this post was submitted on 27 Sep 2025
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Mobile games usually get a bad rep as they're usually asset flips and/or MTX-ridden and/or ad-filled, etc., and I'm sure this is actually the case for most games on the app/play store. But are there any ones that are actually good, maybe just something to pass the time with?

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[–] Spankerton@lemmy.world 1 points 6 minutes ago

Slice and dice, infinitnode

[–] FuckFascism@lemmy.world 2 points 47 minutes ago

There's a free mobile game called sky that I'd highly recommend, it's extremely calming but also very well made.

[–] utopiah@lemmy.world 2 points 49 minutes ago (1 children)

I mean... not sure if it counts as mobile but the entire history of console gaming up to few years ago works on emulators, so that's a VAST choice. Sure you might dislike 99.99% but if there is even 0.01% you enjoy, that's hundreds of games if not more!

Check https://search.f-droid.org/?q=emulator and consider a BT controller.

[–] possumparty@lemmy.blahaj.zone 1 points 38 minutes ago (1 children)

can't forget about NetherSX2. It's a little bit of a pain to set up but it gives you all the PS2 options.

[–] utopiah@lemmy.world 1 points 28 minutes ago

Out of curiosity why is it not on F-droid?

I don't mind installing myself the .apk via adb but the more I learned about how positively strict the process to publish to it is (via https://github.com/Mentra-Community/MentraOS/issues/1168 ) then I also take absence from F-droid as potentially warning side a project isn't truly open or rely on proprietary parts or anti-pattern.

[–] thespcicifcocean@lemmy.world 1 points 39 minutes ago

baba is you is pretty good.

[–] radiouser@crazypeople.online 1 points 39 minutes ago

If you're into deck building give "Dominion" a go. The base game is free (which is absolutely playable) and a good way to get into the swing of the game. The AI is a cheating bastard through, so either play it on "easy" or play with some friends. It's SERIOUSLY addictive.

[–] Jankatarch@lemmy.world 1 points 1 hour ago

Yeah game-enjoyment is subjective. Mobile games dob't require a 2-hour tutorial before full game starts so people play them. I seen people play the "ad-spam" games on bus without being bothered by the ads.

Anyway go play sakura blade story mode on mobile the soundtrack is awesome.

[–] AceFuzzLord@lemmy.zip 2 points 2 hours ago

For games currently out and available:

• Slay The Spire ( a bit more than just something to pass the time with IMO, but again, it's a direct port from PC )

• SuperTuxKart ( I personally don't like the mobile version over control issues I have, but it's still real fun IMO, if you like good kart racers )

• Feudal Tactics ( definitely a time passer on smaller maps )

• HyperRogue ( trippy non-Euclidean game )

• Shattered Pixel Dungeon ( I suck at it, but it's a fun enough dungeon crawler )

• Mindustry ( PC port is more my style, but fun base defense resource extraction game overall )

For games to come out hopefully soon:

• Maze Mice ( I'm addicted to that game and am half tempted to buy it on mobile when it drops if the dev provides a way to buy an APK for the game instead of going through g••gle play. Think Superhot meets Pac-Man meets roguelite ( rougelike? ) )

[–] VerilyFemme@lemmy.blahaj.zone 4 points 3 hours ago
[–] mugthol@lemmy.blahaj.zone 1 points 2 hours ago

Unnamed space idle: free idle game without any ads kr necessary purchases

[–] OhVenus_Baby@lemmy.ml 4 points 4 hours ago

Scrolled the entire page. Just to not see hill climb racing, and slither.io

[–] riquisimo@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 points 4 hours ago

Breakout 71. I could play for 30 seconds or 15 minutes. No ads, lots to unlock. Really like this one.

https://f-droid.org/packages/me.lecaro.breakout

Others have Mentioned Shattered Pixel Dungeon. Love that one too.

[–] Rooty@lemmy.world 1 points 3 hours ago* (last edited 3 hours ago)

Here are some that I've played:

Shattered Pixel Dungeon - Roguelike

Endless Sky - SpaceSim

Simon Tatham's Puzzle Collection - Puzzles

Katawa Shoujo - Visual Novel

Snoot Game - Ditto

Gurgle - Worldle clone

TuxKart - Mario Kart clone

[–] orenj@lemmy.sdf.org 2 points 4 hours ago

yes, if you like emulation. Just put a gamecube in there, maybe a playstation. I had fun with hoyo stuff too, but fuck the gacha mechanics.

[–] CanadaPlus@lemmy.sdf.org 2 points 5 hours ago

Tetris.

Maybe it's not what you're looking for, but classics are classics for a reason. If you're on anything remotely standard you can find a port.

[–] dil@lemmy.zip 6 points 9 hours ago (1 children)

Balatro, all the other rougelites, monster train, slay the spire, etc.

