About Download Free Mac Games. Download Free Mac Games was launched in 2004 to compile the best Mac games on the Internet in one location. Our site gained popularity quickly due to its selection of crazy, fun, and free games that can played on a variety of Mac operating systems. Jun 30, 2019 Most of the best games are available on Mac. Indeed, Mac gaming has come a long way Nowadays, 5 out of the 10 most-played games on Steam support MacOS and all the top indies support it too. This Best Mac games list is nothing but a sample of all the possibilities Mac gaming has to offer. Free Kids Games for PC - Full Versions. Many kids games for PC are good for family play. You can go to the amazing adventures with a Supercow in the wonderful 3d world. Improve your logic skills in Engineering - Mystery of the Ancient Clock. This is match 3 in which you must uncover the secrets of the Ancient Chronograph. About Download Free Mac Games. Download Free Mac Games was launched in 2004 to compile the best Mac games on the Internet in one location. Our site gained popularity quickly due to its selection of crazy, fun, and free games that can played on a variety of Mac operating systems. download free. full version games, over 1000+ free PC games to download. New PC game added every 60 Hours. Trusted and Safe downloads. Browse and download Games apps on your Mac from the Mac App Store. The Mac App Store has a wide selection of Games apps for your Mac. Games - Mac App Store Downloads on iTunes.
We pick our favorite free Mac games including shooters, strategy games and more
Lately, gamers get suspicious every time they hear about a free game on Mac. This is because “free” doesn’t always mean free.
Microtransactions are increasingly destroying games that would otherwise be great, forcing you to pay for more levels and characters, or worse, for power-ups and better gear that actually provide a gameplay advantage.
As such, we decided to focus on games that are either 100% free or are at least free-to-play (F2P) games that can actually be enjoyed for free.
With that in mind, we played through and evaluated a slew of games, and we’ve put together this updated list with the best free games for Mac.
Of course, if you’re happy to just buy your games, feel free to check out our comprehensive list of the 100 Best Mac games available today. For the freebies, read on.
Game | ★ Best Overall | Best for MacBook | Best Value |
Genre | Battle Royale | Strategy | Shooter |
Release date | 2017 | 2015 | 2012 |
Metascore | |||
Our rating | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Requirements | ⚠️ Fairly Demanding | ✅ Not Demanding | ⚠️ Fairly Demanding |
Check Price |
The Rest of the Best:
Spelunky | 0 A.D. | Heroes of the Storm| Team Fortress 2 | Lord of the Rings Online | League of Legends | Cave Story| Hearthstone| Paladins | Brawlhalla| Dwarf Fortress| Brawlhalla| Diki Diki Literature Club!| OpenTTD | SuperTuxKart | Fistful of Frags | The Battle for Wesnoth | Canabalt
How We Decide
Finding the best games is a nice start but what good are they if their Mac versions suck?
Sometimes a great game on Windows can suffer from extremely poor MacOS performance, or even worse, a broken Mac version. That’s why testing these games on Mac hardware is critical for us.
In this list, you’ll only find games that are both great and have proper MacOS support. You can read all about how we test MacOS performance below.
1. Fortnite
Mac Release date: 2017
MacOS developer: Epic Games
Genre: Online Shooter
Metascore: 81
Fortnite: Battle Royale is the free PvP mode of Fortnite. You and up to 99 opponents are dropped on a giant map where you must find weapons, shields, and resources to help you remain the last player (or squad) standing. With the multitude of weapon types and shelter options available, Fortnite: Battle Royale accommodates pretty much all survival strategies.You can’t just hide and hope for the best, however; the longer you survive, the tighter the playing area becomes, forcing you to engage in combat instead of finding some remote area in which to camp. And as you’d expect from one of the finestcompetitive online games for Mac, the competition can be brutal.
Those willing to pay will be able to unlock more cool skins and other cosmetic items. But other than that, everyone gets access to the full game!
Verdict: This is a generous free-to-play game.
Benchmark results (in FPS):
2013 MacBook Pro
2016 MacBook Pro
2014 27-inch iMac
Expand to see if your Mac run it
Testing Conditions: We tested the game using the Low Quality Preset, 100% 3D Resolution, V-Sync Off and 1280×800 resolution:
Can your Mac run it? Fortnite used to be very demanding. Even our 2016 MacBook Pro couldn’t pass the 30 FPS mark (which is the absolute minimum for a fast-paced online shooter). However, the Mac performance of the game has improved a lot and the game is now playable on more machines.
Any bugs you should be aware of? Not exactly a bug, but be aware that performance is terrible as soon as your character jumps from the bus. This is also improving but not entirely gone yet. Be patient and wait until performance improves and FPS stabilize.
Verdict: Somewhat Demanding
System Requirements: OS 10.12.6 and a machine that supports Metal, 2.4 GHz Intel Core i3 Processor, 4 GB RAM, Intel HD 4000 or better.
2. Starcraft 2
Mac Release date: 2015
MacOS developer: Blizzard
Genre: Strategy
Metascore: 88
Developed byBlizzard, Starcraft 2 is a real-time strategy game that shouldn’t need an introduction.
Sequel to the critically-acclaimed Starcraft, Starcraft 2 features the most intense, fast-paced and well-oiled gameplay you’ll ever see in a real-time strategy game. Good gaming keyboard and mouse are both mandatory!
Starcraft 2 was already a must-buy when it was $59.99, but now that the game offers an extremely generous free-to-play version, you owe it yourself to try it. The free-to-play version of Starcraft 2 gives you the complete Wings of Liberty campaign, ranked and unranked Multiplayer, and every co-op commander available.
And if you ever want even more Starcraft 2, you can pay to unlock more single-player campaigns, special skins, new co-op commanders and more.
Verdict: This is a generous free-to-play game.
Benchmark results (in FPS):
2013 MacBook Pro
2016 MacBook Pro
2014 27-inch iMac
Expand to see if your Mac run it
Testing Conditions: We tested the game using Medium Graphics quality, Low Texture quality, V-sync off, and 1280×800 resolution.
