Nothing is cheaper than zero dollars, so the following freeware games should be as easy fit into even the stingiest gamer’s budget.

The Manipulator

Price: Free

Where to get it: Right here

With simple, blocky graphics and an eerie 1984-vibe, this platformer grabbed me from the very first screen. You must infiltrate a secure facility and your only weapon is the ability to possess the guards. It’s quite linear but its replay value is high due to multiple endings. I won’t give it away but see how the game changes when you avoid killing anybody.

Eversion

Price: Free

Where to get it: Right here

Greg Ford didn’t like it but I cherish this deceptively cute game. At first glance it appears to be a simple platformer with a twist: pressing the “everse” key in certain places changes the game world in subtle ways. The thing is, once you start peeling layers away from reality you never know how dark things may become. Two chilling endings await if you can reach the princess.

8-Bit Killer

Price: Free

Where to get it: Right here

This first person shooter borrows elements from Wolfenstein 3D, Bionic Commando and a host of other retro games. The simple graphics, music and sound effects will instantly trigger the nostalgia center of your brain. The only bad news is, like classic NES games, there’s no saving your progress. Either beat the game in one sitting or start over the next time you play, it’s up to you.

ROM CHECK FAIL

Price: Free

Where to get it: Right here

The concept seems spawned from a gamer’s nightmares: Due to technical difficulties, elements from classic video games are blending together and shifting at random. Heroes, villains, backgrounds and music are all fully interchangeable. At times brutally unfair (how can Mario defeat Space Invaders?), the game swaps elements every thirty seconds so you’re never completely stuck. Just be warned, you cannot insert coins to continue!

Daniel Feit was born in New York but now lives in Japan. Follow him on Twitter @feitclub or visit his blog, feitclub.com