Your search for games like Subway Surfers on Android is definitely being fueled by your love for the quick and wholesome entertainment that endless runner games offer. Released in 2012, Subway Surfers is still a household name in 2023 and is quickly identifiable for its iconic music, memorable characters, and funky graphics. Its legacy is undying and there’s no harm in exploring other similar options, is there?
Endless running games are marked by a character constantly moving in one direction while dodging obstacles. The environments are usually procedurally generated, so you’re never sure what’s in store for you at the next step. And as you keep progressing, the speed gradually increases, putting your reflexes and skills to the test. While the scenarios and game dynamics may differ for all the games we’ve listed in the space below, these few characteristics still remain the same and this is the reason why anyone who loves Subway Surfers will also like them.
Among all the fifteen alternatives we’ve chosen, you will also find one particular title that combines endless running with some healthy zombie hunting. If that’s your jam, do keep an eye out for it. For now, let’s get going with this list of the best games like Subway Surfers on Android.
Table of Contents
1 – Jetpack Joyride
If you’ve heard the name Halfbrick Studios, you’ve most probably played their two big hits, Age of Zombies and Monster Dash. The protagonist from those titles, Barry Steakfries returns in this title as a struggling salesman who thinks stealing a Jetpack from a top-secret laboratory would be a good idea. Turns out, it wasn’t a good idea at all and Barry must now escape the facility while dodging missiles, high-intensity laser beams, and other dangerous weapons.
It is a side-scrolling Subway Surfers alternative that uses a simple, one-touch system to control the Jetpack. Pressing anywhere on the screen activates the Jetpack and letting go powers it down. It’s this simplicity that combines with the game’s frenzied visuals and satisfying overall gaming dynamics to render an addictive gaming experience. It was first launched back in 2011 and its increasing popularity has led it to be released for every imaginable platform over the years. Apart from Android, you can play this alternative to Subway Surfers on PS3, PS4, iPhone, PS Vita, PC, and other platforms. A sequel titled Jetpack Joyride 2: Bullet Rush is also planned for release later this year.
Download: Google Play Store (Free with in-app purchases)
2 – Canabalt
Think Mirror’s Edge but in the form of a 2D side-scrolling platformer. Canabalt is a fast-paced endless running game that’s distinguished by its uniquely beautiful visuals. As you navigate its endless, procedurally generated world as an unnamed man fleeing from an unknown threat, you will be needed to leap off buildings and construction sites, while avoiding obstacles that include randomly dropping bombs. Missing even one jump will result in instant death, just like in Subway Surfers.
Canabalt is not just any other popular game; it holds legendary status in the modern mobile game era. It was first released as a simple browser game on the maker’s official website, but its popularity gave rise to other versions for everything from PC to PS4 to PC to even the PSP. And what came as a huge surprise in 2012 was a port for the 8-bit Commodore 64 console from the 1980s. A special cartridge was released, allowing retro gaming fans to experience a modern title on legacy hardware.
Download: Google Play Store ($2.99)
3 – Alto’s Odyssey
If you’re craving a wholesome, soothing game, then Alto’s Odyssey is the one for you. This third entry in our list of games similar to Subway Surfers is known for the unique atmosphere it creates with its visuals and music. Alto’s Odyssey is a thrilling endless running game but it doesn’t demand frantic gameplay, which makes it a relaxing experience. You’ve got to play it to understand what we’re talking about. It’s a sequel to Alto’s Adventure, which too is an immensely satisfying experience.
Alto’s Odyssey takes place in an endless desert and has you controlling sand boarders who can wall-ride, take dips in the water, bounce off balloons, and escape mischievous lemurs as they move through the dunes. If the gaming dynamics doesn’t get you hooked, its varied challenges definitely will, since completing them is highly rewarding. If you’re not into challenges and would just like to endlessly revel in the game’s calming ambiance, you can take advantage of the Zen Mode. Apart from Android, Alto’s Odyssey can also be played on iOS, PC, PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.
Download: Google Play Store (Free with in-app purchases)
4 – Star Jolt
Star Jolt is an arcade-style endless running game that has you taking control of a spaceship and collecting space junk that is plaguing an alien planet. It starts off pretty slow and easy, but its arcade nature kicks in pretty soon, transforming it into a frenzied, fast-paced offering that tests your skills.
There’s a wide range of achievements to strive for, apart from multiple global scoreboards to compete in. You can even challenge your friends to beat your scores. Star Jolt is noticeable for its minimalist graphics that exude a unique charm. It’s these aesthetics that make the experience an even richer one.
