In addition to streaming TV and movies, you can play games on Roku devices using the remote control. We’ve rounded up a dozen of the best puzzle games, platformers, and classic board games for Roku,
The Competitive Puzzle Game for All Ages: Match Four
A clone of the classic board game Connect Four, Match Four is simple enough for young children as the challenge is determined by your opponent’s skills. It’s especially fun for families to play in teams, but if you don’t have anyone else, the AI makes for a formidable advesary.
Play alone or against a partner.
Easy and hard modes.
Very barebones.
No online play.
Safest Alternative to Day-Trading: Bitcoin Boom
Are you curious about cryptocurrency, but you don’t want to take the financial risk? This simulator might scratch your itch. Bitcoin Boom is admittedly more of a post-modern art piece than a game, but it’s strangely satisfying to see how much fake virtual currency you can generate.
Simple yet addictive.
No real money required.
Minimalistic graphics and sound effects.
Not actually educational.
Practice Your Poker Face at Home: Poker With Friends
If you don’t have a deck of cards or any friends to play with, Poker With Friends has you covered, If your friends have a Roku TV, you can create your own online Texas Hold’em tournament. Best of all, no one can read your poker face through your TV screen.
Perfect for learning how to play poker.
Play online with up to 9 people.
You can spend real money, but you can’t win real money.
No local multi-player.
A Forgotten Gem Uncovered: L’Abbaye Des Morts
L’Abbaye des Morts was originally made for the ZX Spectrum, an early PC released in 1982. It’s a pretty in-depth adventure game about a heretic monk fleeing from persecution at the hands of the crusaders. The Roku version has given the game a modern polish, but the spirit of the original is well maintained.
Immersive music and visual style.
Unique story with a lot of mood.
Clunky controls.
Very difficult platforming sections.
A Timeless Test of Tactical Skills: Chess Live!
Chess Live! is for serious chess players and those who are still learning the basics of the game. It’s a no-frills simulator with no in-game purchases or gimmicks. The game offers reviews and playbacks of your matches to help you up your game.
Fun for novices and advanced players.
No ads or microtransactions.
No tutorials for beginners.
No music and plain graphics.
Cutest Arcade-Style Platformer: Candy Bear
Candy Bear is an old-school platforming game reminiscent of arcade classics like Donkey Kong and Wrecking Crew. The goal is simple, but the obstacles keep changing. There’s an ad-supported free version you can try, and your data will transfer if you decide to buy the game. Once you beat all 120 levels, move on to the recently released sequel Candy Bear 2, which is also available on Roku.
Adorable pixelated characters.
Creative level designs.
No music and minimalistic sound effects.
No way to defend yourself.
Word Search Meets Candy Crush: Word Soup
Word Soup puts a strategic spin on the classic word search concept. When you make words out of connected letters, they disappear and the letters on top of them fall into the empty space. That means you’ll always need to think a few steps ahead to maximize your score.
Every game is different.
Tracks your best records.
No multiplayer or online leader boards.
No difficulty options.
A Puzzle Game for the Ages: Pink Panther Time Traveler
Guide Pink Panther through different time periods in this slide-puzzle game for all ages. You don’t need to know anything about the title character to appreciate his unique style. The background illustrations are so stunning that you’ll want to keep playing just to see what the next level looks like.
Classic animation style.
Multiple difficulty settings.
200+ levels including daily challenges.
Limited gameplay variety.
No classic Pink Panther theme song.
Strangest Alternative to Asteroids: Pathogen 2
Pathogen 2 is an obvious ode to Asteroids, one of the oldest arcade games, but it comes with a creative twist. Instead of firing at rocks from a spacecraft, you’re fighting germs from a microscopic ship inside the human body.
Cool graphics and concept.
Soothing soundtrack.
Doesn’t add to basic the Asteroids formula.
Stiff controls.
The Original Rogue-Like: Rogue
Presented in its original ASCII glory, Rogue is perhaps the first game that has players exploring randomly generated dungeons, fighting monsters, and collecting experience points. If you’ve ever heard the terms “dungeon crawler” or “rogue-like,” you can thank this game.
A faithful recreation of the original.
Each game is a different experience.
The “graphics” leave a lot to imagination.
No free version.
Greatest Galaga Remake: Retaliate
Retaliate reverses the formula of space shooters like Galaga where you have infinite ammo. Instead, you start with nothing but a shield to defend yourself, and you must siphon ammo from enemy ships. Leader boards are available online, so you can boast about your high score on social media.
A novel spin on a beloved arcade classic.
A tough but fair challenge.
A little confusing a first.
The game can end very suddenly.
Multiple Multi-Player Games in One: Neon Party Games
If you have a group of friends over, Neon Party Games is a perfect go-to activity. The games are simple enough for anyone to understand, so it’s equally ideal for adult and kid’s gatherings. Each person uses their smartphone to play, which is a lot easier than using the Roku remote control.
Energetic music and flashy graphics.
Supports an unlimited number of players.
Requires you to download an app.
Games vary in quality.
Can You Play Games on Roku?
You can add games to your Roku the same way you add channels. To find Roku games in the Channel Store. go to Home > Streaming Channels > Games. If you don’t see the title you’re looking for under the Games section, go to Search Channels and look it up by name.
Many titles are available for free with ads. Some games must be purchased upfront while others offer in-game purchases. If you have a Roku account, you can add games and channels from the Roku website.
What Games Can You Play on a Roku TV?
While most of these games are available on all Roku devices, a few are only supported on specific models. If you search for a title and it doesn’t come up, then the game isn’t supported on your device.
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