We all love games on Android, the graphics have gotten better and better over the years and our smartphones and tablets now behave more like games consoles than they do anything else. Not everyone wants to get wrapped up the latest epic however, sometimes we just want to play! That means we don’t want to be wrapped up in a massive story, and we just want to play a game that’s good, casual fun. This Top 10 list of Casual Games for Android is all about the games you can just pick up and play no matter what you’re in to. Play them on your lunch break at work, to pass the time in class, to keep awake at night – the choice is yours.
4 Pics 1 Word
4 Pics 1 Word is a game that appeals to pretty much any age. My girlfriend loves it, her little sister of 8 loves it and my Dad who’s touching 70 enjoys it. A simple, yet surprising game that taxes your brain to use word association skills to come up with the right word, there’s a lot to love about this little gem. Plus, it’s free and once you get good at it you shouldn’t really need to cough for the in-app purchases, either.
Subway Surfers
If you like games that never really end, then Subway Surfers is a great option. The ever expanding high scores are good fun, and the endless running is put together with some basic, yet very addictive mechanics. On the face of it, this is like any other Temple Run game out there, but the fact that the scenery and characters change all the time helps to keep the game fresh, and chasing high scores is a slippery slope. (Try and beat my 6 Million score!)
Goat Simulator
If you want something a little more demanding and in-depth than these other options, then Goat Simulator might be worth a try. This is a game that lampoons both the portrayal of Goats as being destructive and Simulator games as being boring. It offers a game that is great fun to play, asks you to care about absolutely nothing, and just lets you have fun. The 3D graphics are great, it looks brilliant on modern devices, and attaching a goat’s tongue to a moving truck NEVER gets old.
Angry Birds
Angry Birds might be getting on a bit now, and there are sequels and other ‘Birds games, but the original is still the best. It’s packed with hundreds of levels, there’s little to understand other than pigs are bad and it’s a game that the whole family can enjoy. Something that you can enjoy with the kids, as well as on your own, pulling your hair out solving that one level, Angry Birds is laid back, good fun for everyone. Plus, the seasonal updates at Valentine’s, Halloween and Christmas are nice to look forward to.
Candy Crush Soda Saga
If you haven’t played a Candy Crush game by now, even just secretly to see what the fuss is about, then there’s a good chance that you’re a lost hope. I’m kidding, of course, but Candy Crush Soda Saga is definitely a game worth playing, if you enjoy puzzlers and want a game to occupy your brain without consuming you, then this is a decent option. The trick is to realize that you can put the tablet down, and pick up tomorrow, this is a seriously addictive game, but it needn’t drain your time unless you let it.
Fruit Ninja
Fruit Ninja is one of my favorite games on Android. It is so addictive, yet the 60-second arcade mode makes it easy to simply put down after a little while. It’s been out for a long time now, but has been updated with lots of add ons and that sort of thing so there’s a lot on offer here. The mechanic of swiping a finger across a display sounds silly, but it could not be any more intuitive and it appeals to the whole family as well, which is always nice.
Peggle Blast
Peggle Blast is a game similar to puzzle bobble of old and that sort of thing. It’s easy enough to pick up and play, doesn’t ask too much of the player and it’s free to download, too. It’s taken off recently, and we can see why, it’s an arcade classic that you can take with you wherever you want. Good, simple fun that’s great for everyone.
Moto X Mayhem
Moto X Mayhem is a game that I’m sure boys will like, and lots of big kids out there will probably know and love this little gem already. Essentially, you just need to keep on the straight and narrow without coming off of the bike. You do this by controlling the tilt of the ride on his bike, and each level has a different route and theme to it.
Plumber
Plumber is a game that basically presents a simple puzzle in front of players, and asks them to turn the water back on. It’s accessible for pretty much any age or skill level, and as it’s a fairly universal concept for a puzzler, there’s no barrier for entry. All of the things that a good casual game needs to be a hit. There’s not much to get in the way of the gameplay, and it’s pretty straightforward and good fun.
Temple Run 2
Temple Run 2 is another classic endless runner title, it’s a game that has some simple mechanics, doesn’t ask much of the player, and the controls are easily accessed. There’s a lot of swiping and tilting going on in Temple Run 2, and just as with Subway Surfers, the scores accumulate quite quickly, and one-upping family members and friends has become a pastime for many.