Download: Google Play Store (Free with in-app purchases)
5 – Temple Run 2
When the original Temple Run first arrived, everyone with a smartphone was playing it. This immense popularity convinced the husband-wife development team of Keith Shepherd and Natalia Luckyanova to release a Temple Run sequel two years later and as they had rightly predicted, it was a hit too. What’s there to not love in an endless runner, which has you play as an Indiana Jones-like character escaping ancient ruins, collecting gems, dodging obstacles, and riding zip lines, all while trying to stay clear from a huge gorilla out for your blood?
The fact that Temple Run 2 continued the massive success of the series wasn’t a huge surprise given the kind of popularity that endless runner games similar to Subway Surfers enjoy in the mobile gaming arena. To give you a perspective on this series’ popularity, both the games have been downloaded more than a billion times by people from all over the world. You can play Temple Run on your Android or iOS devices.
Download: Google Play Store (Free with in-app purchases)
6 – Lara Croft: Relic Run
The best way to experience the Tomb Raider franchise on mobile is with Lara Croft: Relic Run. Now we agree its gaming dynamics is somewhat similar to Temple Run, but there are plenty of unique features that are enough to get you hooked. Take, for instance, its parkour mechanics that allow the titular character to wall-run when there’s a pit in the middle of the track. Also unique is Lara’s ability to exchange collected coins for additional outfits, weapons, upgrades, and more. There are several Clues scattered across the route as well, which lead Lara to limited-time Relics that can be collected.
Lara Croft: Relic Run is all about its exciting gameplay, which is made even more fun by its simple swipe-based controls. This alternative to Subway Surfers is available on both Android and iOS platforms.
Download: Google Play Store (Free with in-app purchases)
7 – Into the Dead 2: Zombie Survival
Zombies can make any video game genre relentlessly more enjoyable, so why not pair them with endless running games? As promised, here’s a Subway Surfers alternative that combines endless running with escaping the undead. Into the Dead 2: Zombie Survival puts you right in the middle of a zombie apocalypse, even as you race to save your family. Its multi-layered story offers more than one ending based on the choices you make. But what makes it more exciting is its rich gameplay.
You are required to wade through the undead on foot or onboard vehicles while wielding a variety of distinct weapons. You’ll also find plenty of melee weapons, and explosives to choose from. The original Into the Dead is also a great choice for fans of endless running games. Both the games can be accessed on iOS and Android.
Download: Google Play Store (Free with in-app purchases)
8 – Crossy Road
Crossy Road is sure to fill you up with nostalgia if you’ve ever been a fan of arcade games. It takes inspiration from the arcade classic Frogger and is hence often referred to as an “endless Frogger” game. You start off by playing as a chicken crossing the road (yes, it’s indeed a play on the age-old riddle). The road itself includes an endless series of obstacles in a set path, such as rivers, cars, and trains. Timing is hence the key since poorly timed movements could lead to instant death. And if you’re too slow, a bald eagle will snatch your character and end your run.
Crossy Road is noticeable for its voxel graphics and colorful environments. Another unique aspect of this popular title is its support for local multiplayer that allows you to compete against your friends and family on the same device. A sequel called Crossy Road Castle was released last year, but only on iOS for Apple Arcade subscribers. There’s no word on whether Crossy Road will be launched on Android in the near future.
Download: Google Play Store (Free with in-app purchases)
9 – Bendy in Nightmare Run
Bendy and the Ink Machine is a really interesting horror game for consoles and Bendy and the Nightmare Run happens to be its mobile spin-off. Instead of survival horror, this addition in our roster of Subway Surfers alternatives adopts the endless runner style and involves the player characters of Bendy, Boris, or Alice running away from large bosses while also collecting Bacon Soup. It’s retro monochrome design and its unique art style that’s inspired by classic cartoons from the 1930s will immediately attract you towards it.
Bendy in Nightmare Run features four different cartoon worlds. Its highly addictive gaming dynamics involves the ability to collect and wield weapons. It is also available on iOS, apart from Android. Last year, another spin-off to the series, Boris and the Dark Survival was released on mobile platforms as a survival horror game.
Download: Google Play Store (Free with in-app purchases)
10 – Sonic Dash 2: Sonic Boom
If you’ve ever played the original Sonic Dash you know what to expect from its sequel – more of the same frantic gameplay but this time with the cast of the Sonic Boom TV series. But there’s plenty of other stuff that’s new here. You will get to revel in amazing 3D worlds, and undertake challenging conquests, even as you play as Sonic the Hedgehog, Tails, Amy, Knuckles, or Sticks. A new Team Play mode allows you to race with up to three characters, swapping runners mid-race.
It is played with a ‘swing and tilt’ game dynamics model, which asks you to tilt your device to swing the runner towards the Rings and Orbs. It’s an excellent endless running game that will keep you hooked for hours on the trot and it’s available on iOS as well, apart from Android.
