What if you want to play a video game but can't because you don't have it or your parents won't let you? What if you want to play a game at school, in the car, or somewhere else, but your GameBoy is dead? What if your parents are using the TV? Why play a video game when you can make one on paper! Give this a try.

Create Your Own Characters

Step 1. Grab a blank sheet of paper.

Step 1

Take a blank sheet of paper. It's recommended to use graph paper, but any sheet will do.

Step 2. Draw a monster on it, but don’t fill the entire page.

Step 2

Draw a monster on it, but don’t fill the entire page. Use a pencil so you can erase lines when it gets hurt.

Step 3. Give it a name and a health bar.

Step 3

Step 4. Draw one or two small characters.

Step 4

Draw one or two small characters. You can come up with their designs yourself.

Step 5. Name this character (or characters) and draw a health bar.

Step 5

Name this character (or characters) and draw a health bar. Write 100 above each bar.

Step 6. Draw a magic or power bar wherever you like.

Step 6

Step 7. Come up with some attacks for your character, as well as several for the boss.

Step 7

Invent some attacks for your character, as well as several for the boss. They should deal various amounts of damage, with the strongest using magic.

Step 8. Let one of the characters start the attack.

Step 8

Let one of the characters initiate the attack. Subtract the attack value from the enemy.

Step 9. Have the characters attack in turns.

Step 9

Have the characters attack in turns. You can play as a team with the characters or battle one against all.

Step 10. Once the boss's health drops to zero, you level up to Level 2.

Step 10

Once the boss's health hits zero, you level up to Level 2. Reward yourself by unlocking something like power armor, a fire arrow, or a new character. Another idea is to unlock a merging ability at each level that allows you to combine two characters into one.

Step 11. After reaching Level 2, keep going.

Step 11

After reaching Level 2, continue. There really is no limit to the levels – it all depends on your imagination.

Using Pokémon Characters

Step 1. Find or create a Pokémon.

Step 1

Find or create a Pokémon. On different pages, draw its 3 evolutionary forms.

Step 2. Do the same for the opponent.

Step 2

Step 3. Write down 4 moves, type, health points, and status.

Step 3

Step 4. Use the health bar until one of the Pokémon loses.

Step 4

Use the health bar until one of the Pokémon is defeated. Keep playing using levels and evolution as described in Method 1.