So you've received an Android phone or tablet this holiday season? Lucky you.
Whether it was a festive gift from someone else or simply a well-earned end-of-year indulgence on your part, you're in for a treat.
Of course a smart device is only as good as the apps available for it, but fortunately the Google Play store is packed with truly excellent games. There are thousands of them of all shapes, sizes, and costs.
All of which can make the process of selecting some to be going on with quite daunting.
Here, then, is a list of what we reckon are the best Android games in a number of popular genres. It's far from definitive, but these games together represent a really good entry point to Android gaming.
The best shooter on Android...
Neon Shadow
By Crescent Moon - buy on Android
First person shooters haven't traditionally sat all that comfortably on touch-driven mobiles, but they've always worked a little better on Android devices thanks to their larger screens.
If you want a solid slice of console blasting on your new phone or tablet, you could do a lot worse than Neon Shadow - a retro-tinged FPS with tight controls and fine multiplayer options.
And if it was an Android tablet you received for Christmas, you can even play against a friend on the one device.
The best adventure game on Android...
The Room 2
By Fireproof Games - buy on Android
Is it an adventure game, or is it a puzzler? There's a case to be made for both, but the simple fact is that The Room 2 takes you on a wild ride that no other game on the Google Play store can match (aside from its predecessor).
Ostensibly a series of static locked-box puzzles, it's the way The Room 2 stitches these together into a wonderfully mysterious, yet cohesive whole that makes it so special.
That and the gorgeously detailed graphics that will show off your new Android device's capabilities to perfection.
The best RPG on Android...
The Banner Saga
By Stoic Studio - buy on Android
Stoic deserves its place on this list for bringing a sense of freshness and energy to the RPG genre that has been lacking in recent times.
Featuring a richly detailed universe based on Norse folklore, a cast of thoroughly believable characters, and a compelling choose-your-own-adventure structure, The Banner Saga is pretty unique.
It's also got a well judged, strategically-minded battle system and an art style that will remind your of vintage cartoons. Yep, it's a bit different.
The best roguelike on Android...
Hoplite
By Magma Fortress - buy on Android
We've listed Hoplite as our favourite Android roguelike, but this was a particularly tricky decision.
You see, the term roguelike isn't so much a genre as a series of loose identifying marks covering hundreds of games across various genres. A roguelike tends to have procedurally generated levels, turn-based gameplay, and permanent death - but outside of that it can be anything.
Hoplite is one of the purest realisations of roguelike principles around, with a simple, static-screened 'get to the level exit' structure and delicious variation in enemy patterns and offensive tactics.
It's like a single player game of Chess where you're the sole remaining queen against half a dozen weaker enemy pieces.
The best driving game on Android...
Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed
By Sega - download on Android
What makes a good mobile driving game? There are many answers to that question depending on your preferences. Do you like arcade racers? Simulation racers? Kart racers? Top down or 3D?
We gave up pondering pretty quickly for this feature and simply selected Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed. It's the most likely to provide entertainment regardless of your racing preferences.
This is a supreme console-standard kart racer with a tight arcade control system and loads of memorable tracks. If you hook your Android device up to a control pad you'll have an even better time.
The best football game on Android...
New Star Soccer
By New Star Games - buy on Android
News flash: football games on mobile suck. That is, the kind of action-heavy football simulator you're used to playing on your home console does not translate well to touchscreen controls. At all.
That doesn't mean that you can't get your football kicks on mobile, though. New Star Soccer is one of the most addictive footy games on any platform.
You manage the career of a single player, and must intervene in matches at key points - taking shots, making passes, and attempting interceptions, all using a brilliantly intuitive touch and swipe control system.
The best tennis game on Android...
Virtua Tennis Challenge
By Sega - buy on Android
Virtua Tennis has been the best tennis game - or at least there abouts - on console for years now. It's no surprise that it's also the best on mobile.
The beauty here is that Sega manages to hit the sweet spot between arcade accessibility and simulation-like nuance like a Roger Federer serve, That is, unerringly consistently.
With a bunch of control options, loads of challenges, and slick animation, it's no wonder this has stayed at the top of the pile for so long.
