The best Android apps and games aren't always easily found, especially if your tastes don't align with the Play Store's penchant to recommend a lot of junk. This is why AP has taken it upon itself to build the best list of the best Android games around, offering a plethora of genres you can easily jump to so that you can immediately see the titles that fit your playstyle. From cozy life sime like Potion Permit, to slick arcade games like Roto Force, there's no shortage of excellent games to play when you know where to look. So, let AP do the heavy lifting for you so that you can jump straight to enjoying the best games Android has to offer. Just don't forget to bring your favorite controller along for the ride.

Jump to your favorite game genre

Action

Hitman: Blood Money — Reprisal

Feral Interactive has been releasing ports of popular AAA games on mobile for some time now, from X-Com to Alien Isolation. Hitman: Blood Money is one such port, and it's an excellent one that is faithful to the original while offering enough tweaks to make it mobile-friendly. The result is a game that plays well on a touchscreen or with a controller, where you'll sneak and assassinate your way through a myriad of hand-crafted levels. If you're a fan of the original or simply enjoy quality stealth games packed with action, then Hitman: Blood Money is definitely something you should be playing on Android.

Roto Force

Do you enjoy slick pixel art, as well as things that spin? Well, my friend, you are in luck. Roto Force offers both in excess, along with challenging gameplay any seasoned gamer should take seriously. The whole thing boils down to circling each stage as you shoot things, with the goal of staying alive. Simple, to the point, and most importantly, a big 'ol bucket of fun. Best of all, this is a premium release you can trial for free, and if you are impressed with the simple fun on offer here, then you can unlock the entirety of the title for a fiver.

Fireball Wizard

For what looks like a simple action platformer, Fireball Wizard offers tons of fun that just about any phone can run. Yes, the game can be short, with four worlds comprised of ten levels each, but bite-sized gameplay is where the game excels, making it a great port for mobile. Plus, you can expect a challenge, especially if you plan on hunting down every secret, and this is what drives the core of the fun, the fact you won't be breezing through the game despite the number of hours it provides. Running and gunning won't save you here; you have to think out your moves, ensuring progression is always earned, resulting in a feeling of accomplishment.

Castlevania: SotN

Castlevania SotN best games roundup (1)

The term Metroidvania was coined to describe Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. This is a classic PS1 game from Konami, a direct sequel to Rondo of Blood, and it's still heralded as one of the best Castlevania games ever made. Konami brought the title to mobile in 2020 as a surprise release, and the port is fantastic. It runs great, and controllers are supported, so you can play this like you did on the PS1, with tactile and responsive controls, which are necessary to beat this challenging game.

Sure, the touch controls work in a pinch, but you won't finish the game using them, which is why controller support is so important. Hands down, this is an excellent port of a fantastic game, and the price is totally on point. For once, Konami did something right.

Dead Cells

Dead Cells screen

When it comes to roguelike Metroidvanias, Dead Cells is a name that's often thrown around, and that's because it's a title that defines the genre. Thanks to the inclusion of controller support, the controls are spot-on, and even the touch controls are good enough to get you through the first few stages. Still, this is a challenging game, and death is a constant, but you'll slowly progress as you unlock new weapons during your runs.

What's nice is that the game supports high framerates, which are stable, making for a smooth experience. There's even some extra DLC available when you finally beat the primary campaign, which means there are tons of content that should last most players 30 hours or more.

If you're looking for more, check out our list of the best action games on Android.

Adventure

Super Meat Boy Forever

It may have taken years to get here, but now that Super Meat Boy Forever is finally available on Android, we finally have the ultimate auto-runner on the platform. Much like its predecessor, the game is tough, very tough, but that's where the fun is, challenging yourself to get past one more stage. The controls are dead simple while remaining responsive for the necessary twitch reflexes you'll need to bring to the table. So if you're looking for the perfect game to waste some time with that's suitable for short and long sessions alike, Super Meat Boy Forever is a perfect choice. Plus, it's free to try, so there's no harm in taking a look.

Kentucky Route Zero

KRZ-hero

Netflix Games has made some big strides to bring some fantastic games to Android, and one of the more recent standout titles is Kentucky Route Zero, a fantastic point-and-click adventure game that offers magical realist themes. There's a hidden highway inside caves beneath the state of Kentucky, and you'll get to explore as well as meet some strange folk in what is ultimately an unusual story that's worth experiencing. The best part is that if you subscribe to Netflix, you can play directly on your Android device at no extra cost.

