The look and feel of it screams cheap Flash game, but something about it makes it difficult to walk away from it.

Right now, I’d only recommend NBA 2K24 on Steam Deck if you skipped the last year or two of games. If you haven’t played these games in a while, NBA 2K24 runs and looks great on Steam Deck, and is a fun basketball game to play. The push to virtual currency in specific game modes definitely holds this back, alongside the lack of new modes and features on PC. Hopefully NBA 2K25 on PC will see it finally get the full feature set. Right now, I’d recommend NBA 2K24 more on Xbox Series X (or PS5) than PC, but the PC version plays great on Steam Deck if you’re after a great portable experience.

If super careful timing sounds good to you, then you're probably going to like this game.

It's a no-frills platformer that hearkens back to an era of simplicity, which comes with its own set of flaws and issues. But as someone who grew up during that era and has put up with worse, I could put up with those problems to find an interesting little surprise at the end of the tunnel.

In its current state with the visual issue caveat, I recommend TopSpin 2K25 if you really like tennis. It could’ve been better, but I’ve enjoyed the time I’ve put into it. I’m not sure if this will become a yearly series for 2K, but I’m glad to see TopSpin return. I look forward to seeing what future updates bring for the game.

While I’ll certainly say it’s still worth checking out, I feel like some minor tweaks could make it far more enjoyable.

As far as built-for-mobile action RPGs go, Reaper is worth every free second you have - if you find yourself enjoying what you see from the freemium period. The beauty of free-to-try is… you get to see for yourself. My job is then to tell you what comes after.

I don't think there's enough here to keep the interest of those who aren't fans of TMNT, but if spending a day or two bashing scores of Foot soldiers with the brothers sounds like a good time to you, Portal Power won't let you down.

There's plenty of content to play through, with 80 levels currently in the game and more coming in updates. Burn the Rope is definitely worth a look if you're interested in a unique puzzle game, and if you aren't afraid to spin your device around in public.

There's little creativity, but there's effective design. In a genre so saturated as TD, however, it takes both to stand out.

Swords & Arrows, like the game it pays homage to, is an easy-to-pick up, fun way to wage war with your friends, and it's quite welcome in my software library anytime.

Headland is worth considering if you’re looking for some simple monster mashing enjoyment, but don’t expect it to tax your skills or wits in any serious fashion.

Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance is a good port of a decent game from an era before we knew the blessings of even Tobey Maguire’s Spider-Man. It can’t compete in most little ways and even a lot of big ways. But there is a purity to it, being from that era. It isn’t trying to sell you gems at every turn. It has no DLC or any intentions of such. No unlockable skins or guest characters. You can log in every day and you will have nothing extra to show for it. Here is the game. Here is the adventure. Here is the ending. Thank you for your ten dollars (Er, um, five dollars if you happen to catch its very-soon-after-release sale price–Ed). That’s kind of lovely, even if there are a lot of parts of it that aren’t. It might be the tonic you’re looking for right now, because we frankly don’t see a lot of things like this on mobile anymore.

Labyrinth Legend is one of those games that is nice to play when you want something relatively mindless to pass the time with. In that respect, it does what it does well. It’s engaging enough to keep you from getting bored, but it doesn’t demand a lot of heavy decision-making or tests of dexterity. The story isn’t very interesting, the setting is as generic as it gets, and I can’t really say it has any special gameplay mechanics to set it apart. This is not a game that will live in my memory very long now that I’ve completed it. But I can’t say I didn’t have a good time slowly digesting it over the course of a few evenings.

Gleamer doesn't aim too high, but as a result, it feels very grounded and straightforward, with a unique visual style to boot. You know exactly what you're getting into here, and the precision platforming holds up despite a few design flaws.

With more games this could be a must-buy for those of you have a friend to play with. Just temper your expectations.

The game marginalizes its one clever hook, but it's still clever! And I think that long-term, I can see auto-battling being useful for most people. I just can't get around that it exists and sinks a game I otherwise really enjoyed.

If you don’t mind a slower-paced puzzler, Gematombe might be of interest to you. Its fundamental rules and gameplay mechanics work well, the art style is vibrant and appealing, and it offers a lot of ways to play. Those looking for a speedier affair might find this one a little plodding for their liking, and its lack of any sort of online multiplayer or leaderboards also hurts it a little. Not bad for a first attempt, but I could imagine a sequel that builds on things and really takes it to another level.

