While Apple’s iOS arguably has a better game selection, Android has grown considerably over the past few years. Here, we’ve compiled some of the best Android games that are currently on the market. Some are free and others cost a few bucks, but all of them provide an entertaining experience on the go. And given that there are hundreds of thousands of titles spanning a range of genres — role-playing, platforming, sports, etc. — we decided to break them down into distinct sections for your perusal. Now, if only everything in life was as simple as choosing a game for your evening commute.
New to the Android ecosystem? If so, feel free to peruse our guide on how to switch from iOS to Android, along with picks for the best Android apps.
Action and adventure games
‘Oceanhorn’
If you’re a Legend of Zelda fan, then Oceanhorn might be the game for you. The popular title features a solid narratives and terrific visuals, along with a captivating soundtrack. It’s pretty easy to play, too.
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‘World of Warships Blitz’
If you’re a fan of MMO games, then World of Warships Blitz might be a good one for you. In the game, you’ll test your skills on the seas as you take on other battleships, cruisers, destroyers, and aircraft carriers.
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‘Injustice 2’
Fight as your favorite DC superheroes in the second iteration of this popular game which features better fighting dynamics, new moves, and many new characters to play as. The game even has an engrossing storyline, set in a future where Batman and his team are fighting against another group of heroes attempting to restore the Superman Regime — then a new threat emerges.
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Racing games
‘Real Racing 3’
If you want to burn some rubber in a wide range of meticulously re-created cars on an impressive lineup of real tracks from around the globe, then this is the game for you. With countless events to enter, cross-platform multiplayer, and lots of customization options, this is one of the best racing games around.
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‘Asphalt Street Storm’
If car racing is more your thing, then consider Asphalt. The franchise has been around almost as long as smartphones themselves, and the games have gotten better and better. Asphalt Street Storm is the latest game in the franchise, and sees you able to collect the cars of your dreams as you race through the streets of New York, Paris, and Hong Kong.
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First-person games
‘PUBG Mobile’
Skydive down to Erangel island, scavenge what you can, and kill, kill, kill. You’ll take on 99 other people with the same idea, but there can be only one victor. Controls are inevitably a little awkward until you get used to them and there is just one map, but this is a tense shooter that will suck you right in.
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‘Modern Combat Versus’
Gameloft is back again — the company is known for its wide range of mobile games, and the latest is Modern Combat Versus. Its slightly lame name aside, the game allows you to take the role of an agent, then make your way through each beautifully designed map.
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‘Into the Dead 2’
The original Into the Dead game was super-highly reviewed, and now there’s a follow-up. In this action-packed game, you’ll experience the zombie apocalypse as you race through maps to save your family. Along the way, you’ll pick up powerful weapons and do whatever it takes to put those zombies down.
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Role-playing games
‘NEO Scavenger’
NEO Scavenger is another acclaimed, PC-based RPG that has recently been ported to mobile platforms. In the game, you must survive long enough to learn about your character’s story and figure out your identity, while finding supplies and fighting your way through scores of enemy encounters.
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Portal Knights ($5)
Portal Knights is a sandbox RPG that lets you explore the world, level up, take on bosses, and gain new weapons. The game is well made, and there are dozens of different islands to explore as you work to restore a world torn apart by “The Fracture.” You can even play cross-platform multiplayer mode, with up to 4 players in total.
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‘Pokémon Go’
Pokémon Go, the spiritual successor to Ingress, uses the camera on a player’s smartphone to create a Pokémon-themed alternate reality experience, one where players see various Pokémon appear in the world through the camera lens. Players can capture these Pokémon and use them to take over gyms, which are found at various landmarks throughout the world.
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Arcade
‘Sonic the Hedgehog’ ($0-$3)
Sonic the Hedgehog is a true classic, one Sega has finally brought to smartphones with the Sega Forever collection. If you weren’t already aware, the game sees you racing through a series of levels as the titular character, collecting rings and defeating enemies as you do.
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‘Pac-Man’
Some games stand the test of time better than others. Classic arcade game Pac-Man is still giving gamers a run for their money nearly four decades after its release. The Android Pac-Man app stays true to the original format, while adding a few new levels to keep things fresh.
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Platformers
‘Badland’
This is a compelling fusion of gorgeous artwork, accessible gameplay, and clever design. You have to guide your hedgehog-like creatures through a deadly forest teeming with life and machines.
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‘Gunstar Heroes’ (Free)
Sega has been slowly but surely launching its classic games onto mobile, and one of the latest to get that treatment is Gunstar Heroes. In the game, you take on a crazy general hellbent on world domination, and you do so with flame-throwers, homing missiles, and other weapons. In fact, there are a total of 14 firearm combinations you can mix and match with.
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‘Minecraft — Pocket Edition’ ($7)
The phenomenon known as Minecraft made an incredibly successful jump to smartphones, giving fans of the franchise the ability to mine, explore, and build their way to 8-bit glory anywhere.
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Endless Runners
‘Super Mario Run’
Mario fans will love the new and exciting runner from Nintendo, which brings many of the classic elements of the original Mario games into a slightly different take on the title through Super Mario Run. The game, which was originally available only on iOS but finally made its way to Android, marks what is arguably the beginning of Nintendo’s push into mobile, and it’s a great first attempt.
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‘Alto’s Adventure’
Alto’s Adventure was only recently added to the Google Play Store, but it’s an absolutely stunning design that’s addictive, and easy to play, too. It’s been getting rave reviews for its beautiful visuals, and even watching videos of others playing the game is mesmerizing — though playing it is even more so.
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Puzzle and word games
‘Florence’ ($3)
Climb aboard an emotional rollercoaster with Florence and play through a series of vignettes in this brief, interactive storybook which captures the excitement of a budding romance. Beautifully crafted and unlike most Android games, this gentle puzzler from the designer of Monument Valley is unique.
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‘Gemini’ ($2.50)
Gemini is a beautifully designed puzzle game in which you’ll play the role of a star, after which you’ll encounter other stars and explore different spaces in the universe. The game was launched on other platforms in the past few years, but it’s now finally available on Android, too.
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Strategy games
‘Fallout Shelter’
Even if you’re not a Fallout fan, this addictive sim is one of the best Android games around. Tunnel into the earth and build a vault to provide for your dwellers. Can you keep them alive in the face of raiders, radroaches, and other threats?
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‘Plants vs. Zombies 2’
Carefully construct your garden of doom to take down the onslaught of zombies before one of them eats your brains. Set across several themed worlds, this game looks and plays great.
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‘Clash of Clans’
Build up your settlement, plan your defenses, raise an army, and guide your tribe to victory against nasty goblins or other clan leaders. It’s a good combination of slow planning and quick chaotic battles.
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Sports games
‘Pro Evolution Soccer 2018’
Pro Evolution Soccer has long been a staple among soccer fans, and for good reason. While the game has traditionally been played on the PlayStation and PC, in recent years it’s been available on mobile as well — with great results. The game is free, too, though if you do pay money you may be able to get extra players.
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‘Hockey Nations 18’
The Winter Olympics may be over, but that doesn’t mean that the ice hockey has to end. Hockey Nations was made as a kind of promotion for the Winter Olympics, and allows you to play as one of 40 North American teams, 27 Russian League Teams, 19 international teams, or two all-star teams. Safe to say, if you’re into ice hockey, this might be the game for you.
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