Thanks to the growth of the Internet, puzzle fans can now find a plethora of sites providing online puzzle games, with only a few clicks of the mouse. Simply searching the keyword phrase "online puzzle games" results in over 125,000 hits on Google alone! But, what are the web's best online puzzle games?

Shockwave.com is one of the most popular online puzzle games providers. They offer both games that can be played online, as well as those that can be downloaded to your computer at home. Whether you're looking for online puzzle games that are brain teasers, word games, time management, or a more adventure based, hidden object puzzle, Shockwave.com has something for everyone. Their online puzzle games are free to play, while you can download full-featured versions for a nominal fee, or enjoy them for a free hour long trial.

Addictinggames.com does not have the hidden object or time management type of puzzle games, but their wide variety of other online puzzle games, including a version of Poppit! and Block Buster, are all free. They also offer unique online puzzle games, such as: Are You Smarter than a Seventh Grader?, Thong Shot, and their popular Escape series, that makes their site one of the best on the web.

Lastly, Flasharcade.com offers the variety of Shockwave, with a multitude of free games, like Addictinggames. Journey on a point and click adventure, as your online puzzle game of choice, or go for more the traditional online puzzle games, like word puzzles, mahjong, or more. Like Shockwave, Flasharcade also offers downloadable puzzle games for purchase.

Thanks to the growth of the Internet, those of us who love puzzles now have more choice than ever with the wide variety of online puzzle games available. Your challenge won't be deciding if to play, but instead what to play. One thing is certain, the free online versions of the various types of puzzle games - from traditional to those developed specifically for the computer, like hidden object, will provide the gamer with endless hours of entertainment.