At its core, Joining Hands 2 is another round – well, 140+ rounds – of Joining Hands. It's endearingly cute, easy to play, and won't demand any more of your time and attention than you want to give it.

Rest assured, Call of Duty: Strike Team can actually hold its own, not only in the iOS gaming ecosystem, but in the world of handheld FPS titles as well.

It’s not that I disliked playing Get Me Outta Here. I actually think it’s a pretty satisfying pick-up-and-play action game. I like being able to decide what I may or may not what to trade-off in the name of an easier game, and when the game does what I tell it to do I’ve been able to have some enjoyable and impressive moments of action. I just really, REALLY wish the controls weren’t so moody.

The iOS version of Nuclear Outrun is loud, violent, and packed with nonstop action—all of which may actually be a turn-off if you’re a fan of the original game’s eerie minimalistic presentation. The steep price for in-app purchases certainly robs you of the sense of progress that’s granted in the original Nuclear Outrun, which is disappointing.

It’s certainly commendable that EA wants to give mobile gamers a “real” Madden game, but this still isn’t quite it.

Puzzle fans will surely be pleased with the challenging gameplay and the unique mechanics, so you have nothing lose in trying your hand at some mobile paper folding.

The action is fast, the controls are responsive, and there’s a huge amount of content to get through – especially considering the reasonable price-point. If you’ve already exhausted the Switch’s premium retro racers then Slipstream is well worth a runaround.

It’s not deep, but then again, most slimes only come up to your ankles when you step in them.

Rocket Cars is a middle-of-the-road racer, so to speak, and motoring down the road while performing simple swipe-based stunts is satisfying in its own right.

There’s not a lot of game to be had with DUNGEONy – once you beat the game once, you’ve seen everything it has to offer. But it works beautifully as a deconstruction of the roguelike genre, and is fun to play to boot.

A fine little offering, though not quite up there with the App Store's best. It requires a bit of patience and fine-tuning as you play, and some levels' challenge can become a bit grating after a while, but it's a unique and fun experience among the many iOS offerings.

Simply put, it doesn’t match the sheer joy of the original Dots.

There are plenty of rewards for those who dive in, but I still think Pokémon TCG Online’s entry to the iPad could have been smoother.

Tank Battles is a reasonably fun arcade game and an interesting re-imagining of a classic. It’s also a virtually hassle-free multiplayer affair. It’s just too bad that the emphasis on premium currency makes it hard to stay invested. At least without actually investing.

Tiny Plane is yet another triumph for Chillingo, a simple, addictive game with enough complexity to keep people playing well into the future.

It’s still very much incomplete as a football game, but it’s better in nearly every area than its predecessor, and there’s something to be said for incremental improvement.

"Cute" is the best word to describe Drake's Tower. It's got a bit of style, is enjoyable enough, and contains sufficient depth to keep players engaged for a little while. That said, this is also the sort of game with enough sameness that the moment someone stops playing it, it's doubtful that they'll give it a second thought.

With a ton of variety in the levels and the devilish complexity offered, puzzle game fans should naturally be drawn to the Demolition Master 3D app like a moth to a flame. Word of caution to the more casual of you out there though – while blowing stuff up is always a good time, the game gets pretty hard and requires a skilled, patient hand to complete.

In the end, Headless is ultimately good, but nothing quite spectacular.

Boggle With Friends is a more seamlessly social take on an old classic with a few twists that will be either adored or reviled. If you’re a fan of social word games, this will probably be one you enjoy. If you’re looking for something fresh and different or need to be convinced of the merits of the genre, this is one you might want to pass on.

Overall, Star Wars: Puzzle Droids doesn’t offer anything radically innovative. But it does offer more than your typical match-3 – a cohesive and compelling narrative, smooth gameplay and a seemingly endless variety of challenges that revolve around common themes. If you’re a fan of Star Wars you’ve likely already downloaded it. If not, it’s still worth a try. You’ve only got your productivity to lose while there’s hours of fun to be gained.

