The 11 Best Smartwatch Games of 2021

Best for Boosting Logic Skills: Infinity Loop

More than 10 million users have played Infinity Loop, making it the most downloaded title for Wear. This brilliantly simple puzzle game challenges your brain without being frustrating. It's designed to help people relax as they wait at the bus stop or the doctor's office. There's no timer on the levels, so you can never lose, and you can stop or resume playing without losing your progress.

Best Text-Based Adventure: Lifeline 2: Bloodline

Lifeline 2: Bloodline is a follow-up to the popular text RPG developed by 3 Minute Games. In this choose-your-own-adventure game, you guide a woman named Arika on a quest to avenge her family. You tell her where to go or what to do, and she reports back when she encounters a problem or needs further guidance. The game is in a narrative style, and the gameplay is almost like texting back-and-forth with someone.

Lifeline 2: Bloodline costs $0.99 to download, with no ads or in-app purchases.

Best 3D Wear Game: Wear Droid

Wear Droid has 3D graphics that look exceptionally impressive on a smartwatch screen. Based on a similar game called Perfect Droid, it has players testing robots under the direction of a mad professor. It's essentially a collection of mini-games, but the real fun comes from unlocking new robots as you progress.

There are no in-game purchases, so you get the whole game for $0.99.

Best Flappy Bird-Style Wear Game: Bugdroid Land

Bugdroid Land doesn't hide that it's a knock-off of Flappy Bird featuring all of your favorite Android mascots. Instead of piloting Faby through Super Mario-style sewage pipes, you guide Bugdroid through an obstacle course of giant cats, lollipops, and ​Oreo cookies.

Previous versions of this game have been included as Easter Eggs on Android devices since 2014.

Best Use of Motion-Based Controls: Tilt

Tilt is by far the most innovative motion-controlled Wear game around. Based on the classic wooden maze toys that task players with guiding a metal ball through a labyrinth, this augmented reality game requires the use of both your smartphone and your smartwatch. Looking at your watch through your phone's camera allows you to see the game board​, and tilting your wrist navigates the ball.

Best Puzzle Game: 2048 for Android Wear

2048 for Android Wear is a free, simple puzzle game that tasks you with connecting similar tiles to form new tiles until you get to the 2048 tile. It's relaxing and a great time-waster that at least stretches the brain a bit, though after you've conquered the initial quest, you may long for more challenging levels.

Best for Your Nurturing Side: PetQuest Virtual Pet

If you miss the digital pet craze of the 1990s, PetQuest Virtual Pet is for you. Choose from a virtual dog, cat, or reptile, and raise your pet while teaching it new skills and talents. New activities are unlocked as your digital buddy grows smarter. The game's emotional feedback system will have you quite attached to your pixel pal.

Best Test-Your-Luck Game for Wear: Roll the Dice

If you're up for testing your luck, check out Roll the Dice, a simple, user-friendly dice game that doesn't tax the brain or require a skill. Use the app to play any game that requires dice, or tap the screen to test your luck or compete with a friend.

Best Old School Time Killer: Tic Tac Toe Play

Tic Tac Toe is as classic as it comes, and this simple Wear version makes it even more portable and easy to play. Choose single mode if you're killing time by yourself, or opt for the battle mode to take on a challenger.

The game is free to download and use.

Best for Maze Fans: Wear Maze

Wear Maze is a surprisingly challenging and fun game that puts a smartwatch twist on the maze genre. Instead of using your finger to drag your way through the mazes, you tilt your wrist and move using your watch's accelerometer. There are 25 levels in this free game, each more challenging than the last, so you're sure to get immersed.