A Chromebook offers several different ways to play games. The options include browser-based games, as well as games built for Android, and Linux, along with subscription options. But not all of those options are available to every person and every Chromebook.
People who own a relatively recent Chrome device with access to the Google Play Store should explore Android games. Most major mobile games are available for Android, so that expands your options considerably. However, not all Chromebooks support Android apps, and Chrome devices from school or work might not allow app installation, so we’ve omitted them from our list.
Adobe Flash has been discontinued, so games built with Flash have been omitted from this list.
Rotate Dropping Shapes: Tetris
Rotate shapes as they descend to create fully filled rows of blocks, which then disappear. Repeat until the pace becomes too fast and the blocks accumulate to the top of the screen. That’s classic Tetris.
Gradual increase in pace of play.
Keyboard controls work well.
Music options limited.
Fixed size of game screen.
Classic Strategy: Spark Chess
Play chess in your browser against either another person online, or choose from a few computer opponents. Spark Chess is free, although you may choose to upgrade ($16.99 for the browser based version) for access to additional computer opponents, enhanced views, and priority online access, among other features.
Solid chess game for learners.
Options to view board as a diagram or with simple perspective.
Limited number of board and piece display options.
Three computer opponents available for free.
Explore Dungeons, Fight Monsters: Web Quake
Quake, the first-person shooter video game, offers both single and multi-player modes. It also installs on your Chromebook so you can play offline. Explore maze-like levels to discover secrets as you fend off monsters.
Dungeons and monsters!
Ability to play offline.
By 2019 standards, graphics are blocky.
Multiplayer options may not work for everyone.
Physics Platformer: Cut the Rope
The award-winning multi-level physics game that works offline, Cut the Rope is all about getting candy to the creature (named Om Nom). You swipe to cut the rope, which works well on a touchpad, although it really works best on a touchscreen where you can swipe directly with your finger or stylus.
Engaging platform play.
Option to change setting from “drag to cut” to “click to cut”.
Default window size not full-screen.
On a non-touchscreen device, play may be challenging.
Make the Longest Line: Entanglement
The goal of Entanglement is to create the longest path you can. The game offers various layouts on which to play, and also offers multiplayer options. However, the one expansion is all that’s available, so after playing this game through, it may begin to feel repetitive.
Tantalizing to try to get the path just a bit longer.
Variety of boards with optional expansion pack ($4.99).
No additional board beyond expansion pack.
May feel repetitive after many plays.
Swipe to Sum Tiles: 2048
With each move, a tile with a value of either 2 or 4 displays on a 4x4 grid. Swipe up, down, left, or right to slide tiles together. Adjacent tiles with the same value, say, 2 and 2, or 4 and 4, will combine to create a new tile with the total (i.e., 4 or 8). Repeat the process as the grid fills, with the goal of reaching the 2048 tile. (Want a variant? Try Threes.)
Simple control mechanics.
Easy to understand.
Limited amount of strategy.
Fixed app display size.
Explore With Text: Zork
“You are standing in an open field,” this text-based adventure game begins, “west of a white house, with a boarded front door.” You type simple commands, such as “open mailbox”, to move and engage with the game. No graphics. Just use your imagination along with some mapping and puzzle-solving skills. The site offers many other text-based games, too.
Text-based games remain engaging.
Variety of other text-based games available.
Being eaten by a grue.
Vocabulary options may sometimes seem limited.
Select Text and Wait: A Dark Room
A Dark Room, from Doublespeak games, is a bit of a twist on a text-based adventure game. Text displays. But you don’t type words. Instead, you select actions. In some cases, you have to wait between certain actions, such as gathering wood or checking traps. Over time, you have to tweak settings, make choices, and explore a bit.
Gradual increase in complexity.
Mystery of progressing without quite knowing the goal.
A few mundane tasks can get repetitive.
Random events not necessarily positive.
Surround Territory: Online-Go.com
Online-go.com offers one of the most accessible places to learn, watch, or play go (also called baduk, weiqi, or igo). The site includes tutorials along with many go puzzles. With an account, you can play games against a computer opponent or other people.
Displays several games in progress.
Learn the basics of play for free.
Beginners may be a bit overwhelmed at the number of options.
Watching amateur games may not be the best way to learn effective strategies.
Early Computer Games: Archive.org
Archive.org maintains a treasure trove of classic games made for Atari, Apple II, Commodore 64, and MS-DOS computers, all of which you may play in a browser. The Internet Archive preserves these games here for archival purposes thanks to a special exemption from the Library of Congress.
Large number of arcade-style games work well in the browser.
Older gamers might enjoy playing games from their youth.
Controls and keys can sometimes be tricky to figure out.
You can still die of dysentery when you play Oregon Trail.
Explore Independent Games: Itch.io
Itch.io offers access to thousands of games from independent developers. Choose “browse games” and select “Web” as the platform, and choose “HTML” as the type to narrow the options to games that will work in your Chromebook browser. You can also filter by game genre, accessibility options, multi-player, price, and more.
Huge selection of HTML5 games.
Lots of styles of games available.
Quality of games varies significantly.
Some games not fully built-out.
Alternative Options for Games That Work on Chromebook
People who are determined and technically adventurous might consider getting Linux on a Chromebook. This could let you get Steam (a gaming service) on your Chromebook, or even games that run on Linux. This process can be complicated and won’t work on every Chrome OS device, so this is why we left Linux games off our list.
Serious gamers might consider a subscription. Google Play Pass ($4.99 per month) gives you access to more than 350 Android games and apps without ads or in-app purchases.
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