While Feed Me Oil 2 is wrapped in a rather pretty package, it's still fundamentally the same game as it predecessor, and doesn't push the puzzle genre in any way. Having said that, if you loved the original, this one is a no-brainer.

Like a lot of endless games out there, Kayos doesn't break the mold or check any boxes than you'd typically see checked by the genre. It does, however, offer up an escape for a short while into a beautiful opaque world of sights and sounds.

While not reinventing the genre, Wolf Boy is an entertaining game with plenty of action, although it can tend to feel a bit repetitive.

Wild Dogs isn’t without its issues. The bosses drag on a bit too long thanks to their high HP, some of the gimmick sections aren’t terribly fun, and the game just can’t get out of the shadow of the game it’s paying homage to and lacks much identity of its own as a result. It’s also single-player only, which is unfortunate given how much of an appeal point that was for Konami’s shooter. But it gets enough of that Contra energy right that fans of the series will likely have a good time stomping through it, and maybe that’s enough.

The First Tactics is kind of like a pomegranate. It's good, but it's such a pain in the neck to get at the delicious bits that it's tempting to just grab something easier to get into.

If you’ve enjoyed all of the previous Reigns games and haven’t played this one before on mobile, you’ll have a pleasant time digging into Reigns: Three Kingdoms. On the other hand, if you’re like and have felt a little burnt out on the last couple of games in the series, I’m not sure this one will really thrill you despite its new elements. Reigns: Three Kingdoms tries to teach this old dog a new trick or two, but in the end it’s still relying on the same old show.

The game's admittedly cheesy fun is kind of spoiled by all of the technical issues, but as long as you go in with the patience to deal with them, I think you'll find the game has a lot of charm. Awkward charm, goofy charm even, but charm nonetheless.

While Dungeon Rushers offers a lot of fun for at least a few hours, some balance issues see it turn into something of a party guest that just doesn't know when to go home. Even when it hits that point, it's not as though it becomes actively unpleasant. It's just a bit wearisome and out of new topics. If you don't mind the idea of making slow progress through a game through a ton of shorter sessions, you'll probably have a blast with Dungeon Rushers.

If you’re a fan of the genre, this should provide a nice challenge. For the average joe, however, there are just too many other similar games on the App Store to say for sure whether you'll click with this particular brand of tower-based defending over any other.

Webbies might be casual-friendly, but it's got plenty of potential for those of us looking for more of a challenge.

At the end of the day, Kavinsky is a shiny, shallow, yet highly enjoyable romp through the 1980s and well worth picking up, especially considering that the game is totally free and there is no IAP to speak of.

If you're a fan of Mortal Kombat then you'll likely get enough enjoyment out of this version of Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 to justify the purchase, but if you're looking for a comparable fighting experience to the iOS version of Street Fighter IV then you may want to hold off and see how this game evolves over time.

There's quite a bit of fun to be had from playing Crazy Taxi: City Rush. It's buried deep under its heavily-monetized metagame, full of energy systems, wait timers, and currency systems, in a way that is extremely labyrinthine, and I wish the energy system wasn't there at all, or at least had a way to buy out of it, but they far from ruin this game.

The drop off in pace from Iron Age to Classical Age was too sharp as it felt like I'd suddenly run out of things to do, but otherwise this is a solid game with exceptionally high production values and a fair free-to-play system.

Atlantis Invaders, like the original Atlantis, is basically a re-jiggered take on the Missile Command formula that, to today's gamers, will exude a retro feel.

Like a real waterslide, it’s cheap, kinda shallow, and won’t last forever. But it’s an undeniably good time while it does last.

A fun shooter with a silly premise, and worth picking up if you can ignore the ads rotating on the main menu.

As a game, Pinball Quest is just mediocre in my books. It’s interesting to be sure, but the physics make things really annoying. Still, it’s nice to see games like this given a shot at capturing a new audience with rereleases like this. City Connection has done a good job with this wrapper and its suite of features, even if it’s not the prettiest thing around. If you have an interest in this game or have happy memories of it, this is a good way to explore it. Just keep in mind that the featured game is one with plenty of rough edges, so if you want a sick game of pinball you may want to look to Zen Studios instead.

NFL Rivals certainly adds new social gaming features as well as a fresh coat of paint in the NFL license and an upgraded graphics system. However, in the end, the gameplay is nearly identical to Backbreaker Football and may not be worth your while.

With cool powerups, a strategic multiplier element, and charming graphics, Bounce On Up is worth taking a look at even if you've previously had your fill of this type of game.

