The best Android games in 2024

A definitive list of the best Android games you can pick up from Google Play, including some of the best free Android games in the store today.

Best Android games - Honkai Star Rail's Fu Xuan with a stern look on her face

What are the best Android games? Whether you’re into strategy, roguelikes, deck-builders, gachas, MOBAs, or point-and-clicks, the range of great games available on the platform is mind-boggling. You could spend a good hundred days playing only Android games, and after, a friend would still pop out of the woodwork to recommend another one that you missed.

As technology improves, there are fewer limitations in terms of what our phones can run. So, we’ve created a list of our ultimate picks; be they games that started on PC, but are wonderfully suited for mobile, or the homegrown, which began right here on this platform. If you’re looking ahead, we also recommend you check out our list of all the new mobile games coming in 2024.

Here’s our list of the best Android games in no particular order.

Raid: Shadow Legends

If you’re new to the world of Android games and want to know what the fuss is about over all of these gacha games, Raid: Shadow Legends is a great place to start. It’s a gorgeous RPG with plenty of heroes to collect, bosses to battle, and loot to gather.

We have a few guides to help you get started, make sure you check out our Raid: Shadow Legends tier list and Raid promo codes to pick up some freebies.

Play Raid: Shadow Legends for free.

Mech Arena

Like robots? Yep. Like blowing stuff up? Yep. Well, we reckon you’ll probably like Mech Arena then. Admittedly, it’s not the highest concept for a game (you take control of a mech suit, and you battle in arenas where you try and blow up other mechs), but then again, aren’t many of history’s most iconic video games based on simple premises?

There’s a lot of customization options for you to unlock for your mech, and the different ways that you alter your mech suit will have an impact on how each battle is played. This opens the doors to lots of combat variety – not only can you hone your mech to make it play in just the way that works best for you, but you never quite know how your opponents will have customized their own mech.

Play Mech Arena for free.

World of Tanks Blitz

World of Tanks Blitz is an intense MMO PVP shooter in which you take control of a tank and roll into battle with players from all over the world. There’s a huge variety of vehicles, maps, modes, and strategies for you to test out on the battlefield, as you fight in a 7×7 format and peruse your victory.

With a wide selection of historically accurate tanks and locations from all over the world, heaps of room for customization, and plenty of progression goals to work towards, no two battles are alike. Whether you want to enter the battlefield with old friends, make some new ones, or focus solely on your own success, it’s sure to be a blast.

Play World of Tanks Blitz for free.

Harvest Land

Harvest Land invites you to set up a brand new village, in which you can build a bunch of cute homes and handy facilities, tame adorable animals, fight beasties to protect your land, trade with your real friends and other players, and watch your new home prosper. And, if you’re feeling adventurous, you can also go out and explore some beautiful islands and maybe even uncover some intriguing secrets.

There’s plenty to do, including cultivating crops, raising sweet animals such as chickens, pigs, and cows, and constructing useful structures such as sawmills, mines, and more – all from the palm of your hand. It’s sweet, simple, and a lot of fun on the go.

Animals & Coins Adventures

Animals & Coins Adventures is a fun-filled adventure with treasure islands to raid, kingdoms to explore, and cards to collect. The aim of this game is to collect coins and build massive bridges as an adorable animal. The premise is simple, but oh-so fun.

You can also play Animals & Coins Adventures with your friends, whether you want to steal from them or work together is up to you though!

Age of Frostfall

In this unique RTS tower defense game, you must survive a harsh frosty landscape while heading into battle with the Unmelted. If you’re eager to become a king of your own little realm, this is the game for you.

To succeed in your role as a hero, you must raise a mighty dragon, build up your city, and recruit legendary fighters to ensure your army is the strongest around. Each battle you win and foe you slay helps you gain respect, but so does fostering alliances. So make sure you invite your friends to join you on this journey so you can take down the most vicious of the Unmelted.

Play Age of Frostfall for free.

Genshin Impact

This free-to-play open-world RPG has quite honestly taken the world by storm, earning $100 million in its first two weeks of release, and now has the biggest Discord server ever. Genshin Impact sees you awake in the magical world of Teyvat, setting out on an adventure to find your lost godly sibling.

We recommend you check out our guides if you’re thinking of diving in, we have Genshin Impact codes, a Genshin Impact tier list, and a Genshin Impact update guide.

The game lets you explore a massive world, and face off against fearsome monsters in RTS hack-and-slash combat. Alongside amazing visuals and a beautiful soundtrack, it’s no wonder that many consider Genshin to be one of the most ambitious mobile games ever. See our Genshin Impact review for more thoughts!

