Just as the 10 best Android apps can hold their own against the 10 best iPhone apps of 2011, so can the better Android games hold their own against their iPhone counterparts. Here are my picks for the best new Android games of the year.

Air Attack HD ($3)

Engage in high stakes air combat with this small-screen thriller. Air Attack is especially good on tablets, but even on phones the game will bring an adrenaline rush to mobile warriors.

Apparatus ($2.45)

An extremely cool problem-solver. Arrange shapes into various objects (or not), then use your geometric creation to transport marbles to a goal. A free “Lite” version is also available.

Bug Village (free)

Inhabit a world of ants, bees and other critters in this cute, engaging game. Good for children, fun for adults.

Modern Combat 3: Fallen Nation ($7)

The newest entrant in the first-person shooter category, Modern Combat is a beast of a game, with state-of-the-art graphics. (Check the reviews, as users of some Android phones say the game isn’t yet ready for their devices.)

Cordy (free)

A breakaway hit of 2011, Cordy puts you at the controls of a robot as he navigates a beautifully whimsical landscape. The first levels are free; after you’re hooked, you’ll pay for more.

Tower Raiders 2 Gold ($5)

The second installment in the popular tower defense franchise, Tower Raiders Gold 2 combines nimble game play with enough depth to keep players busy for days. For those unwilling to spend that much cash on a tower defense game, try Defender, which is good, and free.

Words With Friends (free)

One of the giants of online gaming, Words With Friends finally made it to Android in 2011. The early bugs have been largely worked out, so longtime Words fans can breathe easy.

World of Goo ($5)

Five dollars for a mobile game? Absolutely. World of Goo offers a creative antidote to the drumbeat of Doodle-Jumping, Angry-Birding games on the market. Try the free demo version if you have doubts.

X-Men ($1)

This old-school superhero game will strike a chord with anyone who wasted nights with the arcade game in the 1990s, and for newcomers to the mobile cartoon battle series, it will not disappoint.

Drag Racing (free)

No games list is complete without a car-racing entry. Drag Racing is the best of a crowded field of new Android racing apps in 2011. As a bonus, you can race against iPhone users, thanks to the app’s cross-platform technology.