The 11 Best Games for Chromebook in 2024 (2024)

Some of the best Chromebook apps are games. Your Chromebook offers several ways to play games; there are browser-based games and 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.

01

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Swipe to Sum Tiles: 2048

The 11 Best Games for Chromebook in 2024 (1)

What We Like

  • Simple control mechanics.

  • Easy to understand.

What We Don't Like

  • Limited amount of strategy.

  • Fixed app display size.

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 to reach the 2048 tile. (Want a variant? Try Threes JS.)

02

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Classic Strategy: Spark Chess

The 11 Best Games for Chromebook in 2024 (2)

What We Like

  • Solid chess game for learners.

  • Options to view board as a diagram or with simple perspective.

What We Don't Like

  • Limited number of board and piece display options.

  • Three computer opponents available for free.

Play chess in your browser against either another person online or choose from a few computer opponents. Spark Chess is free, although there's also SparkChess Premium ($16.99 for the browser-based version) for access to additional computer opponents, enhanced views, and priority online access, among other features.

03

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Rotate Dropping Shapes: Tetris

The 11 Best Games for Chromebook in 2024 (3)

What We Like

  • Gradual increase in pace of play.

  • Keyboard controls work well.

Rotate shapes as they descend to create 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.

04

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Physics Platformer: Cut the Rope

The 11 Best Games for Chromebook in 2024 (4)

What We Like

  • Engaging platform play.

  • Option to change setting from “drag to cut” to “click to cut”.

What We Don't Like

  • Default window size not full-screen.

  • On a non-touchscreen device, play may be challenging.

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 works best on a touchscreen where you can swipe directly with your finger or stylus.

05

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Explore Dungeons, Fight Monsters: Web Quake

The 11 Best Games for Chromebook in 2024 (5)

What We Like

  • Dungeons and monsters!

  • Ability to play offline.

What We Don't Like

  • Blocky graphics.

  • Multiplayer options may not work for everyone.

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.

06

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Make the Longest Line: Entanglement

The 11 Best Games for Chromebook in 2024 (6)

What We Like

  • Tantalizing to try to get the path just a bit longer.

  • Variety of boards with optional expansion pack ($4.99).

What We Don't Like

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.

07

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Explore With Text: Zork

The 11 Best Games for Chromebook in 2024 (7)

What We Like

  • Text-based games remain engaging.

  • Variety of other text-based games available.

What We Don't Like

  • Being eaten by a grue.

  • Vocabulary options may sometimes seem limited.

“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.

08

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Select Text and Wait: A Dark Room

The 11 Best Games for Chromebook in 2024 (8)

What We Like

  • Gradual increase in complexity.

  • Mystery of progressing without quite knowing the goal.

What We Don't Like

  • A few mundane tasks can get repetitive.

  • Random events not necessarily positive.

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.

09

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Surround Territory: Online-Go.com

The 11 Best Games for Chromebook in 2024 (9)

What We Like

  • Displays several games in progress.

  • Learn the basics of play for free.

What We Don't Like

  • Beginners may be a bit overwhelmed at the number of options.

  • Watching amateur games may not be the best way to learn effective strategies.

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.

10

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Early Computer Games: Archive.org

The 11 Best Games for Chromebook in 2024 (10)

What We Like

  • Large number of arcade-style games work well in the browser.

  • Older gamers might enjoy playing games from their youth.

What We Don't Like

  • Controls and keys can sometimes be tricky to figure out.

  • You can still die of dysentery when you play Oregon Trail.

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.

11

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Explore Independent Games: Itch.io

The 11 Best Games for Chromebook in 2024 (11)

What We Like

  • Huge selection of HTML5 games.

  • Lots of styles of games available.

What We Don't Like

  • Quality of games varies significantly.

  • Some games not fully built-out.

Itch.io offers access to thousands of games from independent developers. All the HTML5 games work on your Chromebook. You can also filter by game genre, accessibility options, multi-player, price, and more.

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 1,000 games and apps without ads or in-app purchases.

8 Best Websites for Playing Free Online Games

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The 11 Best Games for Chromebook in 2024 (2024)

FAQs

Are Chromebooks good for 11 year olds? ›

The best Chromebooks for kids are quality computers that won't break your budget, which is why we've collected the top Chromebooks across multiple price ranges. Chromebooks are a natural fit for students and classrooms, as they've long been heralded for their kid-friendliness and simplicity.

Can Chromebook 11 run games? ›

New Chromebooks can also play Steam games

To install the beta Steam Chromebook app, your Chromebook needs to meet at least these specs: CPU: Intel i3 or better, AMD Ryzen 3 or better. RAM: 8GB or more. Storage: 128GB or more.

