Best Chromebook Games (Updated 2022)
Before we start, let me state that the article is divided into seven sections including Google Stadia, GeForce Now, Steam, Android Games, Web Games, Arcade Games, and finally Linux Games. I would recommend you to start from the beginning, but if you are already aware of certain games then you can skip them. Anyway moving on, let’s start with Android games for Chromebook first.
Android Games
Here, we are going to talk about Android games that are available on Chromebooks, especially those which have been optimized for mouse and keyboard navigation. Keep in mind, to play Android games on your Chromebook, you need support for Play Store. You can enable Play Store on your Chromebook by going to Settings -> Apps on the left pane and turn on Google Play Store. Note that school-issued Chromebooks won’t be able to run Android games since Play Store is locked by the school administrator. In that case, you will have to look for cloud gaming services and Steam that we have mentioned below. Now having said all of that, let’s go ahead and check out the best Android games for Chromebooks.
1. Alto’s Odyssey
Alto’s Odyssey is a sandboarding game from the makers of Alto’s Adventure. Just like before, the game is about an endless journey to discover the secrets of an unexplored desert. The longer you play the game, the more interesting it becomes. It features breathtaking visuals and phenomenal background music.
Along the way, you will find many obstacles that will pose a strident challenge to your sandboarding skills. All I can say is, just play this game on your Chromebook –preferably in Tablet or Tent mode and you will be in for an immersive experience. Install: Alto’s Odyssey (Free, Offers in-app purchases)
2. Asphalt 9: Legends
If you are looking to play a street racing game on your Chromebook, there is no better game than Asphalt 9: Legends. It’s simply one of the best car games for Chromebook. What makes this game even more compelling is that the touch controls are optimized especially for Chromebooks. So, you will get a much better experience without any input lag.
And besides that, you can play this game in full-screen mode with amazing visuals and graphics rendering. So, just get ready with your gear and take on the street for fearless racing on your Chromebook. Install: Asphalt 9: Legends (Free, Offers in-app purchases)
3. Among Us
Among Us is one of the best Chromebook games to play with friends and that’s why it became a sensation during the course of the pandemic and continues to grow with new maps and features. And the best part is that you can play this viral deception game on your Chromebook. The game is officially available on the Play Store and you can install it straight away to play the game in full-screen mode.
What I love about Among Us is that it runs really well on Chromebooks, similar to how it performs on smartphones. In case, you don’t have Play Store support then follow our detailed guide on how to install Among Us on any Chromebook. Install: Among Us (Free, Offers in-app purchases)
4. Stardew Valley
If there’s one game that you want to play on your Chromebook then let it be Stardew Valley. It’s one of the best farming simulation games and runs quite well on the Chromebook. It offers a large world where you can enjoy your farm life, grow crops, raise poultry, and all those farm gimmicks that you love performing. You can move to the countryside and lead your life in an open-ended world. The best part is that it also has elements of RPG. So go ahead and install Stardew Valley on your Chromebook.
Install: Stardew Valley ($4.99)
5. PUBG Mobile / Battlegrounds Mobile India
PUBG Mobile does not need any introduction, but if you don’t know, it’s a multiplayer battle royale game where the last man standing wins the deathmatch. PUBG is considered one of the best FPS games for Chromebooks. The game is quite intense and visually stunning. But how does it perform on a Chromebook? Well, we tested it on our HP Chromebook x360 (8th Gen i5) and it ran fairly well. The game detected “Balanced – Medium” as the default graphics quality, but we stretched it to “HD – High” and still, it performed quite well.
Sure, at times, the graphics were a bit choppy and we had to tweak a few sensitivity settings, but overall, on this machine, it was quite good and playable. However, if your Chromebook is not that powerful then I would recommend installing PUBG Mobile Lite. It’s equally good and offers a good desktop experience with mouse, touch-screen, and WASD controls. For Chromebook users in India, you can install and play Battlegrounds Mobile India without any issue. I installed the game and played it for a while and the gaming experience was very similar to PUBG. In case, you are still looking for more PUBG alternatives, you can go through our list. And yes, Garena Free Fire works pretty well on my Chromebook.
