When I'm looking for a free online game to play, these are the most important features which I look out for in a free games site:

• Free should mean free - if it's play for free until you get addicted, then you have to pay a fee to progress to higher levels, then no thanks, I'm not interested.
• No signups - I don't want to have to sign up for your 'free' newsletter and I don't want to have to log in to play a straightforward game.
• No annoying adverts - this speaks for itself really. I don't mind unobtrusive ads (heck, we've all got to make a living, and the site is providing a free service after all). But I don't want to see garish, flickering distractions or lots of popups - I need all my concentration to play the game.
• No toolbars to install - optional toolbars are OK, but I don't want to have to install any to play.
• Good choice of games - the best free online games sites will have a variety of different games to suit all interests.

I like to be able to visit a site, find an interesting game and get on with it straight away, without having to register or download anything. When I find a game that I really enjoy and want to go back to, I don't mind registering so that my scores can be saved, but it has to be my choice.

Miniclip claims 43 million unique users a month, and with their outstanding collection of over 300 free online games, it's easy to see why.

As well as the more popular games such as action, sports and shoot 'em ups, there are other collections such as brain training games, multiplayer games and political games (including a great Presidential Paintball game featuring Clinton, Obama and Giuliano). There is even a collection of games which can be played on your Nintendo Wii.

If you have your own blog or website, Miniclip offer a set of games which you can embed into your site.

Play free online games at Miniclip.

Orisinal offers a set of 59 very original, beautifully drawn Flash games, created by Ferry Halim. Many of the games feature cute animals, with gorgeous backgrounds and relaxing music.

Winterbells is one of the most popular games on the Orisinal site. It involves guiding a white rabbit gently up through the night sky by leaping onto the white bells, which get smaller as you progress.

Orsinal is a great site to visit when you are feeling stressed out or tired. The games are intriguing enough to occupy your mind, while the music and soft colors encourage you to relax.

Play free online games at Orisinal

Nitrome games are a treat for your eyes with their beautiful colors and pixel art styling. Although the games are modern, they have a retro feel, and are accompanied by some great music tracks.

The games are original and interesting to play, although some of them are too difficult for me. One of my favorites is Yin Yang, where you have to control two characters, one black one white, who move in opposite directions to each other in different worlds at the same time.

Highly recommended - definitely worth a visit if you have a spare hour or two.

Play free online games at Nitrome.

Andkon Arcade has over 1000 free Flash games for you to play.

The games are divided into categories, including, Sport, Adventure and Action, Casino and Chance, Racing and Car games, Fly 'n' Shoot, Quick Reflex, Puzzle, Missile Defender, Obstacle and Skill games, Pong, Tetris and Block Games.

The video shows one of the draw and play games where you design and draw your own track.

The site is updated with new games every Friday, so keep checking back to make sure you don't miss any.

Play free online games at Andkon Arcade.

Although only offering a small collection of games, Matica is definitely worth a visit as it has some quite addictive and original online games.

Matica Brain Gym is a great brain training workout. You can play in quick play mode without registering. However, if you enjoy playing the game and feel it's doing your brain some good, you can register and then your scores will be stored for you, so you can see how you are improving day by day.

Another good game on this site is the Sudoku. Unline the traditional sudoku game, you start with a blank grid and numbers appear at the top - you have to think quickly and place them where they will keep to sudoku rules (a bit like Tetris, but with numbers instead of shapes).

Play free online games on Matica.

Kewlbox is the launchpad for games created by Blockdot, who specialize in Advergames and viral marketing campaigns. There's a nice collection of games here. Some of them show an advertisement while the game is loading, but that doesn't spoil them.

Popular games on Kewlbox include Saw IV Trapped, Tax Smack (take out your tax rage on your virtual accountant) and Berry Brawl (have a fruit fight).

Many of the games on Kewlbox can be downloaded for Windows or Macs, as well as having play online versions.

Play free online games at Kewlbox.

If you're sitting in front of a computer with internet access, there's no excuse for boredom. All you need to do is check out the best free online games sites and you need never be bored again.

Online you will find every type of game to play for free: classic arcade games, shoot 'em ups, puzzle games, card games, word games, motorsports games, platform games, MMO (massively multiplayer online) games, action games, adventure games, board games, casino games, sports games, strategy games plus lots of games for kids.

You will find games to suit every mood. As well as games which are purely for fun, there are games to improve your mind and even some which will help you to relax.

If you can't get online games to load, make sure you've got the latest versions of Adobe Flash and Adobe Shockwave. Most online games need either Flash or Shockwave to run, and they're both available as free downloads.

Download the latest version of Adobe Flash and Adobe Shockwave.