Today’s smartphones are impressively powerful. They can effortlessly run simpler PC and console games that have been ported to Android with no or minimal downgrades. Many of these games were meticulously designed to provide an engaging, genuine gaming experience. Here are 15 of my favorite ones.

Most games on this list require a purchase.

1Goat Simulator 3

Goat Simulator 3is best described as an open-world sandbox where you wreak havoc in a fun physics environment as a virtual goat (or a number of different animals that you can unlock as skins). It’s one of the most fun games that I’ve ever played on PC, and it’s now available on mobile. The game features a bunch of Easter eggs and quests waiting for you to explore. There’s also a multiplayer mode, complete with seven mini-games. The firstGoat Simulatoris available for free, and if you like it, you’ll love its sequel (there was noGoat Simulator 2).

2Plants vs. Zombies

If you have never heard ofPlants vs. Zombies, you’re seriously missing out. This is a tower defense game where you place plants on a grid to defend your home from invading waves of zombies. It’s an older PC game that lends itself perfectly to touch controls, and the cartoonish art style still holds up 15 years later.

3Hitman: Blood Money — Reprisal

Hitman: Blood Moneyis a stealth action game that puts you in the shoes of Agent 47, a ruthless assassin.Blood Moneyis one of the best entries in theHitmanfranchise. It features 12 unique missions, most of which involve you sneaking into a place and assassinating a target using a variety of different methods. The mobileReprisalversion has actually been enhanced with a bunch of features from the newerHitmangames, making it better than the original.

4GRID Autosport

From a technical standpoint,GRID Autosportis the most impressive entry on this list. It’s a full-fledged console and PC simcade racing game from 2014 that got ported to mobile after only five years in 2019, showcasing howpowerful phoneshave really become in a short period. What’s even more impressive is that the port hasn’t been downgraded in any noticeable way. It’s not just a technical powerhouse, either;GRID Autosportis one of the best racing games you’re able to play on Android.

5Fortnite

Fortniteis still among the top battle royale shooter games, and it’s available on a wide range of platforms. UnlikePUBG MOBILE, there are no two separate versions, asFortniteis the same exact game across all platforms. This means you can enable crossplay to play with friends who are on PC or console, and your battle pass progress is always saved.

The game runs reasonably well natively, though it requires a powerful Android phone to do so. The good news is that you may utilize cloud gaming to get good performance on an older device.

6Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreasneeds no introduction. It’s my favoriteGTA, a franchise that’s well-known for its deep yet goofy storylines, realistic physics, and heaps of open-world content ready to explore. It’s a 2004 game that was released on Android in 2013, but you’d be surprised by how well it still holds up.

7Disney Speedstorm

Disney Speedstormis a brand-new kart racer filled with iconic Disney characters like Davy Jones and Donald Duck. The Android version was developed alongside the PC and console version, though it was released slightly later. Much likeFortnite, it’s a cross-platform game with multiplayer, and progress is shared across all platforms, so it’s perfect to play with friends.

8Minecraft

Minecraftis one of the most popular games of all time. It’s an open-world sandbox that’s perfect to play alone or with friends for hours on end. The Android version (previously called Pocket Edition) is theBedrock Edition, so it’s not exactly the same as theJava Editionthat’s available on PC and consoles, but the core gameplay is very similar. you’re able to actually getBedrock Editionon PC, so crossplay is possible.

9Don’t Starve: Pocket Edition

Don’t Starve: Pocket Editionis a survival game with a truly unique Tim Burton art style. Think of it as a third-person adult version ofMinecraft. The mobile version of the game is almost identical to the PC and console one, but it has a somewhat limited control scheme that can be fixed bygetting serious with a controller.

10Stardew Valley

If you want a game similar toDon’t StarveandMinecraftbut with none of the stress,Stardew Valleyis the perfect game for you. It’s an adorable farm simulator that was built by one person over a period of four years. It’s the same exact game on Android as on PC and consoles. It has a surprisingly rich story and heaps of content, though it unfortunately lacks multiplayer.