The 13 Best Android Games You Can’t Miss in 2024

Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just getting started, 2024 promises to be an epic year for Android gaming. With a lineup that includes everything from jaw-dropping graphics to immersive storylines and innovative gameplay, these best android games are set to redefine your mobile gaming experience.

Charge your phone batteries, clear some storage, and dive into our handpicked selection of the 13 best Android games you simply can't afford to miss this year!

Top 13 Android Games

1. RAID: Shadow Legends

• Genre: Strategy, turn-based combat
• Release date: March 1, 2019
• Platforms: Android, iOS
• Gameplay features: Turn-based battles, 500+ unique champions, PvE campaigns, dungeons, PvP arenas, clan activities
• Developer: Plarium Global Ltd.
• Payment model: Free to play with in-app purchases
• Best for: Fans of strategic RPGs and character collection enthusiasts

RAID: Shadow Legends offers an immersive RPG experience on Android with stunning graphics, strategic gameplay, and a vast roster of champions to collect and upgrade. The game's visuals are breathtaking, with meticulously detailed environments and intricate character designs that bring the fantasy world to life. Each champion is uniquely crafted, showcasing impressive animations and effects that make battles visually engaging and dynamic. The high-quality graphics are a standout feature, providing a console-like experience on your mobile device.

The strategic gameplay of RAID: Shadow Legends sets it apart in the crowded RPG market. Players must carefully plan their moves, considering each champion's unique abilities and strengths to create synergistic teams. The game offers a deep and rewarding system of collecting and upgrading over 500 champions, each with distinct roles and skills. 

Whether you're engaging in an extensive play vs. environment (PvE) campaign or competing in player vs. player (PvP) arenas, the strategic depth and variety of champions ensure a rich and engaging experience for all players.

2. Genshin Impact

• Genre: Action, open world
• Release date: September 28, 2020
• Platforms: Android, iOS, PlayStation 4/5, Windows
• Gameplay features: Open-world exploration, gacha-style character acquisition, real-time combat with switching between characters, dynamic weather and time-of-day systems 
• Developer: miHoYo
• Payment model: Free to play with in-app purchases for characters, weapons, and other items
• Best for: Adventurers seeking a vibrant, ever-evolving world brimming with secrets, action, and deep storytelling

Genshin Impact was one of the best MMORPGs of 2022 and continues to shine in 2024. This gacha-style action RPG lets you build a team of three characters as you explore a stunning world inspired by recent Zelda games. You'll climb, glide, and switch between characters to battle a variety of imaginative monsters.

Genshin Impact features a rich story and a beautifully crafted cel-shaded landscape. As a top free-to-play Android game, it offers plenty of content at no cost, with optional in-app purchases available for those who want to enhance their experience. 

The game remains highly active, with new characters, areas, and events continually added, such as the Lantern Rite Festival and the Chenyu Vale map. If you're looking for a beginner-friendly online game that offers depth and ongoing updates, Genshin Impact is a fantastic choice.

3. Pokémon GO

• Genre: Augmented reality (AR)
• Release date: July 6, 2016
• Platforms: Android, iOS
• Gameplay features: AR-based Pokémon catching, real-world exploration, gym battles, raids, Pokémon training, team-based activities
• Developer: Niantic, Inc.
• Payment model: Free to play with in-app purchases for items such as Poké Balls, lures, and other enhancements
• Best for: Players who enjoy combining physical activity with gaming, exploring their surroundings, and participating in social and community events

Pokémon GO combines augmented reality with real-world exploration, allowing players to catch virtual Pokémon that appear in their actual surroundings. By using their mobile devices, players can find Pokémon in various locations, capture them using simple swipe mechanics, and train them for battles.

The game features a wide range of activities including gym battles, raids, and Pokémon-themed events that encourage social interaction and teamwork. Players can also join different teams and participate in global challenges. 

Regular updates introduce new Pokémon, events, and special challenges, keeping the gameplay engaging and encouraging players to explore new areas. Pokémon GO effectively blends physical activity with gaming, making it a popular choice for those who enjoy both outdoor adventures and virtual experiences.

4. Among Us

• Genre: Social deduction, multiplayer party game
• Release date: June 15, 2018
• Platforms: Android, iOS, Windows, Nintendo Switch
• Gameplay features: Complete tasks, participate in emergency meetings, discuss and vote on suspected impostors, and engage in sabotage and deception as impostors
• Developer: Innersloth
• Payment model: Free to play on mobile devices with in-app purchases; paid on Windows and Nintendo Switch
• Best for: Groups of friends who enjoy social interaction, strategy, and deception — ideal for parties and game nights

Among Us is a social deduction game where players take on the roles of crewmates or impostors aboard a spaceship or space station. As crewmates, your job is to complete various tasks around the map, such as fixing wires or fueling engines, while trying to identify who in the group is an impostor. Impostors work secretly to sabotage the crew’s efforts and eliminate crewmates without being caught.