Verdict: Not Demanding
System Requirements:OS 10.11, Intel Core 2 Duo Processor, 4 GB RAM, NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M or ATI Radeon HD 4670 or better, 30 GB hard drive space.
3. Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
Mac Release date: 2012
MacOS developer: Valve
Genre: Shooter
Metascore: 83
Counter-Strike practically gave birth to the competitive FPS scene and is responsible for most of the LAN parties that took place in the 90s. That was a long time ago, but Counter-Strike has managed to evolve over time and successfully remain relevant.
In 2012, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive was released and it expanded upon the team-based gameplay it pioneered 19 years earlier. CS: GO featured new maps, characters, weapons, and delivered updated versions of the classic CS content. Enough to become once again one of the most played games on Steam in the planet.
CS: GO is still praised for it’s extremely accurate and solid mechanics, but now that the game is free-to-play and includes Danger Zone, a brand-new battle royale mode, CS: GO is a must for anyone remotely interested in shooters.
Verdict: This is a generous free-to-play game.
Benchmark results (in FPS):
2013 MacBook Pro
2016 MacBook Pro
2014 27-inch iMac
Expand to see if your Mac run it
Testing conditions:
We tested the game using Medium Graphics quality, Anti-aliasing and V-sync off, and 1280×800 vs. 1650×1050 resolutions.
Results:
Demand Level: Low
System Requirements: OS 10.11, 2GHz Intel Core Duo Processor, 2 GB RAM, ATI Radeon HD 2400, NVidia 8600M graphics or better, 15 GB hard drive space.
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Usually $19.99, you can get this excellent adventure game for free:
4. Lord of the Rings Online
Mac Release date: 2008
MacOS developer: Turbine Inc
Genre: MMORPG
Metascore: 86
There are so many good F2P MMOs out there it can be hard to figure out where to start. If you’re in that situation, why not begin your adventure in the amazing universe of Middle-Earth with Lord of the Rings online?
Developed by Turbine, LotRO follows the story from the books and movies and gives free access to almost everything the game has to offer. The only differences with the paid version are the two character slots (as opposed to five), the fact you cannot send money through the in-game system, and the lack of “destiny points”. But trust me, those small limitations are easy to forget considering LotRO is one of the higher-quality MMOs available.
Lord of the Rings Online isn’t just for fans of Tolkien’s work, it’s for anyone who loves the classic MMO formula (such as World of Warcraft’s) but prefers to not have to pay for it. The amount of fun you can have with this game without paying a dime is outrageous, making it one of the finest free online Mac games available.
Verdict: This is a generous free-to-play game.
Benchmark results (in FPS):
2013 MacBook Pro
2016 MacBook Pro
2014 27-inch iMac
5. Hearthstone
Mac Release date: 2014
MacOS developer: Blizzard
Genre: Collectible Card Game
Metascore: 84
There aren’t many companies that can deliver as high-quality free games as Valve, but one that certainly can is Blizzard. We already featured two of their games, yet here we are again with Hearthstone—a digital collectible card game based on the popular Warcraft universe. If you don’t get into card games, don’t skip ahead just yet…this one is widely praised by players no matter previous feelings towards the genre.
Hearthstone is much simpler than you would imagine. In every match, you pull three or four cards (depending on who goes first) out of your customized deck of 30 cards. There are different card types (weapons, spells and minions), but the objective is clear: empty your opponent’s health before he does the same to you.
Hearthstone is a great game—free or paid. It’s easy for new players to get into but offers enough depth to keep you hooked. It also benefits from frequent, free expansions to refresh the available cards, and its light system requirements make it one of the top free games you can easily play on your MacBook.
Verdict: This is a generous free-to-play game.
Benchmark results (in FPS):
2013 MacBook Pro
2016 MacBook Pro
2014 27-inch iMac
Expand to see if your Mac run it
Testing Conditions: We tested the game using Medium quality and 1280×800 resolution.
Verdict: Not Demanding
System Requirements: OS 10.9, 2.4 GHz Intel Core Dual Processor, 2 GB RAM, GeForce 9600/130/Quadro FX 5600, Radeon HD 5870, or Intel HD 4000 with 512 MB of dedicated memory, 15 GB hard drive space.
6. Paladins
Mac Release date: 2018
MacOS developer: Hi-Rez Studios
Genre: Shooter
Metascore: 83
Upset that Overwatch is sorely missing on Mac? This may be the answer. In Hi-Rez Studios’ Paladins, players choose a champion from four possible categories: front line, damage, support and flank.
Paladins clearly drew inspiration from Team Fortress 2, and some have called it an Overwatch clone, but this game stands up on its own. Paladins has a lot to offer, including a wide variety of game modes to battle through, such as siege, team deathmatch, survival, and co-op.
And unlike Overwatch, champions have abilities that can be enhanced via cards which provide cooldown reductions, health bonuses, etc. In addition, in-game currency obtained by killing enemies and winning battles can be used to purchase even greater bonuses.
You’ll need to pay to get access to all of the available champions, but the free options are more than enough to get you started.
Verdict: This is a generous free-to-play game.
Benchmark results (in FPS):
2013 MacBook Pro
2016 MacBook Pro
2014 27-inch iMac
Expand to see if your Mac run it
Testing Conditions: We tested the game using the Medium settings, 2X Anti-Aliasing, Vertical Sync Off and 1280×800 resolution:
Can your Mac run it? Testing Paladins was an extremely pleasant surprise. The game ran great on all machines, and even in the heat of battle, it ran at an acceptable speed on our older MacBook Pro. If you have a MacBook from 2013 onwards, you should be able to run it.
Any bugs you should be aware of? The game ran smoothly and the experience for us was bug-free.
Verdict: Fairly Demanding
System Requirements: OS 10.10, 2.4 GHz Core 2 Duo Processor, 2 GB RAM, ATI Radeon 3870, Nvidia GeForce 8800 GT or higher, 10 GB hard drive space.
