BattleLore: Command can take its place in the pantheon of must-have board games for iOS or Android. It has the feel of a wargame or miniatures game, but is far more accessible and easy to learn.

Nintendo and WayForward deliver the blueprint to the perfect remake with Avance Wars 1+2 Re-Boot Camp, offering new ways to engage with timeless gameplay. Whether it be for fans of the series or strategy newcomers, there’s something special here that is worthy of the endless hours of play.

It’s not (yet) as big of a sandbox as Panzer Corps or as lavishly detailed as a Shenandoah offering, but Wars and Battles is a top-notch wargame of rare quality.

Her Story is a unique experience. You’ve never played anything like this before, and might never get the chance to play anything like it again.

With the digital version, the bookkeeping is automatic and the game is so much quicker than its cardboard counterpart that, if you’re in a no-win situation, it’s easy to just reset and start again. All of that combines to make digital Sentinels the ideal way to play Sentinels.

Even with a few minor quips, this a fantastic port of a classic that is immediately accessible and works in both ten minute bursts or a long weekend session. Essential.

If you are a fan of turn-based strategy titles then Warbits has everything you need.

Miracle Merchant is a simple yet compelling solitaire game with a winning mix of finesse and fortune that will win over a wide variety of players.

Cublo managed to take a game with a lot of information and complex interactions and turn it into a fantastic digital edition that both fans of Brass and newcomers to Wallace designs can enjoy.

Atlantic Fleet retains the endlessly playable turn-based combat of its predecessor, but now it’s been fitted with a thoughtfully designed open-ended strategy game superstructure.

Lost Portal is a very fun and well-designed game. It provides a great CCG experience wrapped in an interesting RPG story. Best of all, it scratches the Magic itch without draining your wallet. This game might very well sit next to Card Crawl and other hall-of-fame games on my iPhone forever.

Paranormasight is a masterpiece. With a dizzying web of interwoven narratives, an uncanny ability to blur the lines of fact and fiction, and a thoroughly thrilling atmosphere, it’s truly the gold standard of engaging visual novels and a must for anyone fascinated by the deliciously dark world of the supernatural and the occult.

As a source of insight into history, what Twilight Struggle does better than any other game I've played (as if it needs more trophies on its mantel) is provide some perspective on how different it felt to live during the Cold War.

Civilization VI is a great game, but you already knew that. The iPad port is exceedingly well done and well worth the consideration of any fan of the franchise or turn-based strategy genre.

In the end, Bridge Constructor Portal is a fantastic puzzle game, and a thoroughly Portal title. I fully recommend it to anyone with a passing interest either in the genre or the franchises, even at full price. Now excuse me, while I go build more testing chambers and wholly endanger test subjects' lives. You know, for science.

Cinco Paus is, quite literally, a revelation. Strongly recommended for enterprising word-nerds as well as puzzle- or min/max-minded individuals who don't mind trafficking in vagaries and risk.

Easy to learn, hard to master is now schlocky ad-speak for multiplayer games, but Antihero lives up to that slogan and more, all while serving up a variety of play modes with style.

Seeing the end result of your work, particularly when you zoom out and see the entire network of tiny dots across your tangled mess of concrete, is oddly charming. There is a rough-and-ready crudeness about Freeways that has totally won me over. I’ve restarted maps countless times - even ones I’ve completed, because there’s always improvements that can be made to your mangled creations. Because of how fiddly it can get, I do wonder if it'll ever release onto phones as currently it's tablet only. However, for its price, if you’re even remotely curious I would say pick it up.

Charming, witty and as addictive as a bag of chips with lashings of salt and vinegar.

A fast and addictive card game with silky-smooth gameplay - Meteorfall rocks.

Infection is one of the good ones, a board game port that will live on my iPad for a long time, and one that has me excited to see what other board games HexWar might be bringing to the platform.

Vampire Survivors lauds over all other mobile titles as the most engaging casual game, and the Legacy of the Moonspell DLC only adds to this. The new location is dynamic, while fresh weapons and characters offer new ways to get creative with builds. Considering the price point, we couldn’t ask for anything more.

