15 Android Sports Games

9 Innings: Pro Baseball 2013

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9 Innings: Pro Baseball 2013 by Com2uS does a fairly deft job at blending together simulation, arcade, and fantasy sports elements into a single coherent free-to-play baseball game. Choose from a set of MLB teams with full 25-man rosters updated to 2012 and mapped out to match their real-world performance and stats. The actual gameplay is a highly configurable experience, with the option to play only offense, defense, half-innings, or full games. An additional fantasy element is introduced with an achievement and trading card mechanic that allows players to unlock special abilities, upgraded versions of players, or players from different teams, allowing you to create a custom, all-star lineup.
Verdict: A good baseball game that's got something in it to please arcade, sim, and fantasy baseball fans alike.

Baseball Superstars 2013

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For a more lighthearted fantasy take on baseball, try Gamevil's latest iteration of their anime-inspired Baseball Superstars series, a free-to-play baseball game with a very RPG-like character progression system. Create your own character and take to the field as a pitcher or batter in fictional baseball teams, earning coins and stars to unlock vanity items, stat buffs for your player or team, and more. Off the field, partake in various sidequests, challenges and RPG elements to advance your character.

Verdict: Don't let the cute anime graphics fool you, this game has some surprising depth and progression built around an arcade pitching and batting core. We only wish it had more tutorials so as not to drop you in the deep end almost immediately.

Flick Baseball

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Flick Baseball is a nice, arcadey baseball pitching game that puts you in the shoes of a pitcher trying to strike out as many batters as possible. Simple flick controls allow you to aim and spin your pitch, while a stamina bar serves as your life meter (with every ball and hit reducing your stamina). Coins and powerups are strewn across the strikebox, and can be collected by tossing your ball in the appropriate direction. While the blocky graphics and art style aren't anything to write home about, the gameplay itself is pretty amusing. Sadly, the game has the propensity to crash unexpectedly.

Verdict: A fun, light-hearted arcade pitching game with unfortunate stability issues.

Real Racing 2

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EA's Real Racing series features some jaw-dropping graphics and smooth controls for a mobile racing game. While we wait with baited breath for the free to play Real Racing 3, have a run with Real Racing 2, the latest iteration of the franchise. With 30 licensed cars, 15 tracks, a solid career mode, quick races, and time trials, Real Racing 2 delivers some pretty awesome racing eye candy.

Verdict: Awesome graphics and slick controls make for a great mobile racing game.

Reckless Racing 2

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For a more arcade racing experience, try top-down driving game Reckless Racing 2, which dials down the redneck attitude in exchange for a deeper and more content filled game. Compete in Career mode to unlock new cars and upgrades, have a blast with Arcade mode's challenges, or indulge in some multiplayer racing fun. An extensive customization system, adaptive difficulty, and local and online multiplayer round out the game.

Verdict: Frenetic, fun and graphically impressive arcade racing.

Riptide GP

 

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Riptide GP is a graphically impressive jet ski racing game from Vector Unit, the same minds behind the hit Hydro Thunder Hurricane game for Xbox Live Arcade. Featuring sleek, futuristic courses, 7 different jet skis to master, as well as Race, Hot Lap, and Championship modes, Riptide gives you loads of adrenaline pumping racing action. Unfortunately, it doesn't sport multiplayer. The hardware requirements mean older devices won't run it, and the tilt-based control scheme might not be to some players' liking.

Verdict: The graphics quality is a joy, as is the racing itself. Too bad there's no multiplayer, or we might score it higher.

 

Madden NFL 12

 

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Electronic Arts' Madden NFL 12 is a solid if pricy continuation of the Madden NFL franchise. This Android port brings over some slick graphics, as well as controls and gameplay that can satisfy the American Football aficionado and newbie alike. Slow-time and mechanics such as "Total Defensive Control" "Action Control Time," and the ability to draw "hot routes" on screen allow for as much or as little control over plays as you need. Seasoned football junkies can take command of every aspect of the play, while less seasoned players can let the Gameflow system automatically recommend plays so that they can focus on the action.

Verdict: A worthy standard-bearer for the Madden franchise on the Android, with something for skilled and new players alike.

