Cell phones have come a long way since they were first made available about 30 years ago. They’ve gone from being unwieldy, brick-sized monstrosities with limited capabilities to tiny personal computers that can fit in your pocket. Some of the most popular cell phones on the market today are the aptly-named smartphones. These mobile devices may be tiny, but they can do pretty much everything that many desktop and laptop computers can do. Millions of people all over the world have used their iPhones, Androids and Windows phones to do far more than make calls and text their friends. These handy little devices can be used to take photos, record video, keep schedules, record memos, play music, and store large amounts of data. It would seem that a smartphone can do just about everything that a PC can do, and it was only a matter of time before video games were made available for these mobile devices.
Games on cell phones and other mobile devices are nothing new. Simple games like solitaire and the classic snake game have been available on phones and calculators for years. The current crop of smartphone games aren’t like these simple offerings, however. These games are every bit as sophisticated and advanced as the phones on which they are played. While they still aren’t as in depth and complex as the kinds of games that you can play on an Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3, they have proven to be incredibly popular with smartphone owners everywhere for their addictive gameplay and the kind of graphics usually created by art college graduates.
Perhaps the most popular smartphone game available today is “Angry Birds.” For the few people who have not heard about this game, “Angry Birds” is a physics-based game in which the player launches flightless birds from a giant slingshot at a fortress inhabited by pigs. The goal is to destroy the fortress and the pigs inside it. It’s a simple game, but it is also fun, colorful and addictive enough to have gained popularity worldwide. It was originally available for the iPhone, but versions are now available for the Android and Apple iOS operating systems all for affordable prices. You may even be able to find free versions without much trouble.
Another popular smartphone game among people of all ages is “Brain Challenge.” This collection of more than 20 simple yet fun brain exercises and games is perfect for anyone who wants a great mental challenge. Up to four players can even compete for the highest scores, so it can be a fun way for families to kill some time. “Brain Challenge” is available for between $3 and $5 for Android and iOS smartphones.
“Fruit Ninja” is another endlessly popular and addictive smartphone game. This game makes great use of a smartphone’s touchscreen to challenge players to “slice” fruit with their fingers as it flies across the screen while avoiding accidentally cutting into the bombs that are thrown into the mix. This game is available for the iOS, Android and WP7 operating systems for affordable prices. Bare-bones versions can be downloaded for free.
These are just a few of the countless smartphone games on the market. There are more games being programmed and released all the time for various platforms, so much so that those seeking degrees in video game design should take note and recognize smartphone gaming as the wave of the future.
Sources
AARP (2011)
“The Telegraph” (2012)
