Okay, so is there a list of the top 5 android games, regardless how old? I haven't done much android gaming and I'm looking to toss some games on my tablet. I have all the Kingdom Rush games, so tower defense is set.
Any top 5 Android games list from the Internet will likely include games that everyone has heard of such as Angry Birds and Pokémon Go, so I decided to do a list of my favorites in each genre.
Best strategy game - Battle for Polytopia:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=air.com.midjiwan.polytopia
Almost no one has heard of this game, but it's the closest that you can possibly come to playing the Civilization series on mobile without playing the Civ Android game. Build up your civilization, gather resources, fortify your cities, and take over other civilizations. Best of all, it's free to play with no bad permissions. It's even playable on Shield TV with the controller, although I would recommend plugging in a mouse too to get the best control.
Best RPG - Space Grunts:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.orangepixel.spacegrunts
I've mentioned this game before in this thread, but that's only because it's my favorite mobile game of all time. It goes on sale now and then, but it's well worth the asking price. You're trapped on a space station and have to use turn based battles with real time attacks in order to kill enemies and move on to the next stage. Yes, it's a roguelike, but that only adds to the playability. And, there are countless secrets hidden in the stage. Because you can't play it once and be done with it, you can go back to it over and over and over. Then, post your high scores to the leaderboard.
Best 3D fighting game: Soul Calibur:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.namcobandaigames.soulcaliburgp
Yes, it's the original game that was on Dreamcast, but there isn't another fighting game that comes close to it on mobile. Smooth as butter, and a visual showpiece for any mobile device that can run it. I still play it on my Galaxy Tab 2, so it should work on pretty much anything. The only complaints are that it's an expensive game and that Weapons Master mode has been stripped out. I bought it for $9.99 when it first came out and then it went back up to $13.99, and I don't think it ever went back on sale.
Best 2D fighting game: Garou: Mark of the Wolves:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.snkplaymore.android013
Another title that was on Dreamcast that is mind-blowing on mobile if you have a controller. You need a sturdy D-pad for this one, but it's a really good port. SNK's games go on sale now and again, though, so no hurry.
Best horizontal shmup: Dariusburst - SP:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=jp.co.taito.am.dariusBurstSP
Buy it while it's still on sale, which it is at the moment. I just bought it the other day, and I am really enjoying it. Of course, it doesn't have a lot of competition either since there aren't many horizontal shmups on Google Play. Branching paths like the previous titles, neat power-ups, and I think this is an all-new game or at least an arcade port that I hadn't played before. For some reason, I wasn't able to get the assets to download to play it on Shield TV, but my Galaxy Tab 2 and my Mad Catz M.O.J.O. will run it with no problems.
Best vertical shmup: Sky Force Anniversary:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=pl.idreams.skyforcehdtv
Yes, you're constantly shooting at waves of enemies, but the challenging part is rescuing the people who are strewn around the stages. Also, it's not a bullet hell game, which makes it fun enough to play if you don't have a large playfield to look at. It's also free to play and works well with a controller, which is good.
Best platformer: Rayman Jungle Run:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.pastagames.ro1mobile
It's been surpassed by the sequel, Rayman Fiesta Run, which is equally good, but this game runs on all my Android devices, so it should run on a potato if it has a screen. Fiesta Run doesn't. Looks just like the PS3/Xbox 360 games, and it plays just as well. Reasonably priced.
Best racer: Asphalt 8 - Airborne:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.gameloft.android.ANMP.GloftA8HM
Everyone hates Gameloft, and they should since you will probably hit a paywall sooner than later with this one, but until then, you'll have a great time. This game mixes Need for Speed with Burnout, so I had a ball with it. The tracks are mind-melting for a mobile game. I still go back to it quite often, and I haven't spent a dime on it.
Best online first person shooter: Shadowgun: DeadZone:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.madfingergames.deadzone
This game is the Halo of the Android world. Free to play, and I've spent many hours just playing games online as a guest. If you like taking other gamers out with a BFG, this is the game to play.
