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15 best arcade games for Android
For a long time, arcade games were among the most popular in the world. They usually have short play times, consistent challenges, and simple gameplay. They’re marked by their increase in challenge as the game progresses. Some popular examples from mobile’s early days include Angry Birds, Fruit Ninja, and Doodle Jump. The result is a highly addictive, enjoyable experience that gives players the urge to keep going. However, playtimes are generally shorter and they aren’t deep games. Thus, you can have fun when you want. Arcade games on mobile aren’t quite the same as their coin-operated predecessors, but they can still provide a good time. Here are the best arcade games for Android!
The best arcade games for Android
Aspalt 9: Legends
Price: Free to play
Asphalt 9: Legends is the latest game in one of the most popular arcade racer franchises on mobile. The controls are simple enough and the graphics are quite good. There are a ton of story missions to complete, various cars to unlock, and a competitive online PvP mode. You have plenty of stuff to do for a very long time in this game. The free-to-play elements can be a bit aggressive and the controls were arguably better in previous games. However, this is easily one of the best arcade racers on mobile. Gameloft also launched its Gameloft Classics: 20 Years (Google Play link) with a bunch of other good arcade games.
Brawl Stars
Price: Free to play
Brawl Stars is the latest game from Supercell, developers of Clash of Clans and Clash Royale. This online arcade brawler is surprisingly engaging. You and several other random online players go head to head against other players in several different game types. That includes three vs three, two vs two, and one vs one game types along with several three vs three game types. It’s a quick play with a bunch of action. Supercell did well with this one. Of course, other Supercell games are fun for killing some time as well.
See also: The best fighting games for Android
Bullet Hell Monday
Price: Free / $1.99-$4.99
Bullet Hell Monday is what an arcade game is all about. It includes frantic action and tons of it. It’s a top-down shooter where the goal is to defeat enemies who are also shooting at you. The thing is, the enemies fire a lot of bullets at you. Like, a lot of bullets. That’s the basic challenge of the game. Some other features include 50 levels, three game modes, four difficulties, an endless mode, and an online leaderboard. We could easily see people popping quarters in a machine in the 1990s to play this one. You can also click here to check out more excellent bullet hell titles.
Crossy Road
Price: Free to play
Crossy Road is one of the most popular mobile games ever. It’s basically this generation’s version of Frogger. You move a character across roads, train tracks, rivers, and other areas. The goal is to avoid being crushed, run over, or drowned. The game features a ton of playable characters, local and online multiplayer support. Android TV support, and more. The game is freemium. However, it’s mostly unlocking playable characters. You can’t pay to win this game. It’s fun, it’s mostly family friendly, and it’s an excellent example of a modern arcade game.
Duet
Price: Free / $2.99
Duet is an interesting and entertaining arcade game. You rotate two balls around an axis and simultaneously avoid falling platforms of various shapes. The free version of the game comes with the campaign mode, achievements, and some other goodies. The full game adds a few additional game modes, more achievements, and more. This is one of the few good arcade games on mobile with a single price tag at $2.99. Most of the rest of them are freemium games. Thankfully, the game is also legitimately good and fun. Fans of the series still play this game, despite it coming out years ago.
Grand Mountain Adventure
Price: Free / $4.99
Grand Mountain Adventure is one of the newer arcade games on the list. This one is a ski game with surprisingly outstanding graphics, simple and satisfying controls, and plenty to do. You ski down various mountains while completing various challenges. Additionally, there are hidden areas to find, hardware controller support, and even a rudimentary trick system. The free version is a demo of sorts and you can play the first mountain free. The premium version unlocks the whole game. You can also play this one free with Google Play Pass if you use it.
Noodlecake Studios games
Price: Free / Free to play / Varies
Noodlecake Studios is a developer on Google Play. They have several really good arcade games. Some of their better titles include Alto’s Odyssey (and Alto’s Adventure), Super Stickman Golf, Bitcoin Billionaire, and others. They have plenty of non-arcade titles that are just fantastic as well. The games are usually easy to play, inexpensive, and fun. The games also come in a variety of genres, including sports, racing, fighting, and others. We have their collection linked up with the button above.