Install: PUBG Mobile (Free, Offers in-app purchases) Install: PUBG Mobile Lite (Free, Offers in-app purchases) Install: Battlegrounds Mobile India (Free, Offers in-app purchases)
6. Fallout Shelter
Fallout Shelter is one of a kind game that is available on Chromebook through the Play Store. It’s a survival game where you are made the protector of a super-secret underground Vault. You have to protect the Vault from the devils of Wasteland and also keep your dweller happy along the way.
One of the most important aspects of the game is to balance the resources such as food, water, and power among the dwellers. The moment you lose that balance, you are at peril and can be attacked at any moment. The game is quite mysterious and I love the plot. If you like this kind of survival game, Fallout Shelter will not disappoint you for sure. Install: Fallout Shelter (Free, Offers in-app purchases)
7. Baldur’s Gate II
Baldur’s Gate is ranked among the best RPG (role-playing game) games out there. And with Baldur’s Gate II, they have brought an exceptional storyline that is filled with magic, wizard, and monsters. The story is a tale of dungeons and dragons where you have to re-invent yourself and get what you rightfully deserve.
You can further create your characters, customize them with sword, magic and superpower ability. Simply put, if you like RPG games and particularly the ones which are set in ancient times, Baldur’s Gate II is a must-try game on your Chromebook. Install: Baldur’s Gate II ($2.49)
8. Roblox
If you are hooked to Minecraft then you are absolutely going to love playing Roblox on your Chromebook. Similar to Minecraft, it lets you create, play, imagine, and be anything that you want to be. Roblox is truly a game that lets you shape your own virtual world. And not only that, but you can also face challenges from your rivals and opponents to make it even more exciting.
There are already millions of immersive worlds to explore on Roblox in which you can take a role and fight against opponents. Simply put, if you love Sandbox games like Minecraft, Roblox is a great alternative on Chromebook that you should try. Install: Roblox (Free, Offers in-app purchases)
9. Last Day on Earth: Survival
Last Day on Earth: Survival is one of those survival games on Chromebook that will keep you hooked to it. The game is all about survival in a post-apocalyptic world where zombies have taken over the human race. Now, your task is to survive and maintain your resilience to thwart the zombies. Along the way, you will have to collect resources, craft weapons, and of course, killing zombies to stay alive. I would say if you like survival games then Last Day on Earth: Survival is a great Chromebook game with keyboard support.
Install: Last Day on Earth: Survival (Free, Offers in-app purchases)
10. Hitman Sniper
If you love playing Hitman on your desktop then Hitman Sniper, the Android version will take you through a similar experience on your Chromebook. Sure, the graphics is not as good as the desktop version but you have got all the gaming elements to make it an exciting game. You can be Agent 47 and go on a tactical sniper mission where you can use your shooting skills to kill the assassins. Then there is non-stop shooting action in death valley where you have to prove your shooting speed and accuracy. To sum up, Hitman Sniper is a perfect offline Chromebook game and you must give it a shot.
Install: Hitman Sniper (Free, Offers in-app purchases)
11. Into the Dead 2: Zombie Survival
Into the Dead 2: Zombie Survival is a featured game on Chromebook’s Play Store and is also part of the Editor’s Choice. It’s one of the most popular zombie action games on Chromebook and if you are into survival games then this game will enthrall you to no end. The game has a very similar theme that you have on survival games — here, you have to protect your family from zombies and you have to do everything possible to keep the threat away. The best part about this game is that there are multiple endings and 7 different chapters with various challenges. Simply put, you should not miss out on Into the Dead 2 for its great storyline and action-packed challenges.
Install: Into the Dead 2: Zombie Survival (Free, Offers in-app purchases)
12. Shadow Fight 3
If you like games that have exceptional fistfights then Shadow Fight 3 is a raging game that you must play on your Chromebook. It’s based on an epic war where you have to protect the dynasty from the mighty force that is protected by the Gates of Shadows.
In this game, you can choose to become both a Hero or a Legion by wielding your craft and weapons after every challenging task. You can unlock special abilities and armors as the game progresses. To put it straight, if you like games that have developing plots and mysterious superpowers then Shadow Fights 3 is one of the best Chromebook games out there. Install: Shadow Fight 3 (Free, Offers in-app purchases)
13. Mekorama
Mekorama is a wildly popular puzzle game that has been available on Android smartphones, but now the game has made its way to Chromebooks thanks to the Play Store support. It’s a puzzle game that keeps on expanding through the user-created miniature.
