Summary
timeless Android games.. The greatest Android games are universally appealing and span many genres, but in the early days of the Play Store, there were a few more restrictions.
timeless Android games
We were treated to classic games that established the benchmark for Android gaming a good ten or more years ago, while publishers investigated how terrible microtransactions could be and developers figured out exactly what kinds of games were appropriate for mobile devices.
To demonstrate where they are at the moment, we’ve compiled a list of some of the most important old Android games. Even in 2024, games from multi-media properties and older titles are still enjoyable to play, particularly on low-cost Android phones.
1-Angry Birds
The ultimate mobile game has diminished from what it once was.
Arguably, Angry Birds is the ultimate mobile game. Ten months after its December 2009 release, it had amassed 12 million downloads on iOS devices thanks to its age-appropriate and compelling gameplay. (It was released in October 2010 on Android.) Few people realized at the time, though, that the Angry Birds brand would grow to include 29 games, two movies, and multiple television episodes by 2024.
But if you search for “Angry Birds” on the Play Store these days, all that comes up are the spin-offs and sequels. In February 2023, the original game was taken down from the Play Store and renamed Red’s First Flight for iOS. The original game can no longer be downloaded through the Play Store due to this shift, which is intended to entice players to the sequels and spin-offs that are heavily reliant on microtransactions.
2- Minecraft
An enormous shift in the brand began with the release of Minecraft Pocket Edition.
Though it may seem odd to think of Minecraft as a “classic” Android game, the game’s August 2011 release on mobile devices had a significant influence on the brand. When Minecraft Pocket Edition first launched, it was an early alpha build similar to earlier PC iterations. Despite being a simplified transfer, it would go on to play a significant role in making Minecraft a cross-platform gaming phenomenon.
The C++ coding of the Minecraft Pocket Edition, as opposed to Java, made it possible for the July 2015 release of the Windows version of the game. Eventually, these titles were combined into a single cross-platform game that could be played on mobile, PC, and consoles.
3- Fruit Ninja
Nearly unchanged since 2010
Fruit, which hasn’t altered much since 2010, effectively used the same formula of entertaining, family-friendly gameplay as other early mobile hits like Plants vs. Zombies and Angry Birds. Released in September 2010 for Android and August 2010 for iOS, the game inspired a number of spin-offs, most notably Fruit Ninja VR for the HTC Vive and PS4 in 2012, Fruit Ninja Kinect and the Fruit Ninja FX arcade game in 2011, a direct sequel in 2015, and the mixed-reality Apple Vision Pro title Super Fruit Ninja earlier this year.
Although it did not inspire a brand as expansive as Angry Birds, the original Fruit Ninja game remains active on the Play Store and may be downloaded for free with advertisements or purchased for $2.99 to remove them.
4- Clash of Clans
The game that demonstrated how enjoyable free-to-play could be
Launched in October 2013 for Android and August 2012 for iOS, Clash of Clans established how effective this model might be by successfully fusing real-time strategy, MMORPG elements, and free-to-play elements into an incredibly popular game. Since the early days of Android, free-to-play massively multiplayer role-playing games with base-building elements have plagued gamers searching for high-quality titles on the Play Store. However, Clash of Clans’ more substantial gameplay has kept it in the top ten highest-grossing games on the PlayStore, even after more than a decade of release.
Nearly as popular as its predecessor, the spin-off real-time arena battler Clash Royale has spawned other successors, including Warcraft Arclight Rumble.
5- Plants vs. Zombies
A spinoff including third-person shooters in 2011? Who would have thought?
Similar to Angry Birds, Plants vs. Zombies quickly became a multi-platform phenomenon. However, it’s simple to overlook the fact that the well-known mobile game was first released on the PC in August 2009 before making its way to iOS in February 2010 and Android in May 2011 through the Amazon Appstore.
Special mentions
Numerous video games that were popular in the Play Store’s early years are now household names. The biggest are mentioned above, but here are a few more of AP’s all-time favorite vintage Android games from the Play Store’s infancy.
- Temple Run: The original game and its spin-offs are still available on the Play Store, despite the lack of innovation in the sequels and more popular competitors (like Subway Surfer).
- Desert Golfing: This simple golf game, updated in 2018 with a real conclusion, is still a must-play.
Doodle Jump: Since its 2010 premiere on the Play Store, this beloved platformer game has only seen one sequel. - World of Goo: A sequel is scheduled for release in 2024 after the mobile version was upgraded and added to the Netflix Games library.
2018 saw the release of a sequel for the lovely endless runner game Alto’s Adventure, which is still accessible on the Play Store. - Monument Valley is still one of our favorite puzzle games on Android, and there are already plans for two more.In 2011, Electronic Arts acquired PopCap Games, the company behind Plants vs. Zombies, with the intention of creating a multimedia franchise out of the game. In 2024, there will be three third-person shooters, two comic book series, two sequels that stick to the tower-defense formula, and a spin-off digital collectible card game called Plants vs. Zombies Heroes.
What are your favorite Android games?
Better than ever, the Play Store offers a great selection of Android games, with the newest and best titles always worth checking out. AAA console games like Alien: Isolation, huge strategy games like Medieval II: Total War, and access to console games through apps like Xbox Game Pass are all available as downloads.
