The best Google Chrome games for 2022

When most people think about Google Chrome, the search engine itself or apps like Gmail and Google Docs are typically the first things to come to mind. Google Chrome’s extensive list of free in-browser games isn’t well-known. 

Google Chrome, in fact, has a vast array of apps and games from different genres that users can play on their mobile devices or laptop. With standouts like 2048 or Spelunky, among many others, you’re sure to find something you’ll enjoy.

Further reading

• The best browser games
• The best free online game sites
• The best indie games for 2022

2048

73 %

E

Platforms Android, iOS, Web browser

Genre Puzzle, Strategy, Indie

Developer Gabriele Cirulli

Publisher Solebon LLC

Release March 09, 2014

The ridiculously popular number-matching game is also available as a Chrome extension. In 2048, you must combine identical numbers in order to add them together and eventually collect the coveted 2048 tile, all while attempting to keep your board from getting overcrowded and ending your game prematurely. It’s a simple app, but it’s a whole lot of fun, and figuring out where each tile is going to move as you slide the board left, right, up, and down is tricky and addictive. Play here

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Kingdom Rush Frontiers

71 %

E10

Platforms PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, Android, iOS, Nintendo Switch

Genre Real Time Strategy (RTS), Strategy, Indie

Developer Ironhide Game Studio

Publisher Ironhide Game Studio

Release June 06, 2013

The Chrome web store wouldn’t be complete without your stereotypical mythical tower defense game. The premise is rather simple: Build a multitude of towers to fend off the never-ending barrage of evil forces that want to ransack your beloved kingdom. Kingdom Rush Frontiers showcases a wide variety of tower types and enemies, each with its own set of strengths and weaknesses. The gameplay is also polished, which will likely appeal to newbies and veterans of the genre alike. Plus, it looks pretty darn cute. Play here

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Little Alchemy

Platforms Android, iOS, Web browser

Genre Puzzle

Developer Recloak

Release December 08, 2010

Chrome’s version of Little Alchemy isn’t much different than the mobile version — aside from the full-screen and offline game modes. Players begin the game with four main base elements (fire, water, earth, and air) and concoct an assortment of more complex elements as the game goes on. For instance, combine earth and fire to create lava, then lava and air to create stone, stone and air to create sand, and so on. There isn’t much to it, but you can easily spend hours trying to unlock the hundreds of available combos without the cheat guide. Play here

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King of Thieves

90 %

Platforms iOS

Genre Strategy

Developer ZeptoLab

Publisher ZeptoLab

Release February 12, 2015

The goal of King of Thieves is simple: Steal stuff. Players take control of their own tiny thief, guiding them through more than 100 single-player platforming levels, as well as a near-endless amount of user-created levels. There’s a ridiculous amount of content here for a Chrome app, and it’s one you’ll want to install and play as soon as possible. Players can also team up to create guilds, rack up treasure, and design complex levels filled with monsters, traps, and secret locks that are designed to keep enemy thieves at bay. Plus, the more treasure you nab, the more customizable outfits you can unlock, adding a touch of personality to the game. Play here

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Entanglement

Platforms Linux, PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, Web browser

Genre Puzzle, Indie

Developer Gopherwood Studios LLC

Publisher Gopherwood Studios LLC

Release October 17, 2010

Gopherwood Studios’ Entanglement was once one of the default games added to Chrome upon installation. In an attempt to create the longest path possible, players rotate and place etched tiles into a hexagonal grid or other formation without running into a wall. The game features both single-player and multiplayer game modes, online and offline functionality, and zen-like music that makes you feel like you should be drinking a cup of tea or sitting in a Japanese garden. It’s simple and straightforward, but the level variation adds enough depth to make you stick around. Play here

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Cut the Rope

79 %

E

Platforms PC (Microsoft Windows), Nintendo DS, Android, Nintendo 3DS, iOS, Windows Phone, Nintendo DSi

Genre Puzzle, Indie

Developer ZeptoLab

Publisher Chillingo, ZeptoLab

Release October 01, 2010

Cuddly little Om Nom has a hankering for some candy, and you’re going to Cut the Rope to give it to him. The smash-hit physics game has been around the mobile block for a while and is now available on Chrome. Each level and puzzle gets progressively more complicated as new elements and hazards are continually introduced to the gameplay. Don’t be fooled by the cute (yet good-looking) graphics — the game can be brutally challenging and frustrating as you snag stars and follow frog-like Om Nom further down the virtual rabbit hole. Play here

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Mahjong Solitaire

60 %

Platforms PC (Microsoft Windows)

