If you like video games, and have recently become an owner of one of the swish new Google Android smartphones, such as the HTC magic or the T-Mobile G1, then you will be pleased to learn that there are plenty of games available for free download from the Android Market. Here is just a small selection of the currently available games:

Mahjongg - Fans of this timeless pairs matching game from the Far East may be disappointed to learn that the Android interpretation of it can be quite frustrating, due to the unsuitability of the touch screen interface as a controller for this game.

mem - This game may be a little simple, but the implementation of the touch screen control device is first class. The aim of the game is to click on an icon from a fixed list as soon as a matching icon appears on the screen. Great sound effects, but little in the way of longevity.

Minspace War - A 2D shoot-em-up that uses the phones mini-keypad as a control surface. Although the graphics are good and you suspect it might play a lot better on a laptop or a dedicated games console, the controls are too fiddly to make it worth the time it takes to download.

MisMisMatch - In this game, boxes on a grid need to be matched up with adjacent boxes by flipping them with your finger. The touch screen implementation is excellent, the tutorial mode is very helpful for beginners, and there are a range of difficulty settings to keep you interested when you start to improve. Well worth a download.

Pac-Man by Namco - After the Space Invaders craze of the late 1970s, came Pac-Man, a yellow ball with eyes whose main purpose in life was to munch down lines of pills, arranged within a maze, and occasionally eat a few flashing ghosts when he was full of the confidence that only oranges could offer him. This is a fine rendition with all the original visuals, but neither the touch screen nor the track ball is really suitable for playing it with.

Pop Pop Popcorn - This highly original puzzle game places you in the oft-coveted role of popcorn chef. The aim is to heat individual popcorn kernels by holding your finger over them until they pop. However, if your finger is too long in one area, then you run the risk of burning the neighbouring popcorn, so you need to develop a strategy. Responsive touch screen controls and great visuals help to make this one of the best Android games around at present.

Santas War on Terror - As the name suggests, this platform game sees a very little Saint Nick wage war against some marauding terrorists. While hardly in the spirit of Christmas, this nonetheless might raise a chuckle or two before you delete it from your phone, frustrated by the poor controls and put off by the hideous graphics.

TxtSpeed - In this game, words scroll across the screen that you then have to type into the miniature keypad as quickly as possible. Great if you are trying to get to grips with typing on a miniature QWERTY keypad, but a little bit boring nonetheless.