Thimbleweed Park

Thimbleweed Park screen

When you think of adventure games, your mind may go to point-and-click adventures. Seeing that Android offers one of the best modern point-and-click games, we had to add Thimbleweed Park to the list. This creation is from the same people behind Monkey Island and Maniac Mansion, ensuring it hits the same tone as the greats. It's the X-Files theme that seals the deal.

In the game, you fulfill the role of similar characters to Scully and Mulder as you investigate a dead body at a local amusement park. The story is great, and so is the classic point-and-click gameplay, where you solve puzzles by hunting down clues. So if you're looking for a fantastic adventure game, start with Thimbleweed Park.

Genshin Impact

Genshin Impact screen

Genshin Impact is an adventure game that might not appeal to everyone, thanks to its gacha design. Still, there's no denying that miHoYo Limited raised the bar exponentially when it comes to the polish and content of free-to-play mobile games.

The graphics in this Zelda-like adventure are superb. There are still very few mobile games that can compare a year later. The writing is also better than expected, and the game's characters are detailed and interesting. Still, the monetization is greedy, and you're bombarded with all manner of sales and other annoying in-game notifications. There's also a lack of end-game content, and you'll run into plenty of false walls along the way, purposefully slowing down your progress.

It's a love-it-or-hate-it kind of thing, which ultimately comes down to how willing you are to put up with grindy gameplay that's monetized poorly. Still, Genshin is a great-looking game that's perfect for stress-testing new hardware, and there's some fun to be had if you play casually, especially since there's cross-save support across all supported platforms.

Pokémon GO

When Pokémon GO first dropped in the summer of 2016, it was a phenomenon. You couldn't walk through a city without running into groups capturing Pokémon. It was wild, but Niantic squandered a lot of player goodwill with a buggy game that seemingly took forever to update to the more stable title we know today. Still, many people play to collect Pokémon, and while the monetization is greedy, it seems the player base doesn't mind. To this day, Pokémon GO is the most well-known augmented reality game, even with Niantic releasing new branded AR games at an even clip.

There's no doubt Pokémon has staying power. So even though the game is often poorly managed, to the point many reviews are now complaining about lag, kids and adults still love it. While we wouldn't call the collection gameplay the best, it is unique and addictive, which appears to be a winning strategy for Niantic.

Are you looking to add more adventure to your life? Here's our roundup of the best Android adventure games.

Arcade

TMNT: Shredder's Revenge

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge is a fresh game created in a classic style for beat 'em ups, pixel graphics included. Better yet, the art looks incredibly similar to the TMNT cartoon from the 1980s, offering a fair bit of nostalgia. But cool art and slick themes aren't enough to carry a game, you need quality gameplay, and Shredder's Revenge delivers, stacking up to Streets of Rage 4 (a few listings below). Best of all, controllers are supported out of the box, so whether you prefer to play with the touchscreen or something more tactile, you're covered. So order a pizza, grab your skateboard, and get ready to experience a modern classic fitting of the TMNT name.

Vampire Survivors

Vampire Survivors screen

After making waves on the Steam Deck, Vampire Survivors found its way to mobile, coincidentally the night of the Game Awards. The game is free to play, with optional advertisements to earn bonuses after runs. The name of the game is survival, and since the only thing you can control is your character's direction, you'll strafe to your heart's content to see how long you can last.

For what primarily plays as a top-down shooter, the roguelike aspects, where you incrementally improve your equipment to ensure your runs grow longer and longer. The late game will be demanding on lower-end phones, so don't let the simple graphics fool you. A lot goes on end-game when you're surrounded by thousands of enemies. Vampire Survivors is an incredibly addictive game, so don't miss out. This one was well worth the wait.

Kombinera

Kombinera screen

This may be hard to believe, but Atari has returned to form with Kombinera, a new game from the company that offers old-school gameplay paired with a modern aesthetic that calls back to simpler times. The goal is to combine your character with color balls in the correct order to avoid each level's obstacles, so it's a puzzle game with some platforming mechanics.

