Modern smartphones offer a fantastic gaming experience far beyond what many could have imagined a decade ago. The tiny computer you carry in your pocket packs almost as much punch as a computer of a games console.
So why not put it to good use and check out some of the hottest games for iOS and Android devices this summer? Whether you enjoy fast-paced shoot’em up style games, or more sedate puzzles and casual games, there’s something for every taste.
PokerStars
If classic card games are more up your street, then PokerStars is a great option. This free-to-play mobile game packs in all of the features you can find in its desktop version, but in a pocket-sized format that’s optimised for Android and iOS.
You can take part in a range of games, including several tournaments, knockout poker, ring games, and its spin & go flash poker. The free-to-play version is great for anyone that just likes playing card games but doesn’t necessarily want to place bets, or for people looking to learn before they start playing for real money.
While you can play for hours with your free play chips, games don’t usually take very long.
RollerCoaster Tycoon Classic
If you enjoyed playing the original Chris Sawyer games, RollerCoaster Tycoon and RollerCoaster Tycoon 2 back in the early 2000s, then you should check out RollerCoaster Tycoon Classic.
Atari released a new mobile RollerCoaster Tycoon a few years ago, packing it with microtransactions. Many fans of the game complained, saying that it moved too far from the original spirit of the game.
In response, they ported the two classic games to mobile devices for fans to enjoy some retro roller coaster designing. The maps, rides and scenery from both original games have been combined together, although the scenario editor and ride designer features are add ons you have to buy separately.
For a one time purchase of £5.99, you can build as many parks and design as many coasters as you like. The controls have been adapted for touchscreen too, making it really easy to move around your park, build custom track layouts, and manage your staff.
Just remember to use headphones or turn down the volume as the sounds of screaming guests as they ride your roller coasters may attract your attention.
Mario Kart Tour
If you enjoy playing the mayhem that ensues from racing around Moo Moo Meadows or Rainbow Road while you control a motorbike ridden by Yoshi, then when not take the action outside this summer?
Mario Kart Tour is a free-to-play game that brings all of the characters and tracks you’re familiar with from console titles to your Android or iOS device. It’s a little fiddly to start with, as Nintendo has chosen a unique method of allowing you to control your kart, but you pick it up quickly.
It’s ruined slightly by the microtransaction mechanic, you can ignore them quite easily. It started off as a singleplayer game but has since added online multiplayer modes too.
While it’s not the best Mario Kart game and doesn’t compare to Mario Kart 8 for Nintendo Switch, it’s fun to play in the sun.
Words With Friends
Words With Friends has been around for more than a decade, borrowing heavily from the classic board game Scrabble. More recently, Hasbro and Mattel have launched their own mobile game, Scrabble Go.
Yet, Words With Friends is easier and more fun to play, and its microtransactions are far less offensive.
As you’d expect, you get points for making the largest words possible from your tiles, with bonus points awarded if you can hit the special squares. Being turn-based, you can dip in and out of the game whenever it’s convenient for you, so you can start a load of games on Friday night and not take your next turn until you’re lying in the sun on Saturday.