It’s impossible to read a Kotaku comment thread about iPhone or iPad games without wading through a bevy of grumpy dissenters—disgruntled gamers who say things like “iPad games aren’t real games!” and “lol iPhone.”
This isn’t exactly surprising. A few weeks ago, I wrote an op-ed about how Apple’s ubiquitous devices won’t win over the living rooms of hardcore gamers. They just don’t have the controls.
https://lastchance.cc/why-apples-new-ipad-wont-win-over-the-xbox-gamer-5891418%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
Look, I totally understand where the dissenters are coming from. Just a few years ago, I was one of them. I’d grumble whenever Japanese developers like Square Enix created games like Final Fantasy IV: The After Years for mobile platforms. I’d sigh at the thought of kids playing games on phones and tablets while riding the bus to school. Why weren’t they gaming on DSs and PSPs?
Then I got an iPhone. And slowly but surely, I started to realize how much gaming potential it really had.
Sure, many of its cheap games are mindless timewasters. Games like Angry Birds and Jetpack Joyride have found success with the “pick up and play for 30 seconds or two hours” model. And it can be hard to sort through the junk ripoffs and clones and other nonsense on Apple’s iTunes Store
iPhones and iPads are now a playground for independent developers.
But it’s becoming clear that the iOS library goes way deeper than that. Deep, original games like Chaos Rings and Sword & Poker 2 have stolen quite a few hours of my time. Ports like Final Fantasy Tactics and Secret of Mana prove that even the classics can work well on touch screens. And the upcoming iPad remakes of Baldur’s Gate and Baldur’s Gate II are two of my most-anticipated games of the year.
https://lastchance.cc/the-12-best-games-for-the-ipad-5878797%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
While console makers struggle to find ways to eliminate used games and usher their customers into the digital age, iOS is already there. Mobile developers don’t have to worry that GameStop is running its own garage sale with their products. Every iTunes purchase is a new purchase.
As for the iTunes Store’s biggest advantage over GameStop? Shopping there won’t make you feel like you need a shower.
It’s important to note that iOS games aren’t going to kill consoles anytime soon (and that it’s silly to even have that conversation). But as gamers, we’d be remiss to ignore mobile and tablet gaming as an alternative to our standard consoles. And if you’re not playing games on a mobile or tablet device, you’re missing out on some wonderful experiences. So please, stop pretending iPhone and iPad games aren’t real games. You’re only fooling yourself.
The 12 Best Games for the iPad
Stop watching movies on your iPad. Stop browsing the web.
Your iPad can play some great games.
iPad games that shine use the extra screen space and sharper resolution to deliver touch gaming that captivates. More »
https://lastchance.cc/the-12-best-games-on-the-iphone-5878819%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
The 12 Best Games on the iPhone
You’ve got yourself an iPhone and you want to play some games on it. You might not want to just plunge into the App store. It’s a jungle, and it is full of bad games.
Let us help you. More »
