In this virtual age, new video games come out every day. From Animal Crossing: New Horizons to Red Dead Redemption II, our screen time is often dominated by the latest console games. But remember those sweet, sweet days in the early 2000s when the best games in the world lived, for free, on the internet? Nothing will ever quite match the thrill of a rained-out recess gifting me twenty whole minutes of uninterrupted Neopets playtime. Remember trying to ford your oxen through the rivers of Oregon Trail or decorating your igloo on Club Penguin? It was truly an excellent time to be alive.
If you’re suddenly feeling nostalgic, you’ll be pleased to hear that I did the research and found all your favorite childhood games for you to play on the internet right now. Unfortunately for us all, I searched high and low for the Cadet Kelly obstacle course and couldn’t find it. You are missed everyday, giant mud pit and swinging rope over chicken wire (if you know, you really know).
Club Penguin
Everyone’s favorite polar paradise is back and better than ever. Technically, this is a fan remake of the original Disney Club Penguin, but it’s got all the makings of the club we knew and loved. You will need to download an app to play since Adobe discontinued Flash Player, but it is every bit as cute as the original. You can play here.
Neopets
In what can only be described as the website that brought us all together, Neopets is still living strong in all its early aughts glory. Unfortunately, due to Adobe discontinuing Flash Player, Meerca Chase and other flash-reliant games no longer exist, but you can still play quite a few games and there is a mobile app to match. Get your Ultimate Bullseye II on here.
Snood
This game has been replicated hundreds of times with different themes on every gaming site out there, but this baby is the original. And it’s excellent. There’s just something about those little green squares and squiggly blue dudes that never fails to bring a smile to my face. Play here.
Oregon Trail
This game taught me so much — how to hunt buffalo, how to clothe my family, and the real definition of dysentery. Play the game that defined your childhood and don’t forget those extra wagon wheels. Play online here.
And if you’d rather play IRL, there’s a card game version now too! Get it here.
Gold Miner
Is there a better way to distract yourself from reality than digging up giant pieces of gold and little weird rodents? Careful not to hit those explosives though, they’re rather unforgiving. You can play online here or you can get the mobile app here.
Zack & Cody’s Tipton Trouble
While you can no longer play DCOM games on the Disney website, you can play these copycat versions! And don’t worry, they’re just as anxiety-inducing as ever! Prove to the youngins you knew Cole Sprouse before he was Jughead. Play it here.
Toontown
Similar to the original Club Penguin, the original Disney version of Toontown was unfortunately shut down, but some fans made a spitting image replica and it is EXCELLENT. You can run around, talk to other players, and, my personal favorite, go fishing. You can play here.
Totally Spies Mall Brawl
Remember Totally Spies?!!!! It was truly an incredible show and now an amazing Halloween costume. And lucky for all of us, you can still play the Totally Spies Mall Brawl game of your childhood. Collect credit cards, shoot lasers out of a hairy dryer, and save the mall from Mr. Scam! Play here.
Bloons
There are very few games as soothing as Bloons. The pre-cursor to mobile app phenomenons like Angry Birds, I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of being a little monkey popping little balloons with little virtual darts. You can pop balloons yourself here.
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