It's taken some time, but Google Play Android Games is finally beginning to attract some great games! Many of them have a dual existence on the iTunes App Store, but a few exclusives are starting to crop up here and there. Either way, gaming on your Android phone is getting better and better, and we\'re here to cover the top releases!
Because Google Play Android Games can only be browsed from your phone (for now), we've chosen to link all game names to their respective home pages. Click the title link to check out a game in your browser, or scan/click the image to download the game.
Replica Island - A puzzle platformer starring the Android's cute little green mascot. Dash around each stage evading enemies, collecting coins, and using your jet boost to fly for short periods of time. Forty challenging levels make this a surprisingly deep game, and best of all, it's free! The default controls map movement to the phone's track pad which, depending on your phone, is a hit-or-miss affair. The options menu lets you try tilt controls or switch movement to the keyboard, assuming your phone has a keyboard, that is.
Drop7 - The jewel of the mobile puzzle genre, Drop7 is the new Tetris. Drop numbered discs to the bottom of the grid by tapping on the screen. If the number on the face matches the number of orbs in that row/column, they vanish. Special "egg" discs must be cracked open before revealing their numbers, adding an interesting wildcard flavor to the mix. Setting up chain reactions is all a matter of knowing which circles will vanish with each move. Play it smart and play it safe to stay in the game! Extremely addictive.
Doodle Jump - One of the biggest hits from the iPhone market finds a natural home on your Android phone. A simple action game at heart, all you do is tilt the device left and right to control which direction the little jumping guy moves. Keep landing on platforms to work your way skyward, and picking up springs, jet packs, shields boosts and other power-ups helps you along the way. A great visual presentation and very frequent updates makes it an excellent casual mobile game! Some older Android phones may experience sluggish movement, but the Doodle Jump team is working to correct every glitch users have encountered, which is encouraging.
ZENONIA - A full-length 16-bit styled role playing game right on your phone! The action-RPG title combines Zelda-like design with upgradeable skills and plenty of inventory management. Expect just about everything you would get from an RPG released in 1995, including a slightly cheesy story. The touch controls can be a bit fussy at times, especially if you're used to having a physical controller in your hands, and the dialogue is rough, but it's hard to argue with a full-length RPG that looks this retro-good. Note: Both free and full versions of ZENONIA are available. Scan the left QR code for the full version, the right for the free.
Paper Toss - Scientific fact: any time any person throws paper in the trash bin, it's a game. Instead of making a mess on the ground (we know you don't always hit the goal), just download Paper Toss, a free physics game of... paper tossing! Wind direction and speed play a factor in this brutally simple game, and you'll have so much fun throwing paper away you won't mind there isn't a recycle bin in sight. The office setting was a great design choice, as many of us will be playing this while sitting in an actual office. Did I say playing? I meant reading work-related text messages...
NOTE: Games listed may not be available outside of North America. Prices are subject to change and are therefore unlisted. Please see the individual game pages for purchasing info. Games have been confirmed to run on Android 2.1 on an HTC Eris.
It's a great thing that you have finally started reviewing games for Android, and I especially like that you supply QR barcodes for each game. So kudos for that.
As for the games, I don't see why Paper Toss needs to have access to my location and to phone calls. I figure that it uses phone call state to close if you receive a call, and it definitely uses the location to bring you local ads, but it shouldn't be necessary in an otherwise good game. And Drop 7 seems to have been taken off the market.
Tons of apps seem to need access to phone calls, and I'm guessing your idea is spot-on. The price we pay for multitasking.
Also, Drop7 is indeed on the market and shows up just fine.
Doodle Jump looks a lot like Abduction World Attack but more expensive and without a free trial version.
I was hoping JIG would be adding some Android games! Especially as I'm getting an Android-enabled phone this Friday. I've heard good things about Replica and Zenonia, so I'll weigh in later.
Confused here! Is Mobile Monday just for cell phone games or can they be played on the laptop?
Thanks for covering Android! Ten Mushrooms!
NikkiNox: the Platform in the review header will tell you what is needed to run the game. In this case, "Android" means the Android OS, which is presently for smartphones only.
Drop7 was great on the Iphone, very addictive esp. hardcore mode.
I've been waiting for this :) Thanks!
Can't thank you guys enough for starting to do Android games! I was just scrolling down past the Mobile Mondays (as usual) when I noticed the familiar code symbols.
Renews my appreciation for JIG! :) (as if I didn't already love this site enough)
Yay android! And QR codes!
I recently got the lg android & found Replica Island. Love the game but have a couple of problems/questions. Please help..so frustrating! When I completed level 6 (maybe 7?), it took me straight to level ("memory playback") #12. There I meet Kyle and can NOT figure out how to get by/defeat him!? Any kind of walkthru/cheats for this game? Please advise! Thanks so much!
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