The Best (Really) Free Online Games Sites

What makes the best really free online games site?

When I'm looking for a free online game to play, these are the most important features which I look out for in a free games site:

• Free should mean free - if it's play for free until you get addicted, then you have to pay a fee to progress to higher levels, then no thanks, I'm not interested.
• No signups - I don't want to have to sign up for your 'free' newsletter and I don't want to have to log in to play a straightforward game.
• No annoying adverts - this speaks for itself really. I don't mind unobtrusive ads (heck, we've all got to make a living, and the site is providing a free service after all). But I don't want to see garish, flickering distractions or lots of popups - I need all my concentration to play the game.
• No toolbars to install - optional toolbars are OK, but I don't want to have to install any to play.
• Good choice of games - the best free online games sites will have a variety of different games to suit all interests.

I like to be able to visit a site, find an interesting game and get on with it straight away, without having to register or download anything. When I find a game that I really enjoy and want to go back to, I don't mind registering so that my scores can be saved, but it has to be my choice.

Miniclip

Miniclip Games Tribute

Miniclip

Miniclip claims 43 million unique users a month, and with their outstanding collection of over 300 free online games, it's easy to see why.

As well as the more popular games such as action, sports and shoot 'em ups, there are other collections such as brain training games, multiplayer games and political games (including a great Presidential Paintball game featuring Clinton, Obama and Giuliano). There is even a collection of games which can be played on your Nintendo Wii.

If you have your own blog or website, Miniclip offer a set of games which you can embed into your site.

Play free online games at Miniclip.

Orisinal

Winterbells on Orisinal

Orisinal

Orisinal offers a set of 59 very original, beautifully drawn Flash games, created by Ferry Halim. Many of the games feature cute animals, with gorgeous backgrounds and relaxing music.

Winterbells is one of the most popular games on the Orisinal site. It involves guiding a white rabbit gently up through the night sky by leaping onto the white bells, which get smaller as you progress.

Orsinal is a great site to visit when you are feeling stressed out or tired. The games are intriguing enough to occupy your mind, while the music and soft colors encourage you to relax.

Play free online games at Orisinal

Nitrome

Clips of Nitrome Games

Nitrome

Nitrome games are a treat for your eyes with their beautiful colors and pixel art styling. Although the games are modern, they have a retro feel, and are accompanied by some great music tracks.

The games are original and interesting to play, although some of them are too difficult for me. One of my favorites is Yin Yang, where you have to control two characters, one black one white, who move in opposite directions to each other in different worlds at the same time.

Highly recommended - definitely worth a visit if you have a spare hour or two.

Play free online games at Nitrome.

Andkon Arcade

Linerider Sk8park on Andkon

Andkon Arcade

Andkon Arcade has over 1000 free Flash games for you to play.

The games are divided into categories, including, Sport, Adventure and Action, Casino and Chance, Racing and Car games, Fly 'n' Shoot, Quick Reflex, Puzzle, Missile Defender, Obstacle and Skill games, Pong, Tetris and Block Games.

The video shows one of the draw and play games where you design and draw your own track.

The site is updated with new games every Friday, so keep checking back to make sure you don't miss any.

Play free online games at Andkon Arcade.

Matica

Sudoku Drop Game

Matica

Although only offering a small collection of games, Matica is definitely worth a visit as it has some quite addictive and original online games.

Matica Brain Gym is a great brain training workout. You can play in quick play mode without registering. However, if you enjoy playing the game and feel it's doing your brain some good, you can register and then your scores will be stored for you, so you can see how you are improving day by day.

Another good game on this site is the Sudoku. Unline the traditional sudoku game, you start with a blank grid and numbers appear at the top - you have to think quickly and place them where they will keep to sudoku rules (a bit like Tetris, but with numbers instead of shapes).

Play free online games on Matica.

Kewlbox

Kewlbox Game

Kewlbox

Kewlbox is the launchpad for games created by Blockdot, who specialize in Advergames and viral marketing campaigns. There's a nice collection of games here. Some of them show an advertisement while the game is loading, but that doesn't spoil them.

Popular games on Kewlbox include Saw IV Trapped, Tax Smack (take out your tax rage on your virtual accountant) and Berry Brawl (have a fruit fight).

Many of the games on Kewlbox can be downloaded for Windows or Macs, as well as having play online versions.

Play free online games at Kewlbox.

Best free online games for kids

• Nickelodeon
  Nickelodeon has free online games for kids' favorite TV show characters - Spongebob Squarepants, Jimmy Neutron, Rugrats and more.
• CBBC
  Lots of great games for children aged 5 and up.
• Cbeebies
  Games for under 7s, featuring all their favorite TV characters - Teletubbies, Lazytown, Bob the Builder, Postman Pat and lots more.
• Up to Ten
  This site contains hundreds of bright, beautiful games for children up to 10 years old. Lots of fun.
• Kaboose
  Kaboose has a great set of colorful free online games for children of all ages.
• Scholastic
  Free online games featuring children's books such as Captain Underpants and Goosebumps

Quick Links to the Best Free Online Games Sites

• Miniclip
  Huge collection of action games, sporting games, shoot 'em ups, puzzle games, brain trainers and more.
• Orisinal
  Muted colors and gentle music - these games great for when you're stressed or if you just need to relax. All the games are original and fun to play.
• Nitrome
  Colorful pixel art games which are quite challenging to play. The music tracks are catchy too.
• Andkon Arcade
  Large collection of over 1000 online games, all completely free - the site is updated weekly.
• Matica
  Some great puzzle games such as Sudoku with a twist and a brain gym workout.
• Kewlbox
  High quality, original arcade games, puzzles, card and word games.

Are you bored?

If you're sitting in front of a computer with internet access, there's no excuse for boredom. All you need to do is check out the best free online games sites and you need never be bored again.

Online you will find every type of game to play for free: classic arcade games, shoot 'em ups, puzzle games, card games, word games, motorsports games, platform games, MMO (massively multiplayer online) games, action games, adventure games, board games, casino games, sports games, strategy games plus lots of games for kids.

You will find games to suit every mood. As well as games which are purely for fun, there are games to improve your mind and even some which will help you to relax.

Troubleshooting

If you can't get online games to load, make sure you've got the latest versions of Adobe Flash and Adobe Shockwave. Most online games need either Flash or Shockwave to run, and they're both available as free downloads.

Download the latest version of Adobe Flash and Adobe Shockwave.

Miniclip Latest Games Feed

• Classroom Pilot

  Design your paper plane and aim for the blackboard to escape the lesson!

• Final Ninja

  Take control of the Final Ninja Takeshi and use your ninja skills to overcome his arch nemesis Akuma.

• Word Vine

  Place word on the vine and link every word to finish the level!

• Dino Run

  Run for your life and escape the oncoming wall of doom and extinction!

• Vectoroids

  Zap everything that moves and collect power-ups in this frantic shooter!

• Monster Bash

  Help Monster bash the skull as far as possible!