Video games can be a costly hobby, but the Internet holds a treasure trove of quality gaming diversions to keep you busy in moments when money is tight or when you're tired of the games you already own. Whether you're looking for a fun way to kill time at the office when the boss isn't looking, want to check out a new genre without spending your own money, or are desperate for some no-budget gaming, we've rounded up a handful of the best Internet destinations to score some free online and downloadable games. Enjoy!

Echochrome is one of the most visually striking games ever created, but not for the reasons we typically have for appreciating a title's visual design. Amidst plain white backdrops in each stage are suspended platforms, complete with pillars and stairs, upon which a mannequin slowly strolls back and forth. That's it. It's minimalist, to say the least, but don't think for a second that Echochrome is a simple game.

It's Mothers' Day this weekend, and you know what that means: fitness game deals! Or, if your mom doesn't want to work out, how about some Cooking Mama and Gardening Mama deals. No? Come on! What else is on sale this week?

If it were not for caffeine, I would spend most of my days slumped over my keyboard, but I prefer to get it through more traditional sources like ingestion of lattes and Diet Coke. Getting my caffeine pumped directly through my skin? Not so much. But if you're interested in these alternative caffeination methods, then you're in luck, because you've got a chance to win them.

Dana's got rhythm, plus she's got zombies. Amanda sees a game from Blizzard that isn't World of Warcraft and decides to befriend her DS after discovering that she's better at virtual tasks than real ones.

The original Sims game was the first game I stayed up all night playing. I can't exactly say what it was that was so compelling about playing a virtual version of real life, but it was magnetic. It proved to be my gateway game, leading to much more hardcore and extreme gaming behaviors. So it's obviously pretty exciting to me that a new Sims game is going to be out in another month. So what can we expect from The Sims 3?

All that's new and noteworthy for the week of April 27, 2009.

If I have learned something from the last month's releases, it's that I don't need to save a lot of money for game purchases during the month of April. The month peters out as limply as it began, but buck up, gamers -- stuff should be a little better now that it's May. So what all came out this week?

If you're the singer for your virtual band, you're in for a rough week. The bulk of the big releases this week come from Jane's Addiction, Megadeth, and Nirvana -- none of which are particularly simple to sing. But look, being in a band is all about dedication, OK? Stick with it!

We're all looking to save a buck or two in these times, but we're also looking to stay home with our video games instead of going out. If you're finding these two impulses to be at odds with one another because gaming more tempts you to spend more too, never fear. There are 20 free downloadable Rock Band tracks for your plastic peripherals that won't require pulling any plastic from your wallets.