7. Spelunky
Mac Release date: 2008
MacOS developer: Derek Yu
Genre: Platformer
Metascore: 90
Spelunky—an indie action-adventure game created by Derek Yu—has you controlling an unnamed adventurer, known as the Spelunker. Your aim is to explore the underground tunnels and gather as much treasure as possible while avoiding the traps and enemies filling the tunnels.
The gameplay is straightforward: whip or jump on enemies; pick up items; or use bombs and ropes to further explore the caves. Levels are randomly generated, and you only get one life (if you die, you have to start from the beginning). Although this sounds like it’d make the game frustrating, it actually gives each run a unique feeling.
A good match for fans of 2D platformers who want to reminisce and remember the good old days of Castlevania, Spelunky offers plenty of great, free entertainment (yes, this game is completely free from start to finish).
Verdict: This is a truly (100%) free game.
System Requirements: OS 10.9, 2.0 GHz Intel Dual Core Processor, 2 GB RAM, NVIDIA GeForce 320M, Intel HD 3000, 20 GB hard drive space.
8. 0 A.D.
Mac Release date: 2010 (still in active development)
MacOS developer: Wildfire Games
Genre: Strategy
Here’s another game that’s completely free from start to finish. This open-source real-time strategy game comes from Wildfire Games, a group of volunteer game developers from around the globe who are obviously big fans of Age of Empires 2.
As you’d expect from an RTS game, you’ll spend time gathering resources, developing and advancing technologies, and defending yourself from attacks while launching campaigns on others. Although 0 A.D. is set in a fictional time, the game is rooted in reality. The randomly generated battle maps are based upon real geography of the ancient world, as are the detailed units, buildings, and technologies.
If you’re a developer, you’re invited to contribute to the game’s growth. If you’re not, you can still get creative with the game’s map editor. It’s all free no matter how you get involved with 0 A.D., so dig in and get history started off right. And if you really like it, consider contributing to the game’s development.
Verdict: This is a truly (100%) free game.
System Requirements: OS 10.7, 2006 or later Intel-based Mac.
9. Heroes of the Storm
Mac Release date: 2015
MacOS developer: Blizzard
Genre: MOBA
Metascore: 86
Considered a League of Legends challenger with a greater focus on team play, Heroes of the Storm is another game from Blizzard.
Fans of Warcraft, Diablo, Starcraft and other Blizzard titles will be particularly excited to soo their favorite heroes take part in 5 vs 5 battles, either against the AI or against human players in ranked and unranked matches. And on top of creating a solid MOBA geared towards more casual players, Blizzard keeps rolling new game modes, events, and new Heroes to keep you coming back for more.
There are around 80 heroes to rotate through, and if you find one you really like you can purchase permanent access to him/her/it through in-game currency or microtransactions. Speaking of that, microtransactions are otherwise relegated to hero customizations and mount purchases. In other words, you won’t need to pay anything to fully enjoy the game.
Verdict: A generous free-to-play game.
System Requirements:OS 10.11, Intel Core 2 Duo Processor, 4 GB RAM, NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M or ATI Radeon HD 4670, 20 GB hard drive space.
10. Team Fortress 2
Mac Release date: 2007
MacOS developer: Valve
Genre: Shooter
Metascore: 92
Originally released back in 2008, we still cannot talk about the best free games for Mac without mentioning Team Fortress 2.
TF2 is a team-based FPS developed by Valve. Players choose a character from the multiple classes available, then join one of two teams and battle in a variety of game modes such as capture the flag and king of the hill. Its fan base remains faithful due to its art direction, gameplay, and humor, making Team Fortress 2 one of the top rated games of all time. Plus, find the right team and Team Fortress 2 becomes an excellent cooperative multiplayer game for Mac.
Fans of online first-person shooters will get into this one quickly, and remain active thanks to the game’s strong sense of community and the high production values typical of Valve. Purchases are relegated to unique weapons, outfits, and such, so they’re certainly not necessary to stay involved.
Verdict: A generous free-to-play game.
System Requirements:OS 10.5.8, 1.7 GHz Processor, 1 GB RAM, NVIDIA GeForce 8 or higher, ATI X1600 or higher, Intel HD 3000 or higher, 15 GB hard drive space.
11. League of Legends
Mac Release date: 2017
MacOS developer: Epic Games
Genre: Online Shooter
Metascore: 81
In League of Legends, you assume the role of a “champion” with unique abilities, weaknesses, and strengths.
In the most popular game mode, you have to destroy the opposing team’s nexus which lies at the heart of a guarded base. Battles last around 20 to 60 minutes, with your Champions starting out at a very low level. They gain experience throughout the match and—equally important—they earn gold that can be used to buy in-game items to increase their powers and abilities.
You have over 100 champions at your disposal, and you can spend money to purchase them (as well as multi-game boosts) straight-away. Beyond that, microtransactions are relegated largely to cosmetic items.
League of Legends remains one the most popular and successful Multiplayer Online Battle Arenas (MOBA) available, but be warned, this is a complex and highly competitive game, and the community is known for being particularly harsh towards newbies.
Verdict: This is a generous free-to-play game.
System Requirements:OS 10.5.8, 1.7 GHz Processor, 1 GB RAM, NVIDIA GeForce 8 or higher, ATI X1600 or higher, Intel HD 3000 or higher, 15 GB hard drive space.
12. Cave Story
Mac Release date: 2011
MacOS developer: Pixel Studios
Genre: Platformer
You’ve certainly heard of Cave Story—and you’ve maybe even played one of its console or Steam iterations—but did you know this Metroidvania style 2D platformer started as a “free time” project for developer Daisuke “Pixel” Amaya? It took him five years to develop the game, and it became one of the first Indie gaming successes.
Cave Story quickly gained traction because of its great story and solid gameplay. You start as an amnesiac who wakes up in (you got it) a cave, and as per usual when you find yourself alone and without memories in a cave, you quickly learn you’ll have to fight a crazy doctor who plans to conquer the world.