If you're able to overlook its flaws, Bird Strike is a ton of fun.

The crowd-sourced level generation systems are excellent, but new locales may not be enough to preserve your interest in Cubemen2's just okay gameplay.

So take your hallucination-inducing antimalarials, zip up your fancy weatherproof jacket, and stop to get a cup of chicha (fermented quinoa) before heading out into the jungle. There are ruins to be documented and/or pilfered!

A cautious recommendation. If you can stomach the mild horror of obliterating humanity, if you can handle a somewhat clunky port, it's pretty great to have Pandemic on the go.

Overall, Man of Steel is a solid game.

Those who can play it will enjoy this interesting take on the Batman mythos and the difficult choices that come with being Bruce and Batman. You can play the character as a knight in shining armor or as a vigilante barely skirting the limits of the law. Either way, I think you'll enjoy Episode 1, Realms of Shadows; if you can actually play it that is.

I don't think it's as fun as other iOS laserdisc ports like Road Blaster [$4.99/HD] and Cobra Command [$6.99], but Mad Dog McCree does a solid job at translating the gunslinging action of the arcade original to the touchscreen of iOS. If you're a fan of the source material, then you should be pretty satisfied with this port.

Gigantic: Rampage Edition with cross platform play and with how well it plays on Steam Deck is worth your time if you have people to play with despite the few issues I have with certain aspects of the experience. I worry for the online population, but this is a solid base at a low asking price. I just hope some sort of story mode can be added as future DLC or in an update.

Fans of rail shooters and Cotton should get what they want from it, but others may want to find better options for their action kicks.

It's just a little too insubstantial on the whole for me to give it a really strong recommendation.

If you mean to seriously get into JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: All-Star Battle R, you’re probably better off heading over to one of the other platforms where it runs at 60 fps. This Switch port is solid enough to play, however, and JoJo fans will likely have a good time with it. Discriminating fighting game aficionados will probably want to look elsewhere for their Switch satisfaction, though.

I think if you're interested in trying a game of this genre, Fable Age isn't a bad choice, especially if the theme works for you. I doubt it's going to steal away many players from Puzzle & Dragons or Brave Frontier, but it's certainly a competent, if not all that exciting, entry into the ranks.

PYXL is really fun, and if you liked Super Hexagon and want to check out something similar (if not as stylish), you should give it a look.

All in all, this is a great compendium with lashings more style than any of its closest rivals. But there's a snag: these are the only two games included, and two games do not a compendium make. There's a placeholder for a third mini-game, but as yet the digital cupboard is bare.

Wraithborne is Alpha Dogs' freshman effort, and it's not a bad one: it's well-realized within its own confines and makes good use of its visuals and level design. It's probably a bit short and shallow, but touch-controlled action gaming is really difficult, and Wraithborne stakes its claim valiantly.

The game itself is just OK, but the One Piece wrapping makes it quite enjoyable.

Worth checking out if you’ve played the developer’s other releases and want more. I just wish the in-game mechanics were better explained for newcomers, and that the systems were a bit more polished to make the game hit the quality I expect from Experience Inc.

Those who delight in making Mii doppelgangers and watching them get into hilarious situations will have a blast with Miitopia, but if that doesn’t sound like something you’re interested in doing, you’re probably better off steering clear.

For a free game that doesn't pull any punches, Crazy Alien Invaders is a nice little ride.

I’m not used to a mobile game, even a free-to-play one, that feels so limited in terms of play time (the one egg every 20 minutes thing). The collectibles trickle in, and it will take weeks to get them all – a good thing for F2P titles, keeping players coming back. I expect NomNoms is either the type of game to grab you, or something someone would pick up and delete almost immediately.

The strategy the game forces you to use in choosing which humans to sacrifice to save the rest of the population from the zombie infection is a unique gameplay element that we enjoyed.

With how polarized the reactions on the forums have been regarding the controls, it really seems like Touch Racing Nitro is a game that badly needs a lite version.

Cordy doesn't bring a whole lot of innovation to the table, but, even with some slightly off physics, it's a game that makes a lasting visual impression first and plays well-enough second.

If you're looking for a game that will keep you rapt for hours, Mr. Dreamer isn't it. When you need something to fill a brief, daydreamy break, though, it does a wonderful job.

As it is, iBomber Attack's biggest complaint may be that its too simple.

If you're in the mood for something light, you'll probably appreciate the charms of The Daring Mermaid Expedition, but it feels like it could have been a lot more.