 

NFL Pro 2013

 

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Gameloft's NFL Pro 2013 is a free-to-play American Football title that aims to bring a deep but accessible NFL title to the Android platform. Much like the Madden series, players choose between various play formations when on the attack and defense, with players than taking command of the execution. Unfortunately, NFL Pro 2013 is saddled with the limitations of free-to-play, with players starting out with an extremely limited playbook. New strategies are unlocked by grinding for in-game currency or paying up-front with real cash. Still, it is free-to-play, and if you're looking for a good American Football games on Android, this one's a pretty good call.

Verdict: A good American Football game even with the limitations of free-to-play.

FIFA 12

 

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Electronic Arts' FIFA 12 is a single-player football game that puts players in the shoes of some of the most famous football teams and leagues worldwide. Controls and gameplay are pretty slick, the animations are well rendered and the numerous gameplay modes such as League, Cup, and Kick Off modes are neat, but the game does lack multiplayer (which may have to wait until EA ports over FIFA 13 it seems).

Verdict:A well made slick football game for the Android.

 

Real Soccer 2013

 

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Gameloft's Real Soccer 2013 is an okay attempt at making a freemium football game. Players take command of a club, build up and manage their roster, and then take to the field against their rivals. Gameplay is a mixed bag, with pretty good graphics quality, but rather disorienting in-game player selection that either sees the computer forcing you to leap willy-nilly from one player to another, or have you fumbling with the manual controls to get to the player you want. In addition, the freemium model is particularly jarring, with players having to grind large amounts of time and effort for paltry rewards, and a club management system that is pretty much designed to part you with your money through microtransactions.

Verdict: You can't fault Gameloft's production values, but you can fault the wonky controls and the grindy economy that really prioritizes microtransactions.

Flick Soccer

 

 

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A more arcade-like, pick up and play sort of game, Flick Soccer focuses on the good stuff: Kicking the ball at targets. Flick Soccer takes the "flick a ball at a target" genre and gives it loads of spit, polish, and production value to present a surprisingly addictive arcade experience. Quickshot mode challenges you to hit a moving bullseye being defended by the keeper with a time attack countdown, while Endurance mode gives you three balls, taking one away for every missed goal. Challenge mode rewards precision shots, and a surprisingly satisfying Smash It mode where you have to smash panes of glass positioned around the goal mouth.

Verdict: A simple, addictive pastime for under a dollar. Great fun, if not particularly deep.

 

Football Manager Handheld 2013

 

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On the absolute opposite end of the spectrum is Sega's Football Manager Handheld 2013, a game that eschews action for the strategic savvy needed to take a prestigious club to the top of the rankings. A fantasy sports management game on steroids, Football Manager Handheld 2013 takes the franchise's well honed formula and adds polish to it. Featuring an updated player and team lineup, new playable leagues, and other tweaks, Football Manager Handheld 2013 isn't so much a revolutionary leap as it is an iterative advance, making a great sports management game that much better.

Verdict: Pretty much best of breed for football management simulations. Definitely something for the more strategic and logistically inclined players out there. Look for your adrenaline rush somewhere else.

Virtua Tennis Challenge

 

 

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Sega's Virtua Tennis Challenge takes the venerable sports franchise mobile, letting players choose from among 50 fictional players in their quest to become the number one tennis player. Players can choose from a custom, gesture-centric control interface, or a more traditional virtual gamepad as they cut loose with lobs, slices, drop shots, and more. The SPT World Tour mode challenges you to advance to the top by competing in new tournaments daily, exhibition matches allow you to just cut loose with a fun game, and you can even challenge your friends to a multiplayer match over Bluetooth.

Verdict: A good mobile port for the Virtua Tennis franchise that provides a good amount of challenge, slick presentation, and multiplayer.

 

NBA Jam

 

 

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The venerable NBA Jam comes to the Android, bringing its funky, big-headed 2v2 arcade zaniness to basketball lovers. A light-hearted and action-packed port of the 2010 release, NBA Jam delivers familiar arcade thrills while also updating the player lineup to the 2012 season. Play through the Campaign mode to unlock teams, players, and cheats, and then go wild with the more freeform Play Now mode. An additional feature is WiFi multiplayer allowing you to go head to head with your friends for some crazy basketball fun.

Verdict: NBA Jam takes a good arcade sports game formula and pulls it off well on Android.

