Author: Vasanth Simon

Soccer fans can enjoy the game on their smartphones with the following apps. This list includes realistic, professional soccer games and fun, goal-scoring games. Play a long match or just shoot around for a few minutes while on a lunch break. Either way, these smartphone soccer games will keep you entertained.

Dream League Soccer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkvrcoLNKMU

Play matches, organize teams, and train for upcoming games in Dream League Soccer. The game has a great practice session for offense, but not defense. This will become apparent quickly when you try to defend an opposing team during a real match. Locating the defender that the game toggles to while on defense isn’t easy and when you identify the player that the controls are mapped to, it is hard to take the ball away from the player. The result is multiple goals by the opposing team. The best way to counter this is to switch players manually and slide tackle the opponent. Try to avoid fouling them and causing injuries; this will result in a free kick, which the opposing team will most likely score on. The footage of each goal is replayed and player substitutions are shown. The game also features team introductions and entertaining celebrations.

This game is available on Google Play, iTunes, and Windows Phone.

Flick Shoot (Soccer Football)

Flick the touchscreen on your smartphone to kick the ball in this easy-to-play soccer shooting game. Try scoring a goal against a goalkeeper before the timer reaches zero. If you can’t get the ball past him with regular flicks, curve the ball by swiping the screen with a curved gesture. In addition to the time attack mode, there’s an arcade mode, which limits the number of balls you have to score a goal, and there is a goal-post mode that requires the player to hit the goal posts. You can also aim at bullseye in the target mode. Two more modes available in this version include the tournament mode and the one-ball mode.

This game is available on Google Play and iTunes.

Stickman Soccer 2014

This soccer game as an automatic running option that lets you focus on finding the players to pass the ball to and scoring goals during a match. Just tap on the players to pass and tap on the net to shoot the ball. This control scheme defends automatically as well. There is a penalty kick mode where you try to score goals against a goalie and defend against goals from the other team. This is played using manual controls, which features a touchscreen directional pad, a shoot button, a pass button, a slide button, and a switch/defend button. Additional game modes are unlocked by watching ad videos.

This game is available on Google Play,  iTunes, and Windows Phone.

Striker Soccer London

Select different formations to play in Striker Soccer London. This includes 3-4-3, 3-5-2, 4-5-1, and catenaccio. There’s also several game modes including kids, friendly, Olympic cup, and penalties. The players in the kids mode run on their own, and there is an unique control scheme that automatically selects the most advantageous player to pass the ball to. Just tap the right side of the touchscreen to pass the ball, shoot the ball at the goal, and tackle. The friendly mode has a directional pad which is used to move the players in various directions, and the penalty kicks feature a responsive touchscreen that correlates the speed and trajectory of the ball with how hard you swipe the screen.

This game is available on Google Play, iTunes, and Windows Phone.

Soccer Street Star

If you want to play in the streets instead of on the soccer field, check out Soccer Street Star. This street soccer game easily identifies the players on the screen that the controls are currently mapped to, and it has cool perspectives during out-of-bounds throw-ins and kicks. Getting possession of the ball is hard, so is scoring a goal with the directional pad featured in this game.

This game is available on Google Play.

Recommendation

If I were to download just one game from this list, it would be Striker Soccer London. The Kids mode features the best control scheme for a soccer game, while the Penalty Kicks mode has the most responsive touchscreen among these games. It’s definitely worth playing.

With so many games in the app store, it’s not easy finding a well-designed board game. Here are five worth checking out. They include classics like chess, checkers, and scrabble.

YAHTZEE With Buddies

Score higher than your opponent in this classic board game. Instead of rolling dice, just press the touchscreen button to play your turn. Each roll displays five dice, which can then be assigned to various card slots. This includes single dice slots (1 through 6) and combinations (full house, large straight, etc.). Hold the dice you want and roll the remaining dice to target a specific card slot. At the end of 13 turns, the player with the highest score wins. Play against players online and chat with them using the messaging feature. You can play multiple games at the same time.

This game is available on Google Play and iTunes.