Mediterranea Inferno is a must-play visual novel that explores the intricacies of generational trauma, queer subculture, and our sense of connection in a post-pandemic world with nuance and without shying away from the gorier aspects of the human experience.

It's a bold, punchy and handsome tactical combat game that just works.

7 Mages takes the best qualities of classic dungeon-crawlers while adding its own twists, a combination which makes it one of the best RPGs on the App Store.

The content included in the game is absolutely worth the purchase price, and I didn't feel like I missed out on much by not spending more. The game is intensely engaging with a light-hearted tone that makes it a real pleasure to jump in to. Tweaks to the Kingdom Rush formula should please long-time fans and jaded TD players who have seen everything. If you're new to this kind of game, Vengeance is a great, entertaining jumping off point.

A simple yet satisfying game that’s perfect for the Switch. Pick it up and play between meetings or sink several hours in at a time.

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom takes the magic of Breath of the Wild and makes it bigger, sillier, and much more fun. It’s an excellent time, packed to the brim with beauty and joy, and there’s nothing like it on the Switch.

Smartly designed with some wonderful visuals and enthralling entertainment. Well worth plundering.

Live A Live is a phenomenal RPG that's sure to delight new and old fans alike. Each chapter tells a story with its own cast, time, and location, yet all are done seamlessly and they tie together nice to form the overarching story. Then, to top it all off, the combat is fantastic, well designed, and exactly what you'd expect from a title that utilises turn-based mechanics.

A super stealthy, strategy game-of-the-year contender.

If you're a fan of real-time combat games Barbearian is easy to recommend as it is certainly one of the better mobile titles in the genre. It looks great, is loaded with smashy goodness and visceral feel, and is a ton of fun to play. It offers plenty of challenge without nearing the rage-quit-and-never-look-at-the-game-again reaction some similar games seem to elicit. The ability to micromanage the difficulty and completely control the UI layout is just icing on the cake.

A Good Snowman Is Hard To Build is a delightful little puzzle game.

As a sequel, Euclidean Skies is as different from its predecessor as it can be while maintaining the core puzzle tactics concept. It’s not perfect, but it’s better for it.

Space Grunts is a winner, have no doubt.

It may be slightly more demanding up-front than a Tetris sure, but show it a fraction of the forbearance given to an RPG or a 4X game and you’ll be entranced by a beautifully efficient design that makes the player feel like some arcane trickster genius.

Draknek's game is difficult but hospitable, obviously made with great joy and care. Cosmic Express is an elegant and wonderful chance for you to surprise yourself, to laugh at your foibles and cleverness in turn.

With it's original style and finely honed gameplay, either Severed is a crazy diamond of a game or I'm tripping. Or both.

Once again, inkle Studios has bested themselves in creating the gold standard for interactive fiction, and causing us all to start wondering when the next chapter will arrive.

Donkey Kong Bananza elevates the 3D platformer genre with highly engaging mechanics, an almost entirely sandbox environment, and buckets of charm. This isn’t just the game that I’ve wanted to play for years without even knowing it, but it’s the first truly must-have Nintendo Switch 2 release. As I’m writing this, I already can’t wait to go back for more.

You Must Build A Boat is such a rare combination of frenetic speed and methodical planning that its closest relative might be Dark Souls.

Short little romp over the skies of England with some nice replay value. Well worth the asking price.

Board gamers, card players, deck builders, competitive gamers, architects, city planners, and anybody else who loves games that are just plain awesome will find this Concrete Jungle well worth their time. At $5 it's a no-brainer and my review would remain unchanged at double the price. Add this one to your mobile-game collection, you won't regret it.

If you wanted to pick fault with this, it would be a lack of any kind of single-player campaign. But that's a nice to have, an extra feather in the hats of the creme de la creme of mobile adaptations like Galaxy Trucker. It isn't necessary in an economic game like this. And however you feel about economic games - and player interaction - this version of Race of the Galaxy is good enough to be worth your cosmic dollars.

