GoKawiilAndy Walker / Android Authority
As long as I can remember, I’ve been a champion of premium games. While I don’t mind a simple time-waster here or there, I prefer an Android game with a little more complexity and ideally no ads. I also believe that dropping anywhere from $1-20 for a premium game not only helps more ambitious developers who don’t want to go through the ad-festered freemium route, but ensures that a premium market continues to exist in a world where most people just go for the free versions.
Of course, the fact that premium games are a niche thing also limits what kind of paid titles get produced. By and large, you have two main pools here in 2026: Ports of older games from PC or console history, or indie hits that are typically cross-platform in some way. There are truly unique premium games too, but they are less common these days. Some of these premium games are a better experience than others, but below are just six that I feel are absolutely worth it.
Do you ever invest in premium Android games? 11 votes Yes, most of my games are premium experiences 27 % Yes, on rare occasion I do 18 % Sometimes, but I mostly play free games 18 % No, if it isn't free I don't bother 36 %
Minecraft
There’s probably no need to explain Minecraft to anyone reading this. Mojang’s popular sandbox building-centric game is an absolute must-have for kids, families, and those who just like to create in general. The best thing about this digital LEGO experience is that it is virtually identical to other versions of Minecraft Bedrock. You’ll have full cross-play gameplay support with Bedrock PC and console users, as well as the same marketplace and servers.
As you might guess, there are a few drawbacks, such as the lack of shader support and the fact that it usually preloads less of the world at once. Still, Minecraft Bedrock for Android at least manages to support controllers on top of its built-in touch controls, and it’s much cheaper than other versions at just $7. To put that price into perspective, the console version retails for around $20. As you can see, the Android version is a much better value for those with a kid who wants to try Minecraft for the first time, or for families who want to connect everyone to the same server for online play.
Stardew Valley
This is another title that needs little introduction in the gaming world. While Minecraft Bedrock is largely the same experience across all platforms, Stardew Valley is a somewhat different story. Not only is the PC version prioritized when it comes to updates, but it also supports extensive modding and has a more stable multiplayer scene. There is no official mod support for the Android version, though some PC mods can still be sideloaded unofficially.
Multiplayer is also a newer feature on the Android version and is hidden by default but can be unlocked with the Konami code. Just be aware it’s not quite as stable. Moving past its multiplayer and modding deficiencies, you’ll find an experience with reasonably decent touch controls, and the general content, characters, and gameplay are pretty much identical to other versions.
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