The best paid android games offer a premium, ad-free experience that transforms your phone into a handheld console, delivering deep, polished gameplay that free titles simply cannot match. This curated list covers the top premium games across every major genre, from sprawling RPGs and realistic racers to creative sandboxes and tactical strategy, helping you find the perfect title worth your money.
The best paid Android games worth buying right now
Many premium Android games are ports of critically acclaimed PC or console titles, optimized for mobile with touch controls and sometimes controller support. This list is designed to be as varied as possible, covering different genres and game types so you can find something that fits your taste. Each entry includes details on gameplay and mechanics to help you understand what you are getting before you buy.
Before you buy: how purchases, refunds, and transfers work
To purchase a paid Android game, open the Google Play Store app, search or browse for the desired game, select its price, and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the transaction. Your chosen payment method will be added to your Google Account upon your first purchase. Paid apps and games are associated with your Google Account, allowing you to access them on new Android devices by signing in with the same account.
For purchases made within 48 hours, you can request a refund through your Google Play order history by selecting "Report a problem" and choosing a reason. After 48 hours, refund requests for paid apps and games typically require contacting the app developer directly, as Google acts as a middleman and developers set their own policies alongside Google's. If a refund is issued, you will lose access to the app or game, and any Google Play Points earned from the purchase will be deducted. You can only return a specific app or game once for a courtesy refund; if you buy it again, you won't qualify for another refund on the same title. If multiple items are bought in a single transaction, the refund applies to the entire purchase, and individual items cannot be refunded separately. Company of Heroes requires 5.2 GB of space and Android OS version 9.0 or newer.
1. Minecraft
Minecraft is a popular sandbox building game that is a paid title on Android, offering cross-play support with Bedrock PC and console users, the same marketplace, and servers. It supports both touch controls and external controllers. You can explore, build, and craft in a wide-open world, with everything you would expect from the Bedrock Edition, including enchanting, smithing, and building with friends on other platforms.
2. Chrono Trigger
Chrono Trigger is a classic JRPG that has been revamped into the definitive version for Android with improved sound and graphics along with touch screen controls. Coming from the creators of Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest with art by Dragon Ball creator Akira Toriyama, it offers an immersive and timeless RPG experience.
3. Stardew Valley
Stardew Valley combines the joys of owning a countryside farm with RPG mechanics, social simulation, mini-games, and an intriguing plot. It offers a wealth of content and mod support even on Android, with days or weeks of gameplay from fishing to interacting with NPCs.
4. Terraria
Terraria is a 2D sandbox adventure rebuilt from scratch for Android, offering 400 different enemies, 20 biomes and mini-biomes, and 20+ NPCs. It features potion-making, boss fights, flying mechanics, fishing, and the same creative freedom to build anywhere, limited only by your imagination.
5. GRID Legends: Deluxe Edition
GRID Legends: Deluxe Edition is a visually striking premium racing game that includes all DLCs for its price. It requires a powerful smartphone (e.g., OnePlus 11, Samsung Galaxy S23 or above) and approximately 18GB of free space for HD textures, delivering console-quality graphics on mobile.
6. Prince of Persia: Lost Crown
Prince of Persia: Lost Crown is a premium action-adventure game ported by Ubisoft, offering a free trial before a single in-app purchase unlocks the full version. It features revamped touch controls, full custom remapping, external controller support, and mobile-specific modes like auto-potion and auto-parry.
7. GRID Autosport
GRID Autosport is a true racing simulator with over 100 cars split into touring, endurance, open-wheel, tuner, and streetcars, and 100 different racing circuits like Mount Panorama and Circuit of the Americas. It is a AAA-quality game that makes you feel like you are behind the wheel of the fastest racers.
8. Star Traders: Frontiers
Star Traders: Frontiers is a multi-genre space-faring RPG and trading simulator. You play as the captain of a starship, free to explore the universe and pave your own path, whether as an honest trader, a diplomat uniting the galaxy, or a pirate plundering your way through the stars, with turn-based battles that risk your life and loot.
9. Don't Starve: Pocket Edition
Don't Starve: Pocket Edition is a horror-survival game with a Tim Burton-esque art style. You are transported to a dark parallel world and must fend off monsters while keeping yourself fed and healthy, following the familiar survival equation in a challenging and unique setting.
10. Mini Metro
Mini Metro is a minimalist puzzle-strategy game where your goal is to create the most efficient metro system for cities like London, New York, and Beijing. You spend your time tweaking and fine-tuning trains and railways to deliver the most passengers, offering a relaxing yet engaging experience.
11. Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic is a classic BioWare RPG that delivers the same performance and immersion as the original with quality-of-life improvements for mobile. These include a revamped user interface, touch screen controls, HID controller support, and game achievements.
12. Titan Quest: Legendary Edition
Titan Quest: Legendary Edition is a hack-and-slash ARPG that includes all three major DLC expansions: Immortal Throne, Ragnarok, and Atlantis. The Android version is a carbon copy of the original with a rotary selection interface, touch screen controls, and high-quality graphics.
13. Bloons TD 6
Each unit has different abilities and upgrade paths, and the game supports online co-op mode with up to three friends.
14. Evoland 2
Evoland 2 is a genre-hopping adventure game that parodies and pays tribute to video game history. It borrows mechanics and art styles from games like Final Fantasy, The Legend of Zelda, and Street Fighter, offering a unique experience where you may suddenly switch from a traditional RPG to a platformer or rhythm game.