All you have to do is help a tiny robot reach its home through the maze of a puzzling mechanical building. There are a total of 50 puzzles and all of them are going to test your creativity and thoughtfulness. As for the playback, it runs great on Chromebook in full-screen mode with mouse control. If you love puzzles, you are going to love this game to no end. Install: Mekorama (Free, Offers in-app purchases)
14. Rick and Morty: Pocket Mortys
If you are a Pokemon fan then this game is for you. It’s based on many characters of Rick and Morty in which you can train as many as 200 characters and make them fight against each other. You can also create your own universe where you can catch Mortys and Ricks in the jungle to gain more points.
As you level up in the game, you get armors and protection which can help you defeat characters from other popular shows like Bird Person. Simply put, the game is quite fun and light. If you are in a mood to entertain yourself then Pocket Mortys is a great game available on your Chromebook. Install: Rick and Morty: Pocket Mortys (Free, Offers in-app purchases)
15. Riptide GP: Renegade
Riptide GP: Renegade is an amazing game where you have to race in the water-filled street with dexterity and great maneuver. In this game, you ride a hydro jet and race against a ton of vehicles and characters. It’s very much like the MotoGP game from yesteryear days, but more challenging and packed with awesome action.
There are two modes: one where you play as a single player in a championship and another is a multi-player online race. And the best part is that the game supports WASD keys which makes it my favorite racing game on Chromebook. Install: Riptide GP: Renegade ($2.99)
16. Terraria
Terraria is another sandbox game like Minecraft and Roblox where you have to find water, food, and resources to keep yourself alive. Thankfully, it’s available on the Play Store and you can easily install it on your Chromebook. Coming to the game, here you start with a bunch of armors like pickaxe and sword which help you find resources as well as defend yourself against zombies and flying eyes.
But do keep in mind, the gameplay has a linear progression so it might not be that immersive. Still, it’s a great survival game and you can play it on any Chromebook irrespective of the horsepower. If you don’t want to pay for individual games, you can get Play Pass from Google. It is a gaming subscription service that allows you to access more than 300 paid games for a fee of $4.99 per month. Having said that, the service has not been rolled out globally, so if it’s not available in your region, you can follow our guide to access Play Pass in your country. Install: Terraria ($4.99)
17. Sonic the Hedgehog™ Classic
Who doesn’t remember Sonic the Hedgehog game from SEGA? Well, the great news is that the game has been released on the Play Store and you can install on your Chromebook too. As we all know, the game is about Sonic, a blue hedgehog who fights against the evil Doctor Eggman, a mad scientist.
The game has been optimized for touch-screen devices so you can race it on tablet or tent mode at lightning speed. Sonic the Hedgehog comes with all the classic actions like run and spin through loop-de-loops. Simply put, the game is a treasure trove and if you have been a fan of SEGA classics, you can’t afford to miss this game on your Chromebook. Install: Sonic the Hedgehog™ Classic (Free, Offers in-app purchases)
18. Xenowerk
Xenowerk is a game about an underground science lab where you have to battle against lethal mutants. There are a total of 70 levels and each one is equally challenging. The game is designed in such a way that it replicates real-life challenges in the face of extreme crises.
You only have a torchlight in a dimly lit lab and have to make your way to the firepower, but as you move, the mutants attack you from all directions. The game becomes even more interesting while playing on a larger screen. So, Xenowerk is also a survival game but with a good dodge of science. Install: Xenowerk (Free, Offers in-app purchases)
19. Line Rider
If you are interested in physics and mechanics then Line Rider is the perfect game to try on your Chromebook. It’s very similar to the Free Rider game, but here you can create your own path and trajectory. You can move through the sledder to ride on the track and based on your speed, torque, and other attributes, Line Rider lands you on the track.
The challenge is to be more accurate in your calculation and land on the track without any injury. It’s like a physics simulation game and a very good one at that. So, as I said, if you want to visualize physics in a fun game then play Line Rider on your Chromebook. Install: Line Rider ($2.99)
20. Dream League Soccer
Since FIFA is not available on Chromebook, you can play Dream League Soccer as an alternative. It’s equally good and has a similar style of gameplay where you can create your dream team and fight against the opponents. Other than that, there are lots of customization features ranging from the stadium to the player’s look.
