Game Maker

If you want to make your own games, this is the program to try first. Game Maker installs quickly and launches automatically, starting up by generating a new project. A basic project includes sprites, sounds, background, paths, scripts, data files, time lines, objects, and room features, as well as game information and options, all of which you can configure freely. 

In particular, the application offers a good deal of control over sprites, which can be scaled, rotated, made partially transparent, and blended with a color. Each feature offers samples to show you how to create your masterpiece. You might not be able to create something, such as Doom or Heroes of Might and Magic, but mah-jongg and golf are doable. Though writing a game might seem intimidating, Game Maker brings it within reach.