Bad Piggies is just about everything you could want in a new game from Rovio. It maintains that same level of "I can almost figure this out!" challenge that Angry Birds offered, plenty of personality, and basics so easy that a kid could master them.

God of Blades is proof that games can be great without needing to reinvent the wheel every time out. It's simple on the surface but deep where it counts, and you can't ask for much more out of a mobile game than that.

Lil Gator is a wonderfully refreshing and often very funny adventure we’d recommend everyone to check out.

Saturday Morning RPG has heart, and in any kind of pop culture, that's the most important part.

Time Master is a charming, whimsical game with easy controls, great replay value and engaging levels. Despite not finishing the game to completion I’m eager to get back on the game and seek out those later-game levels – that alone should be telling enough of the entertainment value of Time Master.

Space Chicks is the rare kind of mobile game that gets everything right.

It’s fast, it’s frantic, and most importantly, it’s fun.

By flying in the face of tradition and encouraging players to stay engaged for as long as they like, Tiny Tower has set a wonderful new standard for freemium games on the App Store. With great presentation, style, and gameplay, this is one tower you'll want to move in to.

Thanks to the forgiving difficulty and appeal to roguelike newcomers, there’s really no way to lose: but it is easy to get lost in Sproggiwood.

A tremendous package that any board game aficionado would be delighted to own – but that lack of AI multiplayer ends up being a real sticking point that may turn some players off.

The budget price-point means this is a very easy recommendation for those looking for a new shooter, or even a well balanced co-operative experience. In our eyes Centipede: Recharged is one of the best retro reboots so far this year.

Towelfight 2: The Monocle of Destiny is really, really good. Even if you don't dig the humor (and I'm sure it won't resonate with everyone, although I love it), the intense shooter action on which it's built should be enough to satisfy even the twitchiest of thumbs. And if you enjoy a good laugh with your bizarre cartoon violence, then this is one game you really cannot miss.

Those with a hankering for five minute pocket team combat need look no further: Deadlock: Online. Be sure to set this one in your sights.

It's a shame the developer couldn't find a better way to put everything at your fingertips, but it's a necessary sacrifice to make the game iPhone compatible rather than iPad only.

If you're a fan of the genre, you owe it to yourself to try this game – and if you're not, it's a pretty good place to start.

It's incredibly simple, but it's addictive and fun and pretty much impossible to get tired of.

Sniper X with Jason Statham is a great static shooter that fans of the genre will have a good time with, not only because cool-guy Jason Statham is your mentor throughout the experience, but because the game itself is a really fun one.

Until now, good survival horror titles have been a rare thing on iOS platforms. Dark Meadow is arguably the best title to come to the genre. It's gorgeous, it's creepy, and it's a blast to play. This is the perfect game to play during the Halloween season.

Minor gripes aside, Shadowgun Legends is a strong contender for best mobile shooter on the market. The game would have shone on previous-generation home consoles from a visual standpoint and everything about it feels tailored for tablets and smartphones. Until there comes a time when the likes of Doom, Call of Duty and Battlefield can run on mobile with zero concessions, Shadowgun Legends is Google Play and the App Store’s definitive FPS.

Ultimately, Puzzle Craft 2 is everything a sequel should be: it’s bigger, grander, and more engaging than its already-fantastic predecessor.

King Tongue is the sort of wacky, simple, challenging action-platformer that pretty much hits all the right notes.

If the game would've sped up the dialogue, I don't think I would've had anything to complain about. Still, it's a minor blemish on an otherwise fantastic title.

Super Stickman Golf 2 combines two potentially dull themes - stickmen and golf - and comes away with a solid and hugely entertaining mobile game. Who would have thunk it!

Like Mayday! Deep Space before it, Lifeline is a game that rises to the challenge of an overcrowded genre and even more stuffed app ecosystem.

No two trees will grow exactly the same, and in this they become less like a program we’re operating and more like a pet we’re caring for. You try your best to help it thrive, to protect it from danger, to see it grow up strong. When it falters, you feel more guilt than frustration. When it succeeds, your pride is not as a player, but as a guardian.

Overall, Scribblenauts Unlimited is an excellent game that is great for all ages that allows players room to play however they’d like — though Scribblenauts Unlimited truly shines when players use their imagination.

This is a brilliant, engaging and intelligent use of mobile tech to tell an important story. It’s rich in all the right ways, and will leave you thinking long after you’ve put it down.

You've got to love a game that your only complaints of it are that it's too short and too fair in its difficulty. There's really there's no downside here. The graphics are colorful and beautiful, Character design fits perfectly. The music is outstanding. The list of good parts goes on and on.

