Places to Play Games Online

 Back in my college days, and living with roommates or on my own, I played a lot more games online then I do now.  I do still play some, but not nearly as often.  Buying games can get expensive, and when you are on a limited budget it can be hard to justify a new game when you get bored of the last.

That's why I turned to FREE online gaming sources.  Here are 10 sites that I found or friends recommended to me:

1. MiniClip:  

At mini clip, you can play a huge range of free online games including action games, sports games, puzzle games, games for girls, mobile games, iPhone games, Android games, Windows Phone, games for kids, flash games and many more.  During the play, you will earn high scores, and rankings on your own player page and can receive awards for playing games. You can also create your own Miniclip avatar with clothing and accessories to represent you in the fun Miniclip games. You can play single player games or play advanced massive multiplayer games with other players from around the world.

2. Pogo 

This is the one I would play in College. Pogo has been around a long time. You can also buy a premium version, with no ads, and other perks, but the free version is great, and still tons of fun.  They have all varieties of games, including puzzle games, word games, card games and many other types.  You can also have a chance to win prizes.

Unlike other free online games sites, they also offer a variety of classic Hasbro board games like RISK, Yahtzee, Scrabble, and Monopoly. They also have popular games like Chess, Spider Solitaire, Cribbage, and Bejeweled. This is great in case you don't have access to games, but access to the internet!

3. Swagbucks Games  

 

If you are a Swagbucker, then you probably already know about being able to play games online through their system.  If you are not a Swagbucker, then you need to sign up with them.  

The reason you would want to play at Swagbucks, is because not only is it free games, but you earn Swagbucks.  You can cash those in for FREE gift cards.  I usually save up for paypal gift cards.  Yup.  That means I earn cash for playing free games.  The variety isn't as good as some of the other places, but hey none of them are paying me cash to play either ;)

4. Yahoo

 

Yahoo games is a pretty well known site.  They have a wide variety of games, and is a major site that so worrying about it being blocked, or having viruses is of minimal concern.  Plus it is easy to remember when you are out and about.

5.  Addicting Games

Addicting Games has a large source of a variety of games, including: funny games, flash games, arcade games, dress-up games, internet games, shooting games, word games, RPG games, racing games, and much more.   They have thousands of games from some of the best developers around, like Armor Games, Games2Win, and even their own games!

But what makes them different?  You can submit your own game!!

Give the gift of fun to fellow gamers. Submit your game now and we might put it in front of an audience of millions. We may even sponsor it for cash! Simply upload your game directly to the Addicting Games website using the game submission form. We'll take a peek, and if it checks out, we'll promote it on our website, give you all the credit and link back to your site. Submit your game here and who knows you could be famous!

 You can even embed them on your own website!

6. Armor Games

Armor Games has internet and mobile phone games.  They have kids games, mmorpg games, online rpg games, fun online flash games, and more.  Their flash games come in many different genres: online shooting games, online puzzle games, online war games, free online car games, free online hidden object games and dozens more.

This is another place where you can submit a game as well.  But you need to visit developers.armorgames.com where you can request AG developer status, find documentation on their APIs, and get access to their development environment.  And they have a Mobile App Publishing System as well. 

7. Friv

Friv is a weird site! LOL If you are looking for games, then it's great! But there are no write ups, or names or anything, so it's hard to know what the game is about.  They do have a good variety, and once you know what your favourites are, you will be good to go!

8. Kizi

Kizi has a ton of games of all varieties.  Some smaller named ones and some big named ones like Plants Vs Zombies.

You can earn coins by playing games, and you train them in for items for your avatar which you can personalize to match your personality.

9. Zynga

Zynga has a variety of styles of games. They are all designed by Zynga, and can link to Facebook. You can play on Facebook, but I find on Zynga you can actually pair it up with your Facebook friends as well as connect with people from all over the world. Thus if you are waiting on someone to send you something it is easier to obtain the items you need to play the games.

In the sidebar of certain games there will be requested items you can just click on to share and get.

10. Shockwave

 Shockwave.com has a variety of games online and for download in the following categories: Action Games, Adventure Games, Card & Board Games, Jigsaws Games, Kids & Family Games, Music & Photos Games, Puzzle Games, Racing Games, Shooter Games, Sports Games, Strategy Games, Word Games.  They add new games all the time.

You can also purchase Shockwave UNLIMITED and receive access to exclusive online games and downloads for a monthly fee.

What is your favourite online place to play games online?