By Ryan Scott | 09-22-2012 | 3:30PM
Mobile gaming is bigger than ever, and that comes with some ups and downs. On one hand, it means lots of increasingly awesome games that give even proper console heavy-hitters a run for their money; on the other hand, it means a lot of subpar choices to wade through on Google Play. In this weekly roundup, we've got you covered: Here are five Android games that are worth your precious time (and in some cases, even your money!).
John NES (NES Emulator)
by John emulators (Free, or $3.19 ad-free version)
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Alright, now this one requires a bit of legwork, since you've got to chase down your own Nintendo Entertainment System game ROMs for this app to power (in which case, Google is your friend). John NES gives you access to all of your favorite, classic NES games, and powers them with a virtual d-pad and buttons, letting you relive all those awesome 8-bit memories. Its tablet UI works especially well, and it includes a lot of convenient features -- such as on-demand save states and a customizable layout. The paid version removes all the built-in ads, so grab that one if you're planning to binge on old Nintendo games.
Monsters Ate My Condo
by [adult swim] games ($0.99)
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In Monsters Ate My Condo, the end times have arrived: Four ravenous, giant, and extremely cute monsters are out to cause wanton destruction to the world's high-rise buildings, and you've got to match the various floors (which fall like Tetris pieces) to the monsters themselves in an effort to keep their bellies full. It's a fast-paced puzzle game with an extremely creative art style (which, of course, is something the folks at Adult Swim do extremely well), and its fast and frantic pace is sure to keep you busy for a while.
Prince of Persia Classic
by Ubisoft Entertainment (Free, or $2.99 full version)
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Still one of the coolest games ever created, Prince of Persia is a sidescrolling action-adventure that finds you making death-defying leaps and evading various tricks and traps as you navigate perilous environments in search an evil vizier and his captured princess. This slimmed-down version is based on Ubisoft's fantastic 2007 Xbox Live Arcade remake, and it's simply one of the coolest games you'll ever play. I'd definitely recommend forking over $2.99 for the full version, as the free version is extremely limited in terms of the levels that it offers
Total War Battles
by SEGA of America ($4.99)
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This mobile-friendly rendition of the Creative Assembly's Total War strategy games is a take on 2011's excellent Total War: Shogun 2. It's a real-time strategy game that tasks you with taking medieval Japan through force and superior tactics, and it features a substantial economic resource management system, an intuitive hex grid that powers combat, and a relatively fast pace (based on the idea that once you head into battle, your honorable samurai can't retreat -- so get out there and fight!). Total War Battles features six standalone battle scenarios across multiple difficulty levels, and you can also take on your friends in local, single-device multiplayer matches.
Zombie Ace
by Hothead Games (Free)
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The Zombies are out to get all of us in Zombie Ace, a side-scrolling shoot 'em up that has you controlling any of five undead dogfighters in a quest to spread the zombie plague far and wide, across over a dozen U.S. cities. You'll battle with enemy fighters and choppers, face deadly weather hazards, and run across giant death robots as you tackle over 100 missions. You can also upgrade your own ride with better wings, bigger fuel tanks, and faster engines. Remember: It's not a kamikaze mission when you're already dead.