Overall though, apart from a few scenes where the narrative was slowed down to seemingly a snail’s pace, Tales from the Borderlands continues to deliver an excellent experience that I urge both fans and non-fans of the Borderlands franchise to take a look at.

Yes, that’s an awfully hefty price for a mobile game, one so large that it does make one wonder whether it’s worth it to take the plunge or simply buy the console version of Final Fantasy XV, which by now can be had for less than its original price. Still, if seeing the game on mobile is what prompted you to want to give it a try in the first place, it’s well worth trying out the initial, free chapter to see if you want to invest more money and time into it, as well as to marvel on how a full-fledged RPG can be translated to touchscreens without compromising all that much.

One Hour One Life might seem like it trivializes one of life’s immortal truths, but it also challenges you to do something with the time you have. This is a lesson we can all stand to learn.

In a perverse way I learned to embrace the "unfairness" as part of the game's arcade charm, but more casual players will certainly find these balancing issues to be small slaps in the face.

Waking Mars is a smart, well-crafted game whose smart complexity means it won't appeal to everyone.

Overall, Path to Luma is charming and challenging, with truly delightful rewards for solving compelling and engaging puzzles.

Too responsive controls aside, Old Man’s Journey is a beautiful, affecting experience from start to finish that rewards players that are willing to take their time and admire each scene in full before forging ahead.

The action admittedly feels somewhat hands-off, but War Tortoise is definitely still a challenge.

Games like Jetpack Joyride succeed in hooking players because they’ll always want to do a little better than they did last time. Knightmare Tower slam dunks this idea by giving players items that will iteratively improve their performance time and time again.

Puzzle to the Center of the Earth co-opts match-3 to make a brutal puzzle-platformer in the most literal sense. It’s utterly fascinating, and rewarding in a way few games are.

Whether you're a veteran wordsmith or a noob looking to improve your vocabulary, Writer Rumble will have you hook, line, and sinker.

If there is a bad thing about the game, and this might be reaching a bit, it would be the occasional trouble we had with-- for lack of a better term-- the "hit detection." That is, one would think that jumping onto a patch of floating land with a sloping incline would allow you to keep running, but that's not always the case for no particular reason that we can see.

I’m seriously going to make it a regular addition to my exercise routine because A) it’s fun, and B) it works up a sweat! I genuinely feel as if I’ve done a real workout at a gym class with an instructor afterwards, but from the comfort of my own home with my favourite Vocaloid. I also think the addition of building up your data to keep an eye on your progress is a nice touch, as I can see where I’m going wrong, and what I need to do more of.

And aside from its extremely derivative nature, this is an excellent collectible card battle game, particularly for gamers who have a taste for superheroes in general and the Marvel Universe in particular.

With no real competition in the free-to-play solitaire market, and plenty of existing love for the Fairway Solitaire franchise, the company has a real chance to dominate the mobile charts with this one.

Star Wars: Galaxy of Heroes is the best Star Wars game to release for mobile devices in recent memory.

Fist of Awesome’s campaign does come awfully close to wearing out its welcome, but everything from the pixely graphics to the challenging Arena mode is wonderfully humorous and created with care. It’s an achievement made even more impressive when you realize that the bulk of the game was created by just one person.

Dragon Quest III: The Seeds of Salvation joins mobile’s ever-growing Dragon Quest pantheon, and fans of traditional RPGs should rejoice.

I still think it's borderline criminal to create a game featuring rarity classifications and not include a trading feature, but hopefully that shows up down the line. If not, it's still a fun distraction.

The fact that I don't mind failing at this game is absolutely an endorsement, and Fin Friends has earned it wholeheartedly.

Motley Blocks offers up an impressive package, with a simple yet challenging premise that tests your ability to balance speed and precision. There are loads of levels to unlock and a lot of helpful power-ups, each of which offer new ways to amend your strategy.

Overall, Tales From The Borderlands Episode 3 continues the excellent Borderlands-based adventure through new territory.

All is Lost is something of a surprise coming from Foursaken (they’re mostly known for their action/RPG style games), but it’s definitely a welcome one. If you enjoy runners, you should absolutely give it a look.

It's not the most original of trivia games, but it's certainly one of the most polished ones I've encountered.

It’s hard to stop playing Ravenmark: Mercenaries once you get started, which is probably the highest form of praise that a strategy game can get. It’s fun to play solo or against other people, and it’s almost certain to have you plotting strategies even when you’re away from your phone or tablet.

It is silly, and it's strange, and it's simple -- and the truth is that aside from a couple of technical quibbles (and a bit of sadness, for obvious reasons, that girls don't like nerds), it's also really good. If you like puzzles like girls like robots, then you'll like Girls Like Robots.