It's a competent port though too, with no noticeable technical issues, and the new Splatter Rush Mode adds a nice new twist to the gameplay. If you can deal with the less than ideal controls then you'll find yourself having a pretty good time with this version of Splatterhouse. However, if you've never played Splatterhouse before, I doubt this version will impress you.

Abarenbo Tengu & Zombie Nation gives a fairly good treatment to a game you wouldn’t expect to see receive any love. In spite of the title, this is just a single game with two regional variants on offer. But it is such a bizarre game that it’s worth experiencing just to see what happens. From a gameplay point of view it’s not of the highest quality, but it isn’t bad either. In terms of content, design, and mechanics, it is extremely unusual for a game of its vintage. I think it’s more for the curious spelunker of history than those looking for lost treasures, but I’m glad it exists.

Regardless of these gripes, Pod Odyssey is a solid arcade-style maze crawler that gets a lot of the basics correct. If you're looking for a challenging (but short) game to test your precise reflexes, and you don't mind putting the accelerometer in your iPad to good use, give Pod Odyssey a try.

What's here is promising and certainly worth checking out if you're into interactive fiction, but a lot of the story, systems, and scope of the game will only become apparent in a month or two when it's had a chance to spread its wings a bit.

In the crowded iOS racing genre, there's a growing collection of decent racing titles that either focus on killer visuals or innovative gameplay (with the best succeeding in both). Table Top Racing falls in the former category with a fun visual style that does a good job eliciting feelings of nostalgia. Whether that's enough to differentiate itself from the pack is a matter of opinion, but as far as racing titles go you can do a lot worse.

If you're the kind of person who wants a highly detailed in-depth baseball game, Flick Baseball isn't the game for you. Everything in Flick Baseball seems to be optimized for quick pick up and play sessions that focuses more on being fun than overly technical or difficult.

There isn't much room left for new match 3s, and Tomb Breaker is bound to have a hard time breaking in. Being less manipulative and more challenging than the competition isn't exactly a winning combo from a financial point of view. It is, however, a great reason to check the game out. If you still have love for this overplayed genre but want to spend a little more time planning than panicking, Tomb Breaker will be worth your while.

The early levels of Galaxy Express felt too easy and I often slammed down arrows without much thought. But once you reach harder levels and try to match the best scores (fewest arrows used), it becomes far more challenging and provides plenty of replay value.

In its current state, I’m not happy about a new playable character being sold as paid DLC day one, but almost everything else The Lamplighters League does is very good. It has some camera issues in specific modes and I don’t care for the stealth implementation, but I ended up enjoying my time with The Lamplighters League on Steam Deck quite a bit. I’d recommend getting it on sale if you aren’t sure it is for you, but those who enjoy the developer’s prior work will find something very interesting here.

It's a fun little game, and there are tons of tracks. It has a slightly different feel from many of the other racing games I've played on iOS thanks to its focus on giving an actual toy-like experience.

Aside from its unattractive presentation, Circix is a quality title.

Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water should please fans of the franchise who missed out on the game due to its previous Wii U-exclusive status, but not everyone is going to be pleased with some of its clunkier elements. While you aren’t helpless enough to make the game as terrifying as it could be, it’s certainly an unsettling and fascinating experience with plenty to offer those who want a hearty meal of fear on their Nintendo Switch system.

You’ll have a particularly good time if you can get some friends to play through it with you, though it never quite takes wing the way you might hope. It’s no Left 4 Dead, but as that series has yet to make its way to the Switch, I suppose it doesn’t have to be. It just needs to offer some enjoyable multiplayer undead carnage, and I suppose it handles that well enough.

Even though I enjoyed it quite a lot, I don't want to oversell the game. It's not an innovative title by any means, but while it's hewing the line pretty closely, it does so quite well. It could do with a little more challenge and a few less cliches, but it's probably one of Kemco's stronger releases to date on iOS.

Where's My Water? 2 definitely needs a few improvements if it wants to reach the quality of its predecessors, most notably a strong pull-back on its aggressive IAPs.

Despite its fairly limited strategic options, Qin is a solid board game. It will certainly appeal to fans of abstract, thoughtful games, and its simplicity is rather elegant. Still, even at higher levels it lacks staying power.

