I decided to list the “best free android games” because a lot of people have asked me “what are you playing” when I’m on my Evo phone. A few years back everyone was downloading apps on the iPhone, and they all thought that was the coolest thing. But Google Android powered phones are catching up so rapidly that in 2011 the number of Android powered phones will overtake the iPhone.

I love my Evo Android powered phone, and there are just tens of thousands of apps in the Android marketplace for download. I don’t mind paying for game apps, but usually most games I play for awhile, and then I get bored and move on. I like what they call “casual” games (games you can pick up or put down in an instant) – so if you’re into sports, role playing, or shooters – this list may not be for you. So, if I can find a quality game for free – why not!? I hope you like my list of Free Android Games – what do you have to lose, they’re free!

Angry Birds for Android

I guess Angry Birds has been around for iOS devices for some time, but since I didn’t own any Apple products – I wasn’t aware. I can tell you every person I know with an Android powered phone has Angry Birds installed. Angry Birds is a physics based game, and by catapulting the birds at enemy targets, you destroy them. The enemies are the pigs, and every level has pigs you need to destroy to clear that level. Some pigs are big, some small, some have protective helmets and are harder to destroy. The pigs build forts out of glass, ice, brick, and wood – all of which have different effects on the physics of the game. When you catapult the birds at the enemy, each bird has a different power. Some split into multiple birds, some are bombs, some drop bombs, and others have super speed powers. Each bird has a different use on each target, and if you’re good enough – nearly every level can be completely cleared with just one bird (if you know how to pinpoint exactly where to shoot it). Angry Birds is one of the most addictive, and most popular game apps for Android phones. Before we jump into the list, a notable mention goes to my favorite place to look for movies, the Movie Box App.

Fruit Ninja Kaka for Android

I believe this is a copy of the Android game simply called “Fruit Ninja” but “Fruit Ninja Kaka” is free – so this is the version I play. The concept is simple. Fruit flies up in the air, and you use your finger as a knife and slice it in two! Slice multiple fruit with one swipe for a bonus! This game has “bomb mode” too, where you slice the food and avoid slicing the bombs (or you blow up!). Another highly addictive game…

Restaurant Story for Android

In the Restaurant Story Android app, you build a restaurant from the ground up. You choose the floors, walls, everything. Think of it like a “Sims” game – and you see how this addictive game can blow out your phone battery in no time! If you were every sucked in by Roller Coaster Tycoon or the Sims a decade ago – this game is for you!

Rope Cut for Android

I call the “Rope Cut” (or Cut the Rope) Android game the “sleeper”. You don’t really know how much fun this game is until you have played it. Basically you have a piece of candy dangling from a string, swinging like a pendulum back and forth slightly, and at the bottom of the screen is a snake (I know, it looks like a frog, lol). Your goal is to “cut the rope” so that the candy falls into the snake’s mouth. Sometimes you have to cut multiple ropes, dodge objects -and this game is a combination of physics and skill (and practice!). Very addictive game.

Gem Miner for Android

Gem Miner has both a lite (free) and pro version for Android – I play the free version. Basically you’re a miner, and you go down into the mine and dig tunnels looking for coal, gold, minerals, fossils, etc. You have to come back up to rest before your energy is gone or you die. And you can only carry so many things in your sack that you’ve dug from the mine. What you do bring back can be converted to cash at the general store, and then you can buy items. Like ladders to help you get back up when you’ve dug down, supports, to keep rocks from caving in your tunnels, and lanterns, so you can see more as you go. This is a little more of an adventure type game, but you can save your progress at any time and come back for more tunneling later!

These are my 5 Best Free Android Games – what are yours?