It's hard to argue with the value proposition that Galaxy Express makes. With 120 levels at a budget price, some of them immensely challenging, this is a game that could keep you entertained for awhile. Just be prepared for the abuse that every mailman has to take – galactic or not.

In either mode, the game looks good, with attention to detail that shows in things like trees casting little shadows. It sounds even better, which is impressive for a small studio, though you may tire of the soundtrack after extended play sessions.

Overall, Fist of the North Star: Legends ReVIVE is well worth checking out for series fans, and it offers enough for fans of gacha games to check it out. You might even enjoy it if you’ve never played or dislike gacha games, as the combat system is very fun indeed.

Those who want to get in on something that could be really cool early on should pick up Light Apprentice now. Those who want something a bit more substantial? Maybe wait.

So while Dragon Season is certainly a beautiful endless flier with a refreshing seasonal angle and slick allocation of in-game missions, the lack of different obstacles and slow-pacing of adding upgrades to your arsenal can leave the overall experience feeling a little heavy in the wings before long.

Hotel Story is far from perfect, but it has a gentle atmosphere that’s appealing if you feel run down by the Hotel Dash games. Go on and stay for a brief visit. Don’t rip off the hair dryer, please.

While Tap Sports Baseball 2016 is reasonably fun, it’s hard to feel committed to it without paying up to get ahead.

So yes, while Sonic Jump Fever is not a perfect game and a little repetitive, it’s at least built to not overstay its welcome, and isn’t a bad game to just pick up and play for a few rounds at a time.

Yet, something about Dodo Master spurs you on. Maybe it’s the booming soundtrack. Maybe it’s the trap designs (knives on fire!). Maybe it’s the fact you’re playing as a fat-bottomed bird. Either way, it is possible to get a significant serving of fun out of the game – at least enough to drive you to try again after you die.

Sheeple Chase is, in the end, a bite-sized treat of a game. Don't go in with high expectations, but don't expect to be disappointed either. When you read "Hope you aren't afraid to do the quack'step!" don't say you weren't warned.

If you bite at this app, you're merely getting hooked by another bait and switch.

Beyond the combat though, Total War Battles: Kingdom is a little too familiar for me to give it a hearty recommendation.

Nano Legends does everything it sets out to do, and it does it really well. This is a polished, engaging experience. But it doesn’t bring anything particularly new to the table. If you’re an avid fan of the genre then you’re going to love it, but it’s hard to see how it’ll spark anything but mild interest in anyone else.

Akka Arrh is worth investigating for hardcore shooter fans of course – it has a lot of visual appeal and is certainly something different. Everyone else may want to consider if they can truly handle this eclectic neon fever dream.

So in the end, Giant Boulder of Death is a decent endless runner game.

The nostalgic trappings of the experience are a ploy, and one that works pretty darn well. The game bears the hallmarks of nostalgia, of a glimpse into a rose-tinted past, but unabashedly uses them to drag the player into a more mundane and general present.

Despite being a simple game at heart Dadish 3D is undeniably a fun time. It boasts tight controls, a good array of locales and bosses, and is constantly amusing. This is a must for Dadish fans, and worth a look for anyone else.

Dawnbringer definitely has some big aspirations, but it doesn’t manage to live up to its inspirations. It’s still an enjoyable free to play romp, and there’s more depth to it than some games you’ll find on the App Store, but there are definitely better examples of the genre out there.

Ultimately Banana Mania is a lot of fun, and a solid starting point to those new to the series. Long term fans might find the changes to accommodate a wider audience just too bitter a pill to swallow though.

As such, CounterSpy is quite the interesting – and ambitious – game for mobile, and I’m excited to see a console game release in a similar form on mobile, only weeks after the console one comes out! But it’s hard to not be left wanting by CounterSpy.

I think it’s a decent platformer with fantastic visual and audio style. But I do think it’s a shame that it can’t quite stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the games it’s obviously trying to aspire to.

