Best casual games for Android 2021

Some people don't want to spend hours on their phones playing games. Casual games are a great alternative! These games are hugely popular, with icons like Candy Crush Saga and Angry Birds leading the charge. These games can be played anywhere and at your own speed, so you can have fun with them. Many casual games are completely free and offer in-app purchases. While some may cost a few dollars, they are well worth the investment. We have compiled some of our favorite games from the past as well as some newer ones that you can keep on your phone to give you a break during your workday. You'll find quite some of these games on our list. VPN Deals: Monthly plans starting at $16 for a lifetime license and more
AI Factory Limited Games

Source: Google Play Store

AI Factory Limited releases the classic games that many of us grew-up playing, such as chess, checkers and backgammon. However, it does this in a great way. AI's Chess is, for instance, my favorite chess game on Android. I have it installed on my phone since many years. Because the games are so great, it's hard to choose just one. These games are perfect for casual gamers. There are also card games, sudoku and tic-tac toe available. AI Factory Limited is your best bet if you love the old-fashioned stuff. You can either get a free version of most of the games, or pay a few dollars to unlock the ads-free versions, if you wish.

AI Factory Limited games You'll be entertained with both paid and free versions of classic board games like checkers, chess, backgammon and many more. Get it for free at the Google Play Store

Alto's Odyssey

Alto's Odyssey, a simple endless running game, has you racing down desert dunes and wall-riding rock formations while exploring ancient ruins. The beautiful sound design, soothing music, and shifting colors will keep you coming back for more adventure. While I love Alto's Adventure immensely, Odyssey has enough content to be worth its price. There's plenty to discover and unpack for both the hardcore fan and those who are just starting out in the franchise. You can still play the main game mode, which has many goals and characters to complete. Zen mode, which is a fan favorite, is also available for those moments when you want to relax and unwind.

Alto's Odyssey is a mobile game that offers endless running and casual fun. You will be able to board across dunes and grind through jungle temples while jumping off hot air balloons. Google Play Store: Free with IAPs

Among Us

One of the most popular social deduction games is Among Us. It is similar to Mafia and Werewolf in that you must find the impostor among your crewmates. The Impostor will attempt to kill all the crew members and/or undermine the mission. To kill everyone, the Impostor will use all manner of evil methods, including the ventilation system to move quickly, space corpses and misleading other players to take the blame. This is a casual, fun game of whodunnit. While it isn't as popular as it used to be, it's still very popular. You can download it for free and crossplay is available between the mobile and PC versions. However, if you wish to play on PC it costs $5.

Among Us Among Us is a social deduction party game that's great for friends. You can either work together to find the Imposter or you can kill them all if they are your Imposter. Google Play Store: Free with IAPs

Angry Birds 2.

The Angry Birds franchise is one those icons that have reached new heights in smartphone gaming. It was seven years ago that the first game launched on mobile. The original game, which was a simple one that pitted upset birds against the green pigs who stole their eggs, has since been spawned many spin-offs and sequels. Even a freaking Angry Birds film! Here's how it works: Each bird has a unique skill that can be used to destroy the evil pigs or restore order. You can fling the birds at obstacles or use features such as a Birdquake to improve their skills. Or you can buy the Mighty Eagle once and show the pigs who bosses they are. You can have a lot of fun with this game, regardless of your age or skill level. Angry Birds 2, the sequel, adds more birds, powerups and has more fun!

Angry Birds 2 Angry Birds celebrated its 10th Anniversary. This is quite remarkable for a game that involves flinging birds at pigs. As always, the sequel is free to play. Google Play Store: Free with IAPs

The Battle of Polytopia

The Battle of Polytopia is a great option for those who love strategy games such as Civilization 5 but don't have the time to spend 10 hours playing through full campaigns. This casual strategy game borrows heavily from Civilization 5, but is a new take on the genre for Android. You can upgrade your technology tree, discover new lands and decimate your enemies in multiplayer and solo modes. These modes are ideal for both quick pick-up and longer gaming sessions. It's packed with colorful poly graphics and is quite robust for a free-to play title.

The Battle of Polytopia. Strategy games and casual games rarely cross over. But then, there's The Battle of Polytopia. This strategy game is very portable and can be played on the go. Play it for free with IAPs on Google Play Store

Candy Crush Saga

Candy Crush is the most loved casual puzzler for smartphones. The latest Candy Crush twist lets you match three candy pieces on the board to make, spread, and clear away jelly. The Jelly Queen is your enemy. You can either battle her solo or challenge your friends to see if they are as skilled. You'll be wishing you could purchase and eat new candies in the game. You can access a leaderboard on Facebook that will show you your progress and highlight who is your biggest competitor. There are more than 100 levels of silly, sweet fun available. The games can be as brief or in-depth as your heart desires.