The game features meetings where players discuss suspicious behavior and vote on who they think the impostors are. Players can call emergency meetings or report dead bodies to spark discussions and debates. The impostors must blend in, create chaos, and deceive the crewmates to win. Regular updates and new maps keep gameplay interesting. Among Us is best enjoyed with others, as it relies heavily on communication and social interaction to uncover the truth.

5. Chrono Trigger

• Genre: Turn-based combat 
• Release date: March 11, 1995
• Platforms: SNES, PlayStation, Nintendo DS, iOS, Android, Windows
• Gameplay features: Time-traveling narrative, Active Time Battle system, exploration of multiple eras, various endings
• Developer: Squaresoft (now Square Enix)
• Payment model: One-time purchase; available with possible additional content on various platforms
• Best for: Fans of classic RPGs who enjoy rich stories, innovative gameplay, and exploring different time periods

Chrono Trigger features a captivating time-traveling plot that takes players on a journey across various eras, from the distant past to the far future. The game begins with a mysterious event at a fair that leads the protagonist, Crono, to discover a powerful artifact that allows time travel.

Key characters include Crono, the brave and silent protagonist; Marle, a princess with a strong sense of justice; and Lucca, a brilliant inventor and Crono’s childhood friend. Together, they embark on a quest to prevent a catastrophic future and unravel the mysteries of time travel.

The game explores a range of settings, including the prehistoric era with dinosaurs, a medieval kingdom, a dystopian future, and a post-apocalyptic world. Each era is intricately designed, influencing the storyline and gameplay and adding depth to the time-traveling adventure.

6. Stardew Valley

• Genre: Farming simulation
• Release date: February 26, 2016
• Platforms: Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, Linux, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
• Gameplay features: Farming and animal husbandry, fishing, mining, crafting, seasonal events, social interactions with townsfolk, quest completion
• Developer: ConcernedApe
• Payment model: One-time purchase; no in-app purchases
• Best for: Players who enjoy immersive farming simulations with a blend of casual and in-depth gameplay and those who appreciate rich social interactions and exploration

Easily one of the best offline Android games, Stardew Valley stands out with its engaging Harvest Moon-style gameplay. Players start with a run-down farm and work to restore it by planting crops, raising animals, and expanding their property. The game features a variety of activities, including fishing, mining, and crafting, which add depth to the farming experience.

As you progress, you can explore a vast world with different biomes, uncovering secrets and participating in seasonal festivals. The social aspect is also significant; players build relationships with townsfolk, complete quests, and even get married. 

With its rich blend of farming, exploration, and social interactions, Stardew Valley provides a fulfilling and immersive experience for players who enjoy both casual play and in-depth engagement.

7. Downwell

• Genre: Action
• Release date: October 15, 2015
• Platforms: Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, Linux, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, and Nintendo Switch
• Gameplay features: Vertical shooting mechanics, procedurally generated levels, power-ups and upgrades, roguelike structure with permadeath and random challenges
• Developer: Ojiro Fumoto
• Payment model: One-time purchase; no in-app purchases
• Best for: Gamers who enjoy fast-paced vertical action with roguelike elements and minimalist design, those who appreciate challenging gameplay and quick, repeatable runs

Downwell combines fast-paced vertical shooting action with a minimalist art style to deliver a unique roguelike experience. The game has players descend into a well, battling enemies and avoiding obstacles while falling. The core gameplay revolves around using gunboots to shoot downward and sideways, creating a dynamic combat system that keeps the action intense.

The game features a straightforward yet engaging theme: descend as deep as possible while collecting power-ups and upgrades. Players face random levels and challenges each time they play, which keeps the experience fresh. The minimalist visual design complements the gameplay by focusing on clarity and function. Downwell stands out with its focus on vertical movement, fast-paced shooting, and a roguelike structure that offers a new challenge with every run.

8. Minecraft

• Genre: Sandbox
• Release date: November 18, 2011
• Platforms: Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, Linux, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch.
• Gameplay features: Exploration, crafting, building, survival mechanics, resource gathering, multiplayer options, modding support, and an expansive, procedurally generated world
• Developer: Mojang Studios
• Payment model: One-time purchase; additional in-game purchases available
• Best for: Players of all ages who enjoy creative building, survival challenges, and exploration in an open-world sandbox, those who like to play solo or with friends in a versatile, replayable environment

If you're unfamiliar with Minecraft, the name itself hints at the basic gameplay, but the game offers so much more.

