The 12 Best Fun Online Games to Play in 2023

If Fortnite isn't your forte, there are still plenty of other fun online games to enjoy. Here's a list of popular games appropriate for most ages.

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Best Online Racing Game: Asphalt 9: Legends

Promotional image for Asphalt 9: Legends — Google Play

In addition to new vehicles and improved controls, Asphalt 9: Legends boasts an impressive online multiplayer mode that lets you race with up to seven other players at once. Alternatively, you can compete against the AI in over 800 events in career mode. All-in-all, Asphalt 9 is a solid improvement over its predecessors.

What We Like

The new TouchDrive control scheme makes steering more intuitive so you can focus on the virtual road in front of you.
Test drive more than 50 real luxury vehicles made by manufacturers like Ferrari, Porsche, and Lamborghini

What We Don't Like

Players complain about the game's incessant notifications.
You'll be tempted by in-app purchases to decorate your ride.

Download Asphalt 9: Legends for Android

Download Asphalt 9: Legends for iOS

Download Asphalt 9: Legends for Windows

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Best Online Trivia Game: Trivia 360

TRIVIA 360 is a free app for Android and iOS that's fun to play alone or with others. Test your general knowledge of the world by identifying famous flags and landmarks or attempting to answer thousands of questions about history, science, and popular culture. You'll likely learn a thing or two on your way to the top of the global leaderboard.

What We Like

Unlike many other free games, TRIVIA 360 doesn't push in-app purchases on players.

What We Don't Like

Many of the questions are about American sports and pop culture, so international players are at a disadvantage.

Download Trivia 360 for Android

Download Trivia 360 for iOS

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Cutest Online Game: Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp

Screenshot from Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp

Nintendo's popular simulation series has finally made it to Android and iOS devices. This iteration of Animal Crossing has players running a summer camp for their furry friends. Help cute animal with various tasks to earn materials so that you can build new amenities to keep your campers happy.

What We Like

The adorable art style is sure to put smiles on even the grumpiest of players.
The non-competitive nature of Animal Crossing makes for relaxing gameplay experience.

What We Don't Like

This pocket-sized adventure isn't quite on par with the Nintendo 3DS or Wii versions of Animal Crossing.

Download Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp for Android

Download Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp for iOS

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Best Online Card Game: Hearthstone

Hearthstone is a collectible card game based on World of Warcraft, but you don't need to know anything about its source material to engage in exciting duels with players from around the world. Fans of Magic: The Gathering or Pokémon TCG should quickly grasp the rules, but the game is also generous to players who've never dealt in card-based RPGs.

What We Like

This free online game is available for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android.
Although Hearthstone has been out for a few years, it's constantly updated with new cards.

What We Don't Like

Connection problems and long load times drag down the experience.

Download Hearthstone for Android

Download Hearthstone for iOS

Download Hearthstone for Windows

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Best Online Sports Game: Miniclip 8 Ball Pool

In the world of casual online gaming, Miniclip is king, and Miniclip 8 Ball Pool is yet another instant hit in the company's catalog. Challenge your Facebook friends to eight-player tournaments or face off with random players from around the globe. You can download the game for free on Android or iOS.

What We Like

The practice arena provides a safe space to hone your skills and get used to the touch controls.
The game's leveling system and trophies give players reasons to keep competing.

What We Don't Like

If you challenge a random opponent, you could get paired with a player at a much higher level, which feels unfair.

Download Miniclip 8 Ball Pool for Android

Download Miniclip 8 Ball Pool for iOS

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Best Online Pinball Game: Zombie Rollerz

Zombie Rollerz is a novel take on classic arcade pinball machines. Your goal is to fend off hordes of zombies with a giant catapult, which sounds simple enough, but you'll have to save other survivors and make use of creative power-ups to make it through the night. Compete with players from around the world for high scores.

What We Like

Like Plants vs Zombies, Zombie Rollerz features no blood or gore, so it's safe for all ages.
It's free to download for Windows and mobile devices.
Randomly generated levels make every playthrough unique.

What We Don't Like

The quirky controls and level designs take some time getting used to.

Download Zombie Rollerz for iOS

Download Zombie Rollerz for Windows (Requires Steam)

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Best Online Strategy Game: Rise of Civilizations

The latest incarnation of the Civilization series encourages you to make and break alliances with other players as you compete in real-time battles over virtual territory. You must carefully consider your opponents' military and geographic advantages as you execute your plan for global dominance.

What We Like

A revolutionary “infinite zoom” feature allows all action to take place on one gigantic map.
You can model your empire after one of eight historical civilizations each with their own unique architecture.

What We Don't Like

The game tends to lag when a lot of people are playing.
In-app purchases give wealthy players an unfair advantage.

Download Rise of Civilizations for Android

Download Rise of Civilizations for iOS

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Best Online Puzzle Game: King of Thieves

King of Thieves builds upon the tradition of popular physics-based puzzle games like Cut the Rope and Angry Birds by adding a multiplayer twist. The goal is to steal treasure from other players while protecting your own stash from those same players. Design your own dungeons with elaborate traps to protect your reputation as the King of Thieves.

What We Like

With more than 50 million players, King of Thieves has an endless number of levels to explore.

What We Don't Like

Some player-designed dungeons seem impossible to beat.

Download King of Thieves for Android

Download King of Thieves for iOS

Download King of Thieves Windows

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Best Classic Online Game: Old School RuneScape

Old School RuneScape is an updated port of the classic MMORPG. Since it finally came to mobile devices in 2018, the game now has more active players than the newer entries in the series. Old School RuneScape might be the first democratized online game since all proposed updates are voted on by players before implementation.

What We Like

Fans of old point-and-click games will feel right at home as they point and tap their way through the battlefield.
Old School RuneScape is simpler and, thus, easier to pick up and play than many modern RPGs.

What We Don't Like

Younger gamers may be turned off by the dated graphics and gameplay mechanics.

Download Old School RuneScape for Android

Download Old School RuneScape for iOS

Download Old School RuneScape for Windows and Mac

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Best Online Cooking Game: Overcooked! 2

Promotional image for Overcooked! 2 — Steam

Games that involve cooking and running a restaurant have become oddly popular over the last decade, and Overcooked! 2 could be the figurative icing on the proverbial cake. In this cooperative simulation game, players must work together to keep customers happy in increasingly ridiculous situations.

What We Like

Overcooked! 2 is available for Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.

What We Don't Like

Just like in real life, having too many cooks in the kitchen makes things more difficult.
The price tag may not be worth it if you already own the original.

Download Overcooked! 2 for Windows, Mac, and Linux (Require Steam)

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Best Online RPG: Fire Emblem Heroes

If you've never played a Fire Emblem game before, Fire Emblem Heroes serves as a perfect entry point into a series known for its relentless difficulty. Train up your army of knights and mages to engage in tactical warfare against other players. Fire Emblem Heroes is free to download for mobile devices and features in-app purchases.

What We Like

Longtime Fire Emblem fans will recognize many characters and locations from previous titles.
The graphics and character portraits look just as good as they do in the original games.

What We Don't Like

Premium spells and items allow players to become overpowered, which gives them an unfair advantage in combat.

Download Fire Emblem Heroes for Android

Download Fire Emblem Heroes for iOS

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Best Online Star Wars Game: Star Wars: Force Arena

There's no shortage of Star Wars games for consoles and mobile devices, but Force Arena provides the best free online experience by combining elements of strategy, action, and adventure. You can team up with other players or go solo in your mission to claim the galaxy for the Light or Dark Side.

What We Like