Checkers Elite

Play checkers on your smartphone with Checkers Elite. This game features both single player and two player modes. In single player mode, play against the computer, while in two player mode, play against another player online. Choose between English Draughts, Russian, or International games. You can also enter a tournament and compete against several players. The game is played with a 3D view, but you can change it to a top-down view if you prefer. Tap on the checker pieces to select them, and tap the destination box to move the piece.

This game is available on Google Play and iTunes.

Scrabble

Form words from a selection of letters in Scrabble. You can play against the computer or other players online. Invite friends from Facebook or Origin to play, or join a random game in progress. While waiting for your opponent to form a word, use the chat feature to talk to them, or start another game with another player. When it’s your turn, use the shuffle feature to rearrange the letters on your ledger to help form new words; check these words before placing them on the board with the built-in dictionary. To play the word, press and hold each letter and drag it to the board; after arranging all the letters, press play. An exchange option is available to trade letters, if you can’t form a word. This game can also be played with other people in the same room with the multi-player mode. Just pass the smartphone around when it’s their turn to play.

This game is available on Google Play and iTunes.

Connect 4

Another classic game to try is Connect 4. Select the column to place your piece in with the goal of making a row, column, or diagonal of four pieces. Play against the computer or another player in the room. It’s a well-designed game, despite the spelling error when you lose a game. It’s a fast-paced game that occupies your time when you have nothing else to do.

This game is available on Google Play.

3D Chess Game

Play chess in 3D on your smartphone with this game. It has a rotatable board, which lets you adjust the view and a take back button, which lets you correct unintentional moves. The game identifies places where you can move each piece that you select, and there is a help section which explains the rules of the game. Beginners can play at a lower level, while experts can play up to level 25.

This game is available on Google Play, iTunes, and Windows Phone.

Recommendation:

If I were to download just one game, it would be Yahtzee With Buddies. This game challenges you to strategize and make decisions, while having fun competing against an opponent. If your opponent is too slow, there are several options including chatting or starting another game.

With so many air combat and flight simulator games in the app store, finding one to download can be a challenge. Here are five cool, fun, and sometimes frustrating air combat games to play on your smartphone.

Fractal Combat X

Fractal Combat X features missions that require you to fly a fighter jet and fight other aircraft. It utilizes motion controls to navigate the plane. Simply tilt the smartphone to the left or right and forward or backwards to fly the plane. Search for targets and lock on automatically as you approach, before firing a missile. There is an option to use touch controls, which places a directional joystick on the screen. It is responsive and offers more control. You can also opt to play in the simulator mode or use VR mode with a game controller. The environments look great, especially when you fly at very high altitudes and approach space.

This game is available on Google Play and iTunes.

Strike Fighters

This is a slower air combat game that plays over an expansive environment. Targets are clearly identifiable and a radar display on the corner of the screen makes it easy to track down planes and lock on to them. The plane is equipped with a machine gun, which is easy to fire, but extremely difficult to hit targets with. Some of the planes featured in this game include the F-100A, MiG-17PF, and Hunter F.1

This game is available on Google Play and iTunes.

Aircraft Combat 1942

This well-designed air combat game features a highly maneuverable plane, breathtaking environments, and enemies that are hard to kill. The controls are easy to use; just press the right side of the screen to accelerate and drag the left side of the screen in various directions to navigate the plane. The weaponry, namely machine guns, and planes such as the Shinden, P38, and Henschel add to the World War 2 era theme.

This game is available on Google Play, iTunes, and Windows Store.

Air Combat: Online

Air Combat: Online starts with an exciting tutorial that features the basic moves of the game. One in particular, a quick barrel roll to the left or right, is unique to this game and is easy to perform; just swipe the screen to the left or right. Navigate the plane by tilting  the smartphone. When an enemy plane comes into view, lock onto it and fire missiles or use the machine gun. The game features several modes including survival, two on two, mission, and career. Additional modes are unlocked as you increase your level.

This game is available on Google Play and iTunes.

Air Strike

There are three game modes available in Air Strike – Classic, Modern, and Invasion. Classic features old-style planes and weapons, while Modern features state-of-the-art fighter jets and weapons. The maneuverability of the planes also differ in each mode. This game has over-responsive motion controls that make it difficult to fly the plane; it’s better to use the touchscreen controls, which make the game a lit bit more playable. Unlike other games, this one features a cockpit camera view.