 NBA 2K13

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NBA 2K13 dials up the simulation aspect, with players taking command of a full 5v5 basketball game at the helm of their favorite NBA teams. Quick match mode allows for freeform play, while a more in-depth multiseason mode offers a deeper campaign and team management experience. A fun feature is the "greatest games" mode, which allows players to recreate particularly famous matches complete challenge thresholds to meet. While the soundtrack curated by Jay-Z is solid, the graphics disappoint during the many close-up shots, looking extremely blocky. There is also no multiplayer mode at the moment.

Verdict: While it might not be an incredibly awesome sports game to rival console titles, NBA 2K13 is certainly a pretty good mobile basketball game.

Play these Android games

Catan ($3.99)

Catan is the official electronic version of the great board game that our family regularly enjoys. The app originally came out on iOS and last year came out for Android. There is also an expansion called “Cities and Knights” that you can purchase in-app. The object of the game is to dominate the island through resources, settlements, building roads and cities. With these accomplishments you earn victory points and most games will go until the first person reaches 10 points. If you have played the board game you will have no problem with the mobile version.

The graphics are beautiful in the game, the menu system is nicely done and provides plenty of space to see the board. The game comes with a number of options, such as different boards and tile sets, modifying the number of victory points for a game, the number of players, and more. You can play against others locally but I prefer playing against the AI. You can only save one game at time. Overall it is fun game and for those who have never played the board game, there is a helpful tutorial and almanac to give you all of the basics.

The Tribez (Free)

I heard about this game a few months back so when it was released for Android, I had to give it a try. The Tribez is a city building game where you’re on an island and tasked to help the natives develop their village. The game takes you through and provides different quests, and even points you in the right direction if you need guidance.

The graphics and gameplay are well done and although there is a lot going on, you can easily keep up with the game actions. Thankfully, the omnipresent menu system does not take up a lot of screen real estate. Unlike many building games, you do not need social gaming friends to help you complete missions or get resources. Also, if you are patient you can play without having to spend any real money. I find myself checking in numerous times a day, doing quests and reorganizing the village.

Top Eleven Football Manager (Free)

If you enjoy soccer and team management games, then Top Eleven Football Manager is for you. It is a cross-platform game where you can play on Android, iOS, and Facebook. The mobile app is very good and can do most everything in the game, but to get the full experience you need to connect via Facebook. You start off with a group of players and your job is to manage and develop them into a successful soccer team. As manager you get to organize the players, formations, facilities, medical, and finances. When it comes to the actual soccer game, you are only a spectator as the computer runs the show. This game is truly for those who enjoy the strategy and business aspect of running a team.

A season runs for 30 actual days and your team will play anywhere from 1 to 3 games in a day, depending on your league(s). You can also arrange to play friendly matches with friends or simply work your players out to help them gain more experience. You can sign free agents if needed and upgrade the facilities to improve your team’s performance. The game is truly international and I find myself playing opponents from all over the world. It really is simple to keep up with once you get the hang of things. Now if you get super competitive, you can of course spend some real money to improve your players and team even more.

Crossworlds: the Flying City (Free)

Crossworlds: the Flying City is an interesting game. It is a cross between a hidden object and point-and-click adventure genres. Professor Dumbdore disappeared and his daughter Monica asks for your help to track him down. To do this you travel to four different worlds, solve puzzles, complete hidden object games to collect needed items and more. The story connects the different worlds together, but at times you can easily forget why you are there.

This is a free game but to you can only play so much of the story. To finish the full game/storyline, you will need to complete an in-app purchase. The graphics are quite nice in the game but at times the text seemed a bit small on my phone’s screen. After you play for a while, you earn some credits you can use to skip a puzzle if needed. The game comes with the option to have multiple profiles so you can let your kids, siblings, or friends have their own game if needed.

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Top 10 best Android games: February 2012

With the seemingly endless parade of dual- and quad-core handsets on show at last week's Mobile World Congress, the tech benchmark for Android blowers is liable to get raised on a weekly basis this year.

Yet, with loads of high-budget 3D games being lined up for these mega-powered handsets, will there still be room for the little guy: the bedroom coder brimming with originality but lacking the funds to compete with the big boys?

Personally, I find it hard to imagine there won't be space on your next quad-core Ice Cream Sandwich phone for the simple genius of the likes of Mr Legs - and the rest of February's finest Android releases we've rounded up for you below.