Talking about the performance, the game runs perfectly fine in the landscape mode, but you don’t get the 60FPS mode which is available on Android smartphones. Nevertheless, Dream League Soccer is a remarkably good game and it’s playable on Chromebooks with mouse and WASD key support. Install: Dream League Soccer (Free, Offers in-app purchases)
Web Games
21. Agar.io
Agar.io is one of the most popular Chromebook browser games and can be played on any inexpensive machine. If you don’t know, Agar.io has invented a new kind of gaming genre which is also called IO games. It allows you to play with multiple players across the web where you have to save your cell from being eaten by another bigger cell.
Along the way, you will have to gain more mass otherwise smaller cells would engulf you inside. It sounds quite basic, but believe me, it’s an addictive game and you are going to love this new genre. In fact, there are many alternatives to Agar.io which follow the same gaming philosophy but have slightly different gameplay. So, if you want to play web games, do check out Agar.io on your Chromebook. Play Agar.io (Free)
22. Arcane Legends
Arcane Legends is a massively multiplayer online game (MMORPG) where you can pick a role and build your character in the fantasy world. The game starts in a deserted land where you have to survive anyhow. In your way, you will have to battle against other online gamers and keep on moving to get more points and badges.
The great part is that this graphics-intensive game is available on the web and you can play it right in your browser. So, if you want to play a deathmatch game on your Chromebook, Arcane Legends is among the best. Play Arcane Legends (Free)
23. Faster than Light (FTL)
Faster than Light is an award-winning browser game on Chromebook. You can play Faster than Light game using the Humble web player. It runs on Chrome and you get all the advanced action packs and features just like the PC version.
Talking about the game, it’s pretty simple where you have to save your crew members who are on their journey to the cosmos. As the game progresses, it gets quite intense and I love it. So, if you want to play the popular FTL game on your Chromebook, the Humble Web Player is the best option. Play Faster than Light ($9.99)
24. Interland
If you are looking for an online Chromebook game for your kid that has an adventure theme then Interland is a solid game you should try on your Chromebook. The game has been created by Google and it packs many multiple-choice questions about internet safety and privacy. Interland is a visual treat for kids as the game has great graphics, transition effects, and animation.
Not to mention, the kid also learns about various things about the internet and computers along the way. So, just go ahead and check out Interland on your Chromebook. Your kids are definitely going to love this interactive game. Play Interland (Free)
Arcade Games
25. MAME4droid
No matter what, Arcade games remain a huge rage among old gamers. Many developers have gone to lengths to bring the yesteryear games on iPhone, iPad, and Windows computers in one way or the other. Thankfully, Android has massive developer support and as a result, it’s now available on Chromebooks too.
You just have to download the MAME4droid app from the Play Store and you can play hundreds of Arcade games without any issue. If you are wondering how does it work, well MAME4droid is basically an emulator which packs more than 800 ROMs. To give you an overview, the app includes popular games like Donkey Kong, Pacman, Elevator Action, Centipede, and more. So, if you love playing Arcade games, this is the best way you can enjoy them on your Chromebook. Install: MAME4droid (Free)
Linux Games
26. Minecraft
Minecraft is one of the most popular games and you can play it on your Chromebook as well, thanks to Linux support. Minecraft offers a Linux version of the game and it works surprisingly well on Chromebooks, albeit running in a virtualized container. We have already installed Minecraft on Chromebook and tested it, and the graphics, keyboard navigation, sound output, everything is on point. I would recommend you to go through our above-linked guide and install Minecraft on your Chromebook. In case, you have an ARM-powered Chromebook then follow our guide on how to install Minecraft Java Edition on ARM Chromebooks.
27. Albion Online
If you want to play MMORPG games on your Chromebook then there is no better game than Albion Online. It’s a fantasy sandbox MMORPG game where you have to craft every single thing, from weapons to armors. You can go on a world trip, discover new places, fight against the enemies, capture their territories, and develop your own abode.
While there is an Android version of this game on the Play Store, I would suggest installing the Linux version as it’s desktop-grade and more graphics-intensive. So if you want to play an MMORPG game on your Chromebook, just pick Albion Online and you would not look back. Before installing the game, make sure you have set up Linux on your Chromebook.
