Facebook Messenger is a popular messaging app that allows you to easily connect with friends and family. In addition to sending messages, photos, videos, and more, Messenger also offers a variety of fun games that you can play directly in the app with your contacts.
Playing games is a great way to pass the time, get a little competitive, or just have fun with people you know. Messenger makes it easy by allowing you to launch games right in your existing conversations. There are classic games like chess and checkers, trivia games, drawing games, and more. Most are free and easy to learn.
Built-In Messenger Games
Messenger has several built-in games that you can play without downloading anything additional. These lightweight HTML5 games run right in the Messenger window.
8 Ball Pool
This is a simple billiards simulation game where you can play pool with a friend. Take turns aiming and shooting the cue ball to sink balls into the pockets. Whoever sinks the 8 ball wins. The graphics are cute and colorful.
Basketball
Challenge a friend to a game of hoops. You’ll each control a basketball team trying to score points by making baskets. Swipe to shoot and block. Keep stealing the ball back and try to get the high score.
Chesmates
If you like chess, this is a nice version for Messenger. You can play a standard game against the computer or a friend. Chesmates has difficulty levels so you can find a worthwhile opponent. The chess board renders right in your chat.
DOTS
This fast-paced game has you quickly connecting dots of the same color to clear them from the board. Work strategically and try to beat your opponent’s score. DOTS is simple but addictive.
Words With Friends
The popular Scrabble-like board game is available on Messenger. You can start a match, take turns making words, and keep score right inside your chat. It’s like playing in real life but you don’t have to share a board.
Classic Games
In addition to those built-in titles, there are classic online games you can access within Messenger as well. These include:
Chess
Challenge your friends to a game of chess – the classic strategy board game that needs no introduction. Chess enthusiasts will appreciate being able to play realtime matches through Messenger.
Checkers
Another age-old classic, checkers is easy to learn but offers enough strategy to keep games interesting. You can play casually or competitively with friends.
Snake
This retro arcade game remains popular today. Maneuver a snake around the board trying to eat apples. Whoever gets the longest snake wins. Simple but highly addictive.
Solitaire
When you want a game you can play alone, try this Solitaire app. The familiar card game is great for passing time. And it’s still just as satisfying when you clear the board.
Drawing & Guessing Games
Some of the most entertaining Messenger games involve a mix of drawing skills and guessing. These encourage creativity and interactions with friends.
Quick Draw!
Take turns drawing simple prompts like “dog” or “tree” while your friend tries to guess what you’re drawing before time runs out. This fast-paced game tests how well you know each other.
Words With Friends Draw
You get a word that you have to try and draw for your partner to guess. This drawing and guessing game based on Words With Friends adds silliness and challenges you to think visually.
Psych!
One player draws a prompt and the other has to come up with a fake answer and a real one. Then the artist guesses which one is correct. Psych! puts your artist skills and convincing abilities to the test.
Trivia & Word Games
If you really want to put your knowledge to the test against friends, check out these trivia and word games.
Chumba
Quick-paced trivia with multiple choice answers. You get coins for answering correctly and can also wager coins to earn more. Chumba’s fast pace keeps games exciting.
Words with Friends
In addition to the board game, there’s also a Words with Friends chat game. You’ll be given letters and have to form words taking turns with your opponent. Test your vocabulary and speed.
Wordfeud
Similar to Words with Friends, this competitive word game gives you letters and you have to submit valid words. You can challenge friends or get matched with a random opponent.
Cooperative Games
Most of the games in Messenger have you competing directly against friends. But these co-op titles have you working together toward a common goal.
GamePigeon Sea Battle
In this Battleship-style game, two players arrange ships on a grid and then take turns firing at coordinates and guessing where the opponent’s ships are. You win by sinking the other player’s fleet.
GamePigeon 4 in a Row
Take turns dropping discs into the grid to try and get 4 in a row horizontally, vertically, or diagonally. This one is fun because you collaborate to set up the board.
Thrilling Games
And if you really want to get the heart racing, check out these more action-oriented games.
GamePigeon 8 Ball Quick Fire Pool
With this pool game, you have just 15 seconds to line up your shot and sink as many balls as possible. It’s perfect for fast-paced competition with friends.
GamePigeon Wingman
One player flies a plane trying to avoid obstacles while the other draws in pathways to guide the pilot to safety. Fun teamwork with the intensity of a flight simulator.
GamePigeon Dunk Hunt
Bring back memories of Duck Hunt on NES! But this time your friend operates the dog trying to help you shoot down ducks. Simple but addictive gameplay.
Strategic Games
Do you prefer games that require careful thought and strategic decision making? These titles emphasize skill over luck.
Sudoku +
Flex your mental muscles with Sudoku, the number placement puzzle. This version starts easy and progresses to extremely hard puzzles with minimal clues. Solve on your own or race friends.
GamePigeon Battleship
The classic Battleship board game comes to Messenger. Position your ships secretly, then take turns firing missiles at each other to see who will sink their opponent’s fleet first.
GamePigeon Chess
Test your tactical thinking abilities against friends in this classic strategy board game. Win by putting the opponent into checkmate. Chess remains one of the best brain teasers.
Customizable Games
For added variety, these Messenger games allow you to customize rules and settings.
GamePigeon. Sea Battle
Before starting this Battleship game, you can choose to play on a small, medium or large grid, allowing for quicker or more drawn-out games. You can also tweak the number of ships.
GamePigeon Checkers
First set up your checkers match by choosing from different board sizes and pieces. You can enable multiple kings and jumps as house rules. Then start your game.
GamePigeon Darts
You and a friend take turns throwing darts at a board by adjusting angle and power. For extra variety you can choose from different game styles including classic 501 and Around the Clock.
Group Games
If you have a larger group, these games support more players so you can have fun all together.
GamePigeon. Sea Battle 2
This version of Battleship allows two teams of two players each. Now you can collaborate with a teammate which adds extra depth to placement strategies and attacks.
GamePigeon Basketball
Form teams of up to three players each and take to the basketball court. This silly physics game lets your whole group get in on a quick match together.
GamePigeon Checkers 2
Checkers supports up to 4 players, either competing individually or in teams of 2. More players make for more interesting strategies and longer games.
Non-Game Activities
In addition to games, there are other fun ways to interact with friends right in your Messenger chats.
Group Video Chat
Messenger allows up to 50 people to video chat together. It’s great for hanging out face-to-face with a large group of friends. You can casually chat or coordinate activities.
Group Voice Chat
If you want to talk live without the video, Messenger also provides ways for groups to connect via voice chat. This works well for just hanging out too.
Polls
The polling feature lets you ask multiple choice questions and quickly gather friends’ opinions and preferences. It’s an easy way to make group decisions.
GIFs & Memes
Messenger makes it simple to search for and share fun GIFs and memes during your conversations. This lightens the mood and gives you inside jokes.
Conclusion
Facebook Messenger offers much more than just messaging. The collection of games, group activities, and other features allows you to interact and have fun with friends directly inside your chats. So gather some friends, start a conversation, and explore the many ways you can connect right through Messenger without ever needing to download external apps. Whether you want a quick competitive game or to casually hang out, Messenger provides plenty of options.