This game is available on Google Play and iTunes.

Recommendation:

If I were to recommend just one game, it would be Air Combat: Online. It is the perfect air combat game for smartphones. Not only does the game have high replayability, the controls are easy to use, and the air to air dogfights are fun to play.

There are several fighting games in the app store but which to choose? The following list contains a life-like boxing simulator, a run and fight level-based game, and the old-fashion one-on-one martial arts fighting games made popular in arcades and console games. Now enjoy them on the smartphone.

Shadow Fighting 2

Fight as a shadow in Shadow Fighting 2. The game features a quick tutorial that lets you practice the moves, which are smooth, thanks to the responsive touchscreen directional pad. Then, you face off against an opponent in a one on one fight. There’s a time limit and energy bars, which show how much damage you inflict. It’s challenging to play at the beginning, which will probably cause you to press the kick and punch button mindlessly. When it gets too intense, block the attacks, or use the pause button to stop the fight. As you play through the game, you’ll learn new moves that are more effective. There are cool weapons, a tournament mode, artistic backgrounds, and catchy music in this game. It’s in Google Play, iTunes, and Windows Store.

Fighting Tiger Liberal

https://youtu.be/qpwYSipOglo

This game opens with a well-made introduction that tells the story with subtitled dialogue and leads into a search for your captured girlfriend. Fight thugs in the streets as you make your way through the city. Punch, kick, and run through the game. The on-screen directional pad and action buttons are clearly displayed, which make it easy to play. Pan the camera 360 degrees by scrolling across the screen and return the camera behind the character by pressing the icon next to the directional pad. Use throwing stars and perform combo attacks by grabbing the opponent. There’s a tutorial mode which lets you practice various moves. This game features too many enemies that require too much button-smashing for a smartphone.

Download it from Google Play.

Taekwondo Game Global Tournament

This game is well-designed with good graphics, realistic animations, and great sound effects. You play as a taekwondo student competing against opponents in a tournament. There are different locations to fight in and a dojo to train in. The opponents are challenging, but the tutorial helps the player learn moves and improve their skills. The on-screen prompts include arrow buttons to move the player forward and backwards and high and low attack buttons. Use combos and focus attacks to break an enemy’s defense, and use the block/spin technique to dodge their moves. Each match is based on a time limit, so avoid getting tired and use strategy to win.

This game is available in Google Play and iTunes.

Real Boxing

Follow the on-screen prompts to throw jabs, hooks, and upper cuts in this realistic boxing simulator. There are multiple rounds and standing 10-counts during the fight. It includes corner time, ring-side girls that show which round is next, and replays of knockouts. Get a quick fight in with the quick fight mode or fight several opponents in a row and face menacing bosses in the arcade mode. There’s also a multiplayer mode which lets you compete against other players online.

Download this game from Google Play and iTunes.

Fists of Fighting (Fx3)

This fighting game features an on-screen directional button and action buttons. Choose a boxer and step into the ring.The life bar for the characters are on the side of the screen, but they are hardly noticeable while concentrating on landing punches or blocking. The spinning background in between rounds is disorienting if you don’t hold the smartphone at an ideal distance from the body. There’s not much technique to playing this game, just a lot of button-smashing. Play the story mode or survival mode.

This game is available in Google Play.

Recommendation:

If I had to download one game, it would be Taekwondo Game Global Tournament. It is challenging, has awesome moves, and features a multiplayer mode which lets you play with friends on a local WiFi. There’s also an option to watch, edit, and share replays of the fight via social media.

With so many first-person shooter games in the app store, it’s hard finding one that is worth playing. Here are a few games I found while searching through the app store. This list includes different types of first-person shooter games, including games where the character simply stays in one location and fires at approaching targets, and games where the player navigate through a level, just like you would in a console game. There’s also a hunting game on this list, so there’s something for everyone.

1. Enemy Strike

Enemy Strike has nice graphics and an informative tutorial that helps you learn how to play this first-person shooter game. It features smooth controls that make aiming and shooting easy. Choose a mission to play and survive until the timer ends or until reinforcements arrive to bomb the enemies. The urban warfare scenery adds to the overall experience. There are several types of weapons, armor, and equipment available in the store.

