I turned my Android Auto setup into a gaming hub with 4 free apps – and I don’t regret it

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Highlights taken by ZDNET

• Many mobile games are compatible with Android Auto.
• All games have simple touch screen controls.
• These are slow, slow-paced games.

If you’re spending free time in your car waiting to be picked up from school or during your lunch break, there’s a good chance you’re passing the time with mobile games. Here’s what you probably didn’t know: You could be playing some of those games on your car’s screen instead. A number of popular mobile games are compatible with Android Auto, meaning you can play them in your car.

Also: 4 Android Auto developer settings that make driving a lot easier – how to enable it

Chances are you’ve browsed through your Android Auto apps and already seen the Gamesnacks app, which hosts a few flash games that aren’t the same as the original online flash games. However, these games are very intense; the same games you can play on your phone, on the big screen.

The catalog of Android Auto-compatible games isn’t huge, but it’s worth checking out. None of these titles have complicated controls or a steep learning curve, and they’re all perfect for short periods of time.

How to start

To play on your car’s screen, you’ll need to install these games on your phone and have your car in park. The good thing is, though, when you’re connected to your car and open the Android Auto app, you can still use your phone for other things. This is great if you have a child in the car with you and need to pass the time, but don’t want to hand over your phone.

Also: 4 Android Auto apps I highly recommend for your next road trip – beyond Maps and Spotify

I tried a quick run of the available games; while they didn’t run as well as on my phone, they are good enough to play comfortably. Here is a list of my favorites.

Angry Birds Friends: I hadn’t played Angry Birds in years, but the swing-style gameplay was easy to pick up. It works well on the car’s touch screen, and the levels go by quickly. Since the game is actually on your phone, your progress is saved, so you can continue through multiple sessions. I enjoyed not only beating the levels, but quickly replaying the level I just beat to get a high score.

Chariot Race (1 and 2): Both versions of this cart racing game feature colorful racers with easy controls, making them perfect games to kill 5 or 10 minutes. Tracks are filled with powerups, shortcuts, and other racers that can be beaten (computer players, not online). I feel like this game uses a much larger screen than any other on this list, and it’s the one that feels like a “real” video game.

Candy Crush Soda Saga: I’ve never been a fan of Candy Crush or its many versions or clones, but this is probably the most popular game available on Android Auto. The match-three game is easy to pick up and play in short bursts, and it’s relaxing enough to just split a few minutes. Since the action is slow, it’s easier to play on the car screen than games that require more movement.

Also: I saw the future of Android Auto, and now Google has made me afraid of my own car

Farm Heroes Saga: This game comes from the same developers as Candy Crush and works in the same way, it just matches fruits, vegetables, and water instead of candy. This game goes a bit beyond the standard match-three format, as it sometimes requires you to collect a certain number of a certain piece. I was still enjoying the game, I just gave the most popular name a nod.