Fun guaranteed: The 30 best mobile games of all time
Today, mobile games no longer have to hide from the console or PC competition. The days when mobile gaming consisted only of shallow Tetris, Snake or Farmville games are long gone. Now even AAA games like Assassin’s Creed or Resident Evil make it onto the small screen! Many gems are also only available for smartphones and not for PC or consoles. And the most played game – Minecraft – is more successful as a mobile game than the Java and Bedrock versions. In this article we present the best mobile games.
Mobile games: What should I look out for?
Even more than with normal apps, there are a few things to consider with mobile games, especially if your smartphone is also used by children. Even if you only present your child with children’s apps, children’s fingers will always find their way to the buy button – also thanks to so-called dark patterns that encourage them to buy.
Paid games vs. free games
The older ones among us will still remember when you had to pay money for Doodle Jump and Tiny Wings. In the meantime, such games have become very rare – also because fewer and fewer people are willing to spend money. Nowadays, free F2P games dominate, even though paid apps have made a comeback in recent years. F2P games, also called free-to-play games, are financed by so-called microtransactions, by advertising or both. Most of the time, these games have two currencies. One (coins, gems, etc.) you earn through in-game activities, for the other (diamonds, notes, gold, etc.) you have to pay real money. The most interesting items can only be paid for with the latter.
F2P games are not bad per se
Many free games are often demonized, and rightly so. Many of these apps use timers, countdowns, loot boxes and dark patterns to get you to pay. Another very popular method is to offer an item for the equivalent of CHF 6.99, but only offer diamond packages worth CHF 4.99 or CHF 9.99. So you are forced to spend more money than you actually want to.
Still, not all F2P games are bad. If you’ve put a lot of time into a free game and you enjoy it, you can definitely invest real money. After all, that also keeps the development alive.
Compatibility
This point concerns Android users in particular. Although Android is also consolidating and concentrating on a few models, there are still thousands of Android models out there. So unless you own an upper-class or premium smartphone, the following games may well not be compatible for your phone. Or they are compatible, but your phone’s performance is not sufficient to ensure smooth gameplay.
iPhones do not have this problem – the only limitation is usually the operating system. Mostly, games are only available for newer iOS versions. This automatically “sorts out” older iPhones.
Youth protection
As already written above: Our mobile phones often end up in children’s hands. But even if the offspring have their own mobile phone, parents should pay attention to which games they are allowed to play. We think: Shooters and gambling apps do not belong in children’s hands. Caution is also advised when it comes to games with in-app purchases.
Take special care with unknown games
From time to time, we read about games that improve their app store rankings with artificially high download numbers, fake reviews or have suspiciously similar names and icons to well-known mobile games. The danger of viruses and other malware is low when you download game apps from official app stores. Nevertheless, so many new apps appear every day that it is impossible to check them manually. The fact that Apple and Google play advertising in their app stores does not make things any easier. Therefore, inform yourself well about the game, its required permissions and also the developer. As much as you may want to play a Snake, Pinball or Tetris game, sometimes it is better to go for well-known games than games from dubious developers, especially if the games are also played by children or downloaded from unofficial app stores.
Addictive
Nothing in mobile games is left to chance. Most F2P games are designed to get you to pay, as often as possible. Developers know exactly which design decisions make money and which do not. We have already described a few of these designs above. The free rewards are also deliberately used to keep you in the game. Daily rewards, skippable countdowns and special offers are designed to appeal to the reward centre in the brain (nucleus accumbens). The exact same thing happens with gambling.
Screen locks and app restrictions can help
If you know you have a gambling addiction, features in iOS and Android can help you spend less time in mobile games. Set up screen locks and app restrictions, like one hour per week.
Apple Arcade: The Games Flat Rate
If you don’t fancy microtransactions, advertising or annoying game limitations like countdowns, and you own an iPhone, you should take a look at Apple’s game flat rates. For only CHF 4.99 you can play as much as you want and download many of the following games for free. Google offers a similar service for Android phones with Google Play Pass – but it’s not available in Switzerland. You can read more about Apple Arcade here. We have also included the Apple Arcade links in the following tables. Please note that you must have a valid subscription to download the games for free.
These are the best mobile games
There are millions of game apps out there. It is not possible that we have played them all. We have focused on the most popular and well-known game apps in the following list.