Nothing groundbreaking, and yet the game is a joy to play, specifically because of its simplicity. But don't be fooled. This is a challenging title. So if you love puzzles and platforming, Kombinera is an arcade-style game worth checking out.

Streets of Rage 4

Streets of Rage 4 screen

The Streets of Rage brawling series dates back to the 90s on Sega's Genesis. Streets of Rage 4 is a series revival, released almost 30 years after the third game. And it's phenomenal, including the Android port. You have your choice of new and classic characters, with exceptional art and music that adds up to one of the best brawlers released in years.

The Android port is fantastic, and it offers all the features you'd expect of a console/PC-quality game, such as controller support, optimized performance that can easily hold 60FPS, and the post-release DLC with its survival mode. However, the DLC has an added cost on the $8 price tag (Mr. X's Nightmare DLC is $3). So if you've yet to play this fantastic beat 'em up (check out the beginner's guide), now's your chance to play on Android, controller support included.

Minecraft

Minecraft screen

Minecraft doesn't need an introduction. Mojang's open-world voxel sandbox content should be familiar to most. You can build like Legos in a free-play mode or jump into survival mode to grind your days away. Multiplayer content is a huge part of the game, and while the store is packed with all kinds of content to buy, at least the primary gameplay loop remains consistent.

Controllers are supported out of the box, and the touchscreen controls are plenty serviceable. This is a solid port of a great game that offers hundreds of hours of gameplay. For the asking price, you can't go wrong.

Are you looking for more Arcade games? Here's a roundup of the best arcade games on Android.

Card games

Marvel Snap

It's safe to say Marvel Snap has been a runaway success. The bite-sized strategic card gameplay takes lessons learned from card games past and improves upon the genre to offer a perfect mobile CCG. Rounds are short, so you can quickly squeeze in a match or two, and there are just enough cards to experiment with quite a few deck types. All around, Marvel Snap is considered one of the best CCGs on Android for a reason. It's fun, it's addictive, and it's challenging. Plus, who doesn't want to collect a bunch of superheroes?

Dicey Dungeons

Terry Cavanagh is probably best known for Super Hexagon and VVVVVV. Still, his quirky card game Dicey Dungeons is also a strong contender, thanks to its enjoyable roguelike collectible card gameplay, often compared to Slay the Spire, as this is a solo experience designed for fun instead of emptying wallets, like so many competitive card games. This means you're free to enjoy your purchase however you wish, and best of all, since this is a premium release, you get the full game for $5, and the developer included the game's new DLC as part of this fee, which is a nice touch.

Slay the Spire

What can we say? Card game fanatics love Slay the Spire. You see the name every time people ask for Android game recommendations for a good reason. Unlike many mobile card games, this is a solo experience, and it plays like a roguelike, where you build a deck to set out on your adventure to see how far you can get. This is a game that many have spent hundreds of hours in. It's basically endless if you're into theory crafting.

So if you're sick of wasting time and money grinding through pointless pay-to-win card games, perhaps it's time to try Slay the Spire.

GWENT: Rogue Mage

GWENT Rogue Mage screen

It would seem CD Projekt RED stumbled into the card game business with the launch of The Witcher 3, all thanks to its mini-game Gwent. Seeing that many fans enjoyed the game, CD created a standalone title for competitive play. But as these things go, chasing the meta isn't for everyone, and CD created Thronebreaker: The Witcher Tales, a standalone solo game based on Gwent.

Why launch one single-player-focused spin on Gwent when you can launch two? Gwent: Rogue Mage is a newer release that offers Gwent's familiar gameplay for solo play, and it's a premium release to boot at $10. There's an optional in-app purchase available, but this unlocks a few outfits and cards for the online version of Gwent. So despite the confusing mess CD Projekt RED has made of Gwent and its many games, Gwent: Rogue Mage is easily worth exploring if you prefer games of skill over those that demand constant payment.

Are you looking for more card games? Here's our roundup of the best card games on Android.

