Memu is much faster than any of the Linux / Ubuntu options. The feature list alone should be enough to convince you to at least run memu in a VM if not bare metal (ie run on windows). It is free, includes google play store, fast, well integrated into windows, including file sharing between host / guest, mouse integration, extensive customization, scripting of game play, allowing multiple instances open at one time, etc. There is no Linux option that is as stable, fast, easy and full featured as memu for games. The best option, sorry to say, is memu (windows program, will not run in wine). In my experience, after a lot of trial and error I will warn you there is no easy way to play android games on Linux / Ubuntu as of the time of this post. Google play store is a set of tools used by end users to install applications, somewhat similar to the Ubuntu repositories.
Google play services is a set of tools used by developers to make applications (games) available in the google play store This answer is written form an end user, gamer perspective, although much of it applies to other uses as well.