The enhanced version called Cave Story+ is available pretty much everywhere, but the original Cave Story is still available for free.
Verdict: This is a truly (100%) free game.
System Requirements:OS 10.5.8, 1.7 GHz Processor, 1 GB RAM, NVIDIA GeForce 8 or higher, ATI X1600 or higher, Intel HD 3000 or higher, 15 GB hard drive space.
13. Dwarf Fortress
Mac Release date: 2006
MacOS developer: Tarn Adams, Zach Adams
Genre: Strategy
Dwarf Fortress is part construction, part management, part roguelike, and part text-based. Yes, text-based.
A typical Dwarf Fortress game involves a randomly generated world in which you indirectly control a group of dwarves in an attempt to build an underground fortress. Without much direction (the game has no objectives) and text-based graphics, this game is hard. But that’s also Dwarf Fortress’ charm. Once you figure out how everything works, building that fortress becomes an addiction.
Also, part of Dwarf Fortress’s fame comes from the fact it’s a two-member project that survives solely on donations.
Dwarf Fortress is a good option for folks who appreciate a good challenge (it’s famous for its difficulty and complexity) and who don’t need high-end graphics to enjoy a good gaming session. You can also feel good about yourself for supporting the indie movement.
Verdict: This is a truly (100%) free game.
System Requirements:OS 10.3, 512 MB RAM, 100MB of hard drive space.
14. Brawlhalla
Mac Release date: 2017
MacOS developer: Blue Mammoth Games
Genre: Fighting
Here’s another game that promises “No Pay to Win. No Pay to Play. No hidden fees. No monthly costs. No paywalls. And it’s going to stay that way forever.” Sound good?
Brawlhalla is a 2D platformer fighting game along the lines of Super Smash Bros., only with many more gameplay options (you have to have something to compensate for the loss of Ike, I guess). There are online ranked 1v1 and 2v2, online 4 player free-for-all, online 8 player free-for-all and 4v4. Locally, you’ve got free-for-all, custom teams, and a single player tournament.
And if the gameplay options don’t keep things fresh, the multitude of weapons and power-ups available during the brawls will certainly keep things moving along. If you do want to pay, you can unlock all of the characters or you can get different outfits for them. But if you decide to keep your money to yourself, it won’t stop you from winning.
Verdict: This is a generous free-to-play game.
System Requirements: OS 10.7, 1 GB RAM, 400 MB hard drive space.
15. Doki Doki Literature Club!
Mac Release date: 2017
MacOS developer: Team Salvato
Genre: Visual Novel
Metascore: 78
Terrified by the concept of joining a book club? Then this game’s for you. A visual novel by Team Salvato, Doki Doki Literature Club is actually a psychological horror game in disguise.
It starts out innocently enough, with your character joining a high school literary club. There’s a poem writing mechanic you can use to flirt with the various girls in the club, and there’s a lot of dialogue to click through. But things turn dark very quickly and you’ll soon find that Doki Doki Literature Club is not really about finding your one true love through books.
The game breaks the fourth wall quite a bit, creating a wholly meta experience that’s effective even if you’ve never played a dating sim before. Be prepared for the disturbing content…and plenty of restarts. You’ll need to play through the game a few times to get the ending that won’t put you off high school clubs forever.
Verdict: This is a generous free-to-play game.
System Requirements: OS 10.9, 1.8 GHz Dual Core Processor, 4 GB RAM, 350 MB hard drive space.
16. OpenTTD
Mac Release date: 2004
MacOS developer: OpenTTD Team
Genre: Simulation
Remember Transport Tycoon Deluxe? It was a business simulation game released back in 1995, so if you were too young or just missed it, its spirit lives on with this open source remake.
Like its inspiration, the point of Open TTD is to make money by transporting people and cargo via planes, trains, automobiles, and boats. Each time you successfully move an object from point A to point B you’ll get income that can be used to build better methods of transportation. All this takes place between 1950 and 2050, giving you plenty of different technologies to develop and utilize.
Of course, technology has changed quite a bit since 1995, and Open TTD has taken advantage of that by expanding the game with larger maps, an enhanced UI, multi-language support, custom AI, and plenty more. Even better, Open TTD features online and local multiplayer with up to 255 players! And although updated, the game does retain its original visual charm.
Verdict: This is a truly (100%) free game.
17. SuperTuxKart
Mac Release date: 2006
MacOS developer: Steve and Oliver Baker
Online Games For Mac
Genre: Racing
We gave you a Super Smash Bros.-style game earlier, so why not include some Super Mario Kart love as well? SuperTuxKart is a kart racer with several racing modes for single and multiplayer action, as well as plenty of characters to obtain and use.
Of course, what really matters in games such as this are the tracks. There are 21 to unlock within the game’s story (it involves a kidnapping and a race-to-save-your-friend element if you must know), but with the open source model, there are plenty more to download via add-ons.
SuperTuxKart has some pretty impressive, colorful racing environments that are fun to drive through. Fans of open source gaming will also get a kick out of seeing the mascots from other titles making their appearance here. Overall, SuperTuxKart offers a great deal of arcade racing fun.
Verdict: This is a truly (100%) free game.
System Requirements: 2.8 GHz Intel Core i3 Processor, 1 GB RAM, NVIDIA GeForce 470 GTX, AMD Radeon 6870 HD or Intel HD Graphics 3000 or better, 700 MB hard drive space.
18. Fistful of Frags
Mac Release date: 2014
MacOS developer: Fistful of Frags Team
Genre: Shooter
Born as a mod for the Source engine, Fistful of Frags is a deathmatch game set in the Wild West. It has your basic options such as teamplay, versus and elimination modes, but separates itself with some unique mechanics.