15. XCOM 2 Collection
XCOM 2 Collection is the complete turn-based strategy package, including all story and unit DLCs like War of the Chosen and Shen's Last Gift. Gameplay is split into a strategic base-building and resource management mode and a tactical battle mode where you command your squad in turn-based combat.
16. Cytus II
Cytus II is a cyberpunk rhythm game with more than 35 songs in the base game and over 300 rhythm charts across several difficulty levels. It features a story centered on a cyberpunk future with anime cutscenes and occasional tie-ins with other media.
17. Pocket City
Pocket City is a classic city-building simulator with a promise of zero microtransactions. You plan, create, and grow your small town into a bustling metropolis, facing off against debt, natural disasters, and unhappy citizens, with all resources unlocked through game progression.
18. Monument Valley 2
Monument Valley 2 is an artistic puzzle game with M. C. Escher-inspired visuals featuring moving staircases and circuitous buildings.
19. Final Fantasy Tactics: War of the Lions
Final Fantasy Tactics: War of the Lions is a tactical JRPG ported from the PSP with quality-of-life changes for Android, including touch screen controls, camera rotation, improved loading times, and the ability to skip cutscenes. Its turn-based combat is closer to XCOM 2 than other Final Fantasy games.
20. Exploding Kittens
Exploding Kittens is a digital card game best described as a feline-themed version of Russian Roulette crossed with Old Maid. Best played with friends online, you use card powers to interfere with opponents until someone draws an explosive kitten card and cannot defuse it.
21. Hitman Sniper
Hitman Sniper has over 150 missions with ten different contracts, all with multiple ways to achieve your objective. A tactical sniper game that places you in the shoes of Agent 47, it forces you to be creative and think on your feet from your long-range sniper's perch.
22. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas adds cloud save support for Rockstar Social Club members. This remastered Android port features purpose-built high-resolution graphics, customizable controls, tactile effects, and gamepad compatibility, delivering over 70 hours of gameplay.
23. Transport Tycoon
Transport Tycoon features over 150 vehicle types available, railway junctions and signaling, as well as upgrades and replacement of vehicles up to the modern era. This complete remake of the classic keeps the original game mechanics and lovable sprite art.
24. Company of Heroes
Company of Heroes is a real-time strategy game fully remade for Android, featuring squad-based tactics, a dynamic game map, a compelling plot-line, and an expansive campaign. It includes optimized high-resolution graphics, a command wheel interface, and the Opposing Fronts expansion pack.
25. Assassin's Creed Identity
Assassin's Creed Identity is a complete Assassin's Creed experience for Android, featuring the series' trademark complex stealth and cover mechanics along with assassination and escort missions. It covers all the basics for the series in a mobile format.
26. NBA 2K20
NBA 2K20's standout mode is My Career, letting you create a player and build a career from college basketball to winning the NBA Championship. This hybrid management-sports game lets you play both as the management of your favorite NBA teams and as the players on the court.
27. The Banner Saga
The Banner Saga is the first of a three-part series created by former Bioware designers who worked on Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. This story-rich game features a plot-heavy story and stylized art, where your choices affect the entire game world in a mix of turn-based strategy and visual novel.
28. Conquest of Elysium 3
Conquest of Elysium 3 has 18 completely different factions with unique mechanics, like Necromancers collecting 'Hands of Glory' to summon undead. This fantasy turn-based strategic roguelike focuses on expanding and capturing pre-placed buildings to access special units and abilities.
29. King of Dragon's Pass
King of Dragon's Pass features more than 600 interactive scenes with different consequences depending on your decision. This mostly text-based management RPG tasks you with leading your clan to survive in the far-flung Dragon's Pass, juggling diplomacy, internal affairs, and your relationship with the gods.
30. Final Fantasy VIII Remastered
Final Fantasy VIII Remastered includes a remastered soundtrack with the famous song 'Eyes on Me' sung by Faye Wong. This version captures the essence of the original hit game with high definition graphics, up-scaled character models, and ergonomic touch screen controls.
Find more games by genre
If you are looking for more tailored recommendations, check out the Best Mobile Games by Genre hub for curated lists that dive deeper into specific categories. RFS - Real Flight Simulator uses a subscription system where you have to pay in the in-game store to get the 'pro version' that allows most advanced features and multiplayer. Football Manager 2021 has two Android ports: Touch (3D, close to PC) and Mobile (downgraded 2D graphics, simpler mechanics).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I play paid Android games offline?
Yes, most premium Android games are fully playable offline after the initial download and installation, though some may require an internet connection for specific features like online multiplayer or cloud saves.
Do paid Android games ever go on sale?
Yes, premium games on the Google Play Store frequently go on sale, often during seasonal events like Black Friday, the holidays, or during anniversary promotions for specific franchises.
What happens if I delete a paid game and reinstall it?
You can reinstall any paid game you have purchased at no additional cost as long as you are signed into the same Google Account used for the original purchase.
Are paid Android games better than free-to-play games?
Paid games typically offer a complete experience with no ads, no pay-to-win mechanics, and no energy systems, while free-to-play games often rely on microtransactions and advertising for revenue.
Can I get a refund if I buy a game that doesn't run on my device?
Yes, you can request a refund within 48 hours of purchase through your Google Play order history if the game does not run properly on your device.