A tablet game based on a card game based on a tabletop RPG based on another tabletop RPG maybe isn't where I should have gone looking for an original game, yet this is one of the great fantasy games on iOS.

Crafted to perfection; here is a game that settles on a simple mechanic and absolutely nails it. One of the best mobile strategy games of the year.

A breeze to control, exciting to play and to excessively replay, laden with tactical playgrounds.

Visually rich and a real corker of a design, Card Thief is a must-try for puzzle or solitaire aficionados and a good starting point as any for newcomers.

Michael Brough has struck gold yet again with Imbroglio, one of the best iOS games of the past few years.

Oh…Sir! has replaced Star Realms as my go to competitive online multiplayer game.

Though outside our usual remit, this game is so unusual and of rare quality that it has proved itself a rising star. Astrologaster is a pitch-perfect musical comedy of (medical) errors.

Yes, yes, a million hollow moons yes, Cultist Simulator is a good game, the kind which will haunt your waking moments with its patterns and intricacies. The app is so easy to use, making the repetition of the game dreamlike rather than simply dull, and though I’ve beaten it twice and wasn’t sure I could tackle another go-around, it seems like I’m a born again cultist. I’ll remember my fleshsack days fondly, looking back from the seat of the Glory upon those quotidian beginnings. But first I have to finish this last bit of research...

Guild of Dungeoneering has a distinctive look, challenging, original gameplay, and a snarky bard. What's not to like?

Ball bouncing has never looked or felt better than it does in Holedown, a game that proves that there’s always a more interesting way to do the things we’ve been doing for years.

The controls aren’t perfect and it’s still on the short side, but The Room Three delivers exactly what you’re promised: brooding and beautiful atmosphere with epic-length puzzles to solve.

A smart expansion of incredible action foundations, PlatinumGames’ latest entry delivers a wild story and defies expectations while presenting heartwarming themes at its core. Bayonetta 3 is an action masterpiece, offering a veritable feast for fans of the Umbra witch and closing out the trilogy with the biggest and best entry yet.

Euclidean Lands feels right at home on a touchscreen device. The ease of moving the environment about feels graceful and natural, and the smooth animations help to make the game feel satisfying to play, especially when the geometry expands out, showing more of the level hidden underneath. The art style invokes M.C Escher, and overall has a rich, warm tone that is pleasing on the eye. Playing at pace you will find around 3-4 hours worth of gameplay, but that could be bumped up if you struggle with some of the more complex stages.

For those of us that have played Kairosoft’s Game Dev Story, this game will feel very familiar. Replace the graphics with Kairosoft’s trademark pixel art and, on the surface at least, the two games would be hard to tell apart. However, look a little deeper and you will realise that Game Dev Tycoon has a lot more to offer, both in terms of depth and opportunities to experiment with different approaches. The presentation is clear and simple, and overall, it just feels like the game has found its true home on touchscreen devices -- and it works equally well whether you choose to play in short sessions or over longer periods. My one real gripe is that the endlessly looping music quickly becomes irritating; it would have been lovely to have a soundtrack based on the chip music of different eras.

It's easy to bemoan the dearth of complex, satisfying gameplay on mobile, and especially in the tower defense genre, but you can't do that here. Dungeon Warfare is certainly not the first dungeon-themed tower defense game, but it’s rare to see it done with so much verve.

It is truly a fantastic gamebook and a great way to spend time with Shakespeare, even if you end up searching for sunken ships on the bottom of the North Sea.

Halcyon 6: Lightspeed Edition produces a nexus of meaningful, distinct strategic choices within a well-considered narrative and audiovisual package.

A superbly original and exceptionally presented colour matching tactical game that's all too brief. This should be remedied when the extra episodes are released.

There’s something about a solitaire card game that really does it for me, and Card Crawl is one of the best I’ve played.

