Have you picked up one of the latest Chromebooks and wondered if you can do some gaming on Chrome OS? Or do you have an older Chromebook lying around and aren‘t sure if it can even run basic mobile games? Well you‘ve come to the right place!
In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll explore everything you need to know about getting game apps and game streaming platforms loaded onto Chrome OS, digging into specifics around compatibility, ideal setups depending on your model, and step-by-step processes for the options from simplest to most complex.
Let‘s get started!
An Overview of Gaming Capabilities Across Chromebook Generations
The world of Chromebook gaming has come a long way. Back when Chromebooks first hit the market in 2011, gaming functionality was limited, as all apps and games at that time had to run within the Chrome web browser itself. That restricted choices mostly to simple online games built in Adobe Flash.
Fast forward to today though, and many newer Chromebook models can tap into Android‘s vast game catalog, with over 3.3 million titles on Google Play in 2020.
Other Chromebooks let you install Linux so you can run game streaming platforms like Steam. And some models allow you to even enable an entire separate Windows ecosystem that opens the door to PC gaming‘s immense game library.
But capability varies greatly depending on which generation of hardware you have, as this table summarizes:
| Chromebook Generation | Approx. Release Year | Gaming Capabilities |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Gen | 2011-2013 | Minimal; web/browser games and some early Chrome experiments |
| 2nd Gen | 2013-2015 | Improved web capabilities + early attempts at Android runtimes |
| 3rd Gen | 2015-2016 | Android app menu added but performance still limited |
| 4th Gen | 2016-2018 | Stable Android integration via Google Play Store |
| 5th Gen | 2018-2020 | Android + emerging Linux beta support |
| 6th Gen | 2020-Present | Mature Linux environments + potential for Windows 10 dual boot |
With this context in mind, let‘s explore your options based on which generation Chromebook you have…
If You Have a 4th Generation or Newer Chromebook
If you invested in a Chromebook recently, chances are you have a model from 2017 onward that can take full advantage of integrated Google Play app support for quick and easy game downloads.
Here‘s a 3 step walkthrough to get your favorite mobile games loaded from the Play Store:
Step 1) Check that Google Play Store is available on your Chromebook‘s shelf or app menu.
The icon looks like this:
If you don‘t see this, you‘ll need to confirm that your specific Chromebook supports Google Play by checking this compatibility list.
Step 2) Open the Play Store app, browse to a game or game publisher page, and click "Install".
Google Play on Chrome OS works just like on Android tablets or phones. You can search for a specific game franchise if you already have something in mind, or click through categories like Action, Adventure, Puzzle games to browse top charts.
Note any indications about whether games have in-app purchases or ads. And pay attention to the game‘s target Android OS, as very new releases may only support the latest Android 12 or 13 if your Chromebook is still on Android 10 or 11.
Step 3) Locate the installed game icon in your app drawer and enjoy playing!
Once installed, Play Store games get added like any other Android app. So launch them from your Chromebook‘s app drawer or pin them directly to your shelf for quick access.
Most modern titles will run smoothly out of the box, but you can optionally toggle on "High Performance Mode" for any demanding 3D games in your Chromebook‘s settings if you notice choppy frame rates. This will trade some battery life for improved graphics power.
And that‘s really all there is too it! With over 3 million games available, you‘re sure to never run out of options.
The 10 highest grossing mobile game franchises worldwide give you a starting point for looking at downloads if you want to jump into some of the most mainstream hits. Or browse the Top New Paid Games or Top Grossing Games charts for ideas across every genre imaginable.
If You Have a 3rd Generation or Older Chromebook
Alright, let‘s tackle options if Google Play access sadly isn‘t available on your particular Chromebook…all hope is not lost!
While direct Android app support revolutionized things, Chromebooks released prior to 2016-2017 can still get in on plenty of casual gaming action through a couple alternative routes:
Option 1) Stick with browser-based games
Numerous publishers have optimized lightweight HTML5 versions of popular game franchises for Chrome browser play. For example, you can find official offerings like Microsoft Solitaire Collection, EA‘s Command and Conquer, and even Blizzard‘s Hearthstone and Starcraft strategy juggernauts available to play in browser on your Chromebook.
If you search the Chrome Web Store or your favorite publishers‘ sites you can likely track down an HTML5 version of many recent hits. Stick to reputable sources however rather than random web game sites, as malicious advertising is common.
Option 2) Install Linux and Steam for access to AAA titles
If lightweight mobile ports don‘t quite scratch your gaming itch, your next best bet is enabling Linux (beta) then installing Steam to open the door to thousands more full desktop-class games.
"In September 2018, there were over 27,000 games and other software available on Steam, with over 90 million monthly active users." Source
Here are the key steps to get Steam‘s vast catalog accessible on an older Chromebook:
- Turn on "Linux (Beta)" in your Chromebook‘s settings
- Launch the Terminal app and enter commands to update packages
- Download the Steam installer DEB package
- Run installation commands in Terminal
- Create a Steam account or sign into your existing one
Check earlier in this post for the complete walkthrough.
The key thing to know is that Steam runs great on Linux, allowing you to stream and play AAA games that your base Chrome browser likely can‘t handle directly – we‘re talking hits like Portal 2, Tomb Raider, The Witcher 3, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Borderlands 2…you name it!
Just be aware of the storage and graphics demands of the titles you download, as Chromebooks tend to have modest onboard specs compared to high end gaming Windows rigs. Look at sizing down quality settings accordingly.
We‘ve covered a lot of ground detailing various methods for getting your game on with Chrome OS. To quickly recap key points:
- If you have a recent Chromebook from 2017 onward, leverage Google Play support for direct access to all the top Android games
- If you‘re rocking an older model, fall back to optimized browser-based games from major publishers, or enable Linux to install Steam and significantly open up your catalog
And with either approach – make sure to check your specific Chromebook‘s hardware specs against game system requirements to make sure CPU speed, graphics chipset, RAM, and storage space meet the demands.
Here are a few other helpful gaming resources in case you get stuck:
- /r/ChromebookGaming Subreddit
- Chromebook Game Compatibility Wiki
- Chrome Ready – List of Chromebook Models
Let us know which games you end up loading onto your Chromebook and how performance holds up! Hopefully this guide gave you all the pointers needed to unlock your device‘s gaming abilities at any age.
