Download these 6 hot (and free) mobile games

Want something to play with until spring gets here — but still tight on cash from the holidays?

Perhaps free games for your smartphone or tablet is what you need right about now.

Here's the good news: Both the App Store (for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch) and Google Play (for Android devices) are packed with extraordinary downloads that won't cost you a dime.

Oh sure, a good number of them are "freemium" — that is, many offer in-app purchases for more time or content — but you might just be surprised at the quality and quantity of the latest titles.

From head-scratching puzzlers and golf sims to fantasy role-playing adventures and arcade games, there's something for all tastes. Here's a quick look at a half-dozen stellar options.

Angry Birds Stella Pop! (Rovio; for iOS and Android)

A brand new Angry Birds game debuted this past week, this time taking on the "bubble shooter" genre popularized in the '90s with arcade hits like Bust a Move and Puzzle Bubble. Match colors as best you can by using your slingshot to fling bubbles towards the top of the screen. Your goal is to pop bubbles, save critters and topple the perched piggies — but be sure not to let the bubbles reach the bottom of the board. Along with initiating "Special Pops" and other boosts, savvy players will unlock various challenges, including timed ones, while traversing the Golden Island map. Other features include sharp and colorful graphics, a Facebook leaderboard and progress that's synced between phone and tablet (should you want to play on more than one device).

1010! (GramGames; for iOS and Android)

This highly addictive puzzler challenges you to place different-sized pieces on a 10 x 10 board of squares (think graph paper). One shape might be a small "L" that takes up three squares, while another game piece might be a straight line of five squares. Completing a horizontal row or vertical column removes the pieces from the board; if you run out of space to place a shape, it's game over. This minimalist game of "pentominoes" includes a night mode (dark background) and lets you compare your high score with friends on Facebook.

Pro Feel Golf (Behavior Interactive; for iOS)

While we can't always hit the fairways whenever we like, a new golf game for smartphones and tablets might give you a quick fix wherever life takes you. Pro Feel Golf can be played solo or against a social leaderboard and accept specific daily challenges. The game benefits from an intuitive one-touch interface, attractive graphics and multiple unlockable courses, plus gamers can customize the look of their male or female golfer, upgrade equipment and use power-ups for extra help on the green.

Blood & Glory: Immortals (Glu Games; iOS and Android)

If action-heavy role-playing games (RPG) are more your thing, Glu Games' mythological adventure lets you choose from three unique heroes — Gladiator, Warlock and Barbaress — to stop the mighty Gods and their loyal armies from destroying the Roman Republic. Played from an angled ("isometric") top-down view, this single-player freemium game has you move around large environments, battle against tough foes (with fast and smooth real-time combat) and earn new weapons, armor and powerful bonuses. Gamers can also create and manage a guild to compete against others on a global leaderboard.

Witchy World (Sublinet; iOS and Android)

If you like Candy Crush Saga, you'll love Witchy World. This enchanting "Match 3"-style game has you swapping objects on a board to create a match of at least three objects — such as purple potions, green leaves or red bugs. Each board has a specific goal, such as collect a certain number of objects within a limited number of moves or drop an object down to the bottom of the board. While not exactly a unique premise, this colorful game boasts more than 100 levels, fairy-tale characters, power-up "boosters" and a very catchy soundtrack.

Crossy Road (Hipster Whale; iOS, Android and Amazon)

Consider it a 21st-century version of Frogger. This retro-looking arcade game has you hopping across a busy road and waterway to see how far you can go (measured in steps). Avoid getting hit by a car, truck or train, and be sure not to fall off a log and into the water. While the core "endless runner" gameplay is fun — moving forward and avoiding obstacles — unlocking the more than 70 characters (ranging from a kangaroo and penguin to a zombie and rusty robot) is equally as entertaining. Gamers can also record, share and watch replays with others in the Crossy Road community.

Follow Marc on Twitter: @marc_saltzman. E-mail him at techcomments@usatoday.com.