The competition in the Android mobile gaming space has been heating up since anyone can remember, and thanks to that, developers on the platform have been up and about in producing the best games they can push out to conquer the scene.
That said, here are some of the most notable titles to help gamers start 2017 on a strong note.
Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney
Developer: Capcom
Price: $15.99
Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney going from the DS to Android is Capcom's first port of the series, and boy, did the company do justice (heh) to it.
For those who don't know, it's the fourth game following Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney, Justice for All, and Trials and Tribulations, and the theme is basically the same where you are tasked with investigating areas to collect clues and evidence and winning cases in trials as a defense attorney.
To make things even sweeter, the game's performance can be increased to 60 fps for a fluid experience or set to 30 fps to let lower-end devices capable of running it without a hitch.
At $15.99, it might seem a bit pricier than expected, but hey, this is the full version of Apollo Justice we're talking about, and that means you won't find in-app purchases or any freemium "features" on it.
Fallout Shelter
Developer: Bethesda Softworks
Price: Free
Fallout Shelter is one of those free-to-play games that was warmly received by many when it launched back in 2015.
The gameplay is fairly simple: you step into the shoes of an Overseer, manage and improve a Vault, get more people to join your little community or get your dwellers to procreate, send some of the citizens outside to scavenge for valuables in the Wasteland, defend your shelter from Raiders, make sure the facilities are in tip-top shape, and keep your inhabitants happy.
It doesn't cost a penny to download, so to no one's surprise, it comes with in-app purchases. However, you don't have to spend a dime to make progress, not to mention that Bethesda also keeps it alive, adding in new content from time to time.
It's also worth pointing out that Fallout Shelter was ported to the PC last year, giving players the option to play it on the desktop or laptop.
Hearthstone: Heroes Of Warcraft
Developer: Blizzard Entertainment
Price: Free
The list just wouldn't be complete without Blizzard's card game Hearthstone, as it's one of the biggest titles to hit Android in 2014.
In the game, you play as a Druid, Hunter, Mage, Paladin, Priest, Rogue, Shaman, or Warrior. You then build decks based on your class and use various strategies to overcome your opponent and maybe even climb the ladder in Ranked play and be among the best of the best players with the Legendary ranking.
Pokémon GO
Developer: Niantic
Price: Free
Back in July 2016, Pokémon GO rose to the top of the Android market, quickly becoming one of the highest-rated games ever. However, it did hit a couple of snags on the way, including but not limited to the disappointing generation 2 update.
Still, catching Pokémon and competing with other trainers to claim Gyms are more than enough to keep users glued to their smartphone screens — while staying aware of their surroundings, of course.
As evidence to that, Pokémon GO players have clocked in more than 8.7 billion kilometers as of Dec. 7, 2016.
Minecraft: Pocket Edition
Developer: Mojang
Price: $6.99
More or less, Minecraft: Pocket Edition is the same as the PC version across the board, but needless to say, it doesn't offer as much, as it's essentially the portable edition of the game.
At any rate, it still delivers the gameplay and experience that players across the globe have known and loved, including bashing mob skulls and building stuff, to name a few.
Do you have an Android game in mind that deserves to be part of the list? If so, drop by our comments section below and let us know.
