The 20 Best Selling Android Games of All-Time
These days, games are a massive business, and with more and more of us using our phones as our primary source of entertainment, sales in downloadable video games are booming, From classic action games to intricate puzzles, from racing games to mysteries, there isn’t a genre out there that hasn’t been exploited by some developer or another. Each year sees a slew of new releases, with some managing to compete with old stalwarts, and others vanishing without trace, Here, we take a look at some of the best-selling Android games of all time, based on the available download data from Google Play.
20. Construction Simulator 2014 – Units Sold, 105,986
Since its launch, Construction Simulator 2014 has proved hugely popular, shifting around 105986 units on Google Play. Developed by astragon entertainment GmbH, the game offers users the opportunity to virtually control 14 construction machines from the likes of LIEBHERR, MAN and STILL, all designed using 3D graphics to perfectly replicate the originals. With more than 300 tasks and 20 hours of entertainment, the game transforms the user’s android into a virtual construction site, allowing gamers to build entire cities while working up the ranks from beginner to expert.
19. Scribblenauts Remix – Units Sold, 107,554
Warner Bros. International Enterprises give us our next entry to the list, the massively successful Scribblenauts Remix. Fun for kids as well as adults, the game is perfect for fans of puzzles, with 50 levels available in the classic gameplay, and 40 additional levels if you graduate to a world pass. As adored by critics as it is by gamers, the game is the proud recipient of an Editors’ Choice Award from IGN.com and a 4/4 recommendation from USA Today. Wired.com, meanwhile, has called it “a brilliant game”, while Touch Arcade has called it “a work of utter genius.”
18. Five Nights at Freddy’s – Units Sold 107,761
In at 18th place we have Five Nights at Freddy’s, a best-seller that’s managed to shift 107761 units. The game sucks users into the world of Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza, where Freddy and his two animatronic robot friends are waiting to keep you entertained with hours of gaming fun. The game has received some stellar comments from critics, with Joel Couture of IndieGameMag.com noting: “It’s a fantastic example of how cleverness in design and subtlety can be used to make an experience terrifying. It’s elegant in how it sows fear, and is a must-own for anyone who likes scary games.”
17. Shadow of Death: Stickman Fighting – Dark Knight – Units Sold, 121,149
With 121149 units sold to date, Shadow of Death: Stickman Fighting – Dark Knight comes in at number 17. Created by Zonmob Game Studio in 2018 for the Android market, the game is a mobile-optimized, epic dark fantasy that allows users to choose their choice of dark knight to take into adventure. With an average gamer review of 4.34 out of 5 stars on Apk-new, it’s easy to understand why it makes our list.
16. Grand Theft Auto: Vice City – Units Sold, 138,205
In at number 16 with 138,205 units sold to date is our first entry from the Grand Theft Auto giant, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City. The action-adventure is developed by Rockstar North and published by Rockstar Games. Upon first release in 2002, it instantly became the year’s best-selling video game, winning numerous honors including the title of Game of the Year award from various media outlets. 17 years later, it still remains one of the most enduringly popular releases of all time.
15. True Skate- Units Sold, 147,719
At number 15 we have True Skate from developer True Axis. Billed as the most authentic skateboarding game ever, the game has impressed critics as much as it has users, with Touch Arcade calling it a “A Skating Simulation Tailor-made for the Touchscreen” and recommending any skate fans runs out and buy it asap. “True Skate is clearly something special. If you’re into skateboarding already I’ll just tell you flat out: buy this game, you will fall in love’. With 147,719 units sold to date, gamers have clearly done exactly that.
14. Bloons TD 5 – Units Sold, 195,858
Since Bloons TD 5 was first released in December 2011 as a follow up to the earlier releases of Bloons Tower Defense, Bloons Tower Defense 2, Bloons 3 and Bloons 4, it’s become one of the most popular games of the decade. The game revolves around the central premise of having players trying to stop bloons (balloons to the uninitiated among us) from reaching the end of a course by blocking their path with roadblocks. If the bloon manages to reach the end of the set course, the player loses a life. A simple enough premise, you’d think, but one that’s been keeping players entertained to the tune of 195858 units.
13. The Room Two – Units Sold, 207,584
Next up is Room Two, a three-dimensional puzzle game created by British developers Fireproof as a follow up to the hugely successful The Room (more on which coming up). Originally developed for the iPad, an Android version was released in February 2014, becoming one of the biggest releases of the year.
12. Need for Speed Most Wanted – Units Sold, 210,886
In 12th place position, we have Need for Speed Most Wanted, an open world racing video game from Electronics Arts. Centered on the fictional metropolitan of Rockport, the game gives users the chance to test their racing skills against Rockport’s best drivers. The game received overwhelmingly positive reviews on release, for example, gave it an 8.5 out of 10, praising its “mixture of animated, highly colored FMV characters and stylized backgrounds (for being) both imaginative and refreshing”). Gamers clearly agreed, with the game going on to sell 210,886 units.
11. Monument Valley – Units Sold, 213,141
Just missing out on the top 10 is Monument Valley, an indie puzzle game from Ustwo Games. Featuring optical illusions, impossible objects and stunning graphics that hark back to the likes of Sword & Sorcery, Fez and Windosill, the game is as much a treat for the eyes as it is a challenge for the mind. With 213141 downloads to date, it’s a no-brainer as to why this one makes our list.