This is an entertaining, if not exactly engaging diversion that’ll leave you with a smile on your face if you play it for a few minutes. It’s unlikely you’re going to spend much more time with it than that on a regular basis, though.

Overall, Street Fighter IV Champion Edition is definitely a contender when it comes to great games, but it isn’t exactly a champion. If it sorts out the multiplayer issue it’ll likely earn a place on many a homescreen. Until then, it’s a beautiful but sometimes lonely journey into your own nostalgia.

Overall, the feeling Spiral gives is of a decent, if unremarkable game from a bygone era. Nothing we experienced is enough to recommend against it, though the starting price tag of $4.99 might be a little off-putting to some for a work of this quality. It doesn't really excel in any regard, but nor does it offend.

Clumsy Bob could be the start of something great. The character is charming and cute, and the control is right. If more is added to the package, Clumsy Bob would be one to watch. Right now, it's just a snack-sized experience. Maybe one day it'll be elephant-sized.

Angry Birds 2 is a free download, so there’s nothing to be lost by giving it a try. But given how little its gameplay varies from classic Angry Birds, you might be better off paying a bit of money to grab the first game.

Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Links might lack some of the depth of the original, but it’s still a pretty good mobile conversion. By cutting certain elements down, you’ll be able to get more accomplished than you would have before.

Pixel Starships has its problems, but I’ve honestly been having quite a bit of fun playing it.

Altogether, Tempo is a well-designed game that presents players with an experience that demands precision. Because of its demands, Tempo isn’t a game that I can recommend to everyone, but if you enjoy quick-time events and action games that involve more watching than playing, then Tempo is the game for you.

Eternity Warriors 4 is a step in the right direction for the series, improving on some issues that hindered its predecessor. But the gameplay experience is impaired by some lackluster artificial intelligence that holds Eternity Warriors 4 back from being truly great.

Party Hard is the sort of game that’s more fun when you play it in small doses – maybe one level at a time. The whole “wander around and murder pixel people” thing is an entertaining idea, and -almost cute in a way — but if you try to zip through it all at once, the levels will start to bleed together (no pun intended) and you’ll likely tire of it in short order.

Despite not adding much new, Diggin' Dogs is a very fun and well made title. Attempting to get all the bones in each of the missions would be a lengthy, fun process. If you're looking for another game that will mollify your completionist urges, look no further.

Zombie Tactics doesn’t have the depth of some games, nor the throwaway lightness of others. It sits somewhere in the middle, drawing you in with its familiar ideas. It’s not quite an RTS, not quite a single player MOBA and not quite a tower defense game. It’s something in between and you’re going to have fun exploring the options that it offers you.

It’s not the most complicated or profound game on the App Store but if you’re looking for your new two-minute time waster and enjoy platforming fundamentals, you’ll be glad you downloaded Circle Frenzy.

Ultimately, Mighty Quest For Epic Loot’s longevity for you depends on how much time or cash you’re willing to drop into it, and how seriously you take PvP. If you just want a game that will provide you with a steady stream of loot per day for minimal effort, this is solid.

I mostly just wish it controlled better and that the resource side of the economy was (a lot) more balanced.

If you’re sick of matching three of a kind but still want some candy in your puzzle game, Puzzlepops! is well worth checking out.

Haunted Hollow has so much going for it that it pains me to say that it could be even better. It’s a five-star concept that ends up something less in execution because of poor design choices, but that shouldn’t scare you off from giving it a free download and seeing if it matches your idea of a ghoulish good time.

If you're okay with making in-app purchases, or if you're okay with going nutty for fifteen minutes and then hanging around for hours while the game recharges your supply of free cards, then Bingo Rush should keep you happy for a time. Give it a try, and don't forget: let every day be a Bingo in your heart.

With a wonderful presentation, and just the fact that the game features tiny little turtles with deadly rocket launchers on their shells, I think that TurtleStrike will definitely have gamers saying “I like turtles” for quite some time to come.

