July 20, 2022, 12:03 pm | Read time: 7 minutes

On the way to work or during a commercial break on the couch–the smartphone is quickly at hand. This availability has been driving a clear trend for several years: Smartphones are increasingly establishing themselves as the number one gaming platform. If you’re looking for inspiration for occasional mobile gaming fun, you’ll find it here. TECHBOOK lists eleven popular mobile games that are definitely worth a look.

Mobile Games on the Rise

For years, the numbers in mobile gaming have been rising. According to current data, not only has the gaming market itself grown internationally and in Germany, but especially in the area of mobile devices–smartphones, tablets, and consoles–the curve is steeply upward. Overall, the smartphone clearly leads as the most popular gaming medium.

Felix Falk, managing director of the German Games Industry Association, comments on the current developments:

About half of gamers in Germany play daily or almost daily on their smartphones. The technical accessibility, the wide selection of games, and the broad range of free-to-play titles make mobile gaming increasingly popular in everyday life. Since almost everyone now owns a smartphone, the gaming world opens up to many quite incidentally.

Felix Falk, “game”

These Mobile Games You Should Know

The following eleven mobile games have at least a 4.1 out of 5-star rating (as of July 2022) and over ten million downloads in the Google Play Store. Some games are quite well-known, while others are not as much and may still be a good inspiration for mobile gamers.

Tiles Hop: EDM Rush! (over 100 million) – 4.1 stars

In this endless jump’n’run game, it’s all about one thing: the music. The ball must hop from tile to tile by the player tapping and dragging. The goal is to hit the tiles precisely and collect any items on them. In “Tiles Hop: EDM Rush!” (what a cumbersome title), players can upload their own music, which then creates new levels that match it. The ball jumps to the beat.

Here you will find content from third-party providers

To interact with or display third-party content, we need your consent.

Activate

In order to display embedded content, your consent to the processing of personal data, which can be revoked at any time (via the switch or via “Revoke tracking and cookies” at the bottom of the page), is required. Data may be transferred to third countries such as the USA (Art. 49 para. 1 lit. a GDPR). By switching to “on” you agree. You can find more information here.

Mario Kart Tour (over 100 million) – 4.1 stars

The popular racing game from Nintendo got a mobile version in 2019. Players can race against each other on multiple tracks. Up to eight players can compete with changing rules, characters, and vehicles. Developer Nintendo regularly provides new tracks, items, and more. In-app purchases are possible, but there is no advertising in the mobile game so far.

Here you will find content from third-party providers

To interact with or display third-party content, we need your consent.

Activate

In order to display embedded content, your consent to the processing of personal data, which can be revoked at any time (via the switch or via “Revoke tracking and cookies” at the bottom of the page), is required. Data may be transferred to third countries such as the USA (Art. 49 para. 1 lit. a GDPR). By switching to “on” you agree. You can find more information here.

Hunter Assassin (over 100 million) – 4.1 stars

In “Hunter Assassin,” as the title suggests, the goal is to shake off the hunters by having the small knife-wielding avatar, controlled by the player, reach the shooters from behind. You navigate through a small mini-maze and must stay out of the hunters’ detection range. As the level increases, there are more hunters in the maze, and you may need to quickly dart around the next corner to avoid being spotted. If one of their comrades is hit nearby, the hunters hear it, quickly arrive, and shoot at you. The goal is to eliminate all opponents as quickly as possible without being detected.

Here you will find content from third-party providers

To interact with or display third-party content, we need your consent.

Activate

In order to display embedded content, your consent to the processing of personal data, which can be revoked at any time (via the switch or via “Revoke tracking and cookies” at the bottom of the page), is required. Data may be transferred to third countries such as the USA (Art. 49 para. 1 lit. a GDPR). By switching to “on” you agree. You can find more information here.

Gardenscapes (over 100 million) – 4.3 stars

“Gardenscapes” works essentially like “Candy Crush”: In small mini-games, at least three objects of the same type and color must be moved next to each other. Each level has a specific goal. Successfully completing a level earns stars, which can be used to buy new items, trim hedges, and clear stones from the path in the house and garden you’ve inherited. The goal of the game is to restore the garden to its full glory. The game received a good rating, but the advertising was criticized for generating a completely different game concept.

Here you will find content from third-party providers

To interact with or display third-party content, we need your consent.

Activate

In order to display embedded content, your consent to the processing of personal data, which can be revoked at any time (via the switch or via “Revoke tracking and cookies” at the bottom of the page), is required. Data may be transferred to third countries such as the USA (Art. 49 para. 1 lit. a GDPR). By switching to “on” you agree. You can find more information here.

UNO! (over 100 million) – 4.3 stars

The popular card game is also available as a mobile game. Whether alone on the go or at home with the family–thanks to various game modes, anything is possible. Reviews report authentic gaming fun, but also a fair amount of advertising.

Here you will find content from third-party providers

To interact with or display third-party content, we need your consent.

