Free Online Badminton Games

This game is the oldest of its kind but not the worst. It was originally developed for the Nintendo console back in the 1980's when most people where happy to see coloured pixels running around the screen and call it a fun game. Although the graphics here are blocky, as one would expect, the game takes into account all the rules of Badminton, albeit the old rules (ie. 15-point games and serving points). One is able choose from two types of shots, a flick/lob or a jumping smash. Keyboard controls are provided on the website itself. The game is very hard to win, as the computer rarely makes a mistake, but not impossible. Two player and doubles modes are also available. By holding an arrow key while hitting the shuttle you can give a direction to your shot and make your opponent make use of that footwork!

2. Badminton Game Version 1 (Flash required)
Rating: ***

The programmer of this game claims to have developed it out of sheer boredom. He simply couldn't find good badminton games online and so decided to make one himself. Although he later improves on it with Version 2, he does quite a good job here with gameplay and the kinetic physics of the shuttlecock. The players consist of a yellow and blue inverted cones with a sphere representing their heads. A racket is hovering next to each cone and swings violently with each shot. I found it extremely hard to beat as the computer player is way too fast. After 10 minutes of play I discovered that I can score easy points with a certain direction of smash, only when I don't lose the point first. The new 21-point game rules are used here.

3. Badminton Game Version 2 (Flash required)
Rating ****

This is where it really improves. Even though the controls are the same as in Verson 1, Version 2 is much more fun to play! First of all its easier to score points, but thats not all. We now have two human figures as our players which we can slide on the court using the arrow keys. As for variety and direction of shots this game can be called complete. The only thing which I miss is a doubles game. The shuttle physics are quite realistic and fast too, but not as fast as the real thing of course. Enjoy!

4. GeoGames: Beaver Badminton
Rating **

The National Geographic couldn't resist putting a nature-oriented game of badminton. Imagine a tree log as a net, a sand bed as a court and two beavers as players. What? No rackets? The beavers are using their wide flat tails as the tools of the game. :) The result is a funny little game which will appeal to kids. It is fairly easy as there is not even the need to click to take a shot as this is done automatically when you place the beaver in the general direction of the shuttle. The funny thing is that the shuttle never touches the ground and bounces off the perimeter of the court! Oh by the way! The shuttle is actually a cork and feather shuttle, not a live feathery little animal!

5. Novel Games: Star Badminton (Flash required)
Rating **

Star Badminton is a small modification of Badminton Game Ver 1. All gameplay is exactly the same, including its difficulty quota. The only difference is that we get to play with two cute little stars holding a racket instead of the more serious inverted cones. The background picture too has changed into a romantic starry night. So much for metaphors!

6. Revoke.ca Badminton (Flash required)
Rating: **

This badminton game is a modernised version of Super Dynamix Badminton. The graphics have been greatly improved by the author, the players are cartoonish at worst, but a joy to see them run and jump. And what a jump! You can make a player rise ten feet in the air without breaking a sweat. Unfortunately this game disregards some of the rules of the game. For example, the computer player always serves on the wrong side of the court but it is counted as good. Also, wherever the shuttle falls, its always in! An overall fun game!

7. Vom Netz Ans Netz (Translates: From the net to the net) (Flash 8 or better required)
Rating: ***** 5 star

This is by far the prettiest online badminton game you can find on the internet. The game uses realistic graphics, great movements and very convincing shots and shuttle flights. Its only flaw is that it is in German, but that shouldn't stop you from registering (required but free). The game will allow you to play in training or in tournament mode, against the computer. You can select your difficulty level depending on your choice of opponent in training mode, while in Tournament mode the difficulty increases as you progress. The Team choice allows you to join a group of friends and get listed in the highscores.

The shots on offer include, lobs, smashes, drop shots and clears and you can direct each shot via the arrow keys. Its very fast game, almost as fast as playing real badminton but without burning those fatty calories! Crowds will cheer and players will show their enthusiasm. Overall the best online badminton game around.

8. Panda Badminton (Shockwave Player required)
Rating: *

This one is another game for the kiddies. They will love seeing the Pandas and Robots flash the racket around! They strangely use wedge shaped timber rackets, preferred by the Japanese for outdoor badminton play. It is a platform 2d game and has no element of depth. Very colourful! Otherwise, not much to be commented on.

9. Doraemon Cartoon Badminton (Flash required)
Rating: ****

The famous 70's and 80's japanese cartoon has been turned into a flash badminton game. You're Doraemon, the magic monster cat and you're playing against one of your favourite characters in the cartoon. The first person view is great. The object of the game is not traditional badminton, but its a game of endurance. You need to avoid missing the shuttle too often as this will make you tired. If your opponent tires before you do, you win the game! Excellent colours and graphics.

10. Video in Background Badminton Game (Flash 8 or better required)
Rating: *

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This little game is not much fun to play, its so silly, it may give you nausea at first. The point, although hard to fathom, was of proving that a simple badminton flash game could be programmed with a running video as its background. The flash game is in Chinese except for the word 'Start' which is all you need to click. The graphics feature a little pixel girl and a little pixel boy playing badminton. You play girl and the computer plays boy. Then it's a matter of who misses the shuttle first.