Reckless Racing 2
By Polarbit - buy on Android



One of the first racers to really show just how many pixels a decent Android phone could push, Reckless Racing was a stunning showcase for touchscreen racing that played like a dream to boot.

It was, however, decidedly brief, so the prospect of a sequel with a generous Campaign mode, stacks of Arcade challenges, and a neat car upgrade system, made Reckless Racing 2 an irresistibly mud-splattered prospect.

Polarbit's Gold Award-winning game more than matches these expectations, with cars that require real skill to drift around the twisty tracks and fend off the more aggressive AI. There's even a full-fledged multiplayer mode in which to give your souped-up motor the ultimate test drive.

Stay Alive
By Drummer Games - buy on Android



Like flying a spaceship through an asteroid belt with the throttle jammed on full, Stay Alive is not for the average fainthearted earth dweller.

A kind of "Canabalt in space", as our reviewer astutely described it, Stay Alive tasks you with surviving for as long as possible while ducking and weaving between all manner of space debris.

With the default speed set to 'ruddy fast', your only means of survival is to frantically steer with the intuitive slider controls, pick off obstacles in your path with laser cannon blasts, and aim for stellar high scores.

Farm Frenzy 3
By Mobigame - buy on Android



Offering a far more frenetic experience than the likes of Zynga's time / money sink FarmVille, Farm Frenzy 3 lives up to its manic title with 95 stages of increasingly tricky agricultural action.

Imbued with cuddly visuals to lure you in, the game challenges you to craft a set number of different products in each stage. Keeping your animals fed and happy is the key to success, along with capturing predators and knowing the recipe for a delicious cake.

The simple tap controls allow you to focus on the farming process, which is handy as - after a gentle introduction - the challenges are multi-stage affairs that really tax your husbandry tactics.

Great Little War Game: All Out War
By Rubicon Development - buy on Android



Admittedly, All Out War is more of an add-on than a full-on sequel, but with the first Great Little War Game being such a glorious mash-up of Cannon Fodder-style humour and Advance Wars-esque turn-based tactics, that's not such a terrible prospect.

The lack of a tutorial and the steep difficulty curve might put off newcomers, yet veterans will be right at home with the complex turn-based battles.

From the very first conflict, your mettle will be tested to the limit, making this a must-play experience for fans of the original and any warmongers looking for a stern challenge.

SupaSupaCross
By SupaSupa Games - buy on Android



From a studio containing the team behind the MX vs. ATV console series, it's no surprise that SupaSupa Games's first title is a dirt track extravaganza - crammed with muddy tracks; loose, drift-heavy steering; and huge jumps.

Style- and control-wise, SupaSupaCross is not a world away from Polarbit's Reckless Racing, only with motorbikes.

The torrent of in-game achievements can be distracting, but the core racing is fast and furious enough to warrant a decent spin.

Mr Legs
By I Like James Games - buy on Android



What do you get if you cross Monty Python with Android? A game about a gentleman with legs so long birds peck at them, of course.

So eccentric and absurd even Terry Gilliam would smile at its setup, Mr Legs is a surreal delight that's as much fun to sit back and watch as it is to play.

The aim is to collect cherries by stretching the titular 'fellow' as high as possible, though this makes his appendages vulnerable to attacks from birds and even bombs. Despite the bizarre cartoony looks, it's a tough game that requires real skill to conquer the harder levels.

Dungeon Raid
By Fireflame Games - buy on Android



The unlikely splicing of the fantasy-RPG and match-three genres has been done before - most notably in the rather wonderful Puzzle Quest series - but Dungeon Raid does forge its own identity.

Yes, you're battling monsters, levelling-up, and looting everything that's not nailed down, but the generic orcs-and-elves narrative is jettisoned in favour of roguelike survival.

The game is essentially one long battle, with only your match-three wits and an array of potions and shields available to help you fend off the never-ending horde long enough to climb the OpenFeint leaderboards.

Gem Miner 2
By Psym Mobile - buy on Android



As any Minecraft - Pocket Edition fan will tell you, humans have an innate desire to dig deep into the earth and uncover priceless relics - why else do you think Channel 4's Time Team has lasted so long?