For example, it has a dual wield weapon system with double dynamic crosshairs, and you can even throw your weapons as projectiles when all else fails. And speaking of weapons, the historical guns available to you are slower to use than modern first-person deathmatch games, but they’re still quite powerful. It also forces you to play things a little more realistically than when you’re using tasers, bazookas and flak cannons. The more skilled you become with your guns, the more you’ll be rewarded.
Even better? You won’t have to pay a dime to play Fistful of Frags; no microtransactions exist within the game. Use the money to buy some whiskey, if you’re of age, as the game seems to focus on that quite heavily.
Verdict: This is a truly (100%) free game.
System Requirements: OS 10.7, 1.7 GHz Processor, 1 GB RAM, NVIDIA GeForce 8, ATI X1600, Intel HD 3000 or higher, 3 GB hard drive space.
19. The Battle for Wesnoth
Mac Release date: 2008
MacOS developer: David White
Genre: Strategy
The Battle for Wesnoth is an open source, turn-based strategy game featuring turn-based battles on a hex grid that will take you back to the ‘90s visually.
The Battle for Wesnoth features 16 single-player campaigns and 46 multiplayer maps (online and hot seat) over which more than 200 units will battle. The game has developed a large, dedicated fanbase due to the quality and quantity of content, the engaging gameplay, and the fact that it’s free (not to mention its Tolkienesque setting).
That community has, in turn, contributed a ton of user-made content ranging from new campaigns and factions to artwork.
Verdict: This is a generous free-to-play game.
System Requirements:OS 10.8, 2 GHz Dual Core Processor, 2 GB RAM, 800 MB hard drive space.
20. Canabalt
Mac Release date: 2009
MacOS developer: Adam Atomic and Danny B
Genre: Action
Sometimes you want to play a game with just one button. We get that, and that’s why we offer up Canabalt. This endless runner has been released on everything from iOS to the Commodore 64 (wait…what?), and it offers plenty of frenetic fun on Mac.
Basically, you’re a dude running from some sort of threat. We’ve all been there, right? In Canabalt, this involves running/jumping across rooftops as you dodge various obstacles along the way. Unlike in real life, you get faster as you progress, increasing the challenge.
And unlike many endless runners available, the environments in Canabalt are procedurally generated. This means the game is more about skill than memorization, and it greatly increases the replay value. If you’re looking for a free way to kill some time on your Mac, Canabalt is it.
Free Games For Mac Download
Verdict: This is a truly (100%) free game.
Normally, we test the MacOS performance of all our featured games and share the results with you. This time, as these are all free (and most have low system requirements), we decided to focus on our Top 3.
We performed our tests on these machines:
iMac (5K, 27-inch, Late 2014)
3.5 GHz Intel Core i5, 8 GB RAM, AMD Radeon R9 M290X (2GB)
MacBook Pro (13-inch, Late 2013)
2.4 GHz Intel Core i5, 8 GB RAM, Intel Iris 5100 (1.5GB)
MacBook Pro (13-inch, Late 2016):
2.0 GHz Intel Core i5, 8 GB RAM, Intel Iris Graphics 540 (1.5GB)
Game | Requirements | 2013 MBP FPS | 2016 MBP FPS | 2014 iMac FPS |
---|---|---|---|---|
Fornite | Medium | 23.4 FPS Borderline | 47.1 FPS Playable | 96.5 FPS Smooth |
Starcraft 2 | Low | 33.8 FPS Playable | 70.1 FPS Smooth | 115.9 FPS Smooth |
CS: GO | Low | 34 FPS Playable | 50.9 FPS Playable | 79.8 FPS Smooth |
Expand to see how to interpret these results
For your reference, this is how we describe the different levels of performance (in frames per second):
Below 20 FPS | Unplayable | Laggy gameplay, full of stutters and slowdowns. |
20-30 FPS | Borderline | Can be Ok in slow paced games. Still, not optimal. |
30-45 FPS | Playable | Acceptable for most (most gaming consoles do this). |
45-60 FPS | Smooth | Fluid gameplay, with no perceivable stutters. |
60+ FPS | Very Smooth | For hardcore and professional players, a luxury for most. |
We usually aim for 30 FPS, because 30 FPS is enough to guarantee a smooth and fluid experience. This YouTube video does a great job at showing the differences between 30 FPS VS 60 FPS.
Why test games at 1280×800 instead of 1080p? Keep in mind that most of us have MacBooks that are not meant to be game machines. We prefer to stick to 12080×800 to give older Macs a chance (that said, our Performance reviews do include tests at 1080p.
In a nutshell:
The best MMORPG for MacBook owners is The Lord of the Rings Online whereas the most demanding MMORPG on Mac is Final Fantasy Online.
The Competition: Even more Free Mac games to download
This is a very big list we’ve put together for you, but not big enough to cover everything. As more games are made available for free in an effort to draw gamers into their community, there’s more we have to look at.