Play Genshin Impact for free.

Supremacy 1914

Fancy the life of an armchair general? In Supremacy 1914, you’ll take control of one of the nations involved in the First World War. Then the course of history is left in your hands. Whether you decide to invest in enhancing your country’s economy or bolstering its military forces, every decision you make will impact the outcome of the war.

This is a long-term grand strategy MMO and a single game could last for multiple weeks or even months. With each nation offering a unique set of strengths and weaknesses, the country you choose will have a big impact on how you play, and with so many options open to you, you’ll soon find yourself getting deeply invested in this sprawling war. History buffs will also appreciate the attention to detail in giving each nation the resources and munitions it would have had at the time.

Play Supremacy 1914 for free.

Conflict of Nations: World War III

While Supremacy 1914 takes the First World War and turns it into a grand strategy MMO, Conflict of Nations applies that formula to a hypothetical World War III. Set in a near future where global tensions have escalated, you choose a nation from a list of countless others and then… Well, that’s up to you. As you can imagine, there are plenty of options available to you as the leader of a nation.

A game of Conflict of Nations can last for months, and with so many other players all doing their best to bring glory to their respective nations, you’ll find yourself looking forward to checking in each day so that you can find out about all the latest developments… and plan your next moves. If you have a mind for tactical thinking, this is where you can put it to the test.

Best android games: Final Fantasy IX. Image shows two characters having a sword fight

Final Fantasy IX

This classic Final Fantasy title runs like a dream on Android. If you’re looking for a game with turn-based combat, an enthralling story, and some fun minigames, look no further than Final Fantasy IX (or any other Final Fantasy on mobile might I add). This version benefits from high speed or no encounter modes and the ability to autosave.

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Among Us

This social-deduction-based indie game has risen to astonishing popularity in recent months after it caught the attention of the gaming community via popular Twitch streamers. And with the developer recently reporting 200 million downloads, it doesn’t look like it will slow down anytime soon. In Among Us, players must complete tasks to fix their ship, while also uprooting a murderer in their ranks before they are all wiped out. It’s enjoyable, and best of all, it’s free on mobile.

Best gacha games: PUBG. Image shows a man in a chair.

PUBG Mobile

The original battle royale is on mobile, but PUBG Mobile is a strange one. A lot of people enjoyed the original PC game, because of a certain level of what I shall call, jank. People liked the glitches and weird unexpected stuff that happened.

By comparison, PUBG Mobile actually plays very well, with regular PUBG Mobile updates adding fresh new content to the game, including the fresh, futuristic New Eden map. Undoubtedly one of the best Android games if you’re hankering for a battle royale – and best of all, it’s free to play.

Best Android games: Candy Crush Soda Saga. Image shows a game in progress.

Candy Crush Soda Saga

If you like match-three puzzlers and are looking for a fun, free experience, then we can’t recommend Candy Crush Soda Saga enough. It’s the King of the genre on mobile, providing hundreds of levels of satisfyingly crisp gameplay.

There are a load of great games like Soda Saga, make sure you check out our list of the best Candy Crush games to get your fix. Or head on over to our Candy Crush download guide to learn how to get this game on your device.

Best Android games: Pokémon GO. Image shows Groudon, Rayquaza, and Kyogre.

Pokémon Go

While not an RPG in the strictest sense of the word, Pokémon Go does see you explore an open world in a more classic sense. This free, location-based game has you out and about in the actual world, catching Pokémon, and competing with other players to become leaders of your local gym.

Many of you may have lost contact with the game after its surge in popularity a few years back, but it’s still supported with fairly regular Pokémon Go events and Pokémon Go raids. It may be location-based, but it’s still one of the best Android games.

Best Android games: Bad North. Image shows an island in the rain.

Bad North

In more Viking-based, mobile shenanigans, Bad North is one of the best strategy games on mobile. Adapting the classic tower defense formula, you and your units must defend islands from a fleet of rampaging raiders.

The game features a wonderful simplicity, both in terms of visual aesthetic and in terms of how you play. But as the islands get bigger, and the units multiply, things really start to heat up, and you find yourself having to put out fires left-right-and-center – quite literally. Not only one of the best strategy games, but one of the best Android games too – see our Bad North review if you don’t believe us!

Best Android games: Monument Valley. Image shows an island at sea.

Monument Valley

Undoubtedly one of the best games on mobile, Monument Valley is a smart and beautiful puzzle game, which sees you navigating your way through shifting architecture. The concept is simple; you are presented with a structure, and your character has to make their way from the entrance to the exit.