This jewel-crammed sequel polishes up its predecessor's creaky visuals, yet retains the simple allure of surviving long enough underground to find the most precious items.

With two modes (Freeplay and the mission-focused Expedition) on offer, it's easy to lose hours patiently digging, installing wooden supports, and searching for shiny things to sell.

Tropical Stormfront
By Noble Master Games - buy on Android



The idea of a mostly sea-based military RTS on a touchscreen phone may sound like a fiddly Titanic-esque disaster waiting to happen, but Tropical Stormfront's old skool charm somehow keeps the concept afloat.

You're waging future war in the Pacific over a generous 25 missions, mastering a fleet of units on land, sea, and air that all have a unique role in battle (such as tanks, which are the only ones capable of capturing enemy bases).

The 8-bit graphics and casual mechanics help to make it an accessible game for noobs, yet there's plenty of challenge here if you ramp up the difficulty.

NFL Kicker!
By Full Fat - buy on Android



Full Fat's gridiron game concept might not be a million miles away from Flick Kick Field Goal, yet its swish presentation and official NFL licence make it a more visually impressive punting pastime.

Glitz and glamour aside, the flick controls are remarkably solid, and the generous number of game modes - which have to be unlocked by racking up high scores - means it's got some serious staying power, too.

Flick Soccer! HD game for Android lets you flick, kick & score!

Flick Soccer! is an extremely glitzy soccer game for Android. Made by the same developers as Flick Golf!, the game features impressive graphics, immersive sound and more options and modes than you can kick a ball at.
Price: ~$0.99
Tested on: HTC Desire HD
Content Rating: Low Maturity

Pros & Cons:

Pros

• Detailed graphics!
• Great authentic sounds!
• Lots of gameplay modes!

Cons

• After-touch is a little bit unpredictable.
• Often takes a while to load.

Features:

Flick Soccer! immerses players into a big-game soccer environment. Controls are straightforward to understand. Flick your finger over the ball in the direction you want to shoot it, then, as the ball is in flight move your finger over the screen if you want to add swerve. Simple as that!
There are several differing modes of play with Flick Soccer! Firstly you have ‘Quickshot’ where you shoot to score as many goals in 60 seconds. There is a target to aim for which will give you small time extensions. With ‘Endurance’ you have to score as many goals as you can. You have ‘lives’ which are lost when you miss. There is a target to shoot at and if you’re accurate enough you can win extra lives. ‘Challenge Mode’ sets scores for each kick; the more accurate you shoot the higher the score. In this mode you have to reach a certain score to move to the next level. Levels here take you from Trainee through to Superstar. Then there is ‘Crossbar’ mode where you have to hit the glowing crossbar as often as possible in the set time. ‘Smash It’ mode has the goal covered in plate glass which you have to smash. This level starts easy- there’s only one pane to smash, but gets harder with more and more individual glass panes to hit.
One of the first things I noticed about the game was how long it takes to load- often 30 seconds or more to start a mode. While obviously the rich graphics, sounds and mode features are loading, less patient gamers might just give up. The other issue is the deployment of ‘after touch’. This is where you add spin to the ball while it is in mid-flight by sweeping across the screen. This, I find it pretty counter-intuitive. In a real game of soccer you have no control over the ball once you kick it- so it seems unnatural to do so here. In a similar soccer title- ‘Flick Kick Football‘ you shoot by curving the flick you make to kick the ball. So if it needs to curve around a wall of defenders, you make a curved shape when you move your finger. This, for me at least, feels far more intuitive. The other downside to ‘after-touch’ is that you are putting your finger in the way of the action- it’s hard to tell if the kick needs swerving if your finger is in the way.
When playing Flick Soccer! I’m immediately reminded of ‘Flick Kick Football’ as both games feature the flick-to-kick controls, lustrous 3D graphics and heavy polish. I find that ‘Flick Kick Soccer’ has a more natural feel to it, as discussed above. While sound is relatively similar in both titles, Flick Soccer! does include a few more options; such as the ‘Smash It’ and ‘Crossbar’ modes which adds diversity to the gameplay. On reflection, I think it’s fair to say that both games are pretty much equal- where one falls short the other is better and vice-versa.

