An image from "Minecraft," one of the independent video games featured in an upcoming exhibit at the Museum of the Moving Image. View Full Caption Courtesy of Notch

ASTORIA — A new exhibit opening this week at the Museum of the Moving Image in Queens will celebrate the best of the indie video game scene.

"Indie Essentials: 25 Must-Play Video Games," will debut Saturday, letting visitors play more than two dozen games developed independent of large video game studios and publishers.

The games in the exhibit, selected for their impact on the gaming industry, including the block-building game Minecraft and the puzzle-solving game Braid, as well as the 2013 winners of IndieCade, an international independent video games festival that took place in Los Angeles in October, which is partnering with the museum for the exhibit.

In February, the Museum of the Moving Image will host IndieCade East, a non-competitive version of the west coast festival.

"The designers and developers of the games presented in Indie Essentials take daring creative risks to explore new forms and methods of play," Jason Eppink, the museum's curator said in a statement.

"Independent games are a fountain of innovation and experimentation, advancing games as one of today’s most dynamic and important cultural forms," he added.

Museum visitors will be able to play the games for free, and access to the exhibit is included with museum admission, which is $12 for adults and $9 for seniors and students.

"Indie Essentials: 25 Must-Play Video Games," will be on view on the Museum of the Moving Image, at 36-01 35th Ave., from Dec. 14 to March 2. IndieCade East will take place at the museum on Feb. 14 to 16.