The best puzzle game on Android...
Monument Valley
By ustwo - buy on Android
Here's another game that's as much of an adventure as it is a puzzler. Monument Valley comes down on the side of the puzzler on our list thanks to the simply ingenious array of Escher-like conundrums.
Each level is an isometric brain scratcher, requiring you to shift structural elements around into new and frequently delightful configurations so that your little character may progress.
It's all set in one of the most beautiful and unusual games worlds you'll ever spend time in, too.
The best word game on Android...
Spellwood
By Three Rings Design - buy on Android
This charming word game successfully escapes the dry, somewhat bookish feeling that often accompanies mobile word games.
It does so through charm, wit, and a compelling fantasy set-up. It's essentially Scrabble with anthropomorphic animal wizards and cool power-ups.
And who doesn't want to play a game like that?
The best quiz game on Android...
QuizUp
By Plain Vanilla Games - buy on Android
Quiz games. Well, they're a bit naff, aren't they?
That's why QuizUp gets our vote in this category, because one thing it isn't is naff. In fact, it looks and handles more like the latest cool social network app than anything else.
You get a whole heap of the same old questions on music, science, The Oscars, video games, sport, and the like - but with well integrated social features to boot.
The best arcade game on Android...
Ikaruga
By G-Gee - buy on Android
Here's another wide-open and somewhat vaguely designated genre. Any game with simple, intuitive gameplay and bold visuals could conceivably be called an arcade game, after all.
So we've gone with arguably the most distinctive, purest, and most critically lauded arcade game on the Google Play Store.
Starting out in the arcades in 2001, Ikaruga is one of the most highly regarded old school shoot-'em-ups ever made, with gorgeous 3D graphics and a clever dual-colour mechanic. You can't get it on any other mobile platform, either.
The best free game on Android...
RETRY
By Rovio - download on Android
The Google Play Store has a massive proportion of free games, with Android users seemingly far more thrifty than iOS users.
That makes selecting the best free game a little daunting. There are loads of great free games on there, but we've gone with Rovio's RETRY.
Think of this level-based flier as Flappy Bird with style and nuance, as well as bags of replayability and an extremely stiff challenge.
The best fighting game on Android...
The King of Fighters '98
By SNK Playmore - buy on Android
There are loads of variations on the fighting genre, and all of them can be found in some form on the Google Play store.
However, the purest of these is the one-on-one beat-'em-up, and the best example of that on Android is The King of Fighters '98. It's one of the best entries to a cult series that stands toe to toe with Street Fighter in the hearts of purists.
Its team-based scrapping is slick, deep, and surprisingly playable on your Android device's touchscreen (but better with the included controller support).
The best endless runner on Android...
ALONE
By Laser Dog - buy on Android
The endless runner genre has pretty much hit saturation point, with few new entries managing to offer anything worthwhile over early greats like Canabalt and Jetpack Joyride.
That makes ALONE's achievements all the more remarkable. It's got a novel premise and control system - you manipulate the inverted pitch controls of a speeding space shuttle as it speeds through an asteroid.
But it's the stylishly sparse visuals that really make this the most memorable endless runner of recent times.
The best strategy game on Android...
XCOM: Enemy Within
By 2K Games - buy on Android
Android strategy games don't come any richer or more attractive than XCOM: Enemy Within. It's essentially the previous release, XCOM: Enemy Unknown, plus a generous expansion pack all rolled into one.
This also means that it's a conversion of a similarly accomplished console game, with precious little in the way of compromise.
The game offers tight, zoomed-in squad-based strategy with an impressive 3D engine - and unlike many console conversions it works very well indeed on a touchscreen.
The best tower defence game on Android...
Kingdom Rush Origins
By Ironhide Game Studio - buy on Android
You should really own all of the Kingdom Rush games on your new Android phone. They're three of the finest tower defence games you'll ever play, and three of the finest Android games full stop.
We've selected Kingdom Rush Origins because it's the latest release, and also because it serves as a prequel to the events of the original game.
But the story really doesn't matter all that much. What matters is the tight tower defence gameplay with supremely balanced and inventive towers, memorable enemies, and an uncommon level of graphical polish.
