is a first-person sandbox simulation game that's all about digital logic. Play alone or with friends, design unique machines, build up layers of complexity, and experience the joy of circuits!

Why similar: Hacking 40% ★, Education 21.5%, Difficult 15.1%, Simulation 13.3%, Puzzle 10.1%

Why You'll Like It: This game offers a massive sandbox for building complex digital logic systems, allowing for the creation of everything from simple gates to entire computers.

Alan's Automaton Workshop is an open-ended programming puzzle game. Start a new business with Alan Turing and his groundbreaking innovation: the Turing Machine. Build unique automatons, and solve all kinds of problems from clients.

Why similar: Programming 59.5% ★, Education 18.2%, Simulation 11.1%, Puzzle 8.2%, Indie 2.1%

Why You'll Like It: A steampunk-themed programming game where you build automated machines to solve mechanical puzzles.

Manufactoria 2022 is a constructive puzzle game about pushing robots around. (It's okay, they don't complain.) Use simple parts to engineer solutions to open-ended problems, then rebuild 'em better! Take a company from your backyard to the soaring heights of success! How hard could it be?

Why similar: Programming 67.5% ★, Simulation 14%, Puzzle 11.5%, Indie 5.6%, Singleplayer 1.4%

Why You'll Like It: From the same creator as Silicon Zeroes, this game focuses on building automated logic machines to process data streams.

Bitburner is a programming-based incremental game. Write scripts in JavaScript to automate gameplay, learn skills, play minigames, solve puzzles, and more in this cyberpunk text-based incremental RPG.

Why similar: Programming 61.1% ★, Hacking 24.5% ★, Simulation 6.3%, Education 3.9%, Puzzle 2.9%

Why You'll Like It: A text-based hacking game that requires you to write actual JavaScript to automate your progress and manage your network.

Hacknet is an immersive, terminal-based hacking simulator for PC. Dive down a rabbit hoIe as you follow the instructions of a recently deceased hacker, whose death may not have been the accident the media reports.

Why similar: Hacking 71.3% ★, Programming 15.6% ★, Simulation 4.6%, Education 3.8%, Difficult 3%

Why You'll Like It: A terminal-based hacking simulator that captures the feel of working in a command-line environment to solve puzzles.

Comet 64 is a programming puzzle game. The year is 1984. All you got is a Comet 64 home computer and the operator's manual it came with.

Why similar: Programming 45.5% ★, Hacking 16.7% ★, Education 10%, Simulation 9.4%, Difficult 7.9%

Why You'll Like It: This game tasks you with writing assembly code for a virtual retro computer to solve various logic and data-processing challenges.

Great Permutator is a puzzle. Hard and tricky. One in which you will have to build a complex system of conveyors and various devices so that the colored boxes can travel across the factory and arrive at right places and in right order. If you are into clever engineering puzzles, this game is for you.

Why similar: Programming 58% ★, Simulation 14.6%, Difficult 13.5%, Puzzle 9.7%, Indie 3%

Why You'll Like It: A puzzle game that requires you to build automated machines to sort and process items, emphasizing efficiency and logic.

Master the most counter-intuitive logic in existence. Created by the researchers who defined Quantum Literacy, explore an open-ended puzzle world where you craft real quantum algorithms, solve 500+ challenges, hack other players asynchronously, and gain insights textbooks can’t provide.

Why similar: Programming 40.6% ★, Hacking 22.6% ★, Education 12.1%, Simulation 9.5%, Difficult 7.7%

Screeps: World is an open source MMO strategy sandbox game for programming enthusiasts. You control your colony by writing JavaScript code that operates 24/7 in the huge persistent online open world.

Why similar: Programming 50.4% ★, Hacking 27.9% ★, Difficult 11.1%, Simulation 10.6%

Why You'll Like It: An MMO strategy game where you control your units entirely through JavaScript code, perfect for those who want to apply programming skills in a competitive environment.

Replicube is an open-ended programming puzzle game/toy about writing code to replicate 3D voxel-based objects. Solve puzzles, pursue leaderboard glory, or just make art to share with the in-game community.

Why similar: Programming 70.8% ★, Simulation 18.7%, Puzzle 10.5%

A game about building emulators! Implement your own NEEES core in JavaScript, get instant feedback with unit/video tests, build the graphics unit in real time, learn 6502 assembly, debug test ROMs, and have fun with the included homebrew games!