Flick Soccer – Ball in flight 1

Flick Soccer – Ball in flight 2

Flick Soccer – Ball in flight 3

Flick Soccer – Curl around goal keepers and defenders

Flick Soccer – Smash it gameplay

Flick Soccer – Smash it game over

Flick Soccer – Quickshot game over

Flick Soccer – Endurance instructions

Flick Soccer – Crossbar gameplay

Flick Soccer – Crossbar game over

Flick Soccer – Challenge gameplay

Flick Soccer – Challenge game over

Flick Soccer – Menu

Flick Soccer – Settings

Fun Factor:

Once you are comfortable with how long the game often takes to load, Flick Soccer! is lots of fun and very playable. The controls are easy so it’s a casual game that anyone can play. Accuracy is important but you improve the more you play and it’s fun while you do so.

Addictive:

Because it’s so easy to play, and there is such a diverse range of options, Flick Soccer! is undoubtedly addictive. I guess that captivation might wane in light of lengthy loading times but the game is highly immersive if you have the patience.

Graphics:

The graphics really are first class. Detailed 3D visuals with sweeping camera angles and cool player animations. Menus are also first rate and very slick.

Accelerometer, Vibration & Sound:

There is a cool indie-rock music track called ‘Help Me Out’ by the band Cafe Racer. Aside from this the game features realistic soccer sounds; spectators cheering, kicking sounds, effects of the ball hitting defenders and goalkeepers. All in all this produces a highly polished and authentic feel to the game.

Gameloft Launches “Real Football 2012” for Android, Wicked “Stamina” Feature Included

Launched in the Android Market only two days ago, Gameloft’s “Real Football 2012” has a 4.2 average rating based on around 300 votes from players who downloaded and installed the game.

Although the game has been receiving mixed reviews, the main reason is not the quality of the game “per se,” but the infamous "stamina" features  implemented by the developers.



It appears that Gameloft introduced this “stamina” stat for in-game players which is depleting pretty fast after only several games. In order to remain competitive, Android users will need to replenish their teams’ stamina, which can only be done by in-app purchase.


That’s pretty wicked, but those who do not want to spend a dime on “Real Football 2012” can wait a rather long time until the “stamina” gauge is slowly replenishing.

Unfortunately, this is not the first game that gets this “stamina” system implemented, and probably won’t be the last either. “Let’s Golf 3” also has gotten the same “stamina” thing and has received mixed reviews as well.



Most players are annoyed by this wicked “stamina” feature introduced by Gameloft in most of its freemium games. Here are some of the comments sent by  Android users who played “Real Football 2012":

“Good game. I enjoy playing it on my phone. I put 3 stars because the stamina thing is anoying. U have to wait 1 day for a match. C'mon, this way a lot of users will quit playing it.”

“after all complaints gamelft got from let's golf 3 because of the stamina they input it into this game as well? 1 star from me this is disgusting.”

“This Freemium may work for some, but I want to pay for a game once then play it. There's also no need for this intrusive notifications on boot to get people to spend more!”

“Real Football 2012” is now available as a free download in the Android Market and is fully compatible with all devices running

