Since the early 2000s, browser games have shown that you don’t need any special software or high-end hardware to have fun. All it takes is a basic device with internet connectivity. Well, that and the ancient Flash plugin.
The only question is: why now? Console gaming just entered the next generation. Mobile is looking sharper than ever. Desktop titles are getting more and more inclusive. These advances have become hard to ignore. And yet, there are still countless people who prefer to load up their browser and punch in the link to their favourite Flash game.
Perhaps you’re planning to go on a nostalgia trip. Maybe you haven’t played before. With winter around the corner, not to mention the whole lockdown thing, you might just be looking for another way to pass all the extra time at home.
Whatever your reason, open some spare tabs and get ready to fill them with the best websites for browser games.
Kongregate
Now owned by Gamestop, the massive library of titles that is Kongregate has been an online gaming staple for well over a decade. Everything is free-to-play and you’ll never run out of options.
- Over 120,000 games
- Free membership
- Premium account removes ads
- Built-in achievements and forums
While the overall web design is fairly outdated by modern standards, Kongregate still offers a clean and clutter-free experience with minimal intrusions. If you don’t want any intrusions at all, the classic Kong Plus premium membership is available for only £25 per year. Aside from bidding farewell to ads, you also receive perks such as:
- Custom profile skins
- Special themes
- Automatic beta access
- Private chat room usage
It’s wise to sign up for at least a basic account, which entitles you to leader board and community forum participation. You’ll also be able to save your badges, points and progress. Several Flash game legends come from Kongregate. This includes Fancy Pants, Kingdom Rush, Transformice and Bloons TD 5 among many others.
Newgrounds
Take one look at the spectacular layout of Newgrounds and you’ll immediately want to dive in. The top-notch web design does a great job at showing just how much content is available. This includes:
- Games
- Movies
- Art
- Audio
- Series and collections
Newgrounds is ultimately fuelled by the community, so it should come as no surprise that they have a bustling forum where you can join in on various discussions. You’ll have to sign up first, which is free and coupled with some benefits. Having an account grants access to leader boards and in-game trophies, as well as unique online challenges.
With a history dating back to 1995, Newgrounds consistently delivers a strong selection of games spanning just about every genre. Perhaps most notable are the action and adventure titles that made the website popular. Be sure to check out Portal: The Flash Version and Newgrounds Rumble when you visit.
Casimba
For those who enjoy casino thrills and would rather forgo the associated expenses, Casimba makes it easy to try your luck from the comfort and affordability of home. Established in 2017, the website has quickly built an unrivalled selection of new online slots. Noteworthy features include:
- Games from only the best software developers
- Potential to earn a generous welcome bonus
- Impressive and user-friendly mobile app
Casimba Casino has many other fun features, including a button that takes you to a random game. Their sign-up offer makes it possible to rake in up to £500 in bonus funds and 50 free spins. You can find detailed reviews of these new online slot sites at Online Casinos.
Aside from their in-depth look at websites for games in this category, they also have a plethora of insightful guides, news, tips and strategies to read up on. These will help you make the most of your online experience and perhaps earn a bit of extra cash along the way.
Armor Games
Another long-standing titan of the Flash industry, Armor Games has made leaps and bounds since (mercifully) changing their name from Games of Gondor. That’s not to say you won’t still find the classics such as Hob the Hobbit and Orc Slayer. You may just have to sift through a few thousand newer titles that were added in recent years.
- Simple and fast design
- Facebook integration
- Free membership
- Active support forums
Creating an account on Armor Games entitles you to an extensive list of perks. This includes achievements, game saves and access to hidden discussion groups. You can also consult their quest guides to get through trickier levels.
While admirable for its simplicity, Armor Games admittedly falls behind the likes of Newgrounds in terms of web design. It’s fast, but not exactly pretty. The good news is that there aren’t too many ads all over the place. Noteworthy titles to check out include Sonny 2, Warfare 1917, Learn to Fly and Last Stand – Dead Zone.
Addicting Games
If browser games were part of your childhood, chances are that this website showed up in the search results almost every time you consulted Google for recommendations. While exact figures aren’t available, Addicting Games reportedly has the largest library of any flash game website. Unbeknown to most, the site is also owned by Nickelodeon.
- Free membership with basic perks
- Annual and monthly subscription options for premium accounts
- Support for multiplayer games
You can grab the premium membership via an annual subscription for £2 per month or pay an extra £1.50 for the monthly subscription. Either way, you’re granted access to exclusive games and pre-releases. Paying members can also play on mobile devices and all ads are removed from the site.
A unique feature offered by Addicting Games is the ability to embed their titles on your social network and blog pages. Of course, the variety of games on offer goes without saying.
Found a favourite? Let’s end things off with a few honourable mentions. Crazy Monkey Games, MiniClip and NotDoppler are some of the most well-established sites. Free Online Games (FOG), Zynga, TotalJerkFace and Bored.com are also among the best. In reality, you can easily spend months on a single website, so don’t stress too much over your choice.