Sure, the game has the inevitable major corporation influence, but at the very core, there’s a genuine challenge to try and tackle.

While I may hate using the word so soon, Caylus really is a classic, and it's wonderful to see it brought to life digitally to expose it to a whole new audience.

Rinth Island blew us out of the water. Its unique presentation and incredibly deep gameplay make it one of the best puzzle experiences to be had on an iOS device.

Ultimately, there’s a lot of quality adventuring to be had here however – with Aria of Sorrow in particular still one of the best entries in the entire Castlevania series.

Overall, the entire concept of an office building being run by the Grim Reaper, or Death, himself brings a smile to my face. I look forward to making it back to the main area so I can watch the NPCs hold their coffee mugs as they gossip about other members of staff. I think my favourite NPC at the moment is the adorable Pump Quinn who clearly loves her work and is often seen clutching a bunch of papers. I’ve already recommended this game to everyone that I know, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone who loves roguelike games. Even if you’re not usually a fan of the genre, you should give this one a try purely for the fast-paced combat and comedic situations that pop up throughout the game.

Anyone looking for a challenging mobile game will certainly get their money’s worth.

Ultimately this is as perfect a port of Quake as anyone could have ever hoped for. The single player campaign is not extraordinary but is always fun, and the multiplayer is still rock solid all these years later. With the low price point this is quite simply an essential download.

Though not without minor flaws, Ninjin is jam-packed with content and variety, and you definitely you need this.

Framed 2 is a brilliant study in hybrid genres. It has the feeling of an action game, with bad guys and cops and gun pulling and attack dogs. But it also has the cerebral engagement of interactive narrative and puzzle-based problem solving. The smooth, detailed animation evokes character without dialogue, while also maintaining a distinct graphic novel feel. The ability to play in short sessions or for the long haul will also appeal to a variety of players. The dark, beautiful world of Framed 2 has much to offer, and it’s an offer you shouldn’t refuse.

So the characters may be a tad bit too small, and so some of the more impressive heroes are pretty expensive to buy; these complaints are easily dwarfed by the impeccable tower defense gameplay, the vibrant and lively cartoon visuals, and the deep and lengthy campaign that all make Kingdom Rush: Frontiers a serious force to be reckoned with on the App Store today.

Highrise Heroes has a single significant flaw, however; its in-game dictionary is poor, and sometimes doesn’t recognize valid words. It doesn’t happen often, but it’s worth noting.

At times, the physics engine might seem a little dated. Certain moments have your rider stuck in the ground in a way that looks awkward rather than charmingly ragdoll-ish, but mostly, Pumped BMX 3 hits the spot every other time. Not everyone is going to manage to complete all 720 challenges, with some particularly fiendish, but the journey there is satisfying stuff. Even more so when completely free of in-app purchases. Pumped BMX 3 is an ideal premium purchase.

Amigo Pancho is a fun game and an easy recommendation, and it's not difficult to see how it racked up 50 million plays over the two years it's been online. Despite its relative ease, it still manages to hold your attention, and never really feels repetitive throughout its 60 levels. And with more content promised to be on the way, this one should have some longevity to it.

It’s going to be a little weird going back to Facebook though after this, because now that I’ve had the very impressive Draw Something 2 experience, my boring old newsfeed is just going to pale in comparison without all those awesome drawings covering my wall.

As mobile action titles go this one sits in the upper echelons. It’s fast, sometimes chaotic, and you’re likely to have a smile spread across your face while you’re playing it.

Perhaps the only real frustration of Mega Run lies in the game's somewhat frequent crashes, which left me less than enchanted as I scrolled through the game's menus all over again. Menus which, oddly enough, are perhaps the only non-juicy things about the game, with commands awkwardly labelled, making navigation a sticking point.

Sonic Dash 2: Sonic Boom is a fun endless running game that’s tightly-bound. It proves, once again, that Sonic is at his best when he’s just allowed to run free with the wind in his quills.

This is a game whose core competencies prove too compelling for the peccadilloes to derail the experience fully. A vibrant, quirky world ripped seemingly out of an off-brand fairytale, a jaunty folk soundtrack, and a complete lack of sleazy monetization all add to the rock-solid puzzle mechanics.

It all boils down to this: If you’ve enjoyed the mobile Dragon Quest ports up ’til this point, Dragon Quest VI is a perfect topper. And if you’re looking to jump into the series with VI, that’s not a bad idea either.

