Game Shows to Play Online

Fine-tune Your Gameshow Skills for Free

Seeking game shows to play online? Smart thinking! One of the best ways to fine-tune your skills is to play your favorite games on the Web, for free! Boy, I just love free stuff, don’t you?

Many shows offer free Web-based versions of their games. I've listed my favorites, with screen captures, below. Just click the appropriate link, and you're in business. No downloads. No fuss, no muss. Careful! These games are highly addictive, so browse at your own risk.

Remember, playing online does not entitle you to real money. I'm rolling my eyes as I type this – but you'll notice this finely crafted disclaimer on most of the "play for free" sites. If you find this amusing, thank a lawyer -- or perhaps the first doofus who sued for his imaginary winnings.

My Favorite Game Shows to Play Online

Original Online Millionaire Game
This is a free and easy way to take a test drive in the hot seat. Just like in the real show, you control the life-lines. You have three: 50:50, Phone-a-friend, and Ask the Audience. Click here to play Millionaire's original game online for free.

Video-Based Millionaire Game
Among game shows to play online, this is a newbie. In this version, you play along with a real contestant. Because you're playing along with a real person, you must follow their lead. This means if they don't use a life line, neither can you. In short, this is more like watching Millionaire on TV, and less like being a contestant yourself. Click here to play Millionaire's video-based game.

Online 'Fifth Grader' Game
Now, this one's a hoot, even if you're found to be NOT smarter than a fifth grader. I should know. Even with help from little Alana and Spencer, I earned an embarrassing 2,000 points on my first time through. True, the youngsters couldn't save me – but there's still hope for you. As for me, I'm off to try again. (An update, I earned 175,000 on my second try. Whoooo! Take that, Spencer!) Click here to play "Fifth Grader" online for free.

Original Deal or No Deal Game
Among game shows to play online, this might be the most addicting. Pick a briefcase to call your own, then eliminate other cases, just like contestants do on the real show. Watch your offers go up or down, courtesy of the evil Banker. Should you take the deal? Try it and find out.Give it a try and see why this is one of my favorite game shows to play online.

A word of warning: From the Deal or No Deal site, there's also something called a Skill Version, which incorporates trivia questions. In order to fully complete a full game in this version, you must register and provide info to a gaming site. Since I prefer to play anonymously for free, I stick with the original version of Deal or No Deal. And actually, I think the original is more fun, since it mimics the real "as seen on TV" experience -- but you be the judge.

Free Quick Play
Although the Jeopardy Web site places a higher emphasis on the paid version of their game, thrifty gamers such as myself can sample the game's features for free. Simply choose "free quick play" under "Play Options." True, it has limited features, but it's still a fun game show to play online. Besides, at zero cost, the price is right. Right? Click here to play the free online version of Jeopardy.

Your Consolation Prize
Sadly, Wheel of Fortune doesn't offer a free online version of their game. Rats! They did have some pretty nifty Screensavers and Interactive Wallpapers though. And yup, they're free -- like you had to ask.