This work investigates the use of programming games as an alternative to establishing the first contacts of high school students with programming concepts. Programming games are puzzle style games where the player must solve problems that require algorithmic logic using some programming representation. The research was conducted with 14 students who used three different games and answered a questionnaire with open and closed questions that sought to know the opinion of students on: (i) favorite

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... game, (ii) engagement and fun, (iii) tutorial style (how the games bring the problems to the players); and (iv) perception of programming and concepts involved. The results indicate that using programming games as an approach in the early contacts of the students with programming concepts can bring beneficial results for creating a less intimidating environment where the student realizes his ability to achieve educational goals while have fun.