Quick Links
I recently got into playing games on my smartphone when traveling, and no, I didn’t have to download anything.
As someone who craves novelty in games without having to download a bunch of different apps, the following options have really saved me. Not only are they easy to access and save a ton of storage, but they’re also great when traveling or for casual gamers who don’t want to invest in gaming machines or just don’t have the time.
Netflix Games
Yes, you heard that right. Netflix now offers games with your regular subscription, available on both iPhone and Android. There are no downloads or extra costs involved, and as long as you have the Netflix app installed, the games should be accessible on the app.
Some popular titles include the Strange Things series, including “Stranger Things: 1984” and “Stranger Things 3: The Game.” There are also indie favorites, including “Oxenfree,” “Into the Breach,” and “Kentucky Route Zero.” One popular narrative-style game that I really like includes “Immortality,” which provides a unique storytelling experience in interactive gameplay.
What about kids? Well, some well-known examples include “CoComelon: Play with JJ” and “Hello Kitty and Friends: Happiness Parade,” which are all family-friendly.
To access Netflix games, open the app go to “Games” located in the bottom menu, and scroll to see all the different game categories:
You can use the search bar at the top to search for games, just like when searching for movies or TV shows. If you don’t see the games option on the Netflix app, make sure that the app is updated on your iPhone or Android device.
YouTube Games
YouTube has also launched “YouTube Playables” which is a hub for gaming within the YouTube platform. Fortunately, it’s available for anyone who has an account on YouTube, and not just for premium subscribers.
So, as long as you have the YouTube app available, you can search for and play games within the app. The game option is available on both mobile and web versions of the game.
To access YouTube Playables, open the YouTube app, scroll down to see ”YouTube Playables” and then click “View all.” If you can’t find it, you can also click on the compass icon on the left corner of the YouTube app, and then go to “Playables:”
From here, you can browse all the games available. Some popular games include “Stealth Master,” “Alien Shooter,” and “Angry Birds Showdown.”
There are also multiplayer options available that YouTube has begun testing out, so you can play with friends in real-time (this includes titles like Ludo Club and Magic Titles 3), and YouTube has plans to roll out more multiplayer games and features, as well as include a “send feedback” feature for each game.
YouTube Playables may not yet be available to all users and is still in the testing phase.
HTML5-Based Browser Games
Remember the days of Adobe Flash Player in the era of browser gaming? It was considered the early days of PC gaming. Though I still feel nostalgic thinking about them, luckily, we now have HTML5, which has revolutionized web-based gaming and has become a better replacement. HTML5 is supported by virtually all web browsers and devices (including smartphone browsers) and is considered more secure than Flash from a security perspective.
I recommend the website HTML5 Games. It makes playing games directly in the browser just seamless. Best of all, you don’t need to register or create an account. Just open up your browser on your smartphone, type in html5games.com, and you can start playing. There are no plugins, apps, or downloads required to play these HTML5 games.
Some popular titles include “Diamond Rush,” “Cannon Balls 3D,” and “Om Nom Run.”
There are also several different categories of games, from Arcade to Action, so there’s something for everyone. If you’re feeling old school and want to check out those old Flash games, you still can.
Next time you’re bored or on the go, give these options a try—you might just find your new favorite!
