Build towers, hold off the waves, upgrade and go again: tower defense is one of the genres that really took off in the Flash era. The idea is simple and still hard to put down – enemies march along a path, and you place towers beside it to stop them. Many of these classics run right in your browser again on our site, thanks to the Ruffle emulator, with no Flash plugin needed. Here are eight great places to start.
The list
1. Bloons Tower Defense – where it all began
The first game in Ninja Kiwi's famous series: colourful balloons, the Bloons, float along a fixed track, and you place monkeys and other towers next to it to pop them. The waves get bigger every round, which makes it a perfect introduction to the genre. Play Bloons Tower Defense
2. Bloons TD 3 – more maps, more towers
The third balloon-popping outing expands the formula considerably, with eight different maps and twelve types of defence to choose from. If you enjoyed the original, this is the natural next step. Play Bloons TD 3
3. Gemcraft – magic instead of cannons
A wizard from the east has unleashed monsters on a peaceful land, and as a wizard on the side of good it is up to you to stop him. Instead of guns you rely on magic gems, which makes Gemcraft one of the more unusual games on this list. Play Gemcraft
4. Ant Buster – hands off the cake
A line of ants wants to carry slices of your cake back to their nest, and your job is to stop them with well-placed turrets. A small, quick classic that shows how little tower defense needs to be gripping. Play Ant Buster
5. Flash Element – don't forget to upgrade
Herds of animals stream past your towers, and every tower has its own strengths and weaknesses. The key is upgrading between waves so you are ready for the next, tougher round. Play Flash Element
6. Xeno Tactic – you draw the battle line
Aliens are attacking, and this time you decide where your line of defence runs. Choose your towers carefully, because the enemy will exploit any gap in your layout. Play Xeno Tactic
7. Frontline Defense – tanks incoming
In Frontline Defense: First Assault by MaxGames, enemy troops and tanks roll towards you. You build guns and emplacements along the route and try to hold the front. The most military entry on the list. Play Frontline Defense
8. Astrum Defense – uranium under fire
The planet Astrum holds huge uranium deposits, and they are fiercely fought over. Your mission is to fend off raids and attacks in contested regions – tower defense with a sci-fi backdrop. Play Astrum Defense
How to survive longer
Use choke points
Put your strongest towers where the path bends or passes several towers at once. That way they fire at each enemy for longer.
Upgrade first
One well-upgraded tower is often worth more than three weak ones. Before each wave, check whether an upgrade pays off.
Mix it up
Enemies have different strengths. A mix of fast, powerful and slowing towers protects you from nasty surprises.
Plan early
The first waves are usually easy. Use them to save money and prepare your layout for the hard rounds.
Fancy some newer tower defense games?
The genre lives on without Flash. At Playit-Online you will find newer tower defense games that run straight in your browser. In Endless Siege an orc army attacks your kingdom, in Frost Defense you even decide which path the enemies take, and in Cursed Treasure 1.5 you defend your diamond cave against raiders.
Endless Siege
An orc army is marching on your kingdom – towers and guns keep it away from your castle.
Frost Defense
Set the path your enemies take, then upgrade your towers so they never reach their goal.
Cursed Treasure 1.5
Raiders are after your diamonds. Build towers and traps to defend your cave.
You will find more in our overview of tower defense games, among all our Flash classics and in the tower defense section at Playit-Online.
More Flash classics
Lots of old Flash games run right in your browser again on our site – no plugin needed.