The 9 Best Fun (And Free) Games to Play on Your PC

Stop browsing the web and play one of these free games instead

At the end of a long day, the last type of game you want to play is something too serious or time-consuming. Check out this list of the best free and fun games to play on PC.

These games run the gamut from puzzle games to action games, and from newer to more classic games. Whatever you choose, it's sure to help you pass the time.

01
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Best Tower Defense Game: Plants vs Zombies

Plants Vs Zombies game.

Plants vs Zombies might sound scary, but it's anything but. Silly-looking zombies attempt to advance across the screen while you mount a defense with some of the cutest plants you've ever seen. Each type of plant fires a different type of projectile, and some plants heal those around them.

Although the game originally released in 2011, it holds up well after all these years and provides endless hours of fun and entertainment. Increasing difficulty levels gives it plenty of replayability, and few things feel more satisfying than finally advancing past a level you've struggled to beat.

What We Like

  • A variety of plants to use and a lot of different levels.

What We Don't Like

  • The zombies might be a bit scary for the youngest children, but anyone ages 5 and up should enjoy the game.

Download Plants Vs Zombies for PC

02
of 09

Best Puzzle Game: Tetris

Tetris puzzle game.

It's hard to compete with the classics, and Tetris might be the most classic of all. The seven different shapes have steadily fallen from the tops of screens since 1984, during which time we have endlessly fought for the highest possible score. That continues to this day. Tetris is the perfect pick-up-and-play game, whether you have five minutes or an hour to kill. It's a great way to relax at the end of the day, and it's perfect for all ages.

What We Like

  • Tetris provides classic, tried-and-true gameplay.

What We Don't

  • Modern Tetris spinoffs offer more variety in the shapes, so newer gamers might tire of the same shapes game after game.

Download Tetris for PC

03
of 09

Best Competitive Action Game: Agar.io

Agar.io online game.

Agar.io

Agar.io, or Agario as most people call it, is a fun game with a simple concept: You start as a small circle that represents a cell, moving around the map and swallowing smaller circles to grow, so you can swallow even larger cells. Of course, other players will also be attempting the same, so avoid the larger cells to continue. If you're swallowed, you have to start over as the smallest cell and grow once more.

What We Like

  • Simple gameplay elements and satisfying mechanics.

What We Don't Like

  • Some players are very talented, which can make advancing to the largest sizes difficult.

Play Agar.io on PC (Online only)

04
of 09

Best Frogger Clone: Crossy Road

Crossy Road game.

The name of the game is the perfect description for the gameplay. In Crossy Road, you play as one of dozens of potential characters and attempt to cross roads, rivers, and more to get to the other side. Your initial avatar is a chicken, but you can unlock and play as many other cute, polygonal characters.

The game increases in difficulty as you advance through the levels, but the satisfaction of completing a section is second to none. This is the ideal game for fans of Frogger.

What We Like

  • Multiple character choices give Crossy Road a progression element.

What We Don't Like

  • Crossing road after road does get a little boring after you've dodged the 20th semi of the night.

Download Crossy Road for PC

05
of 09

Best Management Game: Fallout Shelter

Fallout Shelter game.

Fallout Shelter is a fun bunker management game. You control your Vault Dwellers and assign them to build more rooms, explore the wasteland above them, and much more. As the number of Vault Dwellers grow, so do your options.

Build your vault, defend against invasions, and manage the crises that pop up in day-to-day life deep underground. You can play for five minutes at a time, or for as many hours as you want.

What We Like

  • Fallout Shelter has a lot of depth for a free game.

What We Don't Like

  • There are optional loot boxes that might be appealing to children, so parents have to keep an eye out for kids spending money on digital products.

Download Fallout Shelter for PC

06
of 09

Best Card Game: Hearthstone

Hearthstone virtual card game.

Fans of the Warcraft universe will thoroughly enjoy playing Hearthstone. Blizzard's pet card game pulls together characters and lore from all throughout the series into one incredibly fun, complex game that perfectly defines 'easy to start, difficult to perfect.' You can download the game and play completely for free, but it's hard to play competitively without spending money on additional card packs to get the best card combinations.

What We Like

  • A rich, in-depth card game with a lot of strategy.

What We Don't Like

  • It's nearly impossible to win without premium cards.

Download Hearthstone for PC

07
of 09

Best Dog Fighter: War Thunder

War Thunder game.

NVIDIA

If you've ever dreamed of soaring through the skies in a perfect recreation of a World War II-era warplane, War Thunder is for you. The game offers plenty of variety in the aircraft you can pilot, as well as intuitive controls and a fun, competitive multiplayer scene.

While there's a bit of a learning curve, once you get the hang of it and begin to customize your plane, you can dominate the skies for whatever side you fight on. War Thunder involves a lot of fighting in the air with guns and missiles, but the violence isn't grotesque. The community is dedicated to the game and welcomes newcomers with open arms.

What We Like

  • War Thunder provides a refreshing level of depth and graphical fidelity for a free-to-play flight game.

What We Don't Like

  • Some of the better planes are locked behind downloadable content and expansion packs you have to buy.

Download War Thunder for PC 

08
of 09
Cookie Clicker game.

Do you think the idea of clicking endlessly on your screen until your mouse crumbles to dust is fun? No? Then you've never played Cookie Clicker. The game consists of clicking a giant cookie over and over and over again. Each click earns you more cookies, which you can spend on upgrades that allow you to click faster. For example, purchasing a Cursor auto-clicks every 10 seconds for you.

As you get more cookies, you can hire local grandmothers to dramatically increase your cookie output. The upgrades go on from there, including more ridiculous upgrades like a "Cookie Farm" that lets you grow cookies from cookie plants. It may sound silly, but the game is more addictive than you would believe.

What We Like

  • Cookie Clicker is a simple, accessible game anyone can find fun.​

What We Don't Like

  • The gameplay can become a little mundane after a while.

Download Cookie Clicker for PC

09
of 09

Best Number Game: 2048

2048 strategy game.

2048 has a simple concept: move numbers around on screen with your arrow keys and combine matching pairs. However, since every number moves with the command you give, you have to think about all the pieces on the board at once. Your goal is to combine enough numbers that you reach 2048, but beware; more numbered tiles will appear with each move, and if the board fills up completely, you lose. 2048 is a brain-crunching game that's a lot of fun, even for people that don't like math.

What We Like

  • 2048 has simple, but engaging mechanics.

What We Don't Like

  • The game can be very reminiscent of math courses.

Play 2048 on PC 

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