Why similar: Programming 50% ★, Hacking 15.9% ★, Education 11.6%, Simulation 10.7%, Puzzle 5.5%

A single bit of computer memory became sentient and decided to escape from digital into the real world. Explore RAM, modify bytes and hack machine code and CPU registers to set it free.

Why similar: Programming 38.8% ★, Hacking 21.1% ★, Simulation 15.3%, Education 7.5%, Difficult 5.7%

A game about friendship, love and technology in a place where bits have replaced atoms.

Why similar: Programming 64.1% ★, Hacking 29.6% ★, Indie 5.2%, Singleplayer 1.1%

Why You'll Like It: An open-world game where you can hack the world around you by modifying the source code of objects, offering a unique perspective on programming.

Retro Gadgets is a sandbox where you build, code, and customize gadgets inspired by old-school electronics.

Why similar: Programming 49.2% ★, Education 15.3%, Hacking 15.2% ★, Simulation 11.1%, Puzzle 7.4%

Design, build and wire up your own unique robot to complete challenging logic puzzles. LogicBots is a puzzle game where robots are used to complete the various levels.

Why similar: Programming 56.5% ★, Simulation 21.5%, Education 8.6%, Puzzle 7.5%, Indie 6%

OCTOPTICOM is an open-ended puzzle programming game about designing and optimizing optical computing devices. Use lasers, mirrors, filters and other components to read, transform and write sequences of colored squares.

Why similar: Programming 45.5% ★, Simulation 18.3%, Education 11.1%, Difficult 9.2%, Puzzle 7.8%

Cypher is a first person puzzle game about cryptography.

Why similar: Difficult 33.6%, Puzzle 30.9%, Education 22.4%, Indie 13.2%

⚡️Fix electronics 📈manage firm 💻challenge the hacker... ServiceIT is a simulation game where you run a full-service IT company to engage in tasks like diagnosing, repairing equipment, network infiltration, programming, server management while an Anonymous hacker keeps sabotaging it all.

Why similar: Programming 42.9% ★, Hacking 25.2% ★, Education 13.3%, Simulation 11.6%, Puzzle 3.5%

Become a hacker and build your online reputation to the top. Complete contracts, buy new programs, upgrade your computer, crack wifi networks and infiltrate peoples or companies online systems.

Why similar: Hacking 40.8% ★, Programming 38.4% ★, Simulation 16.1%, Indie 2.7%, Singleplayer 2%

Step into the world of IT! Diagnose network issues, manage servers, and repair devices while handling tasks under strict SLAs. Choose your career path, from HelpDesk to IT Project Manager. Develop real IT knowledge and climb the ranks in this realistic IT simulation!

Why similar: Programming 47.6% ★, Education 15.1%, Simulation 12.7%, Difficult 12.2%, Puzzle 6.6%

Move Code Lines is a game where you fix programs and make them print needed output. But the only way you can achieve that is to change the order of lines in those programs, and set custom input.

Why similar: Programming 43% ★, Hacking 22.8% ★, Education 11.2%, Simulation 8.4%, Difficult 8%

Build and grow your very own computer repair enterprise as you learn to diagnose, fix and build PCs. With real-world licensed components and comprehensive hardware and software simulation, you can plan and bring your ultimate PC to life.

Why similar: Education 43.2%, Simulation 39.8%, Puzzle 9.2%, Indie 5.1%, Singleplayer 2.5%

Use real Python code to automate machines, robots, drones and more: Program self-driving vehicles; crack passwords; apply machine learning; automate logistics; use image processing to guide missiles. Gain real coding skills and solve exciting bite-sized programming challenges.

Why similar: Programming 48% ★, Hacking 19% ★, Education 12.2%, Simulation 8.5%, Puzzle 6.2%

Glitchspace is about reprogramming the game to solve puzzles. Trapped in an abstract cyberspace world, your way forward uses visual programming to edit environmental geometry, whilst unlocking key programming concepts along the way.

Why similar: Programming 69.4% ★, Hacking 15.5% ★, Puzzle 9%, Indie 6.1%

Crack simulated safe locks using real techniques!

