An update to the Google Play Games app for Android adds an Arcade section and easy access to instant games and videos. Play games without installing and watch videos of the top gaming action.

To browse the latest games for your Android phone or tablet, the natural place to go is the Games section of the Google Play Store app. However, there is actually a dedicated app for gamers called Google Play Games. It is in the Apps drawer of your phone.

To be honest, I don't think I have ever actually run the Play Games app. In fact, I didn't even know I had it. I have always gone to the Play Store app, so you are not alone if this is new to you!

Whether you have just discovered it or are a regular visitor, you should look out for the latest updates and there are several major ones in this latest app update.

Google Play Instant has been around for some time and Google showed it off years ago, but it is probably under used by many people. Basically, it enables you to run an app without installing it.

How it works isn't important and it is basically a feature of the Play Store or Play Games app that enables apps to run instantly. Some features might be limited, so you cannot join clans in games that support this, or create your own accounts in apps, and so on.

However, you do get to try the basic features of an app and this enables you to try it before downloading it. It may be free to download anyway, but with Instant you can test it first.

Trailers and Instant games

Open the Google Play Games app on your phone and swipe left across the categories at the top of the screen. Select Arcade. Swipe up the screen to the Instant Gameplay section.

Tap the red button in the middle of the image to view a video of the game, which actually comes from YouTube. Turn up the volume and make it full screen the the button in the bottom right corner in the usual YouTube manner.

Below the video is a Play button and tapping this lets you play the game without installing it. It starts quickly and possibly faster than the full app. It is limited, but you get to try real gameplay, which is much better for making the decision whether to install it.

Swipe left and right over the thumbnails to view more Instant Gameplay apps you can watch or try.

At the moment there is only a small number of instant games to play in the app, but Google promises that many more will be added over the coming months.

Play hidden Google games

Did you know that there are hidden games built in that you probably were not aware of? Open the Google Play Games app and swipe down to the bottom of the home screen.

A list of games can be found there and there is a card game called Solitaire, a game of Cricket that is actually played by Crickets, and the classic PAC-MAN.

Tap the Play button whenever you have five minutes to spare and want to do something fun. They run offline, so they can be played without an internet connection.

There is no deep and intricate gameplay here, just simple, basic fun.