But a lot can happen between those two doors. Monument Valley plays with space and architecture smartly, using optical illusion and point-and-click play, as you discover your often surprising route through space. You wouldn’t have thought architectural puzzles would have such mass appeal, but Monument Valley has earned its place as one of the best Android games. Check out our Monument Valley interview to learn more about the future of the series.

Best Android games: Alto's Odyssey, Image shows a beautiful tower silhouetted in the darkness.

Alto’s Odyssey

Endless runners aren’t racing games in the classic sense, but you are still racing against something. In Alto’s Odyssey, it’s yourself. In the game, you move through each gorgeous generated map, completing a series of goals, which then allow you to move on to the next level. But Alto also features an endless mode, where you can just ride forever through an ever-changing map, which with beautiful architecture, and changing weather conditions, is a truly relaxing experience that you can play for free.

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Downwell

Imagine the intentional monochrome dreariness of Binding of Isaac, crossed with the descent and escalation of Spelunky, and you’ll have a pretty good idea of what Downwell is. In this dungeon-descending roguelike, you play as a young boy, exploring a well for untold riches, his only companion, a set of gun boots. Pretty convenient for well-based exploration I’d say!

Best Android games: AFK Arena. Image shows two fantastical characters.

AFK Arena

With a beautiful art style inspired by Celtic mythology and a cast of characters with fun abilities, AFK Arena is not your typical RPG. Simply sit back and enjoy the ride as your heroes work hard to level so you don’t have to, only pitching in when it’s time to have some fun, enacting strategies in battles or exploring, and it’s free-to-play. We also have plenty of guides for AFK, including an extensive AFK Arena tier list and an AFK Arena codes guide.

Best Android games: Call of Duty Mobile. Image shows a group of soldiers.

Call of Duty: Mobile

Distilling the classic CoD experience onto Android and iOS, Call of Duty: Mobile is a fantastic first-person shooter, and you can play it for free. The game caters to all kinds of players, letting you choose an auto-fire mode or manually aim and shoot.

TiMi Studios also keeps it updated with plenty of seasonal content, including new modes, weapons, skins, and characters. It’s a formula that has made Call of Duty: Mobile one of the most popular shooters on mobile, ranked among the likes of PUBG Mobile, and Garena Free Fire.

Best Android games: Stardew Valley. Image shows a pixelated farmhouse with a cow, chicken, and farmer taking a break

Stardew Valley

The popular Harvest Moon-esque farming RPG Stardew Valley is a fantastic game to play on Android. It sees you move to the country to take over your grandfather’s failing farm, grow crops, raise animals, and become part of the local community. You can even get married, explore the open world, fight monsters, or simply find a secluded spot to go fishing. If you’re looking for some relaxing simple life vibes, this is definitely a good option.

If you’re new to Stardew, feel free to browse our Stardew Valley fish, Stardew Valley coop, and Stardew Valley silo guides.

Best Android games: Chrono Trigger. Image shows a group of Chrono Trigger characters standing around the game logo.

Chrono Trigger

Chrono Trigger is a timeless RPG classic that houses some amazing quality-of-life improvements on Android. The game is developed by the Dragon Quest creator Yuji Horii, Dragon Ball creator Akira Toriyama, and the creators of Final Fantasy. A must-play for any RPG fan out there.

We got the chance to play this game’s sequel on Nintendo Switch, check out our Chrono Cross remaster review to read our thoughts.

Honkai Star Rail

Honkai Star Rail is the latest offering from Hoyoverse. It has fun turn-based combat, fascinating characters, and gorgeous areas for you to explore. We recommend you check out our Honkai Star Rail tier listHonkai Star Rail codes, and Honkai Star Rail banner guide to learn more about the game.

Best Android games - a screenshot from Final Fantasy Ever Crisis of Aerith and Cloud sitting on a playground

Final Fantasy VII Ever Crisis

FFEC is a free-to-play gacha game that goes through the story from the entire Final Fantasy 7 compilation. At the moment you can complete the first few chapters of The First Soldier, Crisis Core, and Final Fantasy 7, while also completing solo and co-op quests that have you taking down tough enemies.

If you need some help in this game, we recommend you check out our Final Fantasy Ever Crisis tier listFinal Fantasy Ever Crisis codes, and Final Fantasy Ever Crisis chocobo expeditions guide. We also have a Final Fantasy Ever Crisis review so you can learn more about the title.

That’s our list of the best Android games. We hope you find something fun to play. Do you need a bit of extra privacy in order to truly enjoy yourself on your phone? Check out our guide on the best VPN for Android. If you prefer Apple, why not browse our lists of the best iPhone games or the best iPad games?