Why similar: Simulation 36.2%, Education 25.3%, Hacking 23.1% ★, Puzzle 13.9%, Singleplayer 1.6%

A=B is a programming puzzle game with only one instruction: A=B, which means replacing A with B.

Why similar: Programming 60.8% ★, Education 15.6%, Puzzle 10.5%, Hacking 8.8% ★, Indie 3.5%

A sci-fi management game where you build and optimize your computer's system from the ground up. Connect and configure interconnected nodes to efficiently download, process, and upload files. Manage your setup, solve system challenges, and become the ultimate system architect

Why similar: Programming 55% ★, Simulation 22.9%, Hacking 22.1% ★

Copy Editor is an intricate puzzle game that teaches you Regular Expressions (RegEx), commonly used in computer science and language theory. Build complex rules that process and revise famous texts for your wacky and demanding publisher!

Why similar: Programming 46.3% ★, Hacking 18% ★, Simulation 14.2%, Education 11.3%, Puzzle 8%

Grey Hack is a massively multiplayer hacking simulator game. You're a hacker with full freedom to act as you wish on a vast network of procedurally generated computers.

Why similar: Programming 42.3% ★, Hacking 38.5% ★, Simulation 11.9%, Education 4%, Indie 3.2%

The story takes place in a future company called "RavenTek". R.O.O.T. - A grid, unit, and signal based computing system. Move the units to create signal links, transmit the signals, and activate other units to generate benefits. Are the benefits generated all for the company, or...?

Why similar: Programming 82.2% ★, Puzzle 12.9%, Simulation 4.3%, Singleplayer 0.6%

Hardware Engineers is a simulation game where you have to manage a IT business. In a world where technology expands every day, you will need to learn how to be competitive.

Why similar: Simulation 71.2%, Indie 24.1%, Singleplayer 4.7%

Program and optimize a drone to automate a farm and watch it do the work for you. Collect resources to unlock better technology and become the most efficient farmer in the world. Improve your problem solving and coding skills.

Why similar: Programming 68.5% ★, Education 14.3%, Simulation 8.3%, Puzzle 6.7%, Indie 1.3%

Design increasingly complex computation units powered by high pressure steam. From switches to steam based computers, all in a world of analogue pressure devices. Use previous designs to solve further challenges, unravel the mystery of the missing steam and discover a new field of science.

Why similar: Programming 64.7% ★, Education 17.4%, Puzzle 9.7%, Simulation 8.1%

Try yourself as a PC builder and build your dream PC from 200+ real components!Complete different PC building and PC repair orders to upgrade your business: build a PC from zero, install popular OS', upgrade computers, install different programs and games, fix PC parts, and much more.

Why similar: Programming 59.5% ★, Simulation 15.7%, Education 12.8%, Puzzle 8.1%, Indie 3.9%

SOKOBOT is an open-ended puzzle game where you place down cute robots, give them commands, and create infinitely-looping assembly lines that combine shapes together!

Why similar: Programming 60.7% ★, Difficult 13.2%, Puzzle 9.9%, Simulation 9.5%, Indie 5.5%

Dive into a factory-building game with the focus on just that – building huge space factories! Design sprawling multi-level factories and satisfying production lines without limits. Tackle progressively challenging automation goals at your own pace, without the threat of enemies.

Why similar: Simulation 49.1%, Puzzle 30.4%, Indie 14.7%, Singleplayer 5.8%

A rich and challenging physics-based puzzle /logic /construction /programming game! Master ballistics, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, chemical and nuclear reactions, use automation bricks, build structures, machines, vehicles, produce power, solve puzzles, pierce the fog and defeat CHR$!

Why similar: Programming 74.1% ★, Puzzle 12%, Simulation 9.4%, Indie 3.4%, Singleplayer 1%

Build, debug and optimize a computer network in an underground facility.

Why similar: Programming 59.2% ★, Hacking 30.6% ★, Puzzle 8.7%, Singleplayer 1.6%

Immerse yourself in the strange world of CipherCraft: CGI, where you'll perform repairs, network infiltration, programming, server management, active server administration, and meticulous assembly and cleaning of computer components. Win against an Anonymous hacker who keeps sabotaging the company.

Why similar: Programming 43% ★, Hacking 28.6% ★, Education 12.7%, Simulation 12.6%, Indie 2.2%