Candy Crush Saga Candy Crush Saga starts out fun and casual, but it's addictive. It's also one the most addictive mobile games ever created. Get it free with IAPs from Google Play Store

Cats are cute

Cats Are Cute is a simple game that involves collecting cats and building a community around them. It's also addictive. The game features a cute black-and-white doodle-like layout. Your goal is to find as many cats and build homes and businesses for them. After that, you will be able to upgrade the city into a bustling cat community. The game starts with one cat and a house that produces a certain amount fish per hour. You can then purchase upgrades for your cat's home and the house using in-game currency. Although it may seem simple on the surface, this game is a great casual game. While you wait for your town's fish to grow, you can play rock paper-scissors, hide-and-seek with your cats, feed and pet them, or chat with them. Cats are Cute is free to use and can be monetized by in-app purchases and ads. The ads and IAPs are very non-intrusive and allow you to move forward without spending any real-world cash. This is the perfect game to play in your spare time.

Cats are cute. Collect cats and build a community. Let your worries float away in this casual game. Google Play Store: Free with ads and IAPs

Chessplode

Chessplode is chess that explodes! This will change the way you play chess. You might have an advantage over someone more skilled if you aren't good at chess or don't know how. The whole row and column goes boom when you capture a piece. Except if there is a king in the path. The move will then become a regular capture. This game alters the chess paradigm so much that it is almost impossible to recognize the original game. Even user-generated boards can look strange. Multiplayer and the level generator are two other challenges that you will face in this game. This game is fun for both beginners and veterans. However, it does include IAPs for adding undos (with infinite undos only being available as a $1.99 one-time purchase).

Chessplode Chessplode has a profound impact on the game of traditional chess and I believe it will change the game for the better. Some IAPs are included, but they aren't too bad. Google Play Store: Free with ads and IAPs

Data Wing

Data Wing is another great game, and it's completely free. This is a neon-lit racing adventure that looks amazing. The game has an excellent soundtrack and great gameplay. The triangle you pilot is a vehicle that moves around a track. You also ferry bits of data along the way. Although it's a racing game, it feels more. Data Wings has a fun story that reminds me of Tron. This is fitting considering the game's visual style. The levels are beautiful and the touch controls are spot on. This one is worth a look.

Data Wing Data Wing is another great freebie. This beautiful racing adventure takes cues from Tron’s neonscape. This is a great little game that's well worth your time. Google Play Store: Free

The Fishercat

The Fishercat is unique among fishing-related games because it has many advantages. Fishing Life is grounded in reality but The Fishercat lets you shoot fish with a gun and at incredibly fast speeds. This is the fishing trip of a lifetime! It's a cartoony, adorable adventure. The cats are adorable, and the art style makes it even more enjoyable to catch fish. This game is just plain fun. Harpooning fish as if you have a submachine guns, it's set against beautiful aquatic backgrounds. This is a fact that can't be denied. You can catch over 150 species of fish using simple drag-and-release touch controls that aim and fire your Harpoon. There are many harpoon options and additional items that make catching fish easier. Although this title is free, it does contain ads and in-app purchase, they are far less intrusive than Fishing Life. This is the title for you if you are looking for a silly, fun fishing game.

The Fishercat: Be an adorable cat and dive into the oceans to harpoon fish like there is no tomorrow! Google Play Store: Free with ads and IAPS

Fishing is a way to live a fulfilling life

Fishing Life places you in the shoes a man who wants to relive his childhood love of fishing with his dad. This is a genuine premise for a truly sincere game. It's easy to use the controls. Simply hold your cast until you have filled it with fish, then release to drop a line. Selling your catch to improve your gear is the real meat of this game. To catch the larger fish living beneath the waves, you will need to upgrade your tackle, line, and rod. There are many species of fish to be caught, including penguins and sharks. Relaxing music, the sounds of day cycling into night, lapping waves and a calm color palette add to the relaxed feeling of real-life fishing. Even your catch can be kept in an aquarium. This title comes with the drawback of having ads that are so frequent and intrusive. However, you can make a single purchase to remove the ads from this game. This game is geared towards fishing enthusiasts.

Fishing Life An easy, relaxed approach to deep-sea fishing. Fishing Life allows you to upgrade your equipment and your boat so that you catch the largest, most dangerous fish in the ocean. Google Play Store: Free with ads and IAPs

Fruit Ninja Free

Fruitasia is your home, where you can find your Sensei and fruit fight missions. Fruit Ninja requires you to learn how to cut the fruit and not the bombs. Once you have mastered this skill, you will be able to slice and dice like a pro in no time. You can improve your game by upgrading your blade or joining new Dojos. You will learn how to handle bananas, multi-slice pomegranates, and the rare 10 fruit Great Wave. Although it sounds a bit ridiculous, this is a great casual game.

Fruit Ninja Fruit Ninja, a classic mobile game, is still providing a fun and casual experience for gamers of all ages. Get IAPs for Free at Google Play Store

Mini Metro

Mini Metro's basic idea is to create a metro system that serves a growing community by building lines and stations. You must work as hard as possible with limited resources. It's a lot of fun, and you will learn something new with each playthrough. It is important to plan how your system will work. Is it possible to improve an existing line and make it more efficient or create a new one? This game is great for casual puzzle/strategy play. It's another time-waster game that I enjoy while riding the metro. You can also get it for a mere buck.