Mini Metro & Mini Motorways
If you always find the network maps of public transport companies confusing, the minimalist mobile phone game Mini Metro gives you the chance to do better. While you only have to connect a few stations at the beginning, the map gets bigger and bigger and more stations are plopping up. The passengers’ destinations also eventually become more complicated. Some need to be taken to a specific station and change trains several times along the way if necessary. Each metro and station also only has a limited capacity. The goal is to transport as many passengers as possible and to delay the collapse as long as possible. However, an endless mode is also available. Mini Metro costs CHF 4 (iOS, free in Apple Arcade) or CHF 1.10 (Android).
| App name | iOS | Android |
| Mini Metro | Download for iOS | Download for Android |
| Mini Metro+ (Apple Arcade) | Download for iOS | Not available for Android |
Mini Motorways is from the same developer and brings the game concept over to the city map. Instead of underground lines, you lay roads, tunnels and motorways to get your cars to their destination as quickly as possible. Here, too, the map gets bigger and bigger and more and more houses and destinations pop up. Can you prevent the traffic collapse?
Mini Motorways is currently only available for Apple Arcade. Android users should take a look at the Steam or Nintendo Switch version.
| App name | iOS | Android |
| Mini Motorways (Apple Arcade) | Download for iOS | Not available for Android |
Stardew Valley
If you fancy a farming simulation but don’t fancy annoying countdowns, premium currencies and loot boxes, you’ll love the pixel game Stardew Valley. It is not without reason that the game is one of the best-selling games of all time. Grow vegetables and fruit, take care of your farm animals and produce all kinds of products – and don’t forget village life. The many villagers all have their own personalities and background stories. You can even marry some of them! Behind the simple but lovely graphics, there is a very deep farming game that you can still uncover secrets from even after 100 hours.
Stardew Valley is available for CHF 5 (iOS, free in Apple Arcade) or CHF 4.40 (Android).
| App name | iOS | Android |
| Stardew Valley | Download for iOS | Download for Android |
| Stardew Valley+ (Apple Arcade) | Download for iOS | Not available for Android |
Reigns
Have you always wanted to be the ruler of a medieval kingdom? Then Reigns gives you the opportunity to do just that. With a swipe to the left or right, you determine the fate of your kingdom. Reject the demands of your subjects or let them have their way. Every action affects the balance in your kingdom. Can you hold on to power for as long as possible without angering the church, the peasants and the military and driving the kingdom into financial ruin?
Reigns is available for CHF 3 (iOS, free in Apple Arcade) or CHF 2.90 (Android). Further spin-offs are available with Reigns: Game of Thrones, Reigns: Her Majesty and Reigns: Three Kingdoms.
| App name | iOS | Android |
| Reigns | Download for iOS | Download for Android |
| Reigns+ (Apple Arcade) | Download for iOS | Not available for Android |
| Reigns: Game of Thrones | Download for iOS | Download for Android |
| Reigns: Her Majesty | Download for iOS | Download for Android |
| Reigns: Three Kingdoms | Download for iOS | Download for Android |
| Reigns: Beyond | Download for iOS | Not available for Android |
Octopath Traveler: Champions of the Continent
Octopath Traveler is probably the role-playing game highlight of recent years. The game breathed new life into the dusty pixel RPG genre with chic 3D effects in a 2D world. The mobile game Champions of the Continent takes place before the events of the video game of the same name, which is available for PC and consoles. Create your ultimate team from 64 characters and face the threat that haunts Orsterra. Will you be able to defeat the tyranny of evil?
Octopath Traveler: CotC is free and financed through microtransactions. However, a German translation is still missing at the moment.
| App name | iOS | Android |
| Octopath Traveler: CotC | Download for iOS | Download for Android |
Papers, Please
Have you ever wondered what border guards used to do? Then Papers, Please gives you the opportunity to do so. As a lowly border guard in a dystopian setting, you decide who can and cannot enter the country. Will you resist the temptation to take bribes? Can you fend off dangers and recognise forged documents, and above all: meet the increasingly strict requirements from above?
