Who said YouTube is just an app for passively watching videos? The platform, born in 2005 as a dating site, has a more or less hidden section, called Games roomwhich allows you to launch various mini-games directly from the Google service, without downloading applications or installing additional programs. The free games can be played from both smartphones and computers and progress is automatically saved, so you can continue a game even from another device. Let’s see, then, how to play on YouTube using this function that is more or less unknown to most people.
How to play on YouTube from your smartphone or computer and where to find them
But now let’s get to the fun part and see how to find the Game Room on YouTube. The procedure varies slightly depending on the device you are using.
If you use a smartphone, just open the YouTube app for Android and iPhone and look for the Game Room section. Therefore, go to the Home section, then tap the Explore button (the one that represents a compass and which is located at the top of the screen, immediately under the YouTube logo) and then tap the Game Room item. Then, scroll through the proposed titles, possibly filtering the results by opening the For you menu and selecting the desired order (e.g. From A to Z, From Z to A, Most recent or Oldest). To start a game, simply tap on the game card and try it.
Please note that the feature is available for devices that meet the following requirements:
- YouTube app version: 20.46 or later (for Android) or 20.44 or later (for iOS)
- Android version: S and above; O, P, Q, R (only on 64-bit or 32-bit high-memory devices)
- iOS version: 14.0 and later.
On a computer the procedure is essentially identical: simply open YouTube from one of the browsers that support the function (Chrome, Safari or Firefox) and reach the section dedicated to mini-games by clicking on the ≡ button, then on Show more and then on Game room. With one click you can then start your favorite game from those available.
An interesting feature of this function concerns i game progress. These are automatically saved and synced between supported devices where you are signed in to the same YouTube account. As YouTube explains «Your Game Room history is stored in your YouTube History, where it’s easy to find games you’ve recently played. When turned on, History helps us provide relevant game recommendations. You can check your Game Room history by deleting or disabling it. Any games you play while history is turned off don’t appear in YouTube History».
Since when did the Game Room exist (Playables)
The first trace of the function dates back to September 5, 2023when YouTube announced the start of a test called Playables. The goal was to experiment with a new experience integrated directly into the platform. Some selected users could have found a section dedicated to games on the YouTube home page, with titles that can be used on both computers and mobile devices.
In that first phase the function was only available to a limited number of users. In the announcement (which you can find on this page) YouTube explained that it was possible to manage both saved games and progress made in games from the platform’s history.
Today, in the Italian version of YouTube, the experience is called Games room and allows you to access the titles available directly from YouTube. The platform also continues to add new games, so the offering may change over time.
Which are the most popular on the platform
At the time we are writing this article, the most popular games on YouTube are the following:
- Bridge Race: collect bricks of your color to build a bridge and overcome your opponents, trying to reach the finish line first.
- Build a Queen: a running game where you have to collect the right clothes along the way to create the perfect themed outfit for your queen.
- Man Runner 2048: joins the race to the game 2048; you have to absorb characters with the same number as you to grow bigger and have the strength to defeat the final boss.
- Thief Puzzle: a tongue-in-cheek puzzle game where you have to stretch and bend a thief’s elastic arm to steal items, while avoiding traps and obstacles.
- Hole.io: You control a black hole in a city: you have to swallow objects, buildings and other players to become the largest black hole within the time limit.
- Draw Bridge – Brain Game: a puzzle in which you have to draw a line with your finger that will act as a bridge, allowing a vehicle to cross ravines safely.
- Stealth Master: an action game where you play as a silent ninja: you have to sneak through levels, dodge cameras and eliminate guards secretly.
- DIY Desserts: a relaxing simulator in which you prepare rolled ice creams, cakes and personalized desserts, following customers’ tastes and requests.
- Save The Pets: draw a line to create a protective shield (of the shape you prefer) to save some poor puppies from an attack by a swarm of bees.
- Tall Man Run: you run along a path trying to pass through positive portals (which make you grow taller and wider) to defeat the giant enemy at the end.
- Snake Clash!: a variant of the classic snake game: eat food and smaller snakes to grow enormously and survive in the multiplayer arena.
- Going Balls: guide a rolling ball along difficult 3D courses suspended in the air, overcoming ramps, obstacles and traps without falling.
The ranking of the most popular titles can be easily found by going to the Explore > Arcade section of YouTube and then tapping the Home tab. In fact, from here the Popular section will be clearly visible, which collects the 12 titles most played by users at a given moment.