[–] rothaine@lemmy.zip 3 points 4 hours ago

Balatro is great but eats my battery for some reason

[–] arararagi@ani.social 1 points 6 hours ago

Only ports of premium games, mobile games ironically were at their best before smartphones, java and keitai games are all complete experiences and demakes of other popular games.

Was replaying Deep 3D in an emulador and was surprised how well it sill holds up, also Galaxy on fire 1 and 2, Asphalt 3

Also if you have Netflix their games there are good and complete, like Into the Breach.

[–] stoy@lemmy.zip 3 points 10 hours ago (1 children)

Yes, several:

Ports of PC games:

80 Days
Gris
Myst (2021 release)
Gone Home
Papers, Please

Then you have pure phone games

Mini Metro
Reigns
Freeways

Then you have old web browser games ported to the phone:

Plauge Inc.
Infectenator

There are plenty more, these are just a few that I have on my phone

[–] buttnugget@lemmy.world 1 points 1 hour ago* (last edited 1 hour ago) (1 children)

I didn’t realize there was a Gone Home port on mobile! I’m gonna check that out, thanks!

I just want to add that there are a bunch of great PC ports:

Alien: Isolation
(Alien: Blackout might not be available anymore)
What Remains of Edith Finch
Life is Strange
Night in the Woods
GTA III Trilogy
Journey

Edit: formatting and added Journey

[–] callyral@pawb.social 7 points 13 hours ago (3 children)

You could check out https://www.darkpattern.games/

It's a website that ranks games based on how awful or not awful they are.

[–] Brimstone@lemmy.ml 1 points 47 minutes ago

I love this concept but no ratings shouldn't be 5 stars by default.

Should be 0 neutral and -10 dark + 10 positive.

I see a lot of negative comments on 5 rated games

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[–] Old@europe.pub 3 points 11 hours ago* (last edited 11 hours ago) (1 children)

There are many great Indie Games. My far favourite are the ones by 'yiotro' which seems to be a single (Russian?Ukrainian?) developer. Each is some kind of strategy/simulation mix and very cheap with simple graphics but a lot of depth. I discovered his work from seeing Antiyoy which either is so old that I got a demo of it in a ~2002 gaming magazine, or a copy of that old game. Just amazing fun all around and the only reason I don't have any of them on my phone right now is that I can't stop playing if I install them (similar to Unciv and Shattered Pixel Dungeon, both FOSS and excellent choices that were mentioned already).

[–] Gremour@lemmy.world 1 points 10 hours ago

Antiyoy is a clone of the 2000s game "Slay", which is on Steam with updated graphics, to my surprise.

[–] manmachine@lemmy.world 15 points 17 hours ago

Shattered Pixel Dungeon is quite a timekiller on the phone

[–] jbk@discuss.tchncs.de 4 points 14 hours ago

Flow free is pretty cool

[–] Texas_Hangover@lemmy.radio 3 points 13 hours ago

Lichtspeer is a nice time waster, Roundguard is a Peggle-Roguelike. For on the go I can recommend Krumit's Tale, Meteorfall, You must build a Boat, Hoplite, Shattered Pixel Dungeon , Reigns, Slay the Spire. I can also recommend Cryings Suns, Stardew Valley (of course) and Yes, your Grace.

Most are paid, but if you want to try a lot, get yourself a month of Play pass where most are included.

[–] tempest@lemmy.ca 1 points 11 hours ago

One thing I don't see people mentioning is that Netflix has a bunch of good games for "free" if you already subscribe.

[–] Unlearned9545@lemmy.world 15 points 20 hours ago (1 children)

Slay the spire, balatro, Ascension, melvor, plague inc, terraforming Mars, unciv, shapez...

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[–] blarghly@lemmy.world 3 points 14 hours ago (1 children)

NYT Games app. Realistically its just advertising to get you to buy an NYT subscription. The Mini and Wordle are good for killing a few minutes each day.

[–] __nobodynowhere@sh.itjust.works 4 points 14 hours ago

Isn't the mini behind a paywall now?

[–] softwarist@programming.dev 1 points 11 hours ago

Atomas was mentioned in another comment; I can vouch for it as well.

A Dark Room is a fun (if not somewhat short) text-based game.

Bonza and Smash Hit are good for passing the time.

Vector Classic and Shadow Fight 2 (Special Edition) used to be my favorites as a teen, though I otherwise wouldn't recommend Nekki games since they're full of ads and dark patterns.

[–] whotookkarl@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 points 11 hours ago

On Android Nonograms katana for picross

Lichess.org for chess

Scummvm for retro adventure games, tons of other retro console and handheld emulators on the Google store and f droid.

I used to use alphacross for crosswords but last time I installed it I couldn't get the puzzle feeds I used anymore. I tried forkyz but it's hard to find active, compatible feeds.

And for general free as in gratis entertainment Libby depending where you are, archive.org, and librivox for books and audiobooks

For paid games agent a, baldur's gate 1-2

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