It’s best experienced in short bursts of explosive, colorful mayhem: burn bright and fast.

Retro Winter Sports 1986 is dedicated to its retro stylings, and that works as much to its detriment as it does its benefit. But it’s still well worth checking out even if you’re not a fan of the past. Or, you know, you weren’t born in the past. It’s both an interesting glimpse into how games have changed and a great example of why they have. There’s a swirl and a pop to the experience that’s engaging for the most part, even though it does fade once you’ve finally managed to get your fingers to do what the game wants them to.

The Marvel Tsum Tsum would all have their Cuteness stats maxed all the way out by default if there was such a thing. There’s no fighting that, so it’s silly to even waste your time trying. Whether you spend a ton of time with the game is another matter, but there’s definitely more to it than it may first appear, and it’s worth a download for the Marvel fan in your life to try out.

Despite the mechanical issues, we’ve still really enjoyed Evergrow. Its combination of space shooter, tower defense, block-placing puzzles, and Katamari-esque growth works surprisingly well together, creating a satisfying challenge that is never too frantic. Each level contains a set number of coins to collect and two bonus objectives to complete, there are eight color gems to track down, and four different endings to unlock, offering plenty of reasons to replay stages. And those replays are never repetitive thanks to the different placement of power blocks offering a new Chromaroid every time. Just the adorable, cheerful facial expressions of the Chromaroid are enough to warrant giving Evergrow a try, but its fun and unique gameplay provides a reason to stick around.

All things considered though, Ice Age Adventures is very well put together. The clever A-List voice acting alone is enough to keep a non-fan like myself interested. Any fan of the series should give it a shot.

So this is without doubt the definitive version of a game that – although it won’t be embraced by many – offers a uniquely structured survival horror adventure that you just don’t see much of nowadays. But there’s probably a reason for that.

The presentation is superb, with hand-drawn artwork and a relaxing ambient soundtrack. This all adds to the feeling that Wingspan is well aware it is targeting a very small niche. Even with that in mind we’re still not sure Wingspan needed a digital gaming iteration, and if you can get your hands on the physical version we’d recommend that as a first resort – even if it is triple the price. If not then this a more than serviceable alternative.

Anchorman 2: Scotchy Scotch Toss is a game that doesn’t quite reach for the stars, and fittingly enough, doesn’t really grab them.

In terms of pure gameplay, there’s no question that Pokemon Duel is superior to Pokemon Go. The competitive nature of it also means it’ll be less faddish and more likely to get better with age. It’s simply too imperfect in its current form to be as fun as it could be, so if you want to dive into it while it goes through its growing pains, be prepared for more lulls than LOLs.

Simple though it may be I actually really like this control scheme as it lets me focus all of my energy on moving and aiming.

Isoland is a beautiful point-and-click puzzler with a storybook aesthetic that immediately draws you into its bizarre and enigmatic world. Although its plot feels disjointed at times and many of the game’s mysteries favor memory over deduction, it makes up for these shortcomings by providing players a plethora of puzzles and the freedom to solve them at their own pace.

The game does the hard work of hooking you in, but is insistent on pushing you away straight after unless you cough up cash, which feels both insulting and desperate.

It's not a perfectly smooth ride, and just like its thrill-seeking stars, Sky Gnomes misses the target now and again. But at 0.99, with a whole lot of ambition, I'd certainly recommend taking the plunge.

Gameplay-wise, Kim Kardashian: Hollywood is strictly old hat, but its self-aware humor makes it worth a play if you’re into celebrity-building games.

All in all, Jewel Fight is an entertaining package and quite deep and detailed with the armour purchasing and jewel matching.

The contents of Penguin Patrol are above average with optional, extra challenges and creative level design. Nonetheless, the core play feels very easy at times, and Grab Games just doesn't do anything terribly special with the app's design. It looks cute, but nothing stands out.

