15 classic retro games you can play on Android right now

There's no shortage of great modern games, but sometimes you need something to stoke the fires of nostalgia. Unfortunately, many old games have not been recreated for smartphones, the reasons for which are vast and, at times, baffling. You can download an emulator and ROMs, of course, but quality is spotty. While some games aren't (legally) available on your phone, others are, and we've compiled them into this handy list.

Many people have fond memories of playing Space Invaders, and thanks to a thinly-veiled clone called 'Space Intruders,' anyone can relive this classic game on their Android handset. 'Space Intruders' isn't identical to the original arcade game in that the spaceship shoots automatically; this is necessary for playing on a touchscreen, though, otherwise your fingers would be in the way.

While Nintendo continues to drag its feet about bringing its classic games to mobile, SEGA has jumped directly on that bandwagon, releasing one of its most beloved titles on Google Play for a measly $3: Sonic the Hedgehog 2. Yes, even the familiar Seeeegaaaaa! intro audio is included. Can't get enough Sonic? SEGA also has a Sonic Dash Android game. Grab the iOS version here.

The enhanced version of Baldur's Gate, originally released in 1998, is now available to download on the Google Play Store. This version of the game has been enhanced for tablets specifically, though you could also play it on your phone if you'd like. The game is a 60-hour epic, according to its developer, and the mobile app includes all of the expansions, too. Both it and the iOS version are $9.99.

The SEGA classic Crazy Taxi is available on the Google Play Store with all of its original music, classic graphics, and overall remastered gameplay to make the title suitable for mobile gaming. The game is free with ads, but those who have purchased Crazy Taxi Classic will be able to download an ad-free version of the game. This app is also free on iTunes.

Atari took the easy route and packed a bunch of its games from the 70s and 80s into a single app, though the app itself is a bit deceptive — it is free to download, but only one game is free to play. You'll have to pay to get access to the full catalog, but the $9.99 price tag is small beans compared to the massive 99 game library it'll give you access to. The same goes for the iOS version.

Tetris, thanks to its enduring popularity amongst all age groups, is one of the games that lives on in a modern style from a major publisher — Electronic Arts, in this case. The puzzle game is the same as the one you may have played decades ago, but it comes with a modern veneer of bright, colorful graphics. Of course, you can find it for iOS, too.

If you loved the classic game Centipede, you'll find the cloned version 'Robotipede' to be an excellent rendition of the game. Unlike many clones, this game is high-quality and extremely similar to the original. If you're looking for this on iTunes, you'll have to hit up the Atari's Greatest Hits app.

Perhaps this game isn't old enough to be considered a retro classic, but it has been just under a decade since the first game was released and the title has many fans. Though you can't play that original game on Android (yet), you can play one that is similar enough called Run Sackboy! Run!. If you've played any of the previous console games, you'll know exactly what to expect, as this mobile version of the game is very similar in design and function. The same goes for the iOS version.