This is an expertly crafted and fun adventure that makes a great portable companion.

Now add colorful retro-inspired visuals and music that would have fit right in with the best games from the 90s, and Nimble Quest is another quality addition to NimbleBit's growing smartphone and tablet library.

Knights of the Round Cable succeeds in consuming hours upon hours of time, thanks to its addictive "just one more go" hook.

World of Warriors is a unique RPG, that combines a bit of a fighting game feel with turn based combat.

Fans of Hill Climb Racing looking for a new challenge should look no further.

It's a wonderfully fresh take on what's become a pretty stale area of mobile gaming over the last 12 months or so, and is simply an essential download for any fan of the genre.

So Year Walk is much more than a single riddle, wrapped in a single, mysterious enigma. It's an intricately blended experience of puzzles and exploration, with seemingly forgotten clues returning to the surface later on. That those puzzles often unravel in a somewhat illogical order is the only real complaint we have about the game - it's more of a journey through a developer's imagination than a traditional game, and it's a relatively brief experience too.

To be fair, the power-ups (magnet to attract rings, head starts) are quite lazy, considering most running games use similar items. That said, Sonic Dash is a quality experience that no hardcore Sega fan should miss.

One of the finest iOS games of the year. Not only does it offer impossible-to-resist gameplay, but Disney and Get Set Games also did a phenomenal job taking the Mega Run formula and applying it to a beloved film.

Bottom line, Robot Unicorn Attack 2 is a wonderful follow-up and a textbook example of how sequels should be done. The load times could be shorter and we would have preferred paying $0.99-$1.99 to download it with a variety of songs, but as is, you can't allow those minor complaints to tarnish an otherwise stellar smartphone and tablet game.

Any dungeon-crawling fantasy fan will get more than enough from their $4.99 to justify picking up Warhammer Quest, and they'll likely find themselves happy to invest more to extend that experience.

Truly, Framed is one of the must-have mobile games of 2014.

Yet another outstanding addition to the iPhone and iPad, and the old school presentation and enjoyable gameplay more than justifies the $0.99 asking price.

A well-made, light-hearted runner that packs hours of fun within a tiny 39.5MB package. Oink, Oink.

Even with Telepods and needing to pay to unlock content, Angry Birds Star Wars 2 is another top-notch game from Rovio.

Mikey Shorts manages to stand tall amongst the best the platform genre has to offer, and you should make a point to download it in the very near future.

There's no denying that tablets offer a unique opportunity to both breathe new life into the genre, as well as open it up to a new audience. Certainly Magic 2013 is the best game of its kind that we've played on the iPad.

New Words with Friends is the same tried and true game. This updated version has a lot of new features, including a single player mode, which might get people back into it.

Crossy Road is how free gaming should be done. It's fun fast-paced gameplay is a blast to pass the time while waiting in lines or just if you want to zone out for a while. However, if you're someone that needs some depth to be entertained you won't find it here.

This is a beautiful and conscious game that deserves to be played, even if to just take in its message.

That aside, X and Y are great editions to the Pokemon franchise, ideal for gamers who walked away from the series and hardcore fans who have been there the whole way. On that note, generation six is a mega evolution of its own. With this in mind, we highly recommend X and Y for any Pokemon fan or 3DS owner looking to complete their game collections.

That aside, X and Y are great editions to the Pokemon franchise, ideal for gamers who walked away from the series and hardcore fans who have been there the whole way. On that note, generation six is a mega evolution of its own. With this in mind, we highly recommend X and Y for any Pokemon fan or 3DS owner looking to complete their game collections.

Despite the fact it's almost a decade old, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is still a gritty yet refreshing open-world experience that fans of mobile action games owe it upon themselves to check out.

Given its accessibility and breadth of appeal, Ragdoll Blaster 3: Deluxe is in many ways the perfect mobile game. Once you've cottoned on to the core mechanic of each set though, the difficulty does dissipate rather quickly, and you're left with no more challenge than simply executing the solution.