Papers, Please is available for CHF 5 (iOS) or CHF 4.80 (Android).
| App name | iOS | Android |
| Papers, Please | Download for iOS | Download for Android |
Dead Cells
If you love Metroidvania-like games, you’ll enjoy the award-winning Dead Cells. Fight your way through a constantly changing castle as a failed alchemical experiment and find out what’s going on there. But beware: every death means the end! Or does it? Thanks to the roguelike elements, you will not only become smarter, but also stronger – even if you have to start all over again each time. Every death unlocks new levels. Will you shred your way through the guards or explore every corner of the castle?
Dead Cells costs CHF 9 on both platforms (free in Apple Arcade). You can expand your gaming experience even further with paid extensions.
| App name | iOS | Android |
| Dead Cells | Download for iOS | Download for Android |
| Dead Cells+ | Download for iOS | Not available for Android |
Kairosoft Games
For once, we are not recommending a single game here, but a developer. Because no other developer manages to bring out so many addictive games despite ever-similar game concepts. The first game, Game Dev Story, established a whole new genre on the PC. In the game, you run a video game company and try to become number 1. Although no Kairosoft game can compete with in-depth management games for PC, the pixel games still manage to captivate you for several hours.
Game Dev Story is available for CHF 5 (iOS, free in Apple Arcade) and CHF 3.50 (Android).
| App name | iOS | Android |
| Game Dev Story | Download for iOS | Download for Android |
| Game Dev Story+ (Apple Arcade) | Download for iOS | Not available for Android |
Mega Mall Story 2 is similarly addictive – in this game you try your hand at building a mall and attract as many customers as possible. Maximise your profit by cleverly placing shops next to each other.
The game costs CHF 6 (iOS) or CHF 5.30 (Android).
| App name | iOS | Android |
| Mega Mall Story 2 | Download for iOS | Download for Android |
Those who prefer to build and manage a school instead of a shopping mall will be happy with Pocket Academy 3. As in Mega Mall Story, the key here is to place the rooms cleverly in order to maximise efficiency and make the school a showpiece.
Pocket Academy 3 costs CHF 6 (iOS) or CHF 5.30 (Android).
| App name | iOS | Android |
| Pocket Academy 3 | Download for iOS | Download for Android |
We could recommend (almost) all the games here, but that would go beyond the scope of this article. We recommend that you visit the developer page on iOS and Android. The games are all very similar. If you like construction and management games, you will certainly find a Kairosoft game that appeals to you. From airports and train stations to RPG, spas and hotels to zoos and city games, there is enough choice.
| App name | iOS | Android |
| Kairosoft (Developer Page) | Download for iOS | Download for Android |
Snake.io
The older ones among us will certainly remember Snake, which you could play on Nokia phones around the turn of the millennium. Snake.io brings the game concept into the present, modernises it and is just as addictive as the original. So it’s no longer the end if you accidentally bite your tail. Make yourself invulnerable with power-ups and try to knock your competitors out of the race with clever manoeuvres. But watch out – if you get too strong, you’ll become a target!
Snake.io is available free of charge and finances itself through microtransactions. The Apple Arcade version is free of them.
| App name | iOS | Android |
| Snake.io | Download for iOS | Download for Android |
| Snake.io+ (Apple Arcade) | Download for iOS | Not available for Android |
Minecraft
No game list can do without Minecraft! Even after more than 10 years, the game has lost none of its fascination and is therefore rightly one of the best-selling games of all time. Whether it’s an ugly log cabin or a huge castle, an explorer or a builder – an infinite, randomly generated block world lies at your feet, waiting to be explored and shaped by you.
Minecraft costs CHF 7 (iOS) and CHF 6.30 (Android).
| App name | iOS | Android |
| Minecraft | Download for iOS | Download for Android |
Terraria
Terraria is the 2D equivalent of Minecraft. Find your way through deep caves and unique landscapes, defeat unique and strong enemies and expand your base – or build a city right away. The world is open to you!
The game costs CHF 5 (iOS) and CHF 5.10 (Android).
| App name | iOS | Android |
| Terraria | Download for iOS | Download for Android |
Unpacking
If you don’t feel like building, fighting and role-playing games, but instead prefer quieter and more relaxing mobile games, you should download Unpacking. In the game, you literally unpack things from moving boxes – and lovingly furnish (your) new room or house. There is no right or wrong – only memories.
