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The best new Android apps and games for November 2024
Keeping track of all the new Android apps can be tough, but I’m happy to do the hard work for you. I’ve scoured the internet to find the best new Android apps and new Android games available, focusing on titles that offer something different to the status quo. Be sure to visit our list of the best Android apps of all time, best Android games ever, and our selection of the best new Android apps released in 2023 for more.
The best new Android apps and games for November 2024
Arc Search
A new Android browser that puts search first and foremost.
- Price: Free
- Developer: The Browser Company of New York
Arc Search recently landed on Android after spending a few months on iOS, macOS, and Windows, and I’m glad it’s finally here. The browser centers around search, providing a host of providers, including Google, but more importantly its own Browse for Me feature. The latter crawls the internet to find specific data related to your query. Its results are akin to Perplexity’s “answer engine” output, but it provides far more concise info snippets.
Beyond that, Arc shares its core with Google Chrome and offers broad website support and quick load times. Its tab management system is more like an OS than a browser, and takes some getting used to. I don’t think this mechanic is useful, but it may grow on me as time passes.
The app is young, and the Android version lacks features on other platforms, including profile, sync, and extension support. However, it should mature pretty quickly on the platform. I hope.
Nintendo Music
Listen to soundtracks from Nintendo’s broad library of games.
- Price: Free / Requires an active Nintendo Switch Online membership
- Developer: Nintendo Co.
If you ever find yourself humming along to the Zelda theme song or Super Mario Bros., Nintendo has the app for you. Nintendo Music might sound like another Spotify competitor specifically for the Nintendo Switch, but no, it’s a mobile app that houses and streams Nintendo’s vast library of game music. It’s a great idea, and its features make it even better.
The game soundtracks range from modern Switch titles to Game Boy and NES classics, and Nintendo promises more music will be added over time. The app also includes a custom playlist feature, a player timer to fall asleep to Animal Crossing jams, and offline playback.
One minor hindrance is that you will need an active Nintendo Switch Online membership to listen to music on the app.
Pokemon TCG Pocket
A hugely enjoyable digital version of Pokemon’s legendary card collection game.
- Price: Free with in-app purchases from $0.99 – $99.99 per item
- Developer: The Pokemon Company
After a long lead-up, Pokemon TCG Pocket is now official, and I’ve been playing it almost non-stop since its debut. It’s fronted by an enjoyable tutorial that guides you through the ins and outs of the game. I’m impartial to the game’s convoluted UI and obscure mechanics, but I do appreciate how readily the game hands out free cards.
Within an hour, I gathered over 20, including rather brilliant Charmander and Haunter picks. The actual battle gameplay element unlocks after you hit level 3, while other features, like binders, unlock a little later.
New cards are dished out every 12 hours or so, but an hourglass mechanic allows you to reduce this time. Additionally, a nifty Wonder Pick feature lets you choose one card from a deck others have opened. This also requires stamina, but it offers a slightly different gameplay element. While you can purchase Poke Gold to buy more card packs, spending cash in this game isn’t really necessary at all.
If you’re new to Pokemon, this title is a great gateway into the universe. If you’re experienced, it’s a free continuation of the real-life TCG.
Shadow of the Depth
A top-down roguelike with fluid movements, hand-drawn cutscenes, and satisfying combat.
- Price: Free with in-app purchases from $0.99 – $5.99 per item
- Developer: ChillyRoom
Shadow of the Depth debuted on Windows nearly a year ago, but it’s finally available on Android this month.
It’s a top-down roguelike set in a fantasy world overrun by monsters. You play as numerous characters as you progress through the world, taking on several enemy types, too. The game offers an extensive talent system, which gives it plenty of replayability, while the fluid movements and combos make the combat pretty fun.
The early game is fairly slow but speeds up as it progresses. It also offers controller support, making it a great game for Android tablets.
Mozilla Thunderbird
Firefox’s legendary desktop email client cousin is now available on Android.
- Price: Free
- Developer: Mozilla Thunderbird
Thunderbird was my first real email client, and I used it for years in college. However, I fell out of love with it when I embraced Gmail’s always-online habit. The product has since seen a minor revival, and its refreshed beta version landed on Android just a few weeks ago. Now, the app’s stable release is officially available.
If you have multiple email accounts from various providers or don’t want to use the Gmail app, Thunderbird is a solid, AI-free alternative.
It’s essentially a reskin of K9 Mail, but that’s a positive. It provides a solid base, easy email account onboarding, and a modern UI.
Climb Knight
A simple, retro tower climber that’s full of charm and challenge.
- Price: Free / In-app purchases from $1.99 per item
- Developer: AppSir Games
Finally, we get to something far less visually stimulating. Climb Knight embraces its charming, retro LCD aesthetic, and it really works.
It’s an adventure tower climber, but it’s far more forgiving than some other titles in the genre. That said, it is pretty challenging. Your little knight constantly runs from left to right, making jump timing and planning incredibly important. Enemies are swift, points are often located in awkward locations, and any damage is an instakill.
The game is ad-supported, with full-screen interruptions rather than ruining the flow every few rounds. You can pay a small fee to disable these, though.