Android gaming has changed a lot over the years, but some classic Android games have stood the test of time—and are even still available to download from the Play Store!
10Doodle Jump
Doodle Jumpis one of my favorite classic Android games because it’s so simple yet addictive; it has that perfect “just one more game” feeling. I’ve spent many hours tilting my phone to bounce the little alien on platforms and avoid the obstacles in this endless vertical scroller. There are plenty of level themes and power-ups too, which keeps it fresh.
9Fruit Ninja
If there’s one game that puts your phone’s touchscreen to best use, it’sFruit Ninja, where you use your finger to slice the fruit that flies across your screen while avoiding the bombs. It’s fast-paced and super satisfying to build long-running combos.
8Hill Climb Racing
Looking foran Android game to kill time? This classic from 2012 has you covered.Hill Climb Racingisn’t the most refined game in the world, but this wacky physics-based racer has you driving across bumpy terrain as you collect coins to upgrade your vehicle and unlock new levels. Plus, it’s playable offline, which is a rarity nowadays.
7Cut the Rope
If you like charming puzzlers,Cut the Ropeis an excellent choice. Starring the adorable Om Nom, you slice ropes to collect stars and guide the candy into the green creature’s mouth. There are hundreds of levels to keep you busy.
6Angry Birds
The originalAngry Birdsisn’t available on the Play Store, but the similar sequel is. This is a game that likely needs no introduction; so popular that it spawned many spin-off games, TV shows, and movies. You fling birds from their slingshots into the enemy pigs—silly, colorful fun.
5Plague Inc.
Perhaps not the most relaxing concepts,Plague Inc.doesn’t ask you to save humanity from disease—instead, this strategy game wants you to infect everyone. Humanity will try to fight, of course, so you will need to adapt your approach. Not one to play if you feel yourself coming down with a cold.
4Temple Run
Temple Run, as you might infer from the name, is an endless runner set in a temple. You swipe to dodge traps and collect coins as demonic monkeys chase you. Even if you’ve never playedTemple Run, you’ve likely played others that were inspired by it, but the original gameplay holds up.
3Words With Friends
Words With Friendsis similar toScrabble, in that it’s a multiplayer game where you use tiles to build words on a grid. It’s best played against friends and family so that you can brag when you lay down the perfect word.
2Monument Valley
Monument Valleyis as lovely to look at as it is to play. It’s a puzzler where you move the environment to guide a silent princess through optical illusions. It’s not a long experience, but one that will certainly stay with you.
If you have a Netflix subscription, you’re able to playMonument Valleyand all its sequels at no cost. Free mobile games is one ofthe best Netflix features you’re probably not using.
1Plants vs. Zombies
Plants vs. Zombiesis a classic video game period, let alone on Android, and you need to download it if you’ve never played it before. It’s funny and easy to pick up, but has a surprising amount of depth, as you play a homeowner planting defense to stop a zombie invasion.
Once you’ve finished with these iconic games, you can alsouse your Android device to play retro classics from other platforms. That means the likes of the originalSonic the Hedgehog,Chrono Trigger, andSecret of Manaare all available in the palm of your hand.
