Best free games to download & play on PC, PS5, Xbox, or Nintendo Switch

It might be difficult to choose the finest free-to-play games to play, especially since the list keeps growing every month. So, we’ve put together a list of the best free games available for download in 2024.

The best thing about free games is that they just need the bare minimum of your hardware to play, and the cherry on top is that you don’t need to spend a single penny on them. They let you hang out with pals and test out various games, or if you’re new to gaming, they let you get started without costing you a cent.

The best free games naturally tend to offer additional paid extras such as cosmetics or battle passes, but if you jump in without spending anything you’ll still have a great time.

So, without further adieu, here are our picks for the best free games in 2024 for you to download on PC, PS5, Xbox, or Nintendo Switch to play right now.

Contents

• Apex Legends
• The Finals
• Brawlhalla
• Counter Strike 2
• Doki Doki Literature Club
• Dauntless
• Destiny 2
• DOTA 2
• Fortnite
• Halo Infinite
• Genshin Impact
• Rocket League
• Valorant
• Warframe
• Best upcoming free-to-play game

Apex Legends

Platforms: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series S|X, Nintendo Switch, PC

EA may have sent Titanfall 2 to die back in 2016 up against Battlefield and Call of Duty, but the best thing to come from it was Apex Legends. A spin-off of sorts that in many ways has eclipsed the original, Apex Legends is a battle royale with unique characters called Legends.

Each has its own set of abilities, which combine with fluid movement and shooting mechanics to create a squad-based battle royale that feels unique from others in the genre.

The Finals

The Finals

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S|X, PC

The Finals was released as a surprise during The Game Awards as the game was released right after the trailer feature during the show. Owing to this, the game earned a lot of hype as it was released, and rightfully so. The game allows players to battle their teammates in virtual arenas.

The combo of a first-person shooter with in-game chaos is really fun to experience in a multiplayer game making The Finals a must-play if you’re looking for a fun free-to-play game.

Brawlhalla

Platforms: PlayStation 4, PC, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Android, iOS, macOS

Brawlhalla is one of the most popular free-to-play fighting games. Apart from the fact that you don’t have to spend a single penny to buy the game, Brawlhalla has a vast roster of characters from across pop culture.

From Ezio to Aang, you can select any character and brawl with your friends and the best part is that the game is cross-platform which means you can play with your friend playing on a console while you play the game on your phone or any other platform for that matter.

Counter Strike 2

Platforms: PC

CS2 or Counter-Strike 2 is the successor to the global phenomenon that was CSGO. Counter-Strike arguably is the grandaddy of tactical shooters. The game is highly competitive and one that rewards quick thinking and even quicker reflexes, while also being one of the longest-running and most popular esports in history.

Valve’s shooter may offer weapon skins that can cost more than a car, but you can try it out for nothing – making it an ideal choice for one of the best free games in 2024.

Doki Doki Literature Club

Team Salvato

Platforms: Linux, Microsoft Windows, Mac

Doki Doki Literature Club is a game that looks like a standard dating sim. However, that is exactly what the game wants you to think. The game begins as a dating sim but what lies underneath is a brutal and extremely disturbing psychological horror experience.

That being said, the game is not for the faint-hearted and features gore and violence. If you do intend to play the game, however, it’s best to not read more information about it and jump in blindly to get the true grotesque experience.

Dauntless

Platforms: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series S|X, Nintendo Switch, PC

Dauntless takes the core Monster Hunter formula of killing giant beasts to turn them into weapons and armor, but strips out a lot of the more impenetrable elements and boils it down to a great co-op action title that won’t cost you a penny.

The game keeps growing, and offers cross-play and cross-progression, too, meaning you can pick up where you left off.

Destiny 2

Platforms: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series S|X, PC

Working as a bizarre hybrid of a first-person shooter and an MMO, Destiny 2 may have launched in 2017 but it’s really hit its stride in the last 18 months or so. That’s largely thanks to its story focusing on more personal moments, as well as the combat being some of the most satisfying in gaming today.

While the free-to-play version has been cut down considerably, there’s still plenty to see and do, and it’s great to play with friends, too.

DOTA 2

Platforms: PC

DOTA 2 is as complex as it is addictive, building from humble beginnings to become one of Steam’s most popular titles. Sharing to MOBA crown with League of Legends, DOTA is full of powerful heroes and tactical considerations.

It may take you hundreds of hours to feel like you’ve gained a strong grasp of its deeper mechanics, but there’s nothing quite like it when it clicks.

Fortnite

Platforms: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series S|X, Nintendo Switch, PC

No list of the best free games in 2024 would be complete without arguably the biggest game in the world right now. Fortnite has continued to adapt and evolve over the years adding various new modes, characters and collaborations.

If not for the competitive Battle Royale, you can check out Fortnite for its collaborations with iconic artists such as Weeknd and the latest record-breaking Eminem Big Bang Event.

Halo Infinite

Platforms: Xbox One, Xbox Series S|X, PC

While Halo Infinite’s campaign is very good, it’s multiplayer that’s likely to keep players logging in over the coming months. Capturing the magic of Halo 3, this free-to-play suite offers plenty of maps and modes, as well as a battle pass to earn unlocks for free.

While Halo’s unique pace will take some getting used to, Halo Infinite rewards skilled players while also making newcomers feel at home with a lengthy tutorial and a bot-based playlist. It’s worth noting, though, that the game’s community has dwindled since launch due to a lack of sizeable content updates – here’s hoping it’ll grow again soon.

Genshin Impact

Platforms: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, PC

While many laughed off Genshin Impact as a Zelda clone back at its unveiling, the game has become nothing short of a phenomenon. Sure, there are plenty of visual similarities, but the game also offers its own unique identity.

Using a Gacha system, players will undoubtedly need to grind to earn Genshin Impact’s best characters and loot, but it’s well worth the time. The game offers a huge open world to explore, while also including satisfying action RPG combat that makes it one of the best free games — and one of the most generous.

Rocket League

Platforms: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series S|X, Nintendo Switch, PC

Rocket League is perhaps one of gaming’s simplest concepts to explain, even to non-gamers — it’s football (or soccer), but with cars. Don’t expect anything as basic from the gameplay, though, as Rocket League has one of gaming’s most notoriously high skill ceilings.

While it’ll take time to find your feet (or should that be wheels?), you’ll soon be flying through the air to score a stunning, tournament-winning goal in one of the best free games you’ll find today.

Valorant

Platforms: PC

Riot may be dominating a lot of this list, but Valorant is the developer’s latest free-to-play sensation. Standing on the shoulders of what came before (in this case, it’s CS: GO), Valorant is an insanely popular shooter that rewards precision and patience.

With regular updates adding new Agents, maps, and more, the game has become an esports juggernaut already.

Warframe

Platforms: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series S|X, Nintendo Switch, PC

Ninjas are cool, there’s no questioning that, but space ninjas? They’re even cooler. Warframe smartly wraps this understanding into every facet of its ever-expanding universe. Not only does Warframe offer diverse character classes, but it also keeps growing.

What began as a corridor shooter now has open-world segments, huge ship-to-ship battles, and multiple single-player storylines that weave a universe’s worth of lore throughout.

Best upcoming free-to-play game

Warner Bros. Games

Multiversus is a crossover fighting game that shares certain similarities to Super Smash Bros. The game was originally announced back in 2021, after which the game was released in early access from 2022 to 2023. Finally, after three years the full game is set to launch on May 28, 2024.

Those are the best free games you can play right now in 2024, but there are plenty more lists at Dexerto. Be sure to check out the following.

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