As such, here’s a list of games that didn’t quite crack our top 20 but are good enough to get a recommendation from us
Games | Games | Our take | Demand Level | Free games only? |
---|---|---|---|---|
Wild Terra Online | A hardcore sandbox RPG, the world of Wild Terra Online is created completely by the players. As with some previous games on the list, you improve your skills by using them, learning to craft all the things you’ll need to survive. Difficult and grindy but rewarding, Wild Terra Online allows you to create the character you want and do what you will as long as you survive. Metascore | Not demanding | No | |
Free-to-Play | RPG MO | A retro style MMORPG, RPG MO is for fans of RuneScape and Ultima Online. Another open-world sandbox MMO, RPG MO is known for its player-made economy and being truly free-to-play. You’ll have the usual grind, but you also get a house and pets for relaxing. And with modest system requirements, RPG MO is great for throwback fans with older and mid-range machines. Metascore | Not demanding | Yes |
WAKFU | Another game featuring a player-driven economy, WAKFU is also known for its beautiful anime style, its turn-based tactical combat, and its unique class system. You’ll also have the usual crafting, quests, dungeons and battles you’d expect in a MMORPG. A unique and fun anime MMO, WAKFU suffers as some others do from a small user base, making a player-built world difficult to maintain. Metascore | Not demanding | Yes | |
Free-to-Play | Planetshift | Planeshift is a completely free 3D MMORPG set, inside a giant stalactite attached to the roof of an even more giant cave. Containing all the classic RPG elements, Planeshift, like several others in this list, allows you to chart your own path as you explore the world of Yliakum. Metascore | Not demanding | Yes |
Ryzom | Another free and open source MMORPG, though with subscriptions available, Ryzom is set in a science fiction/fantasy world and features a classless system and a world that responds to your actions. Another persistent 3D world MMO, the developers are also very open about seeking input from players to help in the game’s development. Metascore | Not demanding | Yes | |
Free-to-Play | Puzzle Pirates | Looking for something a little more casual and less focused on RPG elements? Puzzle Pirates may be what you’re looking for. You’ll be a pirate progressing through the game by solving various puzzles and mini-games. Don’t be deceived by a cartoony look and some casual-looking puzzles, this isn’t a kids or mobile game. With single & multiplayer, including cooperative multiplayer, Puzzle Pirates is a different take on the MMO. Metascore | Not demanding | Yes |
Champions of Regnum | This is the epitome of a Japanese grinding MMORPG. After starting out and getting to level 10 or so, the quests fade out and the only thing left to do is wait for special events like realm vs realm battles, or pay for boosts from the online store to help level-up and grab a mount for traveling speed. The beauty of Regnum is the singular focus on PvP combat. There is no crafting, no raiding, and almost no high-level content. Learning to battle at end game (level 60+warmaster) is the key to Regnum. Metascore | Not demanding | Yes |
We know that game fandom is subjective. We all have our own filters that lead us to a specific genre or title, but there’s a lot of commonality in those filters. Here’s what we used to determine which games should be included here and where they should rank.
Native
You’d be surprised how many Top Games for macOS lists feature Windows-only games. Not here. Each and every one of the games mentioned here is officially supported on MacOS and does not require Bootcamp or Wine.
Mac Performance
Having said that, we haven’t specifically tested each game on multiple Mac systems. Because all of these games can be freely downloaded and tested, we didn’t feel the need to benchmark. Check our comments on each game, however, to see which of them are prone to lags or will work well on older Mac systems.
Critical acclaim
We know that our opinions are not the only ones that matter. To keep this guide as relevant as possible, we only considered proven games with positive reviews from both professional reviewers and average gamers.
Pricing: How much are these Mac games REALLY?
As we mentioned before, there’s a distinction between free and free-to-play (F2P). Both are included here, but check our designations to see which are really free and which require microtransactions of various sorts.
Great games are available at any cost. And although there are features and options in $60 titles that you’ll rarely find for free, we continue to be amazed by how much entertainment you can get out of a game that won’t cost you a dime to play. We had a lot of fun learning about and playing these games, and we hope you will, too.
As you check them out, we only have two requests for you. First, be sure to tell us about any great Mac free games we missed. And second, if you can, send some financial love to the developers.
Games For Mac Computers
Game development is a hard road to travel, and these people deserve to be rewarded.
Disclaimer: Some of the links above are affiliate links, which means that if you choose to make a purchase, I will earn a commission (this is how we pay the bills). This commission comes at no additional cost to you.
If you’re a Mac user then you’d already know that Apple’s computers aren’t really known for their gaming prowess. Similarly priced Windows PCs have far better gaming performance and therefore Windows users have access to many more games. However, that doesn’t mean our Mac using brethren will have to invest in a Windows PC in order to play games. Quite a few popular games for Windows have now been ported to macOS and Mac users even have a ton of great free titles to jumpstart their gaming journey. So, if you’re a Mac user who’s been meaning to delve into the vast world of gaming then you’ve come to the right place. We’ve curated a list of the 15 best free Mac games, spanning across various genres, that you should try before investing in more premium titles.
Best Free Mac Games You Should Play
First-Person Shooters
1. Fortnite Battle Royale
Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last year or so, then you’ve probably already heard of Fortnite, the battle royale sensation that has taken almost all popular streaming platforms. Developed by Epic games, Fortnite Battle Royale takes you in a flying bus to a giant map where you’ll have to find weapons, collect resources and fight 99 other players to become the last man standing. The game is quite demanding and requires a specific API, so you won’t be able to play on any old MacBook.
The game requires Macs that support the Metal API and are running macOS 10.12.6 or above. Minimum system requirements for Fortnite Battle Royale include a 2.4GHz Intel Core i3 processor, 4GB of RAM and Intel HD 4000 graphics card. Even if you have that configuration, don’t expect the game to run as well as it would run on a gaming laptop. But if you’re planning to game on a Mac, you’ll have to make that compromise.
2. Paladins
Hi-Rez Studios’ Paladins is a nearly identical Overwatch clone which is available on macOS. The game, much like Blizzard’s Overwatch, allows players to choose a champion which are divided into four categories – front line, damage, support and flank – and play with their friends to take down the enemy team. The game has three different game modes and a large champion pool, boasting of a variety of champions with vastly different abilities and play styles.
Along with the first-person shooter elements, the game lays a whole lot of importance on team play and strategy, with each match a little bit different than the previous. Much like Fortnite, Palandins is also a rather demanding game and won’t run on low-end machines. Minimum requirements for Paladins on Mac include OS X 10.10 or above, an Intel Core 2 Duo 2.4GHz processor, 2GB of RAM and a dedicated graphics card with 512MB of VRAM and Shader Model 3.0+ support.
3. Fistful of Frags
Fistful of Frags is another great first-person shooter for Macs which is based in the American Wild West. Although the game doesn’t look very impressive, compared to modern FPS titles, it pays a lot of attention to combat mechanics which makes it quite challenging and fun to play. The games features a number of modes, including several single player challenges and multiplayer modes. Multiplayer modes include a fast-paced battle royale mode, a team-based death match, a team elimination mode and a 1v1 dual mode.