Puzzle

Shovel Knight Pocket Dungeon

Shovel Knight in your pocket? Yes, please! While this isn't the original game, rest assured, Pocket Dungeon holds its own as one heck of a puzzle-based block game. It's an excellent port that performs well on Android, and the gameplay suits mobile's quick sessions to ensure you can jump in anytime. The gameplay is close to that of a match-3, but with Shovel Knight's familiar difficulty that's tied to platforming, where you are tasked with clearing the board. The setup is simple to grasp but challenging to master, which is what makes this such a great release. Keep in mind Shovel Knight Pocket Dungeon is a Netflix Games title, so you will need an account to play. Beyond that, it's a premium game that requires nothing else to enjoy the entirety.

Down in Bermuda

Excellent art? Check. Enjoyable puzzle-based adventure gameplay? Check. Mysterious story to unravel? Check. Down in Bermuda hits every checkmark that matters. Not only is this a beautiful game that's a pleasure to look at, but it also offers enthralling puzzles that challenge the mind while evolving the story. Like many escape games, it will be your job to find your way off the Bermuda island you're trapped on. The game is incredibly polished, offers tons of puzzle-solving fun, and, frankly, shouldn't be missed. So if you're hankering for an adorable puzzler to spend your time with, you can't go wrong with Down in Bermuda.

Railbound

The creator behind Golf Peaks launched a new game in 2022 called Railbound. Much like the dev's previous work, the game offers tons of polish, slick art, and, most importantly, fantastic gameplay. The goal is to lay down tracks to reach home. Since this is a puzzle game, some trial and error is required as you lay down tracks to solve each chapter. But this makes the game enjoyable. You have to feel out each solution and work for your reward. So if you're a big fan of the dev's previous work, then make sure to check out Railbound, as it's utterly fantastic.

Baba Is You

baba-is-you-screenshot

If you're looking for something challenging that will make you think and have yet to play Baba Is You, you're missing out. This is a super popular indie game on PC and consoles. It was ported to Android, with touch controls in tow, and it plays great. It's a puzzle game that requires out-of-the-box thinking, where words play an important role. Touching the words on the screen tends to result in new functionality for your character, which can then be applied to the stage to solve its puzzle.

It's like someone twisted a Sokoban game into something new. Baba Is You is one of the best puzzle games on Android, hands down.

Bridge Constructor Portal

Bridge Constructor Portal screen

Headup offers more than a few Bridge Constructor games on Android, but Bridge Constructor Portal is easily the most popular because of the slick Portal theme. You're still tasked with building bridges, but within this release, you must also account for a few Portal mechanics to build successfully. This game is a great mashup of two very different genres, and it's super fun too.

It's easily the best Bridge Constructor game on the Play Store, which is precisely why it's in our best-of-all-time game roundup.

Do you need more puzzlers? Here's our list of the best puzzle games for Android.

Racing

Data Wing

Free-to-play isn't a term that appeals to most people. Most mobile games are F2P and filled with horrible monetization. In the strictest sense of the term, Data Wing is a truly free-to-play game, as in its completely free to play, sans advertisements and in-app purchases. Even better, the game is an absolute joy to play, where you race around minimal (yet challenging) maps to the tunes of some dreamy chillwave.

This free racer looks and sounds great, plays great, and is completely free, so it shouldn't be missed.

Wreckfest

A port to Android, this is the full game, couch racing and all. It's one of the most inventive, challenging, and fun racing games to launch in years, and it's available on Android at a low price, which means this is easily one of the best racing games on Android that you can play. Keep in mind this is a demanding game, but if you have a high-end phone, you're missing out if you aren't already playing.

GRID Autosport

GRID™ Autosport screen

GRID Autosport is one of the best racing games on Android. It's an excellent racing game on PC and consoles, and thanks to Feral Interactive, it's available on mobile. The port is superb. The game supports physical controllers, and the touch controls work well. Plus, there's a ton of content here, where the main story should last most players 33+ hours.

The only thing missing is online play, though it is in testing. There's a free version where you can test three courses in the game. If you like what you see, you can purchase this premium version outright or buy the modes you enjoy in the free version piecemeal. If you're looking for a racer between arcade racing and the more hardcore sim stuff, this is the racing game for you.

Rush Rally Origins

Rush Rally Origins screen

Brownmonster Limited has had a few hits on its hands with the Rush Rally racing series, and the latest entry in the series is one of the best yet. Rush Rally Origins is a top-down racer, much like Reckless Racing 3 (another excellent top-down racer), and it offers touchscreen controls as well as controller support. Things start off challenging, but as you race, you earn upgrades that help, and then you can take on more and more demanding races. The game supports 60FPS play, which is great if you own a high-end device.