Mini Metro You are the metro engineer. Your job is to create a system that will serve your growing city. Make the most of your resources and make it as efficient as possible. Google Play Store: $1

Neko Atsume: Kitty Collector

Source: iMore

Neko Atsume was all the rage in 2014! Although it's not clear how the game became so popular in such a short time, it is obvious that this cute little game has a lot of appeal. Neko Atsume requires you to create a paradise for cats. In this casual idle management game, you are given a place (a garden) in which your goal is to attract cats and keep them there. This is done by giving cats all sorts of toys and treats like yarn balls, feather wands and boxes. After your "trap" has been set, you can go anywhere and do whatever else. You'll be greeted by a host of kittens when you return. You can use the fish you receive from your grateful guests to buy more feline goodies. Different cats love different toys and treats so Neko Atsume's challenge is to meet all possible cats. You can also snap pictures of your cat friends to add to your album. This casual, low-key game is great for cat lovers. You can get some of the best items quicker by making in-app purchases. However, you still get a lot from this game for free. This game is recommended by 10/10 cats to their owners.

Neko Atsume: Kitty Collection It doesn't get any more casual than this. Watch cute kittens arrive in your yard as you fill it with toys and treats. Get IAPs for free at Google Play Store

Piano Tiles 2

Piano Tiles 2 builds on the success of Piano Tiles, and lets you join the band to listen to both classical music and pop songs. Tap the black keys to scroll down the screen. You can compete against your friends on Facebook or with other music lovers around the globe in friendly battle of bands. In-app purchases unlock additional songs. This is a hugely popular game that has a wonderful soundtrack. This is a must-have.

Piano Tiles 2 Piano Tiles 2 has been played millions of times. It's a casual rhythm game with music that is easy to learn. You can only tap the black keys to keep the beat, but don't forget your headphones. Google Play Store: Free with IAPs

Shoot Bubble Deluxe

Source: Google Play

Over the years, I've owned many phones. Do you know which game made it to every new one? Good old Shoot Bubble Deluxe. Bubble shooters all over the globe get a bad reputation. I can see why when I look at the app store. Shoot Bubble Deluxe is simpler than many other similar-looking games. There are no annoying extraneous characters, no irritating sound effects, or loud alarms that can irritate your ears. There are only you, your bubbles and your bubble gun. To pop bubbles, aim at like-colored counterparts. If you aim well, you can even down entire sections with one bubble. This is a very simple concept and does not require any explanation. Shoot Bubble Deluxe offers two modes of play: Arcade and Puzzle. Arcade has a constant stream of bubbles you must keep up with in order to avoid disaster. Puzzle is divided into levels that you need to complete to progress. Users recommend downloading the older version of the game (version 3.7) to keep some features that were removed later, such as the "don’t rush me” setting and the ability turn certain sounds off and on. The updated version is fine by me. It's an easy, enjoyable casual game that I will likely continue to play for at least 15 more years.

Shoot Bubble Deluxe Classics are timeless and Shoot Bubble Deluxe Classics are timeless. To pop colored bubbles, shoot them at the matching color. It's as easy as that! Google Play Store: Free with ads

Smash Hit

Smash Hit is a great way to unwind during your downtime. There are no consequences and you only get points for smashing glass obstacles. As you progress through the stages of the game, the music and audio effects will change. There are over 50 available for free. You can access premium perks such as saving and accessing checkpoints, new game modes and cloud saves across all your devices with an optional in-app purchase. You should also check Smash Hit VR if you own a Samsung Gear VR. This VR experience is less casual but still very cool!

Smash Hit Smash Hit is an amazing game that's both challenging and fun. You can play it at any time. Google Play Store: Free with IAPs

Super Mario Run

Super Mario Run is the return of everyone's favourite turtle-stomping plumber on Android. Super Mario Run may be disappointing for those who long for a full Mario game on an Android device other than the Nintendo Nintendo, but it's still a fun casual game that will be loved by Mario fans old and new. You'll still be able to use the same Mario mechanics that you loved from classic side-scrolling Mario games. Instead of running through eight levels, you'll have to fight King Bowser in order for Princess Peach to escape the cruel claws of his claws. Mario isn't running straight to your left and you can control his jumps. This game is meant to be played while riding the subway with one hand. You can download the game and play the first level, but you will need to pay $9.99 for the full game.

Super Mario Run Super Mario Run is a casual version of Nintendo's famous platforming plumber. This Mario game is easy to play on your commute. Google Play Store: Free with IAPs

Words with Friends 2

Do you fancy yourself a wordsmith or a wordsmith? Words With Friends is a Scrabble-based game that you can play at your own speed, no matter how many words per hour or how many times per day. You can check your gameboard whenever it is free and start playing tiles to earn points. You can chat with your friends in the app. This allows you to send them a gentle reminder or a simple taunt while you wait for them to take a turn. Or you can praise them for a more complex play. Access your game on your phone, tablet, desktop or laptop will allow you to continue playing.