Features of SU(N) gauge theories

We review recent lattice results for the large $N$ limit of SU(N) gauge theories. In particular, we focus on glueball masses, topology and its relation to chiral symmetry breaking (relevant for phenomenology), on the tension of strings connecting sources in higher representations of the gauge group (relevant for models of confinement and as a comparative ground for theories beyond the Standard Model) and on the finite temperature deconfinement phase transition (relevant for RHIC-like experiments). In the final part we present open challenges for the future.