Aside from PC and console games, Android games gained huge popularity in the last decade. Android smartphones are now so advanced, that many PC or console games are ported to Android, making this operating system more versatile than ever. Controls are, however, more complex to learn and get used to, but this doesn’t prevent developers from working on many great games for Android.
Games on Android OS are played via touchscreen where some games require a multitouch feature or many different gestures like swiping, pinching, etc. Now, as you are properly introduced to the world of Android gaming, it’s time to count the top 20. These are the best Android games.
1. Subway Surfers
If there is a single game that every smartphone user knows of, it’s Subway Surfers. Subway Surfers is an endless running game for Android where the goal of the player is to run and evade obstacles on the way. The player is also being chased by the policeman and his dog who are trying to catch him because of illegal applying graffiti to a train. The whole game is set on a railway where the player jumps from train to train or slide under the barricades using the swipe motion. Although the game is a little older, its new updates and editions coming almost every month still make this game one of the best Android games ever.
2. Clash Royale
Clash Royale is another interesting, freemium title developed by Supercell. Although the game is free-to-play, the word ‘freemium’ means that there are microtransactions in the game, which are most of the time essential. As far as the gameplay goes, this game is based on a tower defense mechanism and it combines elements from collectible cards and online battle arena games. Cards in this game are necessary and they can be used for both attacking and defending. When playing online, players can make a clan and fight against other clans online. It’s a very interesting and overall stable game thus being a candidate for one of the best Android games of today.
3. Need for Speed Most Wanted
Remember when we mentioned ports to Android? Well, Need for Speed Most Wanted is another port from consoles to Android, however, we are speaking about the 2012 version in the NFS series. Graphically, the game looks phenomenal and detailed textures, nice graphics, and gameplay mechanics are the highlight of this Android racing game. There is also a great OST, ranging from dubstep, drum n bass to pop-rock music. If you are a fan of high-speed racing and intense cop chases, feel free to try this free-to-play game, which we recommend for the more capable smartphones.
4. Clash of Clans
Clash of Clans is, at this moment, one of the most interesting games for Android. It’s developed by Supercell, the company that stands behind Clash Royale. This game is, however, a little different than Clash Royale. It’s an MMO strategy game where the player needs to build his own town with resources that can be gained by attacking other players. Players can also form their own clans and fight against the others, or access the singleplayer campaign where they can collect gold and elixir, necessary for in-game purchases.
5. Five Nights at Freddy’s
Not many games manage to create the spooky and intense atmosphere of Five Nights at Freddy’s. It’s a survival horror game that combines elements of mystery with point-and-click gameplay mechanics. The player is put in the role of a security guard in a fictional pizza restaurant called “Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza” and he needs to defend the place from malfunctioning during the night. Movement is done via security cameras and the player must evade being jump scared by animatronic animals in the game, which is pretty disturbing. Turn off the light and try this game!
6. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
GTA San Andreas is a pure PC classic, which you can also play on Android. As you probably know, GTA San Andreas is an action-adventure, open-world game where the main protagonist is a gang member Carl Johnson, also known as CJ. The Android version is completely the same as the PC and console versions, and is even up to par graphically, with many useful features added like syncing the game-saves with the Rockstar servers and even the support of several types of controllers. However, this Android game is more demanding, so you’ll need a high-end smartphone.
7. Asphalt 8: Airborne
Asphalt 8: Airborne is a racing game for Android, developed and published by Ubisoft, back in 2013. It manages to keep the gameplay elements of the older titles but surpasses them graphically thus being one of the best racing games available. It’s an arcade racing game with a focus on fast-paced gameplay and stunts. There are also more than 150 licensed cars like Aston Martin and McLaren and a similar number of events, which will keep the players engaged at all times. It’s important to mention that this is a free-to-play Android game.
8. Injustice 2
Injustice 2 continues where the previous title stopped. The main focus of this game is Super Heroes from DC universe and there are some new, cool characters added in this version of the game. Fighting mechanics are great and the gameplay is now more fluid than ever! On top of that, there is a possibility of playing multiplayer, where you can fight against the other players or a single-player campaign with a great and thrilling story. However, this game is big and will take more than 1GB of your internal memory.
9. Pokemon GO
Pokemon GO was one of the best selling Android games of 2016, and with a reason. This game was so addicting that almost every smartphone user played it. It’s a location-based, augmented reality game where the players could catch and train Pokemon in the real world. This means that you need to chase the Pokemon in your own city or country, which represents a great challenge! Now, the game isn’t that popular but it’s still a great game for those adventurous who are willing to take their gaming to the next level.
10. 8 Ball Pool
8 Ball Pool is the best pool game you can play online. It has some beautiful graphics, realistic physics, and many mini-games that make the game addicting as hell! Upon creating an account, the player can either play single player and practice or participate in various tournaments versus the other players. While doing this, the player will eventually level up and get rewards like a cue, coins, tables, chests, and much more. It’s a free-to-play game and most of the time doesn’t require microtransactions, making it accessible for all Android users.