This is the Enlightenment in video game form, and that’s a perspective I can really appreciate in moderation.

Hadean Lands is an endlessly clever experience.

Having not played Planescape: Torment before, it took a while for the game to really get its hooks into me. It all felt a bit too sprawling and slow moving, and the complicated interface did not help matters. Then you get into a fight and discover that watching the tiny, blurry characters take laboured swings at each other is hardly the stuff of legend. But keep playing and eventually something magical happens, as your character and supporting cast spring to life. My advice is to put aside any initial negative impressions and throw yourself into this engrossing story, with its excellent characters, strange happenings, intelligent plot twists and even a smattering of philosophical debate.

It’s a nearly perfect port of a classic PC game, something we haven’t really seen since Firaxis brought us XCOM.

Metroid Prime is one of the best games in action history, and now it gets an upgraded release that sets a new high-water mark for remasters across the industry. Gorgeous visuals, fantastic control options, and stunning sound design, all make this the best way to play Samus’ stellar sci-fi epic.

It can be convincingly argued that Rodeo are the Blizzard of mobile gaming at this point — their commitment to polish and detail is like no other mobile-focused game dev studio going.

Shards of Infinity is a polished deck builder that's perfect for two. A great app of a great card game.

Skate Story is an emotional triumph. It's not just about the art of skateboarding, but the community and shared space within it. Between woes about doing laundry and helping a pigeon finish their manuscript, it blends a realistic approach to tricking with a sensational sense of momentum. With an incredible soundtrack and haunting visuals to shred through, it's an incredible odyssey about what it means to be human.

Pocket Card Jockey: Ride On is the best card game on Apple Arcade, the best sports game on Apple Arcade, and, well, it might just be the best game on Apple Arcade. With exhilarating mechanics, hours of content, and idiosyncrasy like no other sports or card game, there’s no reason not to try your luck with the ponies.

An excellent sci-fi SRPG that will provide countless hours of fun once you get over its initially intimidating scope.

With a touch of endless runner, a dash of MMO, and just a sprinkling of puzzles, Sky: Children of the Light soars to lofty heights.

Evolution is a brilliantly thematic and enjoyable experience that does an excellent job of simulating the struggle for survival.

Reigns: Her Majesty is perhaps the perfect time-filler. A game that's as fun played for a second with the swiping of a single card as it is for an hour or a day. And, like all the best games, it taught me something. That even when you're caught between two choices, a rock and a hard place, it's important to stay true to your ideals.

Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is itself and loudly. It is what it is without a hint of doubt. It’s the perfect videogame, inasmuch as it takes everything that makes the series special and turns it up louder, down darker. It does what it wants.

Kick back, relax, and get completely stupid, wacky, and weird, because the best game of 2026 is here. I can’t put this game down, and if you’re a fan of life simulators, I just know the same will be true for you, too.

The most addictive and polished way to live out your fantasies of taking the Iron Throne in Reigns' best version to date.

A frankly phenomenal attention to detail, alongside a variety of interesting additions to level design, powers, and the brilliant new badge system, make this Mario’s finest outing in a generation. Super Mario Bros. Wonder is pure Nintendo magic, and an A-Team of veteran Nintendo talent with a fresh injection of younger developers is responsible for the most refreshing, satisfying, and addictive Mario game since Super Mario World. This is the Mario game the Switch deserves and the start of Mario’s new legacy.

Many may dismiss Flipflop Solitaire as yet another solitaire game but happily it is possible to find sparks of genius in the most mundane of places. If you have no interest in Solitaire then this isn’t going to change your mind, it may also struggle to attract a casual audience, as it is a barebones app with no gimmicky mascots or tacked-on theme. For players familiar with the traditional version there will initially a bit of a learning curve as your brain gets accustomed to the demands of taking a more flexible approach. However, the effort is well worth it, so download it for free; you have nothing to lose - apart from hours of your life.

After what seems like forever, we’ve finally got Pikmin 4 and it does not disappoint. Head into the undergrowth armed with a planty platoon and your trusty dog Oatchi to uncover mystery and treasures in a delightful adventure.