Genre Quiz/Trivia, Indie

Release May 11, 2018

Mahjong Solitaire is much like traditional solitaire, only using mahjong tiles instead of cards. Although the solo puzzle game is a bit more fine-tuned than it was when it was first developed for the computer in the early 1980s, it’s still essentially the same game. Players must click matching sets of tiles to eliminate them from the stack and complete the puzzle. The Chrome version mixes it up with multiple stacking layouts, tile variations, and some relaxing music that will likely put you to sleep. It’s not too tough, but going against the clock adds to the challenge. Play here

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Dark Orbit

Platforms PC (Microsoft Windows)

Genre Shooter, Role-playing (RPG), Adventure

Developer WildTangent

Release December 11, 2001

There are plenty of MMOs, but Dark Orbit is one of the few games Chrome offers that isn’t fantasy-related. Instead of a knight, mage, or archer, players take on the role of a space pilot drifting in DarkOrbit. The game allows you to explore a massive expanse of space as you scour the universe in search of raw materials to upgrade and customize your spaceship. Should you choose to play nice, you can team up with other players to complete quests and objectives. Otherwise, you can engage in interstellar battles with your newfound enemies in a unique player-versus-player system full of endless firepower and far too much strafing. Be forewarned, though: Space can get a bit lonely from time to time. Play here

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SparkChess

Platforms PC (Microsoft Windows)

Genre Strategy, Indie

Release October 17, 2018

Chess, as we know it, has been played for more than six centuries, but the origins go back nearly 1,500 years. It’s a game of wits, intellect, and patience — and now browser-based convenience, thanks to Chrome’s rendition of the classic game. SparkChess 9 features quick, fluid animations as well as built-in AI and a multiplayer mode for those hoping to go head-to-head against another player. It even features Facebook integration and a nice batch of hints for those of you new to the game. Play here

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Boxel Rebound

Boxel Rebound is easily one of Chrome’s most impressive auto-runners, thanks to the latest updates that made the finals levels even more agonizing. It’s based in Chrome, but Boxel Rebound‘s extensive content includes 50 levels, eight player skins, and even a level editor.

Players of this game can create and share their levels, warranting a comparison to Super Mario Maker Lite. You’ll bounce back and forth between fun and frustration due to the many options and a high difficulty level.

Play here

Robbers in Town

Auto-running platformers are the bread and butter of the free-to-play browser game scene, but these games can be turned into something more interesting with just one simple tweak.

In Robbers in Town, you play as two separate criminals trying to escape from a local bank with their stash of cash in tow. One directional arrow controls the first robber, while another controls the second, and they must both be used to avoid obstacles and get more cash.

Play here

Happy Friday

Happy Friday follows an orange monster creature as it escapes red monster creatures and eats donuts. It is a free, fast-paced game, but the controls are easy, so people of any age can play.

Though there isn’t much to this game in the way of strategy, you do have to avoid obstacles and figure out how to use the environment around you to get through levels and fight the red monsters. You can turn into a ball to go faster and get through tubes and pipes or stay standing up to be able to jump.

Play here

Spelunky HTML5

The cult-favorite Spelunky HTML5 is like an 8-bit Indiana Jones adventure complete with bullwhips, snakes, and more. Essentially, you help a cave diver, Spelunky, search for gold and his lost girlfriend while avoiding booby traps and deadly animals. Controls are incredibly easy.

If you die in the game, you aren’t sent back to the beginning again. Instead, the game generates a new set of random levels so you don’t feel like you’re backtracking.

Play here

Free Rider HD

Free Rider HD is the best ragdoll-based racer in the Google Chrome store. With 80 unique levels, multiple vehicle types, and tons of achievements to unlock, the game provides plenty of challenges to overcome. However, the game’s best feature is its robust user community. Free Rider HD also gives players the ability to create their own detailed 2D-racing levels. Players have crafted more than 50,000 custom levels at this point, which you can use to challenge your friends or the worldwide leaderboards. Considering you can play it directly in your Chrome browser, Free Rider HD has a surprising amount of content to offer.

Play here

Treasure Arena

With Treasure Arena, up to four friends can battle one another in a retro-style grudge match that mimics the old-school arcade games of yesteryear. Each level is littered with enemy monsters that you and your friends must eradicate together while simultaneously competing to gather the most coins. As you take down enemies, you can loot treasure chests to gain better weapons and gear, all of which give you a competitive edge over your friends. As far as Google Chrome games are concerned, this is one of the most fully realized — few compromises were made in developing Treasure Arena for the accessible platform.

Play here

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