You’re bored, it’s the weekend, and your friends aren’t free to hang out with you in person. Don’t worry; you can have fun with them all the same by trying out one of these great online games to play with friends! You and your buddies will be blasting baddies, racing toward checkpoints, or solving puzzles together in no time at all! You might even make new friends as you play! So whether you want some extra challenge or just something fun to do, these are the best free online games to play with friends.

Alphabetical list of free web games

The best free online games provide a great way to have fun with friends. But, which ones are worth playing? That’s why we created an alphabetical list of some of our favorite free games you can play with others via text or video chat. From mind-bending puzzle games to engrossing RPGs, here are some of our favorites

Mind Teasers

If you have a friend who you’ve been meaning to catch up with, but haven’t found time for yet, try finding ways to connect via one of your favorite online games. Not only will it help you touch base and spend time together, it’ll also get your brain moving—which is important as we age. As a bonus, teaming up on an online game will also give you a chance to improve your skills in real-life situations and might even teach you something new about each other. By giving your mind an outlet outside of daily life and routine, playing games with friends online can help keep those neurons firing strong over time. Check out these five fun choices for some serious competition that’s less about winning and more about using some good old-fashioned friendship smarts

Combat Strategy Games

Can you be a game-theory master? Games such as chess and checkers are classic two-player strategy games. If you’re not familiar with them, they’re easy to learn but can take hours of practice to get good at. It’s worth it, though, because these games have been shown to have many benefits for brain function and development. If playing against an opponent doesn’t work for you (maybe your friends aren’t that into chess), there are some excellent free online versions where you can play against a computer. Once again, these will take some time to master but are excellent practice for anyone wanting to improve their strategic thinking and planning skills. Some favorites include: Chess Challenge; Dabble; Droidfish Chess; Pawn Storm; and ShiraziChess. Each one has its own set of strengths and weaknesses so experiment until you find one that works best for you.

Role Playing Games

If you’re looking for a mobile game that is ideal for playing with friends, look no further than role-playing games. Role-playing games can be played online on social networks such as Facebook and Twitter. These free games allow players to assume an entirely new identity and interact with each other in real time, which makes them perfect for parties and other social gatherings. The biggest draw is its ease of play—all you need is an Internet connection and your smartphone or tablet, making it very convenient for those who don’t like traditional card or board games. And best of all? They’re free! Here are some top role-playing games

Puzzles & Logic Puzzles

From word games to logic puzzles, there are some great ways you can play games with friends without being in the same room. Word and board games like Scrabble and Boggle let you challenge your friends via text, while crossword-solving apps like Mind Meister allow you to make online grids that invite other people in. Puzzles tend to be more free-form than competitive video games (see below), so they’re a great way for shy or antisocial types to get their game on with others. If a puzzle app doesn’t support multiplayer features yet, consider getting creative and shooting videos of yourself solving puzzles so your friends can try it at home. Game night just got easier!

Racing & Flying Game

Games where you race and fly are some of the most popular online games for people of all ages. There are tons of great free games that allow you to either race against other players or try to outfly them. Although, racing and flying games will probably never match up to more complex titles like Destiny 2 or The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, they’re still a ton of fun. Some favorites include, Rocket League , Crash Arena Turbo Stars , and Air Attack 2 . In fact, in my experience I’ve found that both racing and flying games (and card games) are some of the most popular in-game titles out there right now – but don’t take my word for it!

Sports & Fighting Games

You don’t need a console or high-end gaming PC to play games with friends online. There are a number of sports and fighting games that run on your web browser for you and your pals to play in real time. If you want something more involved, games like Minecraft and Gang Beasts will keep you (and your team) occupied while showing off your strategic prowess. Newer titles like Rocket League also have co-op modes so you can have a leisurely game with your pals without worrying about those pesky winners and losers.

Music/Rhythm/Dance Based Games

Many games played with friends online feature music or rhythm-based gameplay. The most popular is Guitar Hero. This game features mini-games that get more difficult as you play, which can be challenging but also fun with friends. If you’re looking for a non-guitar based game with similar gameplay, look into DJ Max Portable, where players must hit buttons in time with a song’s beat in order to create a tune of their own. Dance Dance Revolution is another option that involves pressing buttons when appropriate and then stepping on arrows onscreen when prompted (for example, step up if it says up). Not only does DDR make games more fun for players, but it also can help them exercise by burning a significant number of calories over time!