Top Android Games - September 2, 2011

Don't worry Android owners: Apple's iPhone may get all the press, but you've got the numbers, with almost twice as many Android users in the US as there are iOS owners. That's why GameSpot's here to help you find the most interesting new additions to the Android market's games list. So what have our global editors been playing and enjoying this week?

Madden NFL 12

The console world isn't the only place where the latest Madden game is making the hard yards, with Android users now able to get their football on with Madden NFL 12 for portable devices. The game is packed with NFL goodness: All 32 teams and more than 2,500 players are included, as well as the entire season and even the 2010/11 play-offs. If you've never played a Madden game on a handheld device before, then the controls are pretty intuitive. They require you to use a combination of virtual pads, buttons, and even line drawing to plot attacking runs through opponent defensive lines. It's all pretty easy to come to grips with, so those used to the console experience shouldn't need too long to get used to the touch screen. Madden NFL 12 for the Android is a pretty full-featured product, and there's plenty of detail here (including a comprehensive play book) for fans of the sport. There aren't many outstanding additions or changes from last year's version of the game, but its looks have definitely improved.

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A Game With Balls

Yes, this action-physics title does feature plenty of balls, but it's not what you think (get your mind out of the gutter, by the way). The unique concept in A Game With Balls has you in charge of a small cannon placed on the bottom of your screen, and your job is to fire pellets at objects falling toward the cannon. The whole point, however, is not to destroy but to make sure none of the objects make contact with your cannon. The game starts off slowly, only throwing a few objects at you that you'll require to deftly maneuver past your cannon. But then the number of objects increases, as well as their size: The first time you see a screen-filling globe fill your screen, you'll gasp and wonder how you'll ever manage to steer it safely past the cannon. A Game With Balls features several different playfields to unlock, and you can do so by earning points by playing the main game (and surviving for as long as possible). It's an exciting physics-based game, and it's one that's easy to recommend to Android owners.

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Tiny Robots

Tilt controls on phone games can either be implemented very well or extremely badly, but thankfully, Tiny Robots is a prime example of the former. Essentially a riff on the old Space Invaders/Galaga formula, Tiny Robots has you controlling a (what else) tiny WALL-E look-a-like robot as it tries to fend off a series of flying enemies. The WALL-E comparisons don't stop there; along the ground are three pods that you'll have to protect, with each apparently holding a plant inside it (if the leaf motif on the outside of the pods were any indication). As with all shooter games of this type, you'll face a variety of foes, each with its own firing and movement patterns, and you'll need fast reflexes to avoid all the enemy fire coming your way. Thankfully, the game's controls are up to the task of being responsive enough to tilt without being too touchy.

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Tetris

Yes, it's Tetris, a game everyonehas played. But there's a reason for that, right? The game is the original action puzzle title, and its simple mechanics and gameplay remain as addictive today as ever. This free version for the Android utilizes the updated look of the recent EA release on other mobile devices, although there's only one game mode available here. Controls for Tetris on the Android are pretty simple; tapping anywhere on the screen rotates your blocks, while swiping down rushes them to the bottom. You can also "save" blocks for later use, which is advisable for those rare straight lines that you'll need to get that sweet, sweet Tetris.

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GameSpot's weekly mobile games recommendation list aims to bring you a snapshot of what games the editorial team members around the globe are enjoying (or maybe regretting) on their phones and tablets. For more games, be sure to check out our previous coverage:
Top Android Games - August 26, 2011
Top Android Games - August 19, 2011
Top Android Games - August 12, 2011
Top Android Games - August 5, 2011
Top Android Games - July 29, 2011