Gaming has become so widespread, that most people are participating without even knowing it. Back when video games first hit it big, they were considered little more than children’s toys. However, in 2024, adults are playing just as much video games as kids.
The main reason for this is that video games are readily available at all times. Smartphones have made video games incredibly accessible. Though many associate mobile games with lame graphics and sub-par gameplay, the industry has come a long way.
Mobile games nowadays are just as impressive, exciting, and engaging as some of the biggest and most popular Triple A games. So, in this article, we would like to share some of the most iconic mobile games that people play today, and that anyone can enjoy on the go.
Casino Games
Gambling is a time-honored human tradition, in which people have been engaging in for millennia. In fact, sets of dice have been found that date back to the Paleolithic era, which means that gambling predates even the Ancient World.
Therefore, it shouldn’t surprise anyone to discover that online casinos today are incredibly successful. If one were to look at the Casino Days app, for example, they’d find hundreds, if not thousands of visitors enjoying the numerous slot games, and even a lot of the table games.
For those who don’t enjoy gambling but still want to play poker, slots, or any other well-known casino game, we have good news. There are a ton of apps that let you do just that. Both the Google and Apple stores are prohibited from selling actual gambling apps. But they still feature casino games.
Game developers manage to get their casino games on the app stores by removing any form of gambling. In essence, you are playing poker without betting. Casinos that don’t require, and in fact don’t allow gambling, are called social casinos, and they are a great way to have some risk-free fun.
Pokemon Go!
People who grew up with the Pokemon anime and video game series almost certainly held on to this title, even years after its release. The game is the closest thing that one can get to experiencing the Pokemon journey in real life.
For those who don’t know, Pokemon Go is a collector game in which the player has to walk around and collect Pokemon that spontaneously appear on the map. The catch is that the map is the actual map of the city you live in, and the game requires you to literally walk around the place.
The best part is that some of the most well-known city monuments work as either Gyms or Pokestops, where you can battle fellow players or collect special items. On top of that, the game utilizes augmented reality to make it seem like the Pokemon actually live in the city.
While Pokemon Go may not be as great as the classic titles, or even some fan made games like Pokemon Insurgence, Go still has that charm that attracts new players. It also is a great way to get some exercise by walking around town.
Genshin Impact
When most people talk about how far mobile games have come, the first title that they usually bring up as evidence is Genshin Impact. Created by Chinese studio miHoYo, the game takes heavy inspiration from folklore, mythology, and Japanese anime.
Set in a gorgeous fantasy world, Genshin Impact has, in many ways, revolutionized the mobile gaming genre with its incredible visuals, graphics, and game mechanics. From a gameplay perspective, it is clearly inspired by classic JRPGs like Final Fantasy, Chrono Trigger, and Fire Emblem.
On top of that, it is an open-world game, encouraging players to explore hidden dungeons boss lairs, and interact in the beautiful and fantastical regions inspired by modern classics like Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Though it has dealt with some censorship, the game remains a strong contender for one of the best mobile games of all time.
The game was released in 2022, and has very quickly become one of the most popular and successful mobile game franchises, spawning several updates, e-sport events, and even winning a whole slew of awards. The game is also a sort of spiritual precursor to miHoYo’s recent masterpiece, Honkai Star Rail.
Candy Crush Saga
From the complex world-building and gameplay of Genshin Impact, we go to the simple puzzles of the Candy Crush Saga. But don’t get it twisted. Calling Candy Crush simple is in no way meant to disparage the game. In fact, it is because of its simplicity that this game has become such a massive hit.
Popular among people of all ages, from young kids to adults, and even the elderly, the Candy Crush Saga is an international hit. The goal is simple: match candy-shaped symbols based on color and shape to advance to the next level.
Though, like all mobile games, Candy Crush does feature micro-transactions, the game is entirely free-to-play, making it a perfect choice for people who travel by bus, train, or cab every day. It is also a good way to spend time on a lunch break or when waiting for a meeting or an appointment of some kind.
Subway Surfers
Like Candy Crush, Subway Surfers is another simple masterpiece of mobile gaming. There really isn’t much to the game; the player takes control of a graffiti artist who is being chased down by a cop in a subway station. The goal is to escape the cop and wrack up as high of a score as you can before getting caught.
By collecting in-game items and increasing the in-game currency, players can purchase new skins, cooler hoverboards, and special items that give you a boost while playing. Some of the skins do impact the gameplay, as they all have different stats in which they excel.
The best part about Subway Surfers is that it really has no end. The police officer chases down the subway surfers until they are caught. This means you can continue to build up a higher and higher score with each new game. In essence, it is a never-ending game.