The Must-Have iOS and Android Apps for a Killer Super Bowl Party

Are you ready for some football? Wait, that's the last song you want to hear on your Super Bowl pre- or post-party mix. But thanks to your iPhone or Android devices, you won't have to move away from the snacks table to switch your tunes at your official party.
We've already covered some of the best apps to supplement your Super Bowl experience – as in, the game itself. But what about mobile apps that can take your actual Super Bowl party to the next level? Don't let the fun start and end with the kickoff and final whistle: Keep these apps on your mobile device and use them to rock the house for all the other awesome events you have planned this year. NFL Draft Day party, anyone?
Music iOS: At the top of your list should be the iTunes Remote app, which allows connected party guests to vote and request songs they'd like to hear from your iTunes library. TuneTug performs a similar task, but supports Spotify as well (if you're so inclined), and it lets all smartphone users vote for new jams to play via a standard website.
Android: If you're using iTunes to host your music library, you can access it in a Remote-like manner using the app "Remote for iTunes." Unified Remote transforms your Android device into a remote for a whole host of different apps, and Gmote allows you to control the entirety of your PC from afar.
Food Running low on wings? Pizza? Guac? The food delivery services Seamless and Grubhub both have iOS and Android apps for download – if you can't find enough places that will deliver in your local area, you might have better luck searching for pick-up options instead.
And if you're ready to wave the white flag on your food preparation, you can always use an app like Snapfinger to order ahead to nearby restaurants or fast-food locales.
Booze If you don't know your Jack and Coke from your Red Bull and Vodka – or your favorite drink is either – you might need some digital assistance in the kitchen-turned-amateur-bar. Check out the Top Shelf app for iOS, where you can search for potential drinks based on their names or, far more useful, based on what you can actually make with the ingredients you have on hand.
If you're content with quality classics over thousands of user-submitted (and likely incorrect) drink recipes, Android users should check out the Drink Maestro for Android app. What it lacks in comprehensiveness, it makes up for in mastery. And if you really just want every possible drink recipe ever (regardless of quality), Bartender's your virtual lime wedge.
Games Who needs football when you have mobile fun? Those looking to spice up the party on an iOS device should check out Spin My Party, a game that awards players points for completing tasks selected by one of those giant prize wheels. Screenlife makes plenty of "Scene It?" trivia games across a variety of subjects, if more iOS-based "smart fun" is in store. And Foosball HD – for iPad only – is a great way to bring the fun of that classic bar game to the party without cluttering up your home or apartment.
Ready, Android users? First up, there's 4 Player Reactor, which blends a variety of minigames into a single app that up to four players can play at once (as the name suggests). And since we touched on Foosball for iOS users, it's only fair that we suggest Glow Hockey 2 for Android aficionados: It's one of the prettier multiplayer air hockey clones on the Android Market!
Finally, if you want to get to know a particular party-goer a little closer, then Paper War for 2 Players is a great way to show off your excellent taste in Android gaming. It's not only fun, but it's drawn in a way that's sure to grab the attention of even the most sour Super Bowl partygoer.
Did we leave out any apps that you use to kick your parties up a notch? Let us know in the comments!

Games for football lovers on Android

The big game is this weekend and most American's will tell you it's a lot more than just a football game.
Many people make an event out of the game with parties, barbeques, and betting pools, even if their favorite team isn't in the running. Even the commercials shown during the game are an event in themselves with advertisers spending huge amounts of money for 30 second and one minute spots.
While you wait for the Sunday's festivities to kick off, I've put together a collection of mobile games to get you excited for the main event. Most of the time I only write about iPhone apps in this space, but this special event calls for a special post.
This week's apps are football themed games for both iPhone and Android and they all let you fill the shoes of different players on a football team. The first lets you run past defenders on your way to the end zone. The second lets you try your luck at being the kicker who needs to split the uprights. The third has you playing as the quarterback, trying to complete perfect passes to open receivers.
Editor's note: If you are right now saying to yourself, "I hate football!" then read Jaymar Cabebe's post on Game day apps for football haters.

Use the juke and sprint buttons to get to the end zone, but once you're there it's time to celebrate.

(Credit: Screenshot by Jason Parker/CNET)

Backbreaker Football 2: Vengeance ($2.99) for iPhone or Android is the sequel to Backbreaker Football (99 cents), a game that put you in the shoes of a football player running and dodging tackles to get to the end zone. Just like the original, beautiful 3D graphics and solid animations give you the feeling of powering your way down the field. But in BackBreaker Football 2: Vengeance, you now have the ability to play on the other side of the ball as a defender who needs to dodge blockers and ultimately tackle the ball carrier. You start off by customizing a player with a few options for jersey number, skin tone, and uniform, but you'll be able to unlock more uniforms and other goodies as you play the game.
Once on the field, Backbreaker Football 2: Vengeance adds new moves and features to keep the game exciting. In addition to the spin, juke, and sprint moves found in the original, you can now jump over low tackles and objects by tapping on the middle of the screen. You also have a "trucking" move that turns your player into a power runner, bulldozing your way through high tackles and under props on the field. Having a low solid object to jump over or a low-hanging bar to "truck" under look a little out of place on the football field, but BackBreaker Football is an arcade game, and the new additions definitely make for some complicated challenges. You also can't help but feel a sense of accomplishment after a long line of jumping over objects, dodging tackles, and showboating into the end zone.
Like the original, you get more points if you can showboat or high step into the end zone at the end of your run. The Showboating move slows you down, making it possible for tacklers to catch up to you, so you have to choose the right time to start showing off in order to make it to the end zone while racking up the most points. Backbreaker Football 2: Vengeance takes showboating a step further with an extra button that makes your showboating move even more exaggerated and quite a bit slower while doubling the points you'll receive if you make it to the end zone. Don't be surprised if you end up eating the turf 5 yards short of the end zone before you get the hang of it.
Overall, Backbreaker Football 2: Vengeance is an excellent sequel that keeps the best things about the original, and adds a fun new game type and more moves to help you make defenders miss. The game mechanic is very addictive, and as you progress, you'll need to use every move at your disposal to reach the end zone or tackle your opponent. Anyone who played the first game or likes the idea of an easy to pick up and play football game will appreciate the challenge and polish of this sequel.

