We all need something to make the time go a little quicker. When you’re stuck waiting in the dentist’s office, waiting for a late train or just need something to entertain you before dinner is ready, mobile games are the comprehensive go-to-. Thankfully we have an abundance of choices and a mixture of oldies and new hits that we can all enjoy. But there are some games that don’t have depth, that will only capture our attention for a few minutes before becoming repetitive and boring. There are also some games that seem to be free, but in order to get the best tools and equipment of your city, character or profile, you must pay. You may or may not like this, which is why we offer a varied guide to help you download and play the best games on the market

An oldie made new?

Mario Kart Tour was an incredible game when it first came out on the SNES in 1992. Nintendo has synced, focussed on elaborating the series to new platforms and expanding its reach to the mobile arena. Consequently, Mario Kart Tour is a free-to-play mobile game that is not exclusive to any platform. You can have this game on iOS or Android and usually works best on phones that have been built from 2016 onwards. It's based on the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe version of the series, which is on the Nintendo Switch. 

The stages have been redesigned to fit the mobile platform. This means that some of the detail in textures has been replaced with less demanding polygons and detail in the characters and karts has been increased. It's a game which you can also play online, facing off against other unknown players from around the world. The game is free to play, but the best upgrades will have to be bought. However, these microtransactions don’t take anything away from the game, because they are largely aesthetic and items which give the player the ability to make their in-game character unique. 

Exit the Gungeon

A classic platform game, this is a kind of mixture of steampunk, fantasy and futuristic. What it involves is essential, climbing out of a dungeon. You will enter to find mysteries, combat ghouls and goblins, and also fight against evil demons in platebody armor with huge swords. The colors are bright, the sound effects are fantastic and the old school pixelated graphics really take you back to some of the most classic games of all time.

This is a game which you cannot play on both platforms, only on i. It's a little laborious on your phone, so you should have a mobile that is from 2018 and over. Preferably you’ll have 4GB of RAM and plenty of battery. As a ‘dungeon climber,’ it's quite an addictive game, as the enemies never get too repetitive and you need to change your tactics as they learn your patterns quickly. This game is free on Apple Arcade, so what are you waiting for?

Fortnite

Of course, this game was going to be on the list. This is a game that has taken the world by storm and for very good reason. Not only is it open world, but it's platform-based as well. That mixes two genres together. But wait there’s more! It's also a shooter and a battle royal. That makes four different genres in one! 

Fortnite is a game where you land on a map, and it's your job to get to the final circle of available map space and duke it out with the remaining survivors to come out on top. On the way, you’ll need to battle the environment, collect supplies, fight off any other players trying to stand in your way and think about your strategy to make it to the final circle. 

Largely on PC, this game has been made available for free on iOS and Android. Millions of people play Fortnite and that makes it the leading online multiplayer game currently, anywhere in the world. All the normal features are in the game. Just because it's the mobile version, doesn’t mean that it's lacking in any department. The graphics are just as good and the gameplay is familiar. The only concern is the lack of intuitive controls, but hey, you’re on mobile after all. The game can run 100 players at once, so this will keep you active and far from boredom. 

Pulling the lever

There are some types of games that remain the classics for a reason. They are simple, easy to play and they keep you coming back for more. The rewards are very enticing for mobile slots games. You can play Blackjack, 7UP, 88 Fortunes, 1 Can 2 Can and many more. Every game has a tutorial built into it, however, you can view the YouTube video and learn the basics without opening the game. The tutorial for blackjack is very good, and lets you know the best ways to hit, hold and predict what the dealer may have at any time. 

There’s also the classic roulette games which allow you to spin the wheel and see how your luck might favor you. Casino games bring in large crowds and millions of people on their mobile phones for a reason. There are games that anyone can play, of any age group or any nationality. They’re universal, everyone can garner enjoyment from games that are hundreds if not thousands of years old. With modern graphics and international players, the mobile versions are perhaps the best iterations yet.

Monument Valley 2 

A series that is both intriguing and beautiful, Monument Valley 2 is a very artistic game. The art culture seems to be Middle-Eastern, with many domed shaped buildings, platforms and designs. It's a game with a unique story, that has been called a classic puzzle game that’s been given an indie twist. It's full of mazes, optical illusions and impossible objects. This causes the player to take their time, enjoy the music, the graphics and figure out if they have the brains to conquer the challenges their character faces. It's a single-player only game, but it's available on both iOS and Android.

It's free to play and is presented in an isometric manner. The unique viewpoint the player is presented really adds depth to the game and has you leaning forward to get a better view of what you’re doing. The brutalist architecture is also impressive yet not overbearing. The soft pink and sandy colors, add to the vibe that you’re in a mysterious almost dystopian world.

Pokemon Go

When Pokemon Go was released, it sent players around the world absolutely bananas. You had to travel to locations on maps, to find pokemon and capture them. This actually made people go out for walks, and become more active. Perhaps the first-ever game to encourage people to leave their homes and go outside to complete its missions and tasks. This summer, Pokemon Go has been receiving updates and upgrades. This has meant that the game has once again climbed up the charts to become more popular than other games of similar stature.

This has sparked off a new craze for the younger generation, as catching pokemon out in the wild has become an online meme, fad and competition in chat rooms. It's also a good way to play with friends, catching pokemon together in the local park or in the neighborhood. This game is available on iOS and Android. The best part is, it's completely free. Yet it does also have microtransactions which some say has led to pay to win atmosphere. However, it depends on how serious you take the game whether you’re willing to spend money on it or not.

A new classic

Minecraft has become an instant classic. This modern yet blocky pixelated game has taken the world by storm. It's one of the most-watched games on YouTube and has ventured onto the mobile arena. However, it's not a free game, costing you $6.99 and that’s just the beginning. You can buy items in-game and make your house or structure, more grand and wonderful than anyone else’s. This has made Minecraft mobile a bit of a loved and hated game at the same time. 

The gameplay is the same as you would expect on a PC. calming, soothing and allowing you to get lost in a world created by your own imagination. There is also a creative mode which is laxer and allows you to make things without the pressure of needing other things like materials, ingredients and animals. However, the main mode is still the best as you have a giant open world to explore. You can submit your structures in weekly competitions and win prizes. It also allows for crossplay so you can enjoy your game on a tablet, laptop or smartphone.

These are some of the best mobile games to have on your device, so you’re never bored this summer. Many of them are free with internal microtransactions. But developers have learned their lessons and it's not too obnoxious.