Rush Rally Origins is easily one of the best racers on the platform, and it's one of the best top-down racers, a niche genre that's getting harder and harder to find.

If you're looking for more, check out our list of the best racing games on Android.

RPG

Potion Permit

Forget Stardew Valley, there's a new life sim in town called Potion Permit, and if you missed it on PC and consoles, it's easily one of the more polished life sim indies out there. The setup is simple enough, brew potions to help out the townsfolk so they stay healthy, all the while exploring dangerous areas for ingredients, while living a cozy little life in town. Marriage is a possibility, as well as improving the town and expanding your business, all the staples you'd expect from a life sim, wrapped up in a lovely pixel package that looks great on phone screens. It's a premium release that forgoes in-app purchases and other gready monetization, instead opting for fun over money, which is precisely why it's considered one of Android's best RPGs.

Chrono Trigger

This is a classic JRPG that many consider one of the best of all time, thanks to its fantastic story, accessible turn-based gameplay, and incredible pixel art. While Square Enix has been known to let its mobile offerings linger in broken states, over the last couple of years, the company has brought some significant updates to the game, like fullscreen support and gamepad compatibility.

This adds up to one of Square's better ports on mobile, offering all the features you'd expect to go along with the fantastic gameplay. If you've yet to play this classic, now's a great time to jump in on Android.

Sky: Children of the Light

Sky Children of the Light screen

Thatgamecompany is probably best known for games like Journey, Flower, and Flow, all titles that offer similar relaxed themes while offering casual gameplay. The studio took a chance to create a free-to-play game for mobile. Even though this game contains in-app purchases, they are only for cosmetics, leaving everyone free to enjoy the title unencumbered.

More or less, Sky: Children of the Light is similar to Journey, where you traverse 3D landscapes to piece together the game's story while collecting items helpful for advancing. What's unique about this release is that it's online, and you can easily play with others as you explore fantastic worlds. Much like Genshin Impact, Sky: Children of the Light raised the bar as a highly-polished F2P game on mobile. Sky: Children of the Light has proven to be a great exploration game, so don't miss out.

Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic

Star Wars™ KOTOR screen

Star Wars: KOTOR is a classic RPG from BioWare, and this mobile port comes from Aspyr Media, a quality port house that knocked it out of the park with this release. This RPG is one of the best Star Wars games ever made, and it's a solid RPG, even if you disregard the theme.

The graphics are dated, but the story is as good as ever. The controls are spot-on, too, especially since controller support is included. There's a 30-hour campaign, and if you're eager for more, Aspyr also released a port of the sequel.

Titan Quest: Legendary Edition

Titan Quest Legendary Edition screenshot -2

Don't confuse Titan Quest: Legendary Edition with the older Titan Quest listing, as this version contains all the DLC in a single package. It's the complete game at a single price point. If you're unfamiliar, this is a classic action RPG that still holds up. It's the closest thing we have to a legit Diablo game, set in the ancient worlds of Greece, Egypt, Babylon, and China.

Controller support is included, plus the touch controls are good enough to get you through the game, which should last most players around 50+ hours to make it through the primary campaign. Since all the DLC is included, this title could easily stretch well past 100 hours.

If you're looking for more, check out our list of the best RPGs for Android.

Simulation

Terra Nil

Netflix Games has been busy bringing all manner of quality games to Android, including the excellent city builder Terra Nil. Unlike most city-building games, this title flips the script, and so it will be your job to turn a barren wasteland into a thriving natural ecosystem. So you'll essentially be encouraged to terraform the inhospitable into a natural paradise. This won't come easy, but perfection never does, which is why Terra Nil is the perfect game for those looking to sink their teeth into a game with depth and challenge. Keep in mind this is a Netflix Games release, so an account with the streaming service is required to play. But if you're already subscribed for TV shows and movies, make sure you don't miss out on this enjoyable sim.