How to Install Albion Online on a Chromebook:
Open Terminal and run the below commands one by one.
28. T-Rex Run
Don’t we love the dinosaur game when the internet is not available? Well, you don’t need to cut off your internet just to play this game. Chrome OS has a hidden address from where you can access this game even when you are online. Here is what you have to do it. Open Chrome and paste this command chrome://dino/ in the address bar and hit enter. Now, just press enter and there you have it. The dinosaur is running! Enjoy.
Nvidia GeForce Now
If you want to play desktop-level games on your Chromebook without any restrictions then there is nothing better than Nvidia GeForce Now. Nvidia has launched its cloud gaming service — GeForce Now — for Chromebooks. It has a much bigger library of games and works pretty well on a Chromebook — no matter what your specs are. Also, GeForce Now offers one hour of free gameplay which is amazing. The best part is that you can play graphics-intensive games on your school Chromebook as GeForce Now does not require Play Store or Linux support and you can instantly get started from the browser.
The only issue is that the service is currently limited to North America and Europe only, but we have found a way to run GeForce Now on a Chromebook in any region so head over to our linked guide. As for the games, well, you can play the best computer games on Chromebook such as Among Us, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, Destiny 2, Fortnite, Cyberpunk 2077, etc. right away. How amazing is that? Check Out Nvidia GeForce Now (Free session for one hour, starts at $9.99 per month)
Steam
Steam is the de-facto platform to play games on PC and the good news is that you can run it on Chromebook as well. All you need is Linux support on your Chromebook and you will be off to playing high-end games natively. Having said that, bear in mind, you need powerful specs to run Steam as it runs natively in the Linux container. Also, you will need much higher storage on your Chromebook to download and install games.
As for how we are able to install Steam and run PC games on Chromebook, well, we are installing the Linux version of Steam and enabling a compatibility layer called Proton (a modified version of Wine) to play AAA titles on Chromebooks. I have played CS:GO and Deceit on my Chromebook from Steam and the gameplay has been decent, at best. You can go through our guide on how to install Steam on Chromebook for detailed information. The tutorial also lets you stream Steam games from your local PC and these Chromebook games also come with controller support. Moreover, there is some good news for Chromebook users. Google and Valve are working together to run Steam natively on a Chromebook. The project is named “Borealis” which is actually a container where Steam will run using the Proton layer and Vulkan graphics API. It’s a huge deal and we are waiting as to when the project will go official. Going by the recent leaks, it seems in the next 2-3 months, users will be able to run Steam on their Chromebooks. So yeah, the gaming space on Chromebook is going to be very exciting in the coming days.
Google Stadia
Similar to GeForce Now, Google has also launched its cloud gaming service called Google Stadia. Stadia is a new-age game-streaming platform that allows you to play graphics-intensive and AAA title games on your Chromebook without requiring top-notch hardware. You can play the best computer games for Chromebook like Cyberpunk 2077, PUBG, Hitman, Tomb Raider, Mortal Kombat, Destiny 2, etc on a decently powered machine. It uses Google’s powerful servers on the cloud to run high-end games and in turn, streams the gameplay on your Chromebook with minimum latency. Not to mention, you can run Google Stadia even on your school-issued Chromebook as everything happens on the browser.
As for Stadia, Google claims that all you need is a high-speed internet connection and you will get the best experience, supposedly 4K HDR at 60FPS gameplay. I have done a deep dive about Google Stadia vs Microsoft Project xCloud in a separate article so check that out for a better understanding of this new gaming platform. The bottom line is that if you want to play desktop-level games on your Chromebook, Stadia is another great cloud gaming option that you can consider. Lastly, you can check out Shadow.tech (visit) which is also a promising cloud gaming platform for Chromebooks. Check Out Google Stadia (Free trial for one month, starts at $9.99 per month)
The Best Chromebook Games Ranked for You
So that was our list of the 28 best Chromebook games that you should definitely play on your Chromebook. I have tried to include all kinds of games available on cloud services to Android games compatible with Chrome OS right now. Apart from that, I have also mentioned how to run Steam games so that you can taste the potential of PC gaming on your Chromebook. Anyway, that is all from us. If I missed including your favorite game in the list, do comment down below and let us know. Meanwhile, you can check out our list of best Linux games and how to play Fortnite on your Chromebook using GeForce Now.