Kicking several field goals in succession gives you the flaming ball for more points.

(Credit: Screenshot by Jason Parker/CNET)

Flick Kick Field Goal (99 cents) for iPhone or Android lets you take the role of a kicker and use your finger to send a football through the uprights. The control scheme is about as easy as it gets: simply flick the football towards the Field Goal uprights and if you manage to split the goal posts, you score a point.
The game comes with several game modes, but all rely on the simple mechanic of flicking to kick field goals. Arcade mode challenges you to kick as many field goals as possible, and you'll be required to kick field goals from greater and greater distances and account for wind speed. Precision mode challenges you to try to hit the middle of the field goal as many times as possible over the course of 20 kicks. Each area of the field goal is assigned a percentage (100% in the middle, 75% just off center, and 50% on the sides) with the goal of obtaining the highest percentage of perfect kicks possible. There's also a Sudden Death mode where you'll need to kick field goals in the middle to get extra lives, but if you miss three field goals, you're done. Finally, a Time Attack mode challenges you to kick as many field goals as possible in a two-minute time limit with center field goals adding 2 seconds on to your time. Frankly, there is not a huge difference between game modes, but if you like the action of flicking to kick field goals, the variation definitely adds replay value.
Flick Kick Field goal also offers a Multiplayer mode where you can challenge people locally or get matched up with another player online and take turns going for accuracy with your kicks.
My only problem with the game is the way they list wind speed. A 2mph wind is almost unnoticeable, while a 6mph wind will drastically effect ball trajectory. It's not a huge issue, but be aware that the wind speeds get tough quickly.
Flick Kick Field goal is mostly a one-trick pony, but with a few game modes, multiplayer, and great kicking action, this game will appeal to anyone looking for an easy pick-up-and-play game.

Wait until the receiver's circle turns green before letting it fly.

(Credit: Screenshot by Jason Parker/CNET)

NFL Flick Quarterback (99 cents) for iPhone or Android is an excellent touch-screen game concept that manages to make you feel like a real quarterback as you connect with receivers. The game offers a Basic Skills level to get you started and explains how the game works--you must complete passes to open receivers while accounting for both defensive players and wind speed. Hitting an open receiver almost always results in a Touchdown--there's no defense after the catch. But you will need to make crisp passes in order to get high scores.
The game offers a few different game modes and all of them add to the experience of throwing good passes. The main mode is called Playmaker, where you'll need to lead receivers with your passes for them to make clean catches. As the game progresses, more defenders are added making it crucial that you flick the ball with just the right amount of force to get it to your receiver. You'll have some help there--a circle under the receiver turns green when he gets into open space, but you'll still need precision, because a defensive back is often not far behind. Scores are based on how well you lead the receiver and number of touchdowns after successful passes.
A Quick Fire game mode gives you 45 seconds to complete as many passes as possible. Completed passes add seconds on to your time and the quality of pass matters too--with a good leading pass you can get five seconds added on, but with a close call catch, you'll only get three seconds (and misses subtract three seconds). The feeling of urgency forces you to walk the fine line of getting the pass off while remaining precise.
A third game mode called Trick Shot tests your accuracy by having you throw passes into barrels. As you progress the barrels get further away and wind speed starts to play a role forcing you to make perfect passes to hit the target. All of the game modes are fun and different enough from each other that you'll want to try each again and again.
Overall, NFL Flick Quarterback is an excellent game for football fans that want to make the perfect pass. With several gametypes and plenty of variation, this will be the perfect game to check out while you wait for the big game this Sunday.