Unpacking costs CHF 10 (iOS) and CHF 8.90 (Android).
| App name | iOS | Android |
| Unpacking | Download for iOS | Download for Android |
Forager
Forager combines the farming elements of Stardew Valley with the combat of Dead Cells and the exploration elements of Terraria and Minecraft to create a fast-paced, entertaining, yet addictive mobile game. Collect resources, buy new islands, explore technologies, solve puzzles and defeat enemies. Especially later in the game, it is fun to slaughter the enemies and collect resources.
Forager costs CHF 8.- (iOS) or CHF 7.- (iOS).
| App name | iOS | Android |
| Forager | Download for iOS | Download for Android |
Monument Valley 1 and 2
Monument Valley is a dream for the eyes and ears and is based on the mazes of MC Escher. The task in both games is to guide a small figure through a maze. You have to cleverly change paths and stairs so that the figure can reach the exit. The levels are lovingly and colourfully designed and are also ideally suited as wallpaper. But beware: the optical illusions require a lot of thinking around corners.
The two games cost CHF 4 (iOS, free in Apple Arcade) and CHF 3.80 (Android).
| App name | iOS | Android |
| Monument Valley | Download for iOS | Download for Android |
| Monument Valley+ (Apple Arcade) | Download for iOS | Not available for Android |
| Monument Valley 2 | Download for iOS | Download for Android |
| Monument Valley 2+ (Apple Arcade) | Download for iOS | Not available for Android |
Hidden Folks
Hidden object games are still very popular. In Hidden Folks, over 300 targets in 32 hand-drawn locations are waiting for you to find them. If you make a mistake, it doesn’t matter – almost every object is set to music with homemade sound effects. The interactivity of the maps is great. Often the objects are hidden behind doors, cars and curtains that have to be moved first.
The adorable hidden object game is available for CHF 5 (iOS, free in Apple Arcade) and CHF 4.99 (Android)
| App name | iOS | Android |
| Hidden Folks | Download for iOS | Download for Android |
| Hidden Folks+ | Download for iOS | Not available for Android |
Threes!
If the previous games simply take too long and you are only looking for a short and quick game, you should download the no less amiable puzzle game Threes. Here you literally push cards onto each other. 1 and 2 make 3. 3 may only be connected with another 3. What is easy at first becomes very tricky later on, at the latest when, for example, a 96 is waiting for another 96.
Threes costs CHF 6 (iOS, free in Apple Arcade) or CHF 1 (Android). There is also a free version.
| App name | iOS | Android |
| Threes! | Download for iOS | Download for Android |
| Threes! (Apple Arcade) | Download for iOS | Not available for Android |
| Threes! (Freeplay) | Download for iOS | Download for Android |
Alto’s Adventure & Alto’s Odyssey
In Alto’s Adventure you literally plunge into the depths. As Alto, you slide on a snowboard past beautiful mountain villages, deep gorges and steep slopes while trying to boost your high score with tricks. There are also beautiful weather effects like lightning, rain and more, and a day-night mode. The game is very beautiful to look at and also very good to listen to. The game is very easy to learn – and yet has a great depth (ðŸ¤) that you will explore. Alto’s Odyssey takes over the game principle from its predecessor, but instead of gliding down a mountain, you glide over dunes, canyons and caves on a sandboard.
Both games are available for CHF 5 (iOS, free in Apple Arcade) and ad-supported free for Android.
| App name | iOS | Android |
| Alto’s Adventure | Download for iOS | Download for Android |
| Alto’s Adventure – Remastered | Download for iOS | Not available for Android |
| Alto’s Odyssey | Download for iOS | Download for Android |
| Alto’s Odyssey – Remastered | Download for iOS | Not available for Android |
Kingdom Rush
Fans of tower defence games should take a look at the Kingdom Rush series. The gameplay needs no further explanation – you place towers at strategic locations and defend the kingdom against the bad guys. In later levels, stronger and stronger forces appear and wait to be defeated… or to break through your defences. Luckily, you have a hero you can control. Between missions you can upgrade your towers. But be careful: money is scarce – your decisions need to be well-considered. The Kingdom Rush series is characterised by lovingly hand-drawn maps, towers and enemies; there are Easter Eggs in every level.