10. Modern Combat 4: Zero Hour – Units Sold, 237,547
This first-person shooter from Gameloft Montreal took all the things that gamers already loved about Modern Combat and added an extra load of good stuff on top. With more tactical gameplay, advanced campaign programming and improved graphics, the game was an immediate sensation. 5 years after its initial release on Android, it still shifting units: 237,547 of them to date.
9. Terraria – Units Sold, 243,472
In at number 9 is the action-adventure sandbox game, Terraria. Created by the indie developer Re-Logic, the game has a similar feel to the Metroid series and Minecraft, and can be played in either one player or multiplayer mode. It’s fair to say critics lapped up the game, with IGN saying “it expands on the familiar sandbox gameplay with a greater emphasis on combat and adventure’, and IndieDB going so far as to give it the number spot on its 2011 Indie of the Year Player Choice.
8. The Room – Units Sold, 244,902
The sequel may have been successful enough (so successful in fact, it made its way to number 13 on our list), but there’s no beating the original, at least when it comes to unit sales. With 244902 units shifted since its release on Android in March 2013 (and 6.5 million sold across all platforms) The Room is a bona-fida bestseller…as well as a critic’s favorite. In addition to claiming the title of Apple Ipad Game of the Year, it’s claimed a multitude of awards, including a BAFTA for Best British Game, a TIGA for Best Game Design, a Game Developers Choice Award for Best Handheld/Mobile Game, a New York Video Game Critics Circle Award for Best Mobile/iOS Game, a Gamezebo for Best iPad Game, and a Cnet Aus for Best Mobile Game.
7. Goat Simulator – Units Sold, 250,485
If you’ve ever wondered what it feels like to be a goat, then here’s your chance. Created by Coffee Stain Publishing, Goat Simulator offers players the chance to control a goat, with the express purpose of inflicting as much damage on its surrounds as possible. It may have originally been conceived as a joke, but the game has proved nothing of the sort, selling 250485 units to date and turning such profits that the team behind it managed to recoup all their initial outlay within less than 10 minutes of its release.
6. Grand Theft Auto III – Units Sold, 432,921
In at number 6 is the game that sparked a thousand spin-offs (well, a few at least), Grand Theft Auto. The third game in the series drew so much critical acclaim it’s earned the title of one of the greatest video games of all time. That’s not to say it’s not been without its detractors, however. GameSpy was clearly not impressed, calling the game “absolutely reprehensible” and awarding it the title of Most Offensive Game of Year. It didn’t stop millions from buying into it though, with 432921 units sold to date.
5. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, – Units Sold 432,933
For gaming fans that love nothing more than causing mayhem and plowing down innocent bystanders by their dozen (in virtual form, of course), Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is a dream come true. Building on the success of previous versions, the game, which revolves around numerous real-life events in LA, received an incredibly positive reception from critics and gamers alike, and quickly became the bestselling game of 2004. The sexual content and graphic violence aren’t for everyone of course, but with 432933 units downloaded so far, it’s clearly got a big enough fanbase to make up for it.
4. Geometry Dash – Units Sold, 678,406
At number 4 we have Geometry Dash from RobTop Games. Featuring around 321 official levels and a GCS offering more than a million online levels, the game was well-received on release and complimented by critics for being both challenging enough for experienced gamers and accessible enough to appeal to newcomers. The success of the game has inspired its developers to launch several spin-off versions (the 2015 release Geometry Dash Meltdown, 2016’s Geometry Dash World, and Geometry Dash SubZero from 2017), but it’s still the original that draws the biggest number of fans, with 678,406 of them downloading the game in its Android version alone.
3. Hitman Sniper – Units Sold, 723,102
Coming in at bronze position is Hitman Sniper, a mobile shooting game from the Hitman series of games by developer Square Enix Montreal. Of all its releases, Hitman Sniper has proved Square Enix’s biggest cash cow, generating enough revenue to help fund the better known (although not better selling) Go series. The game received generally favorable reviews on release, with many praising the fresh and innovative feel of the game, and many more expressing particular satisfaction with the games sound design. The sum total of its achievements? 723,102 in unit sales.
2. Where’s My Water? – Units Sold, 2,022,617
With Where’s My Water? we see the biggest increase in unit sales we’ve seen so far, with a massive 1299515 more units sold by the game than our third position entry, Hitman Sniper. The puzzle video game from Creature Feep was first released back in 2011, with a sequel, Where’s My Water 2, following in 2013. The game has enjoyed almost unanimous acclaim and has even inspired a web series, Disney’s Where’s My Water?: Swampy’s Underground Adventures
1. Minecraft – Units Sold, 2,826,895
What else could be at number one on our list than Minecraft, the video game that’s managed to infiltrate into so many aspects of popular culture (including social media, parodies, and merchandise) it’s become a social phenomenon. The creativity, complexity, and graphics of the game (which has since gone on to inspire the follow-ups Minecraft: Story Mode, Minecraft Earth, and Minecraft Dungeons) have all been praised, with PC Gamer summoning things up with the comment “intuitively interesting and contagiously fun, with an unparalleled scope for creativity and memorable experiences”