What games will work on Chromebook? ›

Chromebook is your one device to play your favorite PC, console and mobile games. Instantly play the latest high quality games like Cyberpunk 2077, Halo Infinite and more through cloud gaming platforms like NVIDIA GeForce NOW or Amazon Luna1, 2.

What is the best Chromebook to game on? ›

No matter your needs, here are the best gaming Chromebooks you can buy right now.
  • Best Gaming Chromebook: Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming.
  • Fastest Gaming Chromebook: Acer Chromebook 516 GE.
  • Best Gaming Chromebook For Android Games: Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5.
  • Best 2-in-1 Gaming Chromebook: Acer Chromebook Spin 714.
Mar 8, 2024

Can a Chromebook last 10 years? ›

For all Chromebooks released since 2021 onwards – users will automatically get 10 years of updates, without having to do anything.” . @google has announced longer-lasting Chromebooks! This is a victory for students, parents, advocates who are concerned about disposing of "expired" laptops that still work.

Is my Chromebook too old? ›

Older Chromebooks have older hardware parts, and these parts eventually lose the ability to get the latest updates. If you have a Chromebook that was released from 2021 onwards, you'll receive 10 years of updates. For older devices, you might see this message: "This device will no longer receive software updates.

Can I play Xbox on Chromebook? ›

The nice thing about playing Xbox Game Pass cloud gaming on a Chromebook is its simplicity: you simply log into your account, choose a game, and start playing.

How to get Fortnite on Chromebook? ›

You can find the Fortnite APK at https://www.fortnite.com/download/android, but you may need to enter developer mode on your Chromebook to download it. You can also join GeForce Now and play Fortnite via the cloud on your Google Chromebook.

Can you download any games on Chromebook? ›

Grab Android Games From the Play Store

This option isn't available on all Chromebooks, but it is available on many of them. Enable the Play Store on your Chromebook by clicking the clock in the lower-right corner and selecting the Settings cog.

What games can you lay on Chromebook? ›

Download & install Steam
Game NameGame Name
Half-Life 2: Episode OneSlime Rancher
Halls of TormentSPORE™
Haven ParkStarbound
Heroes® of Might & Magic® III - HD EditionStronghold Crusader HD
46 more rows

Can I play Nintendo games on a Chromebook? ›

Overview. Snes9X is a portable Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) emulator. It basically allows you to play most games designed for the SNES and Super Famicom Nintendo game systems on your Google Chrome OS, Chromium OS devices. The games include some real gems that were only ever released in Japan.

How do I get good games on my Chromebook? ›

Use the Launcher to find & download games

In the search bar at the top, search for a game title or keyword. If you already have the game downloaded, select it to play. If you don't have the game downloaded, you can buy it through other game services, like the Play Store and GeForce NOW.

What are the top 5 Chromebooks? ›

All Reviews
ProductSchoolGaming
ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34 (2023)7.14.2
Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5 (2021)7.03.5
ASUS Chromebook Flip CX5 14 (2021)7.44.4
Acer Chromebook 516 GE (2022)7.15.1
11 more rows
Aug 28, 2024

Why are Chromebooks so cheap? ›

Why are Chromebooks so cheap? Chromebooks have less powerful hardware components and displays than laptops. Since Chromebooks are cloud-centric, a good amount of the computing lift is offloaded as well as their internal storage needs.

At what age do kids start using Chromebooks? ›

Kids in the 5 to 7 age group don't really need their own computers, but enterprising parents can consider a durable Chromebook like the Asus C202SA, which can survive 4-foot drops onto concrete. The Kano Computer Kit, which teaches children how computers work, is a great learning tool for this age group.

Should I get my kid a laptop or Chromebook? ›

If your child is comfortable with computers, they'll probably be fine using either type of machine. However, if they're not as confident, a Chromebook might be a better choice since it's less likely they'll get lost in the interface.

Is a Chromebook safe for kids? ›

Chromebook comes with built-in virus protection to help keep your data protected. Google Family Link allows you to manage your child's Chromebook by setting screen time limits and controlling what content they can access. With multi-user login, each family member has their own private space on one shared laptop.

Is a Chromebook OK for high school? ›

If you're looking for a school laptop, Chromebooks are worth considering, as they're usually cheaper than Windows laptops and MacBooks. They're also easier to use, as Chrome OS has a simpler, more user-friendly interface. When looking for a Chromebook, here are a few tips to help you find the right one for your needs.

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