If Jonathan Gay never got around to conceptualizing Flash, we’d never have as much time wasters online right now. You see Flash everywhere, from the latest iPod + iTunes ads to your typical company’s snazzy website interface. And let’s not forget something called YouTube. But nothing makes Adobe’s (formerly Macromedia’s) platform shine more than gaming.

As long as a computer, PC or Mac, Linux or whatnot, has a Flash player, the user can play any Flash game. And the Flash player is always a quick and easy download. That’s the strength of Flash, and that’s why so many programmers have made great games out of the program

Don’t believe us? Perhaps a trip to Miniclip, XGen Studios, and N’s homepage will change your mind. Granted, there are complete lemons. But when a programmer maximizes the use of Flash, more often than not the result is a classic. It could be good for five minutes, or can totally take up the entire afternoon. The point is, it’s fun.

Our personal preferences: Motherload, Boxhead, and Rifleman. What are your favorite Flash games?