You don’t just mine and craft in Minecraft; you build, explore, and expand your world with virtually limitless possibilities. With a map larger than the surface of the Earth, Minecraft offers some of the most expansive worlds to explore online.

Minecraft boasts robust mod support, allowing you to tailor the game to your preferences. Minecraft continues to impress in 2024 with updates introducing new tools and ores, ensuring endless opportunities for creativity and adventure. Even without battling the Ender Dragon, you can easily sink hundreds of hours into Minecraft, savoring every moment.

9. Monument Valley

• Genre: Puzzle adventure
• Release date: April 3, 2014
• Platforms: Android, iOS, Windows, Windows Phone
• Gameplay features: Isometric puzzles, optical illusions, minimalist art style, touch-based controls, evocative soundtrack
• Developer: Ustwo Games
• Payment model: One-time purchase; additional in-app purchases available
• Best for: Players who enjoy beautifully designed puzzle games with a focus on visual and architectural challenges

Even though it was released over 10 years ago, Monument Valley still stands as one of the best Android games in 2024. It's a captivating puzzle game that enchants players with its mesmerizing visual puzzles and illusionary architecture. The game follows the journey of a silent princess named Ida as she navigates through a series of fantastical, impossible structures. Players manipulate the environment to create paths, revealing hidden routes and uncovering the mysteries of each level.

The core of Monument Valley’s gameplay revolves around optical illusions and perspective-based puzzles. By rotating and sliding different parts of the environment, players change the structure of the world, allowing Ida to progress. Each level is a beautifully crafted piece of art, combining minimalistic design with a soothing color palette and an evocative soundtrack, creating an immersive and tranquil experience.

10. Candy Crush Saga

• Genre: Puzzle
• Release date: April 12, 2012
• Platforms: Android, iOS, Windows Phone, Windows 10, macOS, Facebook
• Gameplay features: Match-three puzzle mechanics, power-ups, boosters, a vast array of levels, special events, regular updates introducing new challenges and levels
• Developer: King
• Payment model: Free to play with in-app purchases for boosters, extra lives, and other enhancements
• Best for: Players who enjoy simple puzzle games, those looking for casual gaming experiences, and fans of match-three mechanics 

The original popular match-three game, Candy Crush Saga, made waves on Facebook and continues to dominate on mobile platforms. Over a decade since its release in 2012, it remains one of the best APK games for Android.

Candy Crush Saga is simple at its core: Match-three symbols to clear space on the game board and eliminate enough symbols of a certain type. This basic idea is expanded with increasingly challenging puzzles and a continuously growing selection of levels. As of 2024, the game features a staggering 1,101 episodes and 16,505 levels, showing no signs of slowing down.

The game’s enduring popularity is a testament to its engaging gameplay and frequent updates. New match-three games have emerged over the years, but few can match the legacy and consistent appeal of Candy Crush Saga. It also stands out for its performance on older and less powerful mobile devices, ensuring that a broad audience can enjoy the game regardless of their device's age or capability.

11. Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile

• Genre: First-person shooter (FPS)
• Release date: March 10, 2020
• Platforms: Android (via cloud gaming), iOS (via cloud gaming), PC, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
• Gameplay features: Free-to-play battle royale mode, large-scale map with a shrinking safe zone, diverse weapons and equipment, customizable loadouts, in-game currency system for purchasing items, regular updates with new content and seasonal events, support for cross-platform play
• Developer: Infinity Ward, Raven Software
• Payment model: Free to play with in-game purchases available
• Best for: Players who enjoy large-scale battle royale games with a variety of combat options, tactical gameplay, and frequent updates

Call of Duty is a popular FPS game that offers a variety of gameplay modes and settings, catering to both solo players and those who enjoy multiplayer experiences. The game features a range of modes including traditional multiplayer, where players can engage in fast-paced battles across various maps, and a battle royale mode called Warzone, which pits players against each other in a large, shrinking battlefield until only one remains. The game is known for its realistic graphics and immersive sound design, enhancing the overall combat experience.

In terms of gameplay features, Call of Duty offers extensive customization options for weapons and loadouts, allowing players to tailor their gear to their preferred play style. The game includes a range of weapons, from rifles and shotguns to explosives and tactical equipment, each with different attributes and attachments. Players can also unlock and upgrade perks that provide various advantages, such as increased speed or enhanced stealth.

Additionally, Call of Duty regularly updates its content with new maps, modes, and seasonal events, keeping gameplay fresh and engaging.

