Mobile gaming is almost as old as mobile phones themselves. Many people think that the first mobile game was Nokia’s Snake, but according to the official Windows blog, this is not the case; it was, in fact, a 1994 version of Tetris that came bundled with the Hagenuk MT-2000 phone. Whatever the first mobile game may have been, the fact is that the industry has moved on in leaps and bounds since then. Today, there are so many great mobile games that it’s hard to choose what to play, especially with so much chaff clogging up the mobile stores. Here are the 10 best mobile games to play right now.
1. Browser games
Your Android or iOS browser can actually run some pretty impressive games in and of itself. For example, did you know that by using Safari on iOS, you can actually play Xbox Game Pass streaming titles? It’s true, and it’s the only way you can do so on Apple’s platform as well. You can also indulge in some online casino gaming or sports betting, as you can see on this page, which should look great no matter what mobile platform you’re accessing it from. Give it a try!
2. Minecraft
Minecraft is available on both Google Play and iOS, and you should definitely try out this classic on your phone or your tablet. Nothing is lost in the translation to a mobile device; it’s still the same hugely expansive creation-based sandbox, complete with a creative mode for unlimited play and a survival mode to test your constructions against monsters. For added fun, why not play with a group of friends and try to get your very own Minecraft village going?
3. Fortnite
Epic Games has had a little trouble with both Google and Apple when it comes to putting Fortnite on mobile. The game is available to play on both platforms with just a little extra legwork, though, and it’s well worth it. This is the premier battle royale game; others are competent, of course, but Fortnite takes the crown, especially with its recently-introduced no-build mode. With endless cosmetics to unlock and a huge amount of variety per game, Fortnite is a classic mobile title already.
4. Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II
Oh, but for the game we could have had if Obsidian had been allowed to finish Knights of the Old Republic II…Where Rian Johnson’s The Last Jedi attempted to examine the mythology of Star Wars critically, KotOR II goes one step further. We very much don’t want to spoil anything, as the story of this one is best experienced yourself, but suffice it to say that if you’re disappointed by the way more recent Star Wars movies seem a little too in love with themselves, this game is for you.
5. Call of Duty: Mobile
While it’s true that Call of Duty: Mobile has some slightly worrying monetisation practices, that doesn’t stop it from being a damn fine free-to-play first-person shooter on mobile devices. The controls are smooth and effortless, and there are two modes available depending on how in-depth you want to get. You’ll also find a range of progression systems, plenty of weapons and gear to unlock, and even a battle royale mode if you’re into that.
6. League of Legends: Wild Rift
Riot Games’ MOBA translates remarkably well to the mobile space. Wild Rift doesn’t feel like a cut-down version of League of Legends; rather, it feels like an optimised, streamlined edition of the main game. Featuring many of the same champions and a very similar (if smaller) map, Wild Rift’s mobile controls will feel almost instantly intuitive, especially if you’ve played League. Even if you haven’t, this is a great place to get started.
7. The Room (and sequels)
Fireproof Games’ The Room series is one of the most reliably great franchises on mobile. These are incredibly tactile, clicky-feeling puzzlers; each of them presents an intricate series of puzzle boxes and challenges for you to overcome by using staggeringly intuitive touch controls. You’ll drag, flick, and push various devices in order to uncover the secret at the core of the titular Room. There are several of these, so if you like the first one, make sure to check out the sequels too.
8. Diablo Immortal
It almost makes us sad to recommend Diablo Immortal as one of the best mobile games you can play right now, but it’s true. Diablo Immortal’s monetisation is, quite simply, shockingly immoral, and that sadly diminishes what is otherwise an excellent, well-polished hack-and-slash game. If you can look past the egregious cash begging that interrupts your run on a depressingly regular basis, you’ll find a hugely successful translation of the Diablo franchise to mobile here.
9. Chrono Trigger
For our money, this is the best of the SNES-era JRPGs. Chrono Trigger is a Squaresoft RPG, so it bears some surface similarities to Final Fantasy, especially in the turn-based Active Time Battle-style combat. Its plot, however, is labyrinthine and compelling; it doesn’t seem like everything is going to come together, until suddenly it does. Again, we don’t want to spoil anything, but we’re betting that Crono, Lucca, and their friends’ journey will enthral you from the get-go.
10. Pokemon Unite
The Pokemon Company and TiMi’s foray into the MOBA world is just as fun as you might expect. Again, this one has some pretty unforgivable free-to-play monetisation practices, but it’s still a hugely fun game with some innovative ideas and twists when it comes to MOBA gameplay. You can play as many fan-favourite Pokemon, all of whom have their own moves and place within a wider team composition. A major esport it may not be, but Pokemon Unite is a great way to pass some time on your phone or tablet.
This is a paid guest post.