Unlike +modern FPS titles, which feature modern weapons, Fistful of Frags features historical black gunpowder based weapons such as the Colt Peacemaker, S&W Schofield, Volcanic Pistol, Sharps Rifle, etc. In order to run the game, you’ll need a Mac running OS X 10.7.x or above, a dual core Intel processor, at least 1GB of RAM and an Intel HD 3000 GPU or higher. This means that you’ll be able to run the game on pretty much any machine as long as it’s from 2016 or later.
4. Team Fortress 2
Team Fortress 2 is an evergreen title which, albeit a little dated, is still a whole lot of fun. The games features cartoon-styled graphics and players get to choose from 9 different classes of characters. The classes are further divided into three groups, including the Offense group, the Support group and the Defense group. Developed by Valve, the game is just too damn entertaining and it’s definitely worth a shot if you haven’t tried it out already.
Team Fortress 2 has a variety of game modes, including Capture the Flag and King of the Hill, which you can enjoy with your friends or play with random people online. In order to run the game, you’ll need a device running OS X version 10.5.8 or above, with at least a 1.7GHz processor, 1GB of RAM and Intel HD 3000 graphics or higher.
Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA)
1. League of Legends
Possibly the world’s most played game in the world, League of Legends is a multiplayer online battle arena game in which two teams of 5 players play against each other to take down the other team’s nexus. The game boasts of an insane champion pool, with over 137 champions, each of which have different abilities and play styles. The champions are divided into five primary categories, including marksman, mage, support, tank and fighter, each of which have different roles in the game.
Since the game has a number of different champions and a ton of items, it has a steep learning curve, but if you find someone to help you out or watch a few YouTube videos about the game, you can get a decent head start over other newbies. The games has a number of different maps and game modes, however, the primary objective remains the same in each mode – destroy the enemy nexus. Riot Games, the developer, invests a lot of time and effort to constantly update the game and introduce new champions and rotating game modes, so you’ll surely never get bored. In order to run the game, you’ll require a Mac running OS X 10.8.5 or higher, with a 2GHz processor, at least 2GB of RAM, and an Nvidia GeForce 8600M GT or better GPU. The game manages to run on Intel HD graphics as well, but the experience won’t be as good as you’d expect.
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2. DOTA 2
DOTA 2 is another popular multiplayer online battle arena game which, in essence, is a lot like League of Legends. The sole objective remains the same, destroying the enemy’s base, with the most important structure being the Ancient instead of the nexus. You can choose from over a hundred unique heroes with different play styles and once again, the game has a major learning curve to it.
Aug 16, 2016 UNO is a virtual implementation of the famous classic card game which is traditional for family gatherings and parties. This version by Ubisoft allows you to enjoy all features of the game in online multiplayer matches as well as in single-player offline sessions. Download UNO Card Game For PC Free Full Version. Ghazala Batool January 15, 2018 Card Game. About The Game. UNO is a casual video game that was released in PC and Microsoft Windows. Release date of this installment is 8 Dec, 2016. This installment was developed by Carbonated Games, Gameloft and published by UBISoft. Uno games for pc.
Unlike League of Legends, however, all heroes a free to play from the beginning and you don’t have to grind for in-game currency to buy new heroes. DOTA 2 is also constantly updated which keeps it interesting for both new and old players alike. In order to run DOTA 2, you’ll need a system running OS X Mavericks 10.9 or newer, with at least a dual core processor from Intel, 4GB of RAM, and Intel HD 3000 graphics or higher. For both League of Legends and DOTA 2 you’ll also need a fairly stable internet connection because both the games are quite fast paced and split-second reactions go a long way in swaying the outcomes of matches.
3. Heroes of the Storm
Heroes of the Storm is Blizzard’s answer to League of Legends and DOTA 2, with similar game mechanics and objectives. However, while League of Legends and DOTA 2 have a top-down perspective of the maps, Heroes of the Storm has a slightly different perspective, which gives a unique feel. Otherwise, the game follows pretty much the same basic tenets of a MOBA – choose a champion, play along with your team and destroy the enemy base.
The game has a variety of heroes with unique abilities and roles that you can control to take down the enemy. Heroes of the Storm is also updated constantly, with Blizzard introducing new content and events to keep players hooked. If you wish to run Heroes of the Storm on your Mac, you’ll require a device running OS X 10.9.x or newer, at least an Intel Core 2 Duo processor, an Nvidia GeForce 330M or better and 4GB of RAM.
Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games (MMORPG)
1. World of Warcraft
Another title from Blizzard that has made it to the list is the much acclaimed World of Warcraft. The game, which boasts of one of the largest virtual open worlds ever created, is probably one of the most addictive games I’ve ever played. Players get to choose characters from a variety of classes and races which are divided between two warring factions, the Alliance or the Horde. Each class has its own specific play style and each race that qualifies for the class brings with it some of its own unique passives, giving players a variety of different ways in which they can choose to play the game.
The game has immersive PvP and PvE elements, in which you can choose to fight alongside your faction to take down players from the other faction or join a guild to take down massive mythic monsters scattered around the large open world. The game is very engaging and has a amazing story line which makes progressing in the game rewarding and entertaining. While World of Warcraft ins’t completely free, you can play the first twenty levels of the game for free which will give you a fair idea about the game’s mechanics. In case you like the game, you can choose to pay a small fee and continue playing past level 20. To run the game on your Mac, you’ll require a system running OS X 10.12, powered by an Intel Core i5-750M or better coupled with an Intel HD 530 or better, and at least 4GB of RAM. Since the game is so massive, you’ll also need at least 70GB of free space on your system.
2. Lord of the Rings Online
Another great MMO which follows the storyline of the epic Lord of the Rings saga is, you guessed it, Lord of the Rings Online. The game, which is developed by Turbine, is perfect for fans of the LOTR franchise and takes the player on an amazing journey across Middle-Earth. Pretty much everything about the game is free and the game doesn’t offer a pay to win mechanic, but it does hide some premium features behind a small fee, which is quite justifiable since it offers so much for free.