12. Fortnite

• Genre: Third-person shooter (TPS)
• Release date: July 25, 2017
• Platforms: Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch
• Gameplay features: Battle royale mode, building mechanics, creative mode, Save the World cooperative mode, frequent updates, live events, cross-platform play
• Developer: Epic Games
• Payment model: Free to play with in-app purchases available
• Best for: Players who enjoy competitive multiplayer games with a mix of shooting and building mechanics, those who appreciate dynamic and evolving game environments 

Fortnite is a battle royale game where 100 players are dropped onto an island and fight to be the last person or team standing. Players gather resources, build structures, and engage in combat with a variety of weapons and items. The game features a shrinking safe zone that forces players into closer encounters as the match progresses. The game also includes a creative mode where players can build their own maps and game modes and a Save the World mode that focuses on cooperative gameplay against AI enemies.

What makes Fortnite stand out is its unique building mechanic, which allows players to construct walls, ramps, and floors to gain a tactical advantage in combat. This adds a layer of strategy not seen in other battle royale games. Additionally, Fortnite is known for its frequent updates and live events, which introduce new content, limited-time game modes, and map changes. These elements keep the game fresh and engaging for players, ensuring a dynamic and evolving experience.

13. Final Fantasy VII

• Genre: Action, adventure
• Release date: August 16, 2016
• Platforms: Android, iOS
• Gameplay features: Turn-based combat, materia system, Limit Breaks, enhanced graphics, optimized touchscreen controls, original storyline
• Developer: Square Enix
• Payment model: One-time purchase
• Best for: Players who love classic RPGs and newcomers seeking an engaging, story-driven game with rich character development and strategic gameplay 

Final Fantasy VII brings the iconic RPG to mobile devices, allowing players to experience its compelling story and memorable characters on the go. The game follows Cloud Strife, a mercenary who joins an eco-terrorist group to stop the evil megacorporation Shinra from draining the planet’s life energy. Along the way, players encounter a diverse cast of characters, each with their own backstory and motivations. 

The mobile RPG game includes enhanced graphics that breathe new life into the game's detailed environments and character models, offering a nostalgic yet fresh experience for fans and newcomers alike.

The mobile adaptation also retains the core gameplay elements that made the original a classic, including turn-based combat, materia system for magic and abilities, and the iconic Limit Breaks. It also features improved controls optimized for touchscreens, making it easier to navigate menus and explore the game world.

The Best Android Games at a Glance

From immersive RPGs to fast-paced action games, these titles offer something for every type of gamer.

How To Choose the Best Android Game 

Selecting the perfect Android game involves a mix of personal taste and practical considerations. Here’s a quick guide to help you make an informed choice:

• Game genre and personal preference: Choose a genre that matches your interests, whether it’s RPGs, action, puzzles, or strategy, to ensure you enjoy the game.
• Graphics quality and visual appeal: Look for games with high-quality graphics and a visual style that captures your attention and enhances gameplay.
• In-app purchases and pricing model: Consider the game’s pricing structure and any in-app purchases to understand the overall cost and value.
• User reviews and ratings: Read reviews and check ratings to gauge the game’s quality and player satisfaction before downloading.
• Compatibility with your device and operating system: Ensure the game is compatible with your device and its operating system to avoid performance issues and crashes.

Unforgettable Android Gaming Experiences 

Mobile gaming now represents the biggest section of the gaming industry, and for good reason. The best APK games on Android can withstand the hits on any platform, and as our list of titles shows, they’re only getting bigger and better.

With smartphones becoming more capable by the year, the next generation of Android games is sure to impress us even further. With more realistic games, bigger worlds, and more complex gameplay, it’s an exciting time to be an Android player. Don’t worry if you’re a casual fan, either — you’ll still have a huge library of Android games to play in 2024 and beyond.

Android Games FAQ

Explore our FAQ for insights into game compatibility, troubleshooting, and tips to enhance your gaming experience on Android.

What Is the Coolest Game on Android?

The "coolest" game on Android can vary widely depending on personal tastes and preferences. For some, it might be a visually stunning game with impressive graphics like Genshin Impact. For those who enjoy social and multiplayer experiences, Among Us might be the coolest. Ultimately, the coolest game is the one that aligns with your interests and provides the most enjoyment for you.

Which Is the Best Free Phone Game?

There are several competitors for the best free phone game, but many players would choose Fortnite as the most popular game. With action, a changing story, and a huge amount of skins, Fortnite really captures players' imaginations — whether playing alone or with friends.

Which Game Is Better for Android?

If you prefer Android over iOS, then all games will be better for Android. This is mostly just a matter of personal taste, and there isn't a right or wrong answer — that is, unless a game is only released on Android, which makes Android the obvious best pick!