Unexpectedly on Mobile: Top Titles to Play on a Smartphone
Over the last few years, mobile gaming has taken over the industry. Though eSports tend to make headlines more often and Twitch streamers are also placed in the limelight, casual gamers have shifted the focus of many developers to mobile projects. Not only are they more accessible to gamers, but they’re also easier to develop.
At least, in theory. Since the trend took off, dozens of developers have sought to port their popular titles to mobile. However, this has been exceedingly difficult for larger games. By larger, we’re talking about games that are open-world and use certain types of graphic design. Replicating a vast virtual world and especially its graphic integrity is incredibly difficult, time-consuming, and costly.
But that doesn’t mean there aren’t some games worth the extra effort—especially when it comes to making players happy. The larger the player group, the more likely developers are to tackle a mobile port. Let’s take a look at some of the more imaginative and unexpected gaming titles to be adapted for mobile play.
Roulette
The idea of playing roulette virtually may surprise some people. After all, isn’t half the fun of the game watching the roulette wheel spin? In reality, casino gamers have been after virtual roulette for decades. As one of the most popular casino games, roulette can be found online on most platforms that focus on iGaming.
Developers have created a seamless roulette experience that lets players immerse themselves in the game. Some games might even include live dealers, which are real-life croupiers who are live-streamed straight to your device. This adds another layer of realism that makes the mobile experience top-tier.
GTA San Andreas
The Grand Theft Auto franchise is built on the open-world concept. In other words, players expect to be able to explore a vast virtual world and, in the case of online multiplayer games, interact with others. Clearly, adapting this type of game to mobile takes time and care. To do the job well, RockStar Games used one of its older GTA installations.
This made it easier to port the game to mobile, as its graphics and gameplay weren’t quite as advanced as later releases like GTA V. Though some players have critiqued its controls, the vast majority have enjoyed this nostalgic title on mobile.
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Call of Duty: Mobile
Above, we outlined why turning a PC or console game into a mobile title is taxing. Along with graphics and the demands of recreating an open world, many developers also struggle with mechanics. This is particularly true for combat and first-person shooter games. In other words, how can gamers guide their character without a controller?
Recently, Call of Duty creators tackled this with the release of a mobile port. The game has received generally positive reviews thanks to its functional controls. Plus, the mobile variation is more geared toward pick-up-and-play gaming, which makes it perfect for mobile.
Rollercoaster Tycoon Classic
The decision to port the original Rollercoaster Tycoon was a risky one. Not only is the original game outdated in terms of its graphics and gameplay, but the series lost popularity since Atari took over the franchise. Fortunately for fans of this nostalgic early 2000s roller coaster park simulation, its Android release hits the mark.
In fact, Atari added a few extra options for mobile players, expanding the game’s content, including landscaping options, rollercoasters, and even staff management. Best of all, there aren’t any pop-up ads to get in the way of gaming.
RuneScape
Back in the day, RuneScape was one of the very first bona-fide ‘MMORPGs’. MMO stands for massively multiplayer online, while RPG is a role-playing game. This title allowed players to interact over a vast, medieval-inspired world. Players can take on quests, engage in clan wars, and simply slay monsters at their own pace—or take things even slower.
Given the longstanding popularity of the original game, there was a lot riding on its mobile port. Originally, developers released a beta version in which hardcore fans could provide feedback. This approach allowed them time to fix bugs and tweak the overall gameplay experience, which has been since highly rated by players.