Download: Google Play Store (Free with in-app purchases)
11 – Talking Tom Gold Run
One more among the many free games like Subway Surfers is Talking Tom Gold Run. It has more than a few things in common with the game in question, so you will feel right at home while playing it. However, one major twist is that instead of being chased by someone else, you yourself are chasing a robber who happens to be a raccoon that has stolen a lot of gold and keeps dropping it along the way.
Since it’s a game based on the Talking Tom and Friends franchise, it lets you play as everyone from Tom to Angela to Ben to Hank to Ginger. Apart from these, the game includes a few special characters like Princess Angela, Shark Hank, and Super Tom, who can not only run faster but can also perform cool tricks. And collecting the gold dropped by the raccoon allows you to upgrade the home they all stay in.
Download: Google Play Store (Free with in-app purchases)
12 – ChessFinity
ChessFinity is essentially a modified chess game where the board is five squares wide and infinitely long. You can choose from multiple pieces to make your moves and create a strategy to keep going the longest. Oh, and did we mention you are also racing against the clock while doing all that? ChessFinity might have a niche fan base but it’s certainly a fun title for anyone who has a penchant for the board game.
Chessfinity even includes power-ups to make your progress easier, while it’s easy to learn even for those who haven’t played chess before. As you move through the board, you can also collect coins that can be used for customizing your chess pieces. You can play this Subway Surfer alternative right now on your Android or iOS device.
Download: Google Play Store (Free with in-app purchases)
13 – Monster Dash
Join Barry Steakfries from Jetpack Joyride for another thrilling adventure of endless running in Monster Dash. This side-scroller has you wading through hordes of zombies, vampires, and other annoying creatures while wielding explosive and powerful weapons. You can dash, shoot or jump over enemies, and collect loot to level up. You even get to ride a killer bike every once in a while.
Monster Dash is home to challenging missions, cool gadgets, and quirky costumes. And it’s made even more attractive by its peculiar graphics and animations. Monster Dash is a free game containing in-app purchases but a setting also allows you to disable in-app purchases if you’re not quite fond of them.
Download: Google Play Store (Free with in-app purchases)
14 – Crashy Cats
If you call yourself a cat person, you will most definitely enjoy Crashy Cats. Its name already indicates what this title is all about – a bunch of cats crashing their way through rooms, creating a mess, and destroying priceless collectibles and expensive electronics. The controls are simple, but they don’t make the game any less challenging. A tap on the screen will launch the cat in the air, while a second one can make it perform a double jump.
Scattered throughout its varied levels are rainbow circles that give your cat a little speed boost. As you move through those levels, your cat will also meet other cats, running past whom will have them join you in your devastation dash. Crashy Cats is a highly enjoyable endless running game that makes it hard to put your phone down. This Subway Surfers alternative even has a small Reddit community where people can be found sharing their experiences about the game.
Download: Google Play Store (Free with in-app purchases)
15 – Saily Seas
Saily Seas is a beautiful endless running game that has you sailing, gliding, and diving through rough seas that are filled with magical sights and mysterious creatures. Available for Android and iOS both, this final Subway Surfers alternative sees the player character survive a perilous journey while discovering secret locations across its rich world. Saily Seas is full of rewarding challenges that will make you want to keep going back to it.
It’s also a very aesthetically pleasing game thanks to its minimalist visuals, its changing weather system, and its atmospheric and serene sounds. This final entry to our list of Subway Surfers alternatives is a unique offering that you need to play yourself in order to experience fully.
Download: Google Play Store (Free with in-app purchases)
Frequently asked questions:
Q. Is there an end to the game Subway Surfers?
The short answer is no. The game can keep on going for as long as you keep avoiding the obstacles, or for as long as the battery in your device doesn’t die.
Q. Can you hack Subway Surfers?
You will find several hacks that fake your scores on Subway Surfers or make the game easier to play. However, they are unethical and punishable, so we wouldn’t recommend them.
Q. Can I play Subway Surfers for free?
Yes, the game can be played free of cost, as the in-app purchases are completely optional.
Q. Who is Frank in Subway Surfers?
Frank is a playable character in Subway Surfers who can be purchased for 40,000 coins. His appearance on the Subway Surfers animated series led to an increase in his popularity on Tumblr and TikTok as his character design had been altered to make him taller and more serious-looking.
Games Like Subway Surfers: Conclusion
Make sure to try out each one of these amazing games like Subway Surfers on your Android devices. Barring one of them, all of the remaining offerings are available to download free of cost as they sustain themselves by offering in-app purchases.