If you're not the type of gamer who likes to get their butt handed to them time and time again by an endless parade of strangers, Street Fighter IV: Volt is probably not for you. But if you're already a fan of the Street Fighter series, chances are you're always up for the challenge of a real fighter. If that's the case, you should consider Volt essential gaming for the multiplayer fighting fan.

Overall, while The Walking Dead: Road to Survival is centered on the usual mode of delivery for mobile strategy games, the campaign gave me an engaging enough story and the combat was rewarding enough to where I feel comfortable saying that Road to Survival is a strong step in the right direction for the genre.

Again, Device 6’s unorthodox presentation may be off-putting at first, but stick with it, especially if you’re a fan of Year Walk. It’s a perfect accompaniment to the current Halloween atmosphere, though like any good mystery, it keeps well at any time of the year.

Warbits is one heck of a strategy game, though it has a couple of issues.

Davy Jones may be one deplorable villain, but at least his game is fun.

Ant Raid is a fun, quirky and beautiful title well worth owning. If you've got an iPad, the HD graphics are really a treat.

It’s addictive without feeling icky and challenging while still being meditative. In short, it’s the perfect hue.

Chances are these little things will seem like nitpicks, because iOOTP 2013 is really a powerhouse when it comes to mobile baseball sims. Consider that title belt locked up for another year, and go ahead and download it to get your baseball fix on the go.

Originally a PC/Mac game, The Warlock of Firetop Mountain could have been an awkward conversion. Instead, it transfers to the small screen pretty well. It’s a fine new take on a familiar format — one that’s sure to make you hope that there will be future Fighting Fantasy games done in this manner.

Ninja Slash does a few things different; not enough to necessarily redefine the genre, but a little goes a long way. And those few things may very well help add a bit more longevity to this title than others of its ilk. If you're a fan of endless runners, then this one is definitely worth a look.

The big takeaway is that Teen Titans Go! Figure does not disappoint those who were waiting anxiously for a followup to Teeny Titans and should delight plenty of people who never even tried the first game. It’s asking a bit more than most current mobile games to give your time and money right from the start, but there’s certainly enough to like about it that you very well may find the price no big deal.

Despite its flaws, though, The Sandbox is a remarkable little app that will keep you busy for ages. It's hard to have any serious grievances with a game that molds itself according to your mood.

It’s made of a mashup of seemingly familiar ideas, yet it’s unlike anything we’ve played before.

When NBA 2K18 is considered on the whole, it represents another significant step forward in terms of a realistic, authentic and rich basketball experience. There’s still room for improvement — the disappearing undershirts, pick your own country, and maybe even a slightly more forgiving teammate rating in rookie mode — but on the whole it’s the best NBA experience you can have for mobile.

Those aren’t reasons big enough for soccer fans to bypass FIFA 14 though. Assuming you’ve got room on your device for the 1.3 GB download, this is soccer done right, and for a price that can’t be beat.

From top to bottom, Holy Potatoes! is a delightful game. It really, truly is. There are few games that can deliver as many days, weeks or even years of fun as Holy Potatoes! A Weapons Shop?!

It's a great feat of iOS programming, and a showcase of how to do an iOS game right. Watch for this one in a few top ten lists at the end of the year. A must have by any standard.

From both a puzzle game and a board game perspective, Concrete Jungle is definitely a good time. Provided you’re looking for something slow-paced and strategic rather than action-y, anyway. It’s a clever mix of concepts with a very satisfying collection of interlaced mechanics that almost (almost) put me in a Tetris-like trance.

Panda PandaMonium is a refreshing and entertaining descendent of traditional mahjong.

But all combined, YMBAB is the definitive way to play EightyEight Games’ unique puzzle-RPG-runner, and a notable advancement from the already great 10000000.

Bucketz is everything that a physics puzzler should be: unique, full of personality, and plenty addicting.

The menus may not look like much, but Jaipur is a great port of a fun game. The tutorial isn’t useless, the game itself is enjoyable, there are several different options when it comes to how you want to play. I can’t stress enough just how nice it is to play a board game conversion that actually understands how sometimes a basic 1:1 port just doesn’t cut it. This is good stuff, and you should play it if you like board games – digital or otherwise.

This is one bad froggie, and we mean that in a good way.

I’m not 100 percent certain this will win over people who don’t find the overarching GO concept worthwhile, but if anything, the execution here is even more impressive than it was the first time out.

It’s a game that made us consistently laugh or gasp with delight at the story and the lovingly crafted way it’s presented. Burly Men at Sea is not only worth playing, but replaying until you’ve exhausted all of its adventures, swum every inch of its ocean, and left your thumbprint on its beautiful, bearded pages.