For a $6.99 priced app, FIFA 13 delivers a stunning amount of soccer content that'll keep you busy for hours. It doesn't quite fit on the same level as its console brethren, but for a "footy" mobile experience, it definitely shows that EA Sports has still got it.

It's rare to see something this good for free, and with that being said, dismissing this game would be ill advised.

One could make the argument that Minigore 2: Zombies has little complexity and not enough weapons, but considering the $1.99 asking price, we think it's full of head-chopping, limb-blasting goodness. Play it to waste time. Play it to beat your high score, or just play it to let off some steam. Just make sure, above all else, that you play it.

You won't play a more experimental, risky, fun and flamboyant endless-runner this year, and for that reason alone we're happy to recommend this as the best example of genre evolution we've seen in a very long time indeed. Bravo.

We cannot understate this: had Nintendo published Dream of Pixels in the 90s as some follow-up to Tetris, the publisher would have sold at least a million more Game Boys. It's that phenomenal.

Wrap it up with a bizarre story and a cool 80s vibe, and Hotline Miami is one of PlayStation Vita's guiltiest pleasures, a blood-soaked, retro-inspired homage to the most difficult video games ever conceived. So long as you're of age, it comes highly recommended.

Quite frankly, we didn't expect to fall in love with this game. Excellent stuff.

It's enough to satisfy both longtime fans and newcomers to Nintendo's charming franchise. New Leaf doesn't necessarily play like other games, but that's why we appreciate it. Whereas other titles assault the senses with over-the-top action sequences, this one provides a welcome escape. Cherish it.

Sleepwalker's Journey is that rare game that manages to combine a frightening challenge with a huge amount of accessibility, so that those less obsessed with gathering every last mark of success can still enjoy its delights.

This is without question one of the most entertaining and smartly designed adventures we've seen for the iPad, a game brimming with visual splendor and old school dungeon crawling.

Spellsword is beautiful, frantic, addictive, satisfying, explosive and, oh my goodness I think I've run out of superlatives. A spiritual successor to Super Crate Box it may well be, but only in its most fundamental concepts. When we all start thinking about our Game of the Year this December, I can only hope to have enjoyed some serious competition to this extraordinary title.

It's an ever rarer day when you finish playing one of these games and feel compelled to rush out and tell everyone you know to download it immediately. Sprinkle Islands, we're delighted to say, is one such title - and if a finer physics puzzler comes along in 2013, we'll all be very lucky indeed.

For two bucks, it's worth the investment.

It's all about the gameplay, and we can proudly say that Civiballs delivers. Definitely one of this week's surprise games, and well worth your hard earned cash.

We're not sure the combat system is enough to keep you engaged with the Arena of War for a huge amount of time, but it is refreshingly different and you should definitely give the game a go. Even if you'll only be able to play in relatively short bursts, this is a great fantasy game, beautifully produced, and packed with plenty of depth if you have the patience or cash to go deeper.

Paper Toss Friends would certainly benefit from a little more variety in the environments and scoring objectives, but there's still much to be mastered in this very enjoyable time-waster. Social gaming fiends who crave something different from the typical word-puzzling fare should definitely check this one out.

Throw in a year of downloadable puzzles, one per day starting October 28, and Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask will definitely satisfy your demand for quality puzzle gameplay.

The actual game design is amazing. These puppies look, sound, and act like the real thing.

Zaga 33 may leave you more bewildered than bewitched.

If you've historically been put off by the complexity of Sid Meier's other titles, this is a lovely action-simulation that will lead you gently into the genre. For strategy stalwarts, there's nothing to fear from this very different Meier game, because it really is a huge amount of fun regardless of your typical gaming preferences.

There's more purpose to the battling, there's no longer the ridiculous spike that accompanied the original game's single player modes, and doing battle against real-world opponents is frighteningly addictive.

So yes, Virtual Tennis Challenge has some issues, and it would have been nice to see actual players instead of made-up dudes, but it's still an entertaining and at times intense sports game with attractive graphics and a fairly deep tournament mode.

All of this makes NFL Quarterback 13 a highly accessible and fun game that provides hours or just minutes of amusement. That said, be sure to download it in time for Super Bowl Sunday.

