10 Addictive Mobile Phone Games

The age of mobile phone gaming is constantly evolving and the level of gaming on the go is getting better and more addictive all the time. Mobile games are our solace for those long journeys, anxious waits for planes, trains or automobiles or just a way to tear yourself away from a busy work day. We’ve put together a list of 10 mobile phone games, most of which are easily available on both the Android and iOS app stores and a couple that are specific to a particular OS.  

1. Angry Birds – iOS, Android
Angry Birds is like the comfort food of mobile gaming. Just look at what happens when someone buys their first touchscreen mobile device. Usually their first question is, "What should I buy?" and the standard reply will usually be, "Angry Birds". The furious featherheads have come a long way from the first five levels of slingshot-ing that initially hooked us in. They have updates based on festivals, a movie tie in, merchandise and even a recipe book. And if you want to know what's so addictive about these birds, it has to do with the increasing difficulty, consistent novelty and finally, it's just dog gone fun to hear those pigs squeal when you smash their heads in. Angry Birds is available across platforms. It's $0.99 (approx Rs. 49) for iPhones and it's free on Android.

The top of the list

2. Cut the Rope - iOS, Android
Take a very hungry little monster. Make him cute. Dangle candy in front of him. And voila, you have Cut the Rope. The game is primarily strategy based starring 'Om Nom', the adorable little creature that we hoped to have as a pet when we were little. He's hungry, and you want to feed him. The only problem is that the candy is being held back by ropes and there are obstacles like bubbles and spiders. You need to cut ropes in just the right way so the candy lands square in Om Nom's mouth. He then gives you that look of immense satisfaction, the kind that validates the frustration of getting the rope wrong. Cut the Rope is available across platforms for iOS and Android for $0.99 (approx Rs. 49).

It's all in the rope

3. Fruit Ninja - iOS, Android
Did you hate it when your mom made you eat fruit as a kid? Alternatively, have you ever been booed off a stage with fruit flung at you? Here's a game that will help you gain some pseudo-revenge. As the name suggests, you're a ninja. Fruit is being flung at you and your job is to slice and dice them with your ninja sword. You get extra points for fruit combos and you need to be careful of bombs. As you progress, you will please the fruit sensei who will keep delivering fruit facts to you. Fruit Ninja is available for iOS for $0.99 (approx Rs. 49) and Android for Rs. 62.03.

Slice and dice

4. Doodle Jump - iOS, Android
Doodle Jump revolves around a character called, "The Doodler". The point of the game is to make The Doodler jump levels without falling by tilting your phone. Since the game is supported across various devices, including those that don't have tilt support, there is also an option to tap The Doodler in the direction that you want it to go in. The Doodler can have power ups like jet packs and propeller hats that help it go faster for a short distance and obstacles like monsters and aliens that the Doodler needs to avoid. You can choose various themes for the Doodler to jump around in and his enemies look different but the purpose of the game remains the same, JUMP! Doodle Jump is available across multiple platforms for $0.99 (approx Rs. 49).

Jump, your Doodle's life depends on it

5. Temple Run - iOS
Ever get caught up in an Indiana Jones fantasy? Not that this game is a direct play on the franchise but it does bear similarities. In ways that are cool. Your protagonist is a runner running on temple grounds, collecting coins, going over gaps in the ground and under tree branches, to eventually complete a set of objectives. The objectives include running 5000 meters, collecting 1 million points and running 500 meters without collecting any coins. And a lot more of course. The speed on this game is heart racing and you will not have satisfaction till all the objectives are completed. Just be careful of the creatures that chase you when you trip on a branch. They can be nightmare inducing. Temple Run is only available for iOS so far for free.

Hope you're in good shape for the running