Papers, Please

Lucas Pope's Papers, Please offers a mix of genres as a simulation point-and-click puzzle game, but seeing that you'll fulfill the role of an immigration inspector working for a communist state. It's up to you to decide whether you're willing to cooperate with the state or more interested in lining your pockets, which dark themes running through that make for an incredibly thought-provoking game. It's an indie sensation for a reason. Don't miss out!

Disgaea 1 Complete

If you're big into turn-based strategy RPGs, Final Fantasy Tactics, or X-Coms, you've probably heard of the Disgaea titles. This series from Nippon Ichi Software offers an anime-like story with matching art. The first game is known for offering the best story in the series. The mobile port is the best version available, thanks to the addition of an autoplay mechanic not found in any other version.

Despite what you're thinking, autoplay adds a lot to Disgaea 1 since later games saw the addition of tons of quality-of-life features the first title never saw. To say this is one of the grindiest games ever made is an understatement, but it's a good grind that isn't monetized aggressively. After all, this is a premium release packing controller support, a reworked UI for touchscreen play, and a speed boost for battles that ties in great with the auto-battle system.

Mini Metro

Mini Metro screen

Mini Metro is described as a simulation game since this title is about directing where subway trains go, but there is also a puzzle aspect in figuring out the proper track routes. The minimal design is striking, and the game runs fine on about any device because of this. It plays great on tablets and phones alike.

If you like to spend time figuring out how to run trains with the limited resources provided, there's no better option than Mini Metro. The game's a stunner to look at and a hoot to play, thanks to it being reasonably challenging.

This War of Mine

This War of Mine screen

There are plenty of survival games, but few can compare to This War of Mine, thanks to its dark yet detailed graphics, not to mention the disturbing story centered around a civil war. Your job is to go out into the world to hunt for supplies and survivors, all to build up your camp. Crafting, trading, and treating survivors requires a balance, or else things could go south, which is where the fun is to be found, ensuring your camp's needs without accidentally killing everyone.

This is an emotional game with adult themes, so it may not be for everyone, as it can be a little depressing. Still, the detail of the world and the solid survival gameplay make for a memorable experience that's easily worth the asking price.

Are you looking for more simulation games? Here's our roundup of Android sims.

Sports

Perfect Grind

Noodlecake has quite a few quality games under its belt, from Alto's Adventure to Lumino City, a publisher known for its quality. So it's no surprise to find out that one of the studio's latest releases is an incredibly enthralling skateboarding game aptly named Perfect Grind. There's tons of customization to unlock for your character and board, and since this is a mobile release, the entire thing is designed around touch controls. Thankfully these controls feel great, offering everyone the ability to pull off some slick moves. So if you're big into skateboarding games and have been looking for a new fix, Perfect Grind is a superb option. Don't miss out.

Rocket League Sideswipe

Psyonix did the unthinkable. It created a side-scrolling version of Rocket League that's played on a 2D plane, and boy, does it hold up! First of all, the game still isn't monetized. It's free to play in the strictest sense, with quality controls on the touchscreen as well as physical controller support. Controllers are recommended if you wish to rank. However, for casual play, the touch controls work perfectly fine. Anyone who's a fan of the mainline game should check out the younger sibling on mobile. It offers plenty of familiar game modes like 3v3, and the matchmaking is quick, so you're never left waiting for a match.

While it's doubtful Rocket League Sideswipe will remain free of in-app purchases and other annoyances, monetization is absent for now. This allows the gameplay to shine, and shine it does, as this is about as good as a side-scrolling interpretation of the core game can get.

Grand Mountain Adventure

Grand Mountain Adventure screen

Winter sports games used to be all the rage on consoles, and even though the genre isn't as popular as it once was, Toppluva AB created a heck of a winter sports game on mobile with the release of Grand Mountain Adventure. First and foremost, the graphics are totally fitting of the genre, with snow that looks absolutely fantastic. Still, skiing and snowboarding are the real draws, and both are a total blast.

Now, you will have to get used to the camera, as it is in front of the playable character, but within a few minutes, everything clicks, and then it's off to the slopes to see if you can spot a Yeti. There are seven open-world mountains to explore and hundreds of challenges to take part in, making for a game that should easily last over 20 hours. The game is free to try, and if you like what you see, you can unlock the rest of the content through in-app purchases.

