this post was submitted on 16 Mar 2025
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Free Android Games - no ads, no IAPs, no gacha. (lemm.ee)
submitted 12 hours ago* (last edited 3 hours ago) by char_stats@lemm.ee to c/android@lemdro.id
52 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

Latest entries - March 16th, 2025:

Other recent entries:

 

Introduction

(scroll down for the actual list)

I recently realized there are still, to this day, some actual "hidden gems" in the Play Store. Not the fake ones everyone talks about which, in a way or another, often have a catch or aren't very "hidden". I mean free games with no ads or IAPs of any kind that are fun to play.

So I was thinking maybe it's time to compile a list of them. Please suggest the ones you've found and enjoyed!

I won't try them all as I did with my premium games list [will update with link as soon as I post it], because this time you could simply download and try them for yourself without spending a dime. I'll simply list them.

‼️Also, please do checkout MiniReview - Game Reviews for more free games that match the following criteria (use the "Browse" tab and select the correct filters). The same app for iOS - App Store - is here.‼️

 

Entry Criteria

  • FREE
  • NO ADS
  • STRICTLY NO IAPs (except donation buttons, but I'll have to check before adding the game to the list, so no guarantees it'll be added quickly)
  • it has to be a legit game, of course. Full, not demo.
  • it has to be available on the Play Store and compatible with the latest, official Android version at the time of entry
  • possibly include a link to the game on the Play Store

I've saved this post so to keep it updated over time, for my own reference and for your benefit. So feel free to save it and check out new entries every so often.

 

THE LIST

 

Legend

☕️ - includes a fair donation button, with or without minimal cosmetics only

~~[Game title]~~ - removed from Play Store

 

Shooters

 

Stealth

 

Platform

 

Rhythm

 

Arcade

 

RPG

 

Roguelike dungeon crawlers

 

Deck builders

 

Adventure

 

Puzzle

 

Strategy

 

Racing

 

Management

 

Simulation

 

Casual

 

Sport/Competition

 

Visual novel

 

Happy gaming ;)

ps: please let me know if there's any wrong information about the games included in this list (especially regarding the ones with free donations) so that I'll fix the post, if necessary.

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[–] Sterile_Technique@lemmy.world 6 points 9 hours ago* (last edited 8 hours ago) (3 children)

This only kinda meets the criteria since emulators are available on the play store, though roms will have to be sourced elsewhere, but... 100% roms and emulators. The N64 content and earlier emulate really well on a smartphone, especially when paired with a bluetooth controller.

IIRC ever version (different language releases, etc) of every game for Nintendo consoles from when they first became a company through all of the N64 content is a grand total of like 20bg: each individual game is tiny, so you can easily fit all your favorites on your phone.

I'm not sure what the latest and greatest emulators are today, but when I dabbled into this stuff last time, there were free, no bullshit options.

Quick search reveals a couple communities for it here on Lemmy:

!emulation@lemmy.ml

!emulationonandroid@lemmy.ml

I'd hit the side bars of those communities and go from there.

Note: downloading roms you don't own the license to is piracy; and even if you do own the license, your ISP won't know that, so I'd recommend practicing some basic internet safety like using a VPN. Also, ad blockers are an ABSOLUTE MUST on any website that provides or directs you to roms, otherwise you'll have like 20 links on your page that all say "Download!" that will lead you to some flavor of shitware.

But yeah, if you want games without all the modern bullshit in them like ads and lootcrate gambling, etc, then what better option than games that were made before all that cancer existed?!

[–] char_stats@lemm.ee 1 points 8 hours ago (2 children)

While I enjoy emulation, it is kinda OT for this list.

Also, is it me or the two links in your comment are broken? It seems like they both miss an "h" in "https".

[–] Sterile_Technique@lemmy.world 1 points 8 hours ago (1 children)

While I enjoy emulation, it is kinda OT for this list.

Kinda, but only kinda. I wouldn't put any how-to guides or anything here, but letting folks know that it's an option is worth posting.

Also, is it me or the two links in your comment are broken? It seems like they both miss an “h” in “https”.

Weird. They both worked for me; I changed them to the ! links - see if that works any better. ...actually iirc that makes it better for mobile users anyway.

[–] char_stats@lemm.ee 1 points 7 hours ago

I changed them to the ! links - see if that works

They do work now!