This list comprises of 20 of the best free Chromebook apps from the arcade and action games category. It is based on our faves, as well as the top-rated and most popular game apps in the UK Google Chromebook store. It includes a variety of themes and sub-categories in the Action and Arcade genre. All are free to play, very popular and have received top reviews by UK players (as at time of posting: 2nd July 2014).
These game apps are also available for other platforms and mobile devices. And you can also play them in Google’s Chrome web browser without needing a Chromebook. Some of the games in this list are also available to play offline too.
The Best Free Arcade & Action Games for Chromebook
The Chromebook laptop from Google uses their Chrome OS. Unlike most laptops it has been specifically built to be used online with the Chrome web browser and cloud based apps. So if you are looking for games to play on it, here are 20 recommended flash and HTML5 browser games apps to get you started.
20 Best Free Chromebook Apps – Action & Arcade Games
1. Free Rider HD
Developer website: www.freeriderhd.com.
Currently rated: 4.65 out of 5 from 205 UK reviews.
Free Rider HD, part of the Free Rider series. This game app lets you race bikes on custom drawn tracks – either ones you’ve drawn yourself or by other players. With loads of tracks to play, this is a seriously addictive game – both with the bike racing as well as aiming to draw the best tracks!
Features include:
* FREE to play and gets updated regularly.
* Leader board – so you can compete per track world and with friends.
* Written in HTML5 – so is cross device compatible – for mobile phone, tablet and desktop.
* In High Definition.
2. Angry Birds
Developer website: www.rovio.com.
Currently rated: 4.59 out of 5 from 65348 UK reviews.
A physics based game that is popular on devices and one of the best arcade game apps on Chromebook too. Using strategy and skill to take revenge on those greedy pigs who’ve stolen the birds’ eggs, who are not surprisingly very angry about it!
Features include:
* Over 400 unique Angry Birds levels to play.
* FREE TO PLAY with regular updates.
* Unlock exclusive episode for Chromebook called ‘Chrome Dimensions’.
* The Mighty Eagle – a new bird and game mode gives you fresh new challenges including collecting all the Eagle feathers.
* HD graphics and full screen for crystal clear battles!
* Logged in you can save your progress in their data cloud.
* You can play this game offline too.
* One of the best free Chromebook apps.
3. Running Fred
Developer website: www.dedalord.com.
Currently rated: 4.55 out of 5 from 2323 UK reviews.
The best running game – fast-paced 3rd person platform game. Unashamed gory and painful, Running Fred uses his awesome moves, special items and locations to succeed in his quest!
Features include:
* A load of acrobatic antics, special skills and perilous traps.
* Game modes: Adventure, Challenge and Endless Survival.
4. The Fancy Pants Adventure: World 2
Get major air and do some amazing tricks in Brad Borne’s hit platformer…
Race through dense forests, underwater caverns, and pirate ships in search of your kidnapped sister in the newest adventure. Stomp, kick, and slash your enemies battling Pirates, Ninjas, a Giant Penguin and more!
Developer website: www.fancypantsadventures.com.
Currently rated: 4.49 out of 5 from 5194 UK reviews.
Play also on Xbox LIVE® Arcade and the PlayStation® Network.
5. Tanki Online
Developer website: tankionline.com.
Currently rated: 4.42 out of 5 from 1135 UK reviews.
A 3D tank shooter game with unique gameplay involving only other players’ tanks as your targets! With a range of maps, weapons and upgrades. Plus 4 game modes and dynamic combat.
6. Bejewelled
Developer website: bejeweled.popcap.com.
Currently rated: 4.34 out of 5 from 5437 UK reviews.
The number one jewel swapping Tetris style game that is hugely popular on all platforms as well as being one of the best free Chromebook apps. Play in Classic (untimed and relaxed) mode or Speed (all out timed action) mode!
7. AirMech
Developer website: www.carbongames.com.
Currently rated: 4.34 out of 5 from 1525 UK reviews.
Involves real-time strategy, action, shooter and tower defense gameplay. A multiplayer game with up to 4 players. Whilst air-bourne strategically build up your defences. Then mobilise in robot mode to fight and defend your position!
8. BeGone
Developer website: www.nplay.com.
Currently rated: 4.35 out of 5 from 2456 UK reviews.
An online browser-based, multi-player and 3rd person shooter game.
9. Plants vs Zombies
Developer website: popcap.com. See also: Play Bookworm Online Free and PopCap Games List.
Currently rated: 4.25 out of 5 from 8245 UK reviews.
The number one tower defense game across multiple devices. Strategic use of special plants will help you defend your home from the encroaching mob of zombies!
10. Sinuous
Developer website: sinuousgame.com.
Currently rated: 4.25 out of 5 from 1274 UK reviews.
A simple and yet addictive game that will test the speed of your reflexes. Involving you moving a snake-like object to avoid the red dots. The challenge increases with each progressive level. As the dots increase in clustering and frequency! You can also play this game offline.
11. Mr. Bounce
Developer website: www.madebypixelate.com.
Currently rated: 4.2 out of 5 from 1496 UK reviews.
Physics based ball bouncing game. With a neon retro look, the aim of this game is to avoid missing the ball. And achieve the highest score.
12. Cubeslam
Developer website: cubeslam.com.
Currently rated: 4.21 out of 5 from 457 UK reviews.
Also plays offline.
Play face-to-face against your friends. Cube Slam is a Chrome Experiment that you can play face-to-face against your friends, just by sharing a link in Chrome. It’s built using WebRTC, an open web technology that lets you video chat right in the browser without installing any plug-ins.
13. Spelunky HTML5
Developer website: darius.kazemi.
Currently rated: 4.2 out of 5 from 668 UK reviews.
Spelunky a classic style retro platform game. The gameplay involves gathering as much treasure as possible in underground caves! Also plays offline.
14. Canvas Rider
Developer website: canvasrider.com.
Currently rated: 4.12 out of 5 from 3503 UK reviews.
A prequel to Free Rider HD – see above.
15. Tank Riders
Developer website: www.polarbit.com/our-games/tank-riders.
Currently rated: 4.09 out of 5 from 874 UK reviews.
A 3D tank battle game with fast tank shooter action! Plays offline too. Says multiplayer mode coming soon (so for now, for online multiplayer tank action – see above).
16. Bouncy Mouse
Developer website: chrome.bouncymousegame.com.
Currently rated: 4.05 out of 5 from 863 UK reviews.
Physics based slingshot game. Use his elastic tail to shoot, sling, and fly this cute Bouncy Mouse.
17. Need for Speed World
Developer website: world.needforspeed.com.
Currently rated: 3.92 out of 5 from 6767 UK reviews.
From the popular video game series Need for Speed. Now you can play this in a free online racing game with millions of other players world-wide. The best free Chromebook apps for online multiplayer car racing!
18. Chain Reaction
Developer website: www.yvoschaap.com.
Currently rated: 3.97 out of 5 from 1700 UK reviews.
Follow the balls and decide when and where to set of a chain reaction of explosion that causes the longest chain reaction as possible to clear the level. The longer your chain reaction, the more points you gain.
19. Private Joe – Dungeons
Developer website: www.hotbazooka.com.
Currently rated: 3.82 out of 5 from 858 UK reviews.
Another cool retro platform shooter game.
20. Causality Games
Developer website: causalitygame.com.
Currently rated: 3.53 out of 5 from 912 UK reviews.
A flash game that will appeal to those with a morbid sense of humour! The aim is to try to kill off the little stickmen as they innocently go about their day!
See also my Best Casual Games of 2014.
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