When it comes to gaming, most players favor consoles like the PlayStation or PC setups. For decades, gamers around the world have had the choice between these two types of hardware. Over the last decade, however, that has changed rapidly.
In the mid-2010s, mobile gaming started to expand. This rise in popularity was due to a myriad of factors, the most important of which were advances in mobile technology, more affordable smartphone devices, and a proliferation of mobile games.
These factors intersected to usher in a brand-new era of mobile gaming. Toss in booming interest in eSports from the late 2010s and the mobile gaming industry had a strong foundation to become its own bona fide gaming sector. Mobile gaming is now a popular choice for a range of gamers, from casual players to eSports professionals.
As more players start to explore the gaming capabilities of their smartphones, the range of titles and categories continues to evolve at a breakneck pace. But which games are actually best for mobile play?
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Card Games
Card games of all stripes are a popular choice for mobile players. Classics like poker, for example, allow players to take on table games and tournaments with other players from around the world. A mobile option lets them game on the go. Or, if they’re just beginning on their poker journey, they can also learn how to play poker straight from a mobile device. In other words, mobile card games are about convenience.
That’s also the case with collectible card games like Hearthstone. Similar to poker games, they’re easy to load while on the move. This means that players can pick up their device, load up the game, and get to work without too many delays.
Whether playing against other top-level players or simply getting a bit of practice in, mobile card games are accessible and less prone to delays, lag, and waiting times.
Casual Games
Casual games are the most popular mobile gaming category. Like you might have guessed, they cover a vast range of topics. Match-threes are a global favorite, including titles from Bejeweled to Royal Match. Rather than compete with other players, most gamers are invested in downtime and relaxation.
Aside from well-known match-threes, casual game categories include casual simulations (from farming to interior design), runner games like Subway Surfer, and even lighthearted puzzles and strategy games. That’s right—this all-encompassing genre often intersects with other popular categories, as we’ll see below. That’s part of the magic for players, as casual games have an extremely low barrier for entry.
Puzzle Games
Casual games usually include puzzles as part of the overarching gameplay. But puzzle games for mobile devices are often complex and challenging—and designed to encourage some mental gymnastics from the player. For example, Mini Metro requires players to cobble together a functional metro route guide in an ever-growing city.
But some take a more imaginative approach to puzzles. For example, Manifold Garden and Monument Valley both hinge their puzzles on visual displays. Rather than think their way through a challenge, players must also interact with the game’s setting.
And the select few combine both types of challenges, plus narrative intrigue, like The Room: Old Sins. While casual games take the cake in terms of sheer downloads and interest, puzzle games are some of the most innovative within the mobile gaming industry. Whether looking for a difficult challenge or a daring visual puzzle, players have options.
Strategy Games
Puzzle games and strategy games might sound similar—but puzzles tend to have a single answer, while strategy games offer more freedom to the player. Also, strategy games usually involve longer-form challenges, requiring players to think further down the line.
You might be familiar with hits like Clash of Clans, which requires players to defend a tower while building resources and overtaking others. It’s a complex challenge that requires a multi-pronged strategy. Others, like Mafia City, include additional challenges, such as managing an entire empire while also building a livable city.