There's corny dialogue, and you'll probably get stuck several times, but Waking Mars' positives far outweigh its negatives, making it a cool space exploration game to have on the go.

More Castlevania than Metal Gear, but who could fault Konami for bringing their two best franchises into a beautiful marriage?

The Dark Meadow has some warts, but it's still a hauntingly beautiful and intriguing game everyone should play, as it offers both a compelling adventure and a glimpse into the future of smart phone gaming.

After the games drought of summer it's nice to finally have a reason to power up the ol' PSP again.

A well thought out and fun game that'll keep you busy for hours.

Panda Pandamonium is a fluffy yet substantial update to the classic game of mahjong, and worth a try, especially if you've got the extra income to keep going even when you fail. Big Fish does it again.

You can plow through Episode 1 in a couple of hours, but it's still time well spent, and the impressive presentation and story will keep you glued to the screen the whole time. Back to the Future can't escape its issues, but Telltale did what few publishers manage to achieve: do a movie franchise justice. Now give us Episode 2.

Animal rights activists may take issue with the gruesome results, but considering the cartoon-style visuals and light-heartedness contained within, we think everyone should take a chill pill, sit back and do their best to make this virtual world a better place.

Nevertheless, just when we thought we'd seen the last of Jak and Daxter, High Impact Games surprises us with this thrilling romp. Welcome back, team.

While the Star Wars license is a tempting one to buy into, Star Wars: Commander isn't exactly up to snuff, especially if you're looking to play on the cheap. Perhaps future updates can lessen the price-gouging and it can blossom into a truly rewarding F2P experience.

We grew tired of "runners" months ago, but Don't Run With A Plasma Sword renewed our faith in these types of games, thanks to the addition of combat. Whip out that sword and come out swinging.

While Mario Tennis Open is one of the shallowest Nintendo sports games we've seen, it's still highly enjoyable, well-polished and attractive, with Nintendo once again proving that it's the master of glasses free 3D. Worth a look for solo players, and definitely a must buy for multiplayer.

It's a lot of fun, it's very pretty to look at, and a huge amount of attention has been paid to the upgrades, weapons and environment.

It clearly makes sense for Zynga to stick to a tried formula in both the style of gameplay and a recognizable interface that every member of the gaming audience has grown comfortable with, but there's no denying that the set-up is starting to feel just a little tired. Still, this is a very addictive little game that breathes new life into one of our favorite genres.

We definitely recommend TheEndApp for Temple Run fans looking for something a bit different. We just wish more thought went into the missions and plot, but as far as free iOS games go, we can't think of a better way to embrace mankind's destruction.

Aside from that minor annoyance, Pac-Man Dash is both highly polished and refreshing. Not sure whether the upcoming toys will be a hit, but if anything, you can enjoy this fast-paced and free runner for your mobile device.

Not only is it addictive, but the game packs a ton of value into a very affordable price ($0.99 on iPhone, $1.99 on iPad). Give it a look.

The upgrade system will keep you coming back, there's some good humor that's more hit than miss, and you'll get a lot of gaming for that dollar. Multiplayer's coming in a future update too, so you might want to start mastering this matching mayhem now.

It's tough to find serious fault with Paper Monsters. It's a well-crafted and enjoyable platformer that's worth $0.99. If we had to put a finger on one thing that bugs us, it's that Crescent Moon Games didn't go above and beyond what we've seen before, but that's a small issue in comparison to the much bigger picture. Quality title and well worth your time.

It is, in every way, simply a better version of Draw Something. For many that will be more than enough, but if you've had your fill of the game already then there's not much here to entice you back.

Capcom Puzzle World won't win any awards in the long-term, and many of you might be annoyed by the presence of Block Block. But the game still has many puzzle moments worth enduring, especially if you're a hardcore fan of Super Puzzle Fighter and the Buster Bros. games.

The game would have benefited from multiplayer of some sort, but as a single player only affair, Collision Effect is without question one of the best puzzle games on the App Store.

Its play mechanics are still rather amusing and its additional challenges and world will keep you busy, even if you nailed the game at 100 percent years ago.