Activate

In order to display embedded content, your consent to the processing of personal data, which can be revoked at any time (via the switch or via “Revoke tracking and cookies” at the bottom of the page), is required. Data may be transferred to third countries such as the USA (Art. 49 para. 1 lit. a GDPR). By switching to “on” you agree. You can find more information here.

Ludo King (over 500 million) – 4.2 stars

The app is based on the Ludo board game, known in Germany as “Mensch Ärgere dich nicht.” Four players compete by moving their color-coded pieces around the board according to the dice roll. The goal is for all four pieces of a player to circle the board and reach the center. The mobile game offers various modes where you can play against a computer at different difficulty levels or online against real users.

Here you will find content from third-party providers

To interact with or display third-party content, we need your consent.

Activate

In order to display embedded content, your consent to the processing of personal data, which can be revoked at any time (via the switch or via “Revoke tracking and cookies” at the bottom of the page), is required. Data may be transferred to third countries such as the USA (Art. 49 para. 1 lit. a GDPR). By switching to “on” you agree. You can find more information here.

Wood Block Puzzle (over 50 million) – 4.4 stars

In “Wood Block Puzzle,” the name says it all. In pre-made mini-levels, the blocks placed at the bottom of the screen must be fitted into the picture. The concept is relatively simple and self-explanatory, but the levels eventually become quite challenging. The game is perfect for in-between moments, can be paused at any time, and is aimed primarily, but not exclusively, at puzzle fans.

Pokémon GO (over 100 million) – 4.1 stars

Who hasn’t wished to catch the little pocket monsters in real life while playing Pokémon? The mobile game “Pokémon GO” makes that partially possible. On the go, you encounter many of the small and large creatures with your smartphone. Buildings like train stations or churches serve as arenas in the game where players can compete against each other. A nice side effect of the catching fun is that collecting items on the go allows you to perceive and explore your surroundings differently.

Here you will find content from third-party providers

To interact with or display third-party content, we need your consent.

Activate

In order to display embedded content, your consent to the processing of personal data, which can be revoked at any time (via the switch or via “Revoke tracking and cookies” at the bottom of the page), is required. Data may be transferred to third countries such as the USA (Art. 49 para. 1 lit. a GDPR). By switching to “on” you agree. You can find more information here.

Also interesting: Why you should play Pokémon GO

Subway Surfers (over 1 billion) – 4.6 stars

With “Subway Surfers,” the next jump’n’run game on the list arrives. The concept is also based on a never-ending course over tracks and tunnels. Players must dodge oncoming trains, jump over obstacles, and collect as many coins as possible. There’s catchy, feel-good music and addictive sound effects. With over a billion downloads in the Play Store, the game leads in this category of our top ten mobile games.

Here you will find content from third-party providers

To interact with or display third-party content, we need your consent.

Activate

In order to display embedded content, your consent to the processing of personal data, which can be revoked at any time (via the switch or via “Revoke tracking and cookies” at the bottom of the page), is required. Data may be transferred to third countries such as the USA (Art. 49 para. 1 lit. a GDPR). By switching to “on” you agree. You can find more information here.

Roblox (over 500 million) – 4.4 stars

In “Roblox,” players can create their own game worlds by constructing them with Lego-like blocks. Other players can then visit and explore these worlds. The concept is very similar to “Minecraft,” but “Roblox” actually came to market three years earlier–in 2006. Despite its age, the app remains very popular and, unlike “Minecraft,” is free to install. However, the game includes a virtual currency called Robux, which can be purchased with real money to buy clothing and so-called game passes.

Here you will find content from third-party providers

To interact with or display third-party content, we need your consent.

Activate

In order to display embedded content, your consent to the processing of personal data, which can be revoked at any time (via the switch or via “Revoke tracking and cookies” at the bottom of the page), is required. Data may be transferred to third countries such as the USA (Art. 49 para. 1 lit. a GDPR). By switching to “on” you agree. You can find more information here.

Happy Color – Paint by Number (over 100 million) – 4.5 stars

If you love paint by numbers, this app is perfect for you. There are already many hundreds of pre-made images available, categorized into “Food,” “Nature,” “Fashion,” “Art,” or “Sports.” New images appear daily, sometimes in paid packages like the Marvel superheroes. However, most are available for free, and hints can be earned by watching ad videos. The available colors are numbered at the bottom of the screen. Tapping on one highlights the areas to be colored in gray.

Brain Test: Tricky Puzzles (over 100 million) – 4.5 stars

This puzzle game has the highest rating on our list with 4.7 stars. The second part even has 4.9 stars, but significantly fewer downloads so far. Each level presents a different puzzle, none of which are alike. While one may involve tricky counting, another requires advanced logic.

Here you will find content from third-party providers

To interact with or display third-party content, we need your consent.

Activate

In order to display embedded content, your consent to the processing of personal data, which can be revoked at any time (via the switch or via “Revoke tracking and cookies” at the bottom of the page), is required. Data may be transferred to third countries such as the USA (Art. 49 para. 1 lit. a GDPR). By switching to “on” you agree. You can find more information here.

Source

• game