Kingdom Rush is free with in-app purchases, the sequels cost a few francs. Some are also available in Apple Arcade.
| App name | iOS | Android |
| Kingdom Rush TD | Download for iOS | Download for Android |
| Kingdom Rush Frontiers TD | Download for iOS | Download for Android |
| Kingdom Rush Frontiers TD+ (Apple Arcade) | Download for iOS | Not available for Android |
| Kingdom Rush Origins TD | Download for iOS | Download for Android |
| Kingdom Rush Vengeance TD | Download for iOS | Download for Android |
| Kingdom Rush Vengeance TD+ (Apple Arcade) | Download for iOS | Not available for Android |
Summary: The best game apps
Role and action games
| App name | iOS (Apple Arcade) | iOS | Android |
| Dead Cells(+) | Download for iOS | Download for iOS | Download for Android |
| Octopath Traveler: CotC | Not available for Apple Arcade | Download for iOS | Download for Android |
| Papers, Please! | Not available for Apple Arcade | Download for iOS | Download for Android |
| Minecraft | Not available for Apple Arcade | Download for iOS | Download for Android |
| Terraria | Not available for Apple Arcade | Download for iOS | Download for Android |
| Forager | Not available for Apple Arcade | Download for iOS | Download for Android |
Structure, simulation and management
| App name | iOS (Apple Arcade) | iOS | Android |
| Stardew Valley | Download for iOS | Download for iOS | Download for Android |
| Mini Metro(+) | Download for iOS | Download for iOS | Download for Android |
| Mini Motorways | Download for iOS | Not available for iOS | Not available for Android |
| Game Dev Story(+) | Download for iOS | Download for iOS | Download for Android |
| Mega Mall Story 2 | Not available for Apple Arcade | Download for iOS | Download for Android |
| Pocket Academy 3 | Not available for Apple Arcade | Download for iOS | Download for Android |
| More Kairosoft Games | Not available for Apple Arcade | Download for iOS | Download for Android |
Strategy
| App name | iOS (Apple Arcade) | iOS | Android |
| Kingdom Rush TD | Not available for Apple Arcade | Download for iOS | Download for Android |
| Kingdom Rush Frontiers TD(+) | Download for iOS | Download for iOS | Download for Android |
| Kingdom Rush Origins TD | Not available for Apple Arcade | Download for iOS | Download for Android |
| Kingdom Rush Vengeance TD(+) | Download for iOS | Download for iOS | Download for Android |
| Reigns(+) | Download for iOS | Download for iOS | Download for Android |
| Reigns: Game of Thrones | Not available for Apple Arcade | Download for iOS | Download for Android |
| Reigns: Her Majesty | Not available for Apple Arcade | Download for iOS | Download for Android |
| Reigns: Three Kingdoms | Not available for Apple Arcade | Download for iOS | Download for Android |
| Reigns: Beyond | Not available for Apple Arcade | Download for iOS | Not available for Android |
Puzzles and riddles
| App name | iOS (Apple Arcade) | iOS | Android |
| Monument Valley(+) | Download for iOS | Download for iOS | Download for Android |
| Monument Valley 2(+) | Download for iOS | Download for iOS | Download for Android |
| Unpacking | Not available for Apple Arcade | Download for iOS | Download for Android |
| Threes! | Download for iOS | Download for iOS | Download for Android |
| Threes! (Freeplay) | Not available for Apple Arcade | Download for iOS | Download for Android |
Skill
| App name | iOS (Apple Arcade) | iOS | Android |
| Snake.io | Download for iOS | Download for iOS | Download for Android |
| Hidden Folks(+) | Download for iOS | Download for iOS | Download for Android |
| Alto’s Adventure (Remastered) | Download for iOS | Download for iOS | Download for Android |
| Alto’s Odyssey (Remastered) | Download for iOS | Download for iOS | Download for Android |
Conclusion: Games for every type of player
Whether you’re a fan of role-playing games, building games, board games or puzzles, you’re guaranteed to find your next favourite game in this list. Many of them are also available on the PC or for consoles – but they cost many times more there. If you don’t own a PC or console but still like to play games, you should get a controller. These can be connected to the smartphone without any problems, but check first whether the game supports game controllers.
The above games show that mobile games do not have to consist only of exploitative F2P elements, but can easily keep up with PC and console games.
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