The game is pretty much like every role-playing game out there, you pick up a character and go on an adventure across Middle-Earth taking down enemies and making some friends in the process. In order to run the game on your Mac, you’ll need to be running OS X 10.7.5 or newer, powered by an Intel Core i5 processor, at least 2GB of RAM and Intel HD 3000 graphics or better. The game will also require at least 25GB of free hard drive space for installation.
Real-Time Strategy Games
1. Starcraft II
If you like strategy games more than anything else, then you’d probably enjoy Starcraft II. Another one of Blizzard’s highly-acclaimed titles, Starcraft II is a military science fiction based real-time strategy game in which players wage an intergalactic war. The game has an epic story campaign, one of the best multiplayer modes in the genre and collaborative co-op missions.
While the game isn’t completely free, its Wings of Liberty campaign is completely free and will give you a fair idea of the game. Once you get a hang of the game in the campaign, you can also play unranked matches against opponents or take down AI without paying a dime. You can even unlock ranked mode by completing 10 first wins of the day in unraked or versus AI, which is a small price to pay for so much free content. On top of that, the game also offers three commander for free in their entirety, with all other commanders available for free up till level 5. To run the game you’ll require a system running OS X 10.11, an Intel Core 2 Duo processor, an Nvidia GeForce GT 330Mor better, 4GB of RAM and you’ll require 30GB of free space on your hard drive.
2. 0 A.D.
Developed by Wildfire Games, 0 A.D is a free and open-source real-time strategy title which focuses on a historical war much like Age of Empires. In fact, the game initially began as a total conversion mod concept for Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings and then took its own path to become a completely independent title. As you’d expect, the gameplay is quite a lot like Age of Empires, with players training an army and undertaking technology and combat research to take down opponents.
0 A.D. offers both single player and multiplayer modes. In the single player mode, players take down AI-controlled enemies, while in multiplayer mode you’ll be facing other players in real-time combat. The game offers a total of thirteen ancient civilizations which have their own progression tree, their own unique armies and different play styles. What’s really great that the game will run on any Mac purchased after 2006, all it requires is for you to be running OS X 10.8 or later.
Card-Based Strategy Games
1. Hearthstone
If you’re a fan of card-based strategy game then you should definitely give Hearthstone a shot. The game, which features cards based on characters from the World of Warcraft universe, has been developed by Blizzard and supports cross-platform play. Much like other card-based strategy games, the game utilizes a turn-based mechanism in which two opponents compete with each other using their decks of 30 cards along with a selected hero.
Unlike other Blizzard games on this list, which are free to a certain extent, Hearthstone is completely free on all platforms and you can easily transition between your Windows, Mac, iOS or Android device using the same profile. The game features cards that are based on a total of 9 classes and all classes have their own unique cards and abilities. It’s honestly a whole lot of fun and if you’ve ever played a card-based game before you’ll feel right at home with Hearthstone. In order to run the game you’ll require a system running OS X 10.10 or newer, powered by at least an Intel Core 2 Duo processor, an Nvidia GeForce 8600M GT graphics card or better, at least 2GB of RAM and a decent internet connection.
2. The Elder Scrolls: Legends
Much like Hearthstone, The Elder Scrolls: Legends is also a card-based strategy game which follows the same underlying mechanic of other 1v1 turn-based card games. However, unlike Hearthstone, which is based on characters from the World of Warcraft universe, The Elder Scrolls: Legends is based on characters from the Elder Scroll universe. So if you’re a fan of any Elder Scrolls game, you’ll be familiar with most of the cards in game.
The game is completely free to play, but offers some in-app purchases and a trading system which will allow you to get a better deck of cards more quickly. It offers several game modes, allowing players to play on their own against an AI or play against other players in real-time. In order to run the game you’ll require a system running OS X 10.8 or later, powered by an Intel Core 2 Duo processor coupled with 2GB of RAM and an Nvidial GeForce 8600M GT graphics card or better. You’ll also need a decent internet connection so that you don’t lose any multiplayer games because of random disconnecting or lag.
Casual Games
1. Spelunky
If all of the aforementioned games seem a bit too intense for your taste, then you can play Spelunky – a free to play indie-adventure game in which you’ll control an unnamed adventurer/explorer known as the Spelunker and explore the underground tunnels to gather all the treasure you can lay your hands on. While it may sound a bit too easy, the game has a number of traps and enemies which you’ll have to take down while hunting for the treasure.
All the levels are randomly generated so the game remains interesting for a long time, however, it may get a bit frustrating as you’ll have to begin from scratch every time you die in a level. Thanks to its old-school design, the game barely requires any processing power to run, which means that it can easily run on older Mac devices. The game is completely free from start to finish, with no hidden charges whatsoever.
2. OLDTV
Another great game for casual gamers which will keep you entertained for quite a while is OLDTV. The game has a very simple backdrop – you play as a gifted child who switches through every channel on an old TV. The game tests your focus and mental ability, providing challenges one after the other.
Since the game primarily requires players to solve a bunch of puzzles, I’m not going to spoil it by going too much into details, but I’d highly recommend it to everyone who likes a decent challenge from time to time. However, since the game has a lot of flashing screens and the gameplay depends on a player’s ability to differentiate colors, it isn’t recommended for anyone who’s prone to epilepsy or any form of color blindness. In order to run the game you’ll require a system running OS X 10.7 or higher, with at least a 1.80GHz processor, 2GB of RAM and any video card with 512MB of VRAM.
SEE ALSO: 15 Best Online Games for PC You Can Play
These are the Best Free Games for Mac
Well, that rounds up our list of the 15 best Mac games you should try. You can choose one (or more) of the aforementioned games depending on the genres you like or you could give each of them a shot and find out which one suits your fancy. Do let us know if you fall in love with any of the aforementioned games and make sure you drop a comment letting us know in case we’ve missed out a title that you really like.
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