11. Angry Birds 2
Angry Birds 2 is a free-to-play puzzle game developed by Rovio Entertainment. It’s one of the most recognizable Android games which you can now play on PC, aside from Android. The game mechanics is simple- it requires players to use a slingshot to launch birds at the nearby green-colored pigs which are the main enemies in the game. They are usually scattered in some sort of structure that the player can destroy using a slingshot. Upon completing the level, the player can receive one, two, or three stars, depending on the number of birds he used.
12. Real Racing 3
Real Racing 3 is a great example of racing simulation done right. Although it’s now a few year old game, Real Racing 3 has one of the best graphics on Android and is still a high-end game for many smartphones. Its gameplay is based on racing across the various real-life tracks with fully-licensed, sports cars. Vehicle handling is almost realistic, with the ability to turn off braking and steering assists, as well as the other settings to make it more like simulation. If you have a high-end smartphone and love racing games, do not hesitate to indulge in the world of sports cars and mind-boggling speeds.
13. CSR Racing
CSR Racing is a drag racing game developed back in 2012. The core gameplay consists of a simple control where the player needs to participate in straight road races and earn the rep and money. Aside from multiplayer, where the player is racing against the other players, a single-player career is divided into 5 tiers. New tiers are unlocked when the player beats the crew boss and can even be rewarded with a boss’s car if he accepts the high-stakes rematch. It’s a simple, yet amazing Android game, great for drag racing and car lovers.
14. Modern Combat 4: Zero Hour
Modern Combat 4: Zero Hour is an FPS game developed by Gameloft and it resembles the gameplay mechanics of the Call of Duty series. It’s a high-end game, with great graphics, story, gameplay, and the addition of multiplayer with several game modes. Singleplayer campaign is about 4 hours long, packed with non-stop action, quick-time events, and thrilling stories. This game, however, isn’t free to play but you can find it cheaply on Google Play. Clearly one of the top Android games to play.
15. Mortal Kombat X
Mortal Kombat is one of the greatest Android fighting games of all time, and we’re glad that NetherRealm Studios decided to develop it for Android. Its gameplay mechanics are similar to the one in Injustice series, but with characters strictly from the Mortal Kombat world. There is a singleplayer campaign that is centered around the main characters from the Mortal Kombat franchise and a multiplayer. Overall, a great fighting game, free-to-play like its brother Injustice 2.
16. Minecraft: Pocket Edition
If you are a fan of Minecraft on PC, Minecraft: Pocket Edition will be one of your favorite games for sure! It’s based on a PC version of this game where you can create your character, customize and upgrade him, explore or create your own world in Minecraft. This game isn’t hardware-demanding nor free-to-play, but we recommend it for those who played Minecraft on PC or console. The Minecraft version for Android will consist of almost everything just like in the PC edition.
17. Need for Speed No Limits
Unlike previous Need for Speed games, which were adaptations of existing titles, No Limits is a standalone, free-to-play racing game. It’s developed back in 2015 and resembles an old-school Need for Speed mechanics with licensed cars and fast racing. Races are set in urban locations with many types of races where the player can be involved in the police chase. In this game, the police aren’t that aggressive like in Most Wanted for example, but still, put up a challenge and will punish every player’s mistake. It isn’t by any means better than Most Wanted, but is a great addition to the series, with its renewed gameplay mechanics, great graphics, and optimization.
18. Shadow Fight 2
Shadow Fight 2 is a role-playing, fighting game for Android smartphones and tablets with a high emphasis on the story, which is by the way very interesting. The main character in the game is called Shadow who must defeat all the demons in order to seal the Gates of Shadows. In the beginning, the player uses only two buttons to fight- kick and the punch button. However, as the game progresses, the player can use Magic and some ranged weapons, great for making the combat versatile.
19. Temple Run 2
Temple Run 2 is another endless running Android game that boasts the same gameplay mechanics as the aforementioned Subway Surfers. However, its setting is a jungle where the player needs to run from an enlarged monkey called Cuchanck. Various obstacles like waterfalls, sharp turns, and zip-lines are introduced here to make the game harder to beat and keep the player engaged at all times. There are also several different characters to choose from with every character having their own ability and boosts. It’s a free-to-play game that doesn’t require much space and is great for killing boredom.
20. Hill Climb Racing 2
Hill Climb Racin 2 is a 2D racing game where the goal of the game is to collect coins while racing through the stage. To make things harder, developers decided to add a possibility for gas depletion even when the player is not driving, forcing the player to move all the time. Gas canisters can be picked up on the way, and the player dies if he runs out of gas or if the avatar’s head hits the ground. Coins can also be earned by doing stunts and may be spent on new vehicles or upgrades. This is one of the best free-to-play Android games you can try at any moment.