If you’re looking for something a little unique to spice up your multiplayer gaming sessions, PixelJunk Scrappers makes a compelling case. It’s not quite in that Overcooked zone where just about anyone can contribute something, but it’s not in that hardcore zone where only the super-skilled players are having fun either. Those who don’t regularly play with others might want to proceed with more caution, however. The single-player mode is missing that special zip, and finding random people to play with online is as difficult a task as it usually is for all but the biggest of games on Switch.

Grinding out coins and unlocking the crazy cast and cool arsenal is an okay way to pass the time, but there's still a certain bland taste to the whole affair that keeps Random Heroes 3 from being anything more exciting than that.

Perhaps not the best value for your money in terms of pure length, but there’s something interesting here for those willing to find it.

It's just too bad it suffers for design decisions that have nothing to do with the puzzles themselves.

All that said, Ambition Of The Slimes costs nothing to try and I can honestly say it tries harder than most to stand out from the pack. It's worth looking into for that alone, and you might just find it gels with you a little better than it did with me.

There is potential here, and I don’t regret buying this game, but I’d recommend holding off on checking it out until there are some tweaks to this crazy RNG and progression.

No matter how different the results, every game feels pretty much the same, and that really cripples its long-term appeal.

Cross Tails is a very standard turn-based tactical RPG that relies on a novel setting and the two distinct campaigns to help it stand out. Like other works from both this developer and publisher it can be a bit of a grind at times, but otherwise it’s a well-done entry into the genre that sees both parties putting their best respective foot forward. If you enjoyed any of the Mercenaries Saga games or are hungering for a decent way to scratch your strategy RPG itch, it’s worth considering Cross Tails.

I’m not the biggest fan of The Immortal, but I know it has its fans and they should be pleased with this release. The two versions of the game have many differences, so having both of them included here is nice. You get a standard set of options for each game, including save states and video options. The emulation is good, though NES and Genesis emulation isn’t exactly the most challenging of feats at this stage. Those without any existing attachment to The Immortal will want to tread carefully, as the game certainly shows its age. Those who have happy memories of dying, dying, and dying some more in this game back in the day should grab this set immediately, though.

Unless you’re completely burned out on the Darkest Dungeon variety of RPG, you’ll probably find something to like in Circus Electrique. The theme is strange enough to catch your attention, the mechanics are solid, and the added gameplay elements don’t ruin anything with their presence. The moment to moment dialogue is well-written, but the story as a whole could have been more interesting. I also think the difficulty curve could be a little smoother. Otherwise, it’s a somewhat unusual take on a concept that is becoming a bit well-worn by now, and worth checking out for fans of the genre.

Citadel 1986 is unremarkable at first glance and shines the more you experience it. While playing through many zones I had a visible smile on my face, wading through water for the next key, not wanting to put it down, and being positively reinforced after a death with a quick restart. But only the most dedicated of retro enthusiasts will get anything out of it compared to some of the more inspired work being released on mobile devices today.

Exsilium has a few design problems, but overall it hits the spot if you're looking for a casual dungeon crawler. Just don't expect the world and play it on a tablet and you should be fine.

It's amazing how well the controls have translated to touch, but the actual game needs a bit of work before every skating fan needs to pick it up.

Risky Woods is a typical QUByte release. A game that is obscure in many regions and perhaps deserves a bit more attention. Emulation that does the job but has some obvious flaws. A spartan wrapper that does nothing to help you play the game or explain why you should care about it. I’m used to all of this by now, but I get the sense that Risky Woods in particular really deserved better. Still worth a go, but you’ll probably want to look up some instructions online if you’re going to give it a shot.

If you want a solid but not spectacular Metroidvania-style game that won’t let you down or knock your socks off, Catmaze does the job. I don’t see myself returning to it all that often, but I don’t regret playing through it in the least. In a genre with so many different working parts, I suppose I have to give this one a little extra credit for not dropping the ball in any major way. It’s a completely competent Metroidvania-style game, even if it isn’t especially exciting.

The graphics are cute and colorful, though unfortunately not enhanced for Retina Display devices, and I really like the assortment of animals that bring different elements to the gameplay.

I think it's safe to say Crow is a mixed bag, but is still worth picking up because it so much uniqueness to offer. Because it does look so stellar, you can't help but wish those little design flaws (like trading a d-pad for your finger being in the middle of the screen at all times) weren't there.

The writing is sharp, the situations are amusing, and there’s a certain primal appeal to saying no to people. There are multiple endings, so although each playthrough is rather brisk, there’s quite a lot to see here. If you like the concept, you’ll probably like Negative Nancy.