OK Golf

OK Golf screen

OK Golf is a low-poly golf game that offers pleasing graphics, chill music, and enjoyable gameplay suitable for about any phone or tablet. The controls are simple, thanks to their slingshot-like mechanic, and since there are no clubs to mess with, shooting your ball takes center stage. So yes, this is slightly more casual than a simulation golf game, but that's why the game is so accessible. Almost anyone can pick it up and play.

This is a premium release that retails for $3, meaning there are no in-app purchases or advertisements. What you see is what you get, and what you get is a fun little golf game that's great in short bursts as well as longer sessions. So if you've yet to play OK Golf, it's highly recommended you finally give it a shot.

If you're looking for more sports games, check out our list of the best sports games on Android.

Strategy

Worms W.M.D: Mobilize

If you're a fan of classic Worms artillery combat games like Armageddon, then you're in for a treat with Worms W.M.D: Mobilize. All of your favorite weapons are here, plus new ones to test out and blow stuff up with, all presented in a classic 2D worms formula that can be played online with friends and strangers. Controllers are supported, which is a good thing as the game shines on tablets more so than phones, thanks to how busy the screen is. But for $6 you can't go wrong, especially if you're a fan of the classic titles in the series. Worms W.M.D: Mobilize is a return to form, now available on Android as a premium release.

Into the Breach

into-the-breach-armored-train
Source: Google Play

As far as strategy games go, especially turn-based strategy games like X-Com and Final Fantasy Tactics, Into the Breach has found wild success despite its indie underpinnings. This is no AAA game, as the pixel graphics are pretty simple. It's this simplicity where the game shines. There's no fat to cut away. You get a good game that's challenging and fun, hence its success.

However, there is one caveat. This is a mobile game from Netflix, as it published the title on its Netflix Games platform. So even though Into the Breach is listed on the Play Store, you need an active Netflix account to play. Then again, if you pay for a Netflix subscription, you've gained access to one of the best strategy games on the platform. Don't miss out!

Bad North: Jotunn Edition

Bad North Jotunn Edition screen

Strategy games might be super popular on Android, but it can be tough to find titles that are polished and fairly monetized. Bad North was ported to Android from PC and consoles, bringing its premium real-time strategy gameplay to mobile. And the touch controls are superb. This is also a roguelike, so advancement is slow as you upgrade your troops. Levels are procedurally generated, so things don't grow stale since each stage is different from the last.

You could do worse for the asking price, and since this is a quality port, performance is never an issue. Bad North is one of the best real-time strategy games on Android. Don't miss out.

Civilization VI

Civilization VI - Build A City screen

The Civilization games are well regarded as some of the best 4X strategy titles, and it was a surprise to see VI come to Android, but it sure was a welcome one. This is the whole game. There's a 60-turn demo, and if you like what you see, you can unlock the full title through an in-app purchase. You can also purchase all the DLC found on consoles and PC, though we suggest waiting for a sale, as the expansions can be pricey.

Still, the base game is a blast, though a beefy device is recommended, as the deeper you get in the game, the more memory you need. Some bugs are present, but even then, the ability to play the full version of Civilization VI on tablets or Chromebooks is too good to pass up, bugs and all.

League of Legends: Wild Rift

League of Legends Wild Rift screen

If you're looking to get into a serious MOBA, something that's highly competitive, League of Legends: Wild Rift is what you've been looking for. Unlike Pokémon GO, League of Legends: Wild Rift is a bite-sized version of the PC game, offering 5v5 gameplay and no pay-to-win aspects. The store is for cosmetics, and that's it.

The game runs and controls great. Since this is a live service title, new champs are continually released. This is one of the best MOBAs on Android, and it's one of the best fair MOBAs at that, which is about as good as it gets for this genre.

Are you looking for more strategy games? Here's our roundup of the best strategy games on Android.

What will you play first?

While the Play Store and similar app stores would prefer you endlessly waste money on subscriptions and abusive monetization, there are plenty of quality games out there actually designed around providing fun, which is what this best Android games roundup is all about, fun games that are worth both your time and money. Whether you're into challenging puzzlers like Shovel Knight Pocket Dungeon or prefer enthrallingly deep platformers like Fireball Wizard, there are plenty of great Android games to choose from that should fit your needs perfectly.