See also: The best adventure games for Android
Pinball Deluxe: Reloaded
Price: Free / Varies
Pinball Deluxe: Reloaded is one of the more popular pinball games. It features a variety of boards, multiple game types, and various themes. You also get mods for table customization, power-ups, and an online multiplayer. Only a few of the pinball boards are available for free. The rest come in the form of in-app purchases. Otherwise, this is a very competently done pinball game. We also recommend Zen Studios pinball games on Google Play if this one isn’t doing it for you.
Rayark rhythm games
Price: Free / Varies
Rayark is another developer on Google Play. This one specializes in arcade-style rhythm games. They also happen to be the best rhythm games on the entire platform. Each game features an anime theme, solid mechanics, bouncy, electronica pop songs, and plenty of free content. Most games split their songs into half free and half paid. The premium content is, of course, available as in-app purchases. The latest in the series, Cytus II, has 60 songs (30 free and 30 paid) with three difficulties each. That’s 180 activities. Other excellent arcade rhythm games in their collection include the original Cytus, Sdorica, Deemo, VOEZ, and Mandora. Some of those are available on Google Play Pass as well.
See also: The best rhythm games for Android
Rocket League Sideswipe
Price: Free to play
Rocket League Sideswipe is one of the more popular arcade games of the last couple of years. It’s a 2D version of the classic PC and console version of the game. You and a teammate drive around and try to knock a soccer ball into the goal against two opponents. This version has 1v1 and 3v3 modes as well for some variety. Matches take place in two minutes and even features offline matches as well. There is a Rocket Pass with some extra customizations and a casual mode that lets you play without affecting your rank. It’s well-rounded fun without a ton of downside.
SEGA Forever games
Price: Free / $1.99 (usually)
SEGA Forever is a collection of old SEGA games. Some of them are also excellent, old arcade games. Some of the options include Sonic the Hedgehog, Altered Beast, Crazy Taxi, Ristar, Golden Axe, and more. Most games have their own set of mechanics. They are, in fact, ports of old console games. They are easily accessible, free to download (with ads), and relatively solid. Each game can be purchased for $1.99 to remove the ads. You can search for SEGA Forever on Google Play to see some of the titles. In addition, some of these actually were arcade games back in the 1990s. Additionally, some of these are available on Google Play Pass as well.
Sky Force Reloaded
Price: Free to play
Sky Force Reloaded is an ode to old, top-down shooters. This one has better graphics and mechanics, though. The game includes a campaign mode with many missions. There are also mini-missions, upgrades, power-ups, and more. The mechanics are easy enough to learn. You just glide your finger around to move your plane and shoot bad guys. It’s a freemium title. However, the IAPs aren’t as bad as we’ve seen in other titles.
See also: The best Android tower defense games
True Skate
Price: $1.99 with additional in-app purchases
True Skate is one of the most popular skateboarding games on mobile. The idea is that you play as a disembodied skateboard and your fingers are used to skate around and perform tricks. It features a lot of intangible things that add charm to the game, including wear and tear on the skateboard, slow motion replays, and more. You’ll get some places to skate, but you’ll have to unlock the majority of parks and courses using in-app purchases along with tons of other stuff. The game is really fun, even if the the in-app purchase strategy is rather aggressive.
Yodo1 Games
Price: Free to play
Yodo1 Games has some of the best arcade games for everybody. Their titles are generally inoffensive, easy to play, and great for kids as well as adults. Some of their titles include RØDEo Stampede, Rooms of Doom, and a few others. Some of the studio’s more recent titles include Hang Line and Battle Balls Royale. Each game has its own set of mechanics but they all fit nicely within the arcade genre. Plus, they are all family friendly and good for kids too.
See also: The best games like Minecraft on Android
Various IO games
Price: Free to play (usually)
The IO games are a genre of arcade games that people seem to really like. They all have different mechanics, but share a core element. They are all online multiplayer combat games where you duel it out with a bunch of strangers. Some notable examples include sliter.io, Agar.io, Paper.io, Brutal.io, and some newer ones like AXE.IO . The mechanics vary from game to game. AXE.IO is a hack-and-slash game while Agar.io is a smash game where you must smack into players who are smaller than you. There are literally dozens and dozens of IO games and they’re all basically arcade games.
If we missed any of the best arcade games for Android, tell us about them in the comments. You can also click here to check out our latest Android app and game lists.
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