As simple as it is and as little direct interaction as there might be, I do think Pocket Troops is pretty enjoyable.

If you’d like a tower defense game that’s easy to digest, downloading this one isn’t a crazy idea.

Exhumed Powerslave is not one of the best first person shooters of the mid-nineties, but has more than enough interesting ideas to be worthy of retrospection. Just make sure you go in with a sufficient amount of patience.

Checkpoint Champion is easy to play yet difficult to master, but it does leave you wanting more: more vehicles (especially), more game modes, just more in general, and not necessarily in the good way.

Kung Fu Panda Battle of Destiny is a quick and easy card game that anyone can get into.

Still, Colossatron can be good fun – especially by the end when you’ve unlocked all of the gadget options.

Though it might not be what fans of the previous Blood & Glory installments were expecting, Immortals isn’t bad at doing its own thing.

While it lasts, Ink Ball is a fun physics puzzler. Its simple beauty carries the solid level design very well. The open-ended solutions will keep you going. There just needs to be a reason to come back. A gem while it lasts.

It’s not as super-intense as Threes! can be, but it doesn’t try to be either. So if you liked the idea of Threes! but found the game to be too intimidating, give Swipe & Slash a try.

Despite all of the things that Death Dome does well, it's hard to get too jazzed about it since we've been down this path so many times before. It's not even a stretch for Glu Mobile, which has already done the Inifnity Blade homage itself with its Blood & Glory titles. If the setting, the carnage and the dark humor appeal to you, by all means give it a whirl, just be prepared for a little bit of deja vu while playing.

The concept is good fun, and when it works, it’s great… but that’s when it works. Some might find it repetitive, and it is – but that’s not always a bad thing, so long as the controls are able to keep up with the player.

Farming Simulator 18 is a good game when looked at as a standalone release. It’s very mellow, but also oddly addicting. It’s satisfying to earn enough money to start upgrading to better equipment, then start earning more money faster. If you’ve never played a Farming Simulator before, it’s a perfectly good place to jump in. However, if you’ve already spent hours upon hours growing and selling crops in earlier iterations, you might not find this to be much of an improvement.

Nun Attack is fun and has a pretty good amount of content, but it's probably better to experience it at a slower pace rather than trying to rush straight through. Doing so risks having the novelty and game mechanics start to feel a little like you're just going through the motions.

For a title that proclaims itself the first real mobile MOBA, Heroes of Order & Chaos is a good start. Until it gets those technical glitches smoothed out, though, that's all it's going to be. Play it now with a little bit of forewarning, and definitely check back on it in a few months to see if it improves on its promising beginning.

find the One-Touch mode to be a real game changer for Tetris on touch based devices. It'll never replace good and true Tetris, but it's truly awesome and a blast to play.

Michael Jackson: The Experience is a game that manages to get most everything right. The gameplay is uniquely suited to the touch screen, the visuals are top notch, and the spirit of the game captures the fun of Jackson's music videos flawlessly. It's a shame, then, that there's so little of it to go around – and that you're only getting about half the package with your initial purchase.

A pretty decent game. It's more or less standard in terms of core game play, but it does try to differentiate itself with a few unique elements such as training avatars and a highly polished visual aesthetic.

I’m a firm believer that Loot & Legends will approach or reach the heights of Card Hunter, but I can only review games in the forms they take when we can actually download them to our tablets. This one is an unstable version of a classic for now, so here’s hoping we can revisit it in a few months and find it’s realized its full potential.

If players are already fans of Kingdoms of Camelot, then they'll still likely enjoy this mobile version. That said, it does not connect to the web rendition, so it is a bit of a discouragement. As for new players, just be prepared to lose… a lot.

It’s kind of like a “safe” high-end mobile puzzle game, which isn’t a bad thing. It’s just not the greatest thing, either.

That's the core nature of the game – extreme accessibility – and it is definitely a cute little time-passer. But as rogue-likes go, I found it a little too simple to hold my interest for very long.