Games that are restricted to the x and y-axis (and don't show any depth) are what we call 2D games, such as Pac Man (featured next). They can be top-down or side-scrolling (up/down/left/right). Unlike 3D games, players only see one side of the game object at any given moment. Sometimes this can be quite linear in the sense that there is no perception of depth (with the exclusion of parallax).

Often though, sprites can be brought to life, as can the environment, with beautiful (frame-by-frame) animations and effects. Other popular examples of 2D games are Mario, Donkey Kong, Space Invaders, Monaco: What's Yours Is Mine, Mark of the Ninja, and Castlevania: Symphony of the Night.