For those with an interest in the period or the temperament to appreciate its pitched battles, Pike and Shot’s mix of the cerebral and the visceral make it a compelling and unique game, and its range and longevity of content make it an essential purchase.

Initially obtuse but ultimately highly rewarding spiritual sequel to one of the App Store's biggest hits.

ARC Raiders doubles down that Embark Studios is force of nature in the shooter space. It runs great on handheld PCs and is ideal for newcomers and veterans alike. With best-in-class sound design, gripping firefights, and a brilliant social system to explore, no match is the same within the Rust Belt.

Rogue Wizards is an excellent tactical RPG. The line-of-sight graphical style is appealing and the game is easy to play and understand. If you enjoy tons of loot and optimizing a character's gear, it is the game for you. It really scratched the Diablo 3 itch for me right from my phone. What's more, the game is free and its monetization system is smart and respectful of players. I hope the developer finds success with it and that more freemium game makers experiment with these types of approaches.

Taking many of the best elements from both Animal Crossing and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Lil Gator Game tells a beautiful story and provides countless enjoyable experiences along the way. This is easily the most wholesome game of the year, if not the decade.

Eastward is a beautiful love letter to old school RPGs and arcade games, bursting with unique characters, amazing attention to detail, stunning retro-pixel artwork, and a moving story that is bound to stay with you.

Shin Megami Tensei V is a traditional RPG with dense gameplay, a fantastic cast of demonic creatures, and some of the best visuals on Switch. It’s a stellar experience that holds steadfast to its old-school origins but gives the huge world and gameplay mechanics just enough smart changes to make every moment a blast. A sinister, magnificent, and deeply satisfying new contender for the best RPG on Switch.

If you like the first entry, a series of smart improvements mean there’s a very good chance you’re going to love Octopath Traveler II. This is still a grand, and traditional JRPG adventure, so get ready for nearly 100 hours of turn-based battles and deep, intricate stories. However, with dynamic visuals, addictive combat, and a deep and intertwining story that features all eight of your characters, Octopath Traveler II is an utterly sublime JRPG experience and now sits as one of the best of its kind on Nintendo Switch.

Opus: Echo of Starsong has many layers of narrative combined with numerous game mechanics, and it manages to make them all feel vital. Most importantly, though, its heartfelt story is one I will never forget, told in the perfect way.

Drinkbox Studios has made its best game yet, as Nobody Saves the World brings a fresh tone to dungeon crawling, alongside incredibly satisfying gameplay. You’ll never run out of ways to combine your attacks or new threats to face, and with its quick, gratifying action and colourful world, it's a perfect match for the Switch.

Persona 3 Reload is a wonder on Nintendo Switch 2, which uses the classic Persona formula of sending you - a school child - on a hero’s journey surrounded by friends. Embark on a remake of an epic tale that feels familiar, but sparkles with a new voice cast, soundtrack, and graphics.

Meteorfall: Krumit's Tale is roguelike deck building at its best - quirky, inventive, and most of all, fun.

Much like the original version, the Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe is a cryptic manifesto on game design as much as it is a game in itself, made even more playable with responsive controls on Switch and no noticeable bugs or issues. On stepping out of office 427, you find laughter, existential crises, and moments of pure bewilderment in equal amounts, and you’ll cherish every second.

Eve Echoes succeeds in channeling the classic Eve experience, while also streamlining for new players, bringing the game to a platform well-suited for its idle elements.

Brutal and beautiful. Those are the two words that describe MIO: Memories in Orbit. The game offers a stunning world that’s matched by an equally gorgeous soundtrack, while the level design, enemies, and bosses force you to learn and adapt if you want to survive.

Despite the flaws of the gacha system and microtransactions, Disney Mirrorverse is a powerhouse mobile RPG, and it certainly fits the bill for any Disney fan, with fun combat, a great story, and a fantastic reimagination of your favourite Disney characters.