While Xbox One and PlayStation 4 are dominated by the supremacy of FIFA and Pro Evolution Soccer, the football gaming landscape on Android is distinctly different. The Play Store is inundated with all kinds of applications that attempt, with varying degrees of success, to emulate the sport. As a fervent sports enthusiast, I present to you my selection of the best football games for Android in my opinion.
First and foremost, I’ve chosen to exclude titles that are simple Endless Runners or include mini-games and other unrelated elements. There’s nothing quite like enjoying a few traditional games or taking charge of your favorite team in direct sports simulations if you’re more inclined toward management. For those who prefer management, Engadget Mobile offers a list of the 6 best football manager games.
My recommendation? Connect your device to a controller for a more gratifying experience. While these games may not match the graphics and depth of traditional consoles, they’re ideal for quick gaming sessions at home or on the go. If you’re wondering, do online slots remember you, it’s essential to note that football games on Android offer a different kind of thrill.
Here’s a compilation of the best football games you can find on Android in 2016:
FIFA 16 Ultimate Team
As expected, EA Sports’ flagship franchise couldn’t be absent from Android. For the Google system, Electronic Arts has brought its successful Ultimate Team game mode to FIFA 16 Ultimate Team. Essentially, you create your own club and train the best players according to your preferences. While the download is free, and each game rewards you with coins to obtain packs, it also offers in-app purchases to unlock rewards more quickly.
Moreover, FIFA 16 Ultimate Team introduces the same graphics engine as seen on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, providing a more realistic and enjoyable experience. With over 500 teams and 10,000 licensed players, it’s the most comprehensive game available. It’s as addictive as ever.
If it’s not compatible with your phone or tablet, the previous version, FIFA 15 Ultimate Team, is less demanding in terms of hardware and is updated to the current season.
First Touch Soccer 2015
Although the new installment is set to arrive on Android in March 2016, First Touch Soccer 2015 remains an excellent choice for football gaming on mobile devices. In First Touch Soccer 2015, you can choose your favorite team, buy and sell players, and conquer various national and international championships.
Its standout feature is its realistic classic gameplay, which will delight all fans, complemented by a robust graphics engine and spectacular dynamic lighting system. First Touch Soccer 2015 has a sibling named Dream League Soccer, which, while not as comprehensive, shares similarities with FIFA 16.
First Touch Soccer 2015 is compatible with Android versions 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) and above, and it includes in-app purchases to accelerate your progress.
Score! Hero
Lastly, we have one of the most addictive apps in this compilation. Score! Hero is another creation from First Touch, following the formula of Score! World Goals but allowing you to create your custom player and lead them to glory.
The gameplay is simple and distinct from the competition. You draw the trajectory of the ball with your finger to create spectacular plays. The app is divided into seasons, starting from smaller teams and working your way up to becoming a global star.
If you have a mobile device running Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) or higher, we strongly recommend giving it a try.
PES Club Manager
No, Konami hasn’t missed the opportunity to launch its own Pro Evolution Soccer on Android, but this time, they’ve focused on the role of a technical director. Like Top Eleven and FIFA 16 Ultimate Team (although you can’t play matches), PES Club Manager takes football management to the highest level with a comprehensive simulator that allows you to create your dream team.
Choose a global superstar to build the core of your squad and compete in season games to climb the world rankings. Progress in PES Club Manager requires coins, which can be purchased with real money or earned as you play.
Its distinctive feature is the use of the Fox Engine for 3D simulations, just like in PES 2016 for other platforms. It’s compatible with Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean) and later.
Top Eleven
If you aspire to be the next Simeone or Mourinho, Top Eleven is the game for you. Nordeus has developed a robust football management game that allows you to control every aspect of your club, not just managing players. Top Eleven is the ultimate tool to become the best coach in the world.
You can guide your team’s progression, from training to matches. Design strategies and formations, control the transfer market, build your dream stadium, or motivate your players—these are just a few of the options in Top Eleven. What’s more, the best teams in the Premier League, Bundesliga, MLS, Serie A, and Ligue 1 are fully licensed, complete with logos and kits.
The game requires Android 2.3.3 (Gingerbread) or later to run.
That concludes our list of the best football games for Android. It’s worth noting that many of these games heavily rely on in-app purchases, which can lead to an interesting debate in the world of Android gaming. Nonetheless, rest assured that you’ll have a great time with these apps.
Which football game do you consider the best for Android?