Dishonored: Rat Assassin may be a twisted Fruit Ninja clone, but it's a great one, complete with a gruesome edge that sets it apart from other games of this type.

The analog control issues and other small setbacks (Rex Hudler, no Infrastructure play) keep this from winning the pennant, but it's still the go-to batter for on-the-go sports. Take MLB 10: The Show to the ballpark this summer and enjoy.

While the console ports are more recommended for their details and expansion, the PSP version is certainly no slouch.

We can only hope the powers-that-be come to their senses and make it cheaper, because in its current form, The Lost Reels is both polished and thrilling. On that note, players with the cash to burn will delight in the carnage.

Overall, Lock's Quest is immensely entertaining.

As we mentioned, cramming the Wii title onto the portable didn't happen without consequences. The game looks noticeably muddier on the 3DS screen, and occasional slowdown often appears at the worst moments. To be fair, though, neither of these complaints ruin the experience, and Nintendo fans would be wise to pick up Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D even if they own the console edition, as it's equally fun to play on the go.

The controls are excellent, the create-a-player and versus options will keep you entertained and the presentation won't let you down. Yup, the Soul still burns.

Pocket Climber delivers a surprisingly fun experience that's great for just a few minutes or hours per day.

If you've savored and exhausted all of the content in the original game, then you'll already know that this is a dollar very well spent.

Doctor Who strikes a solid blow against the cynics who expect every film and TV tie-in to be a souless cash-grab. Instead, it's a very smart match-three game that offers up a surprising amount of content for a low price indeed.

It lacks the bells and whistles we expect these days, but when it comes to monster-blasting thrills, the game delivers the pulse-pounding arcade goodness fans crave.

Even though it's not the most challenging time you can have, it's a ton of fun that's guaranteed to put a smile on your face.

For the most part, though, Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time is a welcome throwback.

One of the most unique puzzle games you'll find on the App Store. Sure, it only lasts a couple of hours, but you'll have a blast. Just make sure to bring some virtual Band-Aids.

Aside from the strict multiplayer set-up and smaller issues, Puzzle Quest Galactrix is a top-notch sequel. If you need a solid portable puzzler or just want a little something different, head to Galactrix's final frontier.

It's been awhile since we've had a Nintendo DS game come along and totally kick our ass, but Bangai-O Spirits does it in a very good way.

The game's change in tempo may turn off some players, but don't be fooled. This is still the genuine Viewtiful Joe article, especially in the face of the somewhat limp GameCube Red Hot Rumble release.

Radiant Defense may not be an overwhelmingly original title on the App Store, and there's only so much that can be done to take the tower defense concept further. That said, Hexage's high production standards and route-changing mechanics make the game compelling enough for any existing fans of the genre.

But it's the gameplay and extras that will keep you coming back.

It's well made, super addictive and easy to get the hang of, so long as you find willing participants.

Resistance: Retribution is worth a look, thanks to its enjoyable single player campaign, sharp visuals and addictive multiplayer. PSP owners should definitely pick it up.

What's here, though, looks beautiful. Wolf Boy is without question one of the iPhone's most attractive 2-D games, full of pretty hand drawn artwork and cool special effects. We just wish there was more variety.

League of Evil 2 offers more of the same, which is definitely a good thing, since the first title is so much fun. For just $0.99 (the sale price, so be sure to act quickly), it makes for a great virtual companion, whether you intend to play for a few minutes or several hours.

Crosswords Plus is one of the handheld's more enjoyable and satisfying puzzle games, one that overflows with value. It lacks visual punch, but pound for pound, it goes quite well with a tropical drink.

There are hundreds of ways to style your character at the beginning.

Of course, outstanding graphics don't make a great game. Rainbow Six: Shadow Vanguard is without question one of the App Store's premier first person shooters.

Despite the fact little has changed, Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07 is one of the most playable golf games you'll stumble across, and it does justice to the PSP.

The main reason why I like The Sacred Stones is because it looks and feels old school, meaning it's reminiscent of classic NES RPGs, but beyond its look this is a quality turn-based experience that'll last you for hours.