This game is available on Google Play and iOS.

2. Modern Frontline: FPS Shooter

This is a futuristic first-person shooter that tests your reflexes. Defend your position with guns, grenades, and other weapons as approaching soldiers try to kill you. The character moves on his own through the city to specific areas, which is exciting and allows the player to rest from the previous battle. Unlock new chapters and gear up with upgrades and other items. The graphics and music create an immersive environment which is worth playing in.

It’s available on Google Play.

3. Deer Hunter Reloaded

https://youtu.be/6eYCsnU4A58

Hunt deer and other animals with a rifle in this first-person shooter. Unlike the previous games, you can move the character to get into the right spot to aim and fire at the target. There are several challenges and different types of game to hunt, including the elusive black bear. The forest is rendered well, and the shooting mechanics utilizes the touch screen perfectly. Try the stampede mode to experience a challenging hunt featuring dozens of animals running past you. Also, the game features an X-Ray mode, which distinguishes the animals from the background and makes it easier to target them.

This game is available on Google Play and iOS.

4. Future Ops Online

This first-person shooter takes place online in various game modes including team deathmatch, survival, and co-op mission. It is just like a console first person shooter game with full player control including moving in any direction, panning the camera 360 degrees, jumping over obstacles, semi-auto and full auto firing, and reload. On top of all that, there is a chat messenger icon on-screen. The levels are worth exploring, but the firefights with other players isn’t that great. Plus, the graphics are generic. The game features voice chat, social media sharing, and customized characters.

This game is available on Google Play.

5. Dead Trigger

Dead Trigger opens with an exciting video with awesome graphics and leads into a tutorial which prepares the player for the game. It is as good as any console first-person shooter, both graphics-wise and controls. As you fire at oncoming zombies, the gun will automatically reload when you run out of ammo. Firing at multiple targets on the screen is easy with a responsive aim area near the trigger icon. Moving while firing is also well done in this game. Turning around however isn’t as easy, and it will usually get you cornered by several zombies. If one grabs you, several on-screen prompts are displayed to help you fight off the zombie. There’s also an on-screen radar map which displays enemies and location of the goal. Complete each mission to progress through the game.

This game is available on Google Play, iOS, and Windows.

Recommendation:

Dead Trigger is the perfect first-person shooter game for smartphones. Console gamers that enjoy games like Call of Duty will be able to play this game easily. It’s well-designed, fun to play, and challenging.

With the MLB 2015 season upon us, it is time to look at some neat baseball games for mobile. There are quite a few in the app store and finding one worth playing can be a challenge. Don’t download randomly, check out this list of entertaining baseball games first! Today’s list includes a professional, full season baseball game, a home run derby game, and games that focus just on batting.

1. Tap Sports Baseball

https://youtu.be/Pua9si5GlHs

Precisely hit the ball in Tap Sports Baseball to get on base. You will either strike out, hit a foul ball, or get a hit, depending on when you tap the screen. Pay attention to the speed stat for each player to accurately time the swing. There’s a tutorial at the start of the game and online matches against other players. The game includes a chat messaging system which lets you talk with other players. View extensive stats, create teams, and compete in tournaments. The game includes the option to draft players, add free agents, or sign franchise players. In addition to that, you can complete the professional baseball team ownership experience by adding coaches and upgrading uniforms.

Get it for Android or iOS.

2. 9 Innings: 2015 Pro Baseball.

https://youtu.be/nPluMq8-L4c

There are a lot of menus to navigate through before actually playing a game in 9 Innings: 2015 Pro Baseball. Once you reach the batter’s box, it has a perfect, catcher’s perspective during offense. If you can’t land a hit with your current player, change to a more reliable one and swing away. The pitches come fast so pay attention. On defense, select the type of pitch to throw and the strike zone location to aim for. This game also has a baseball card collecting portion and achievements to complete.

Get if for Android or iOS.

3. Big Hit Baseball Free

In Big Hit Baseball, select a home team and decide whether you want to pitch or bat first. On offense, swipe the screen to hit the ball. While pitching, swipe toward the strike zone to throw the ball. Depending on how accurate you are, the ball will travel where it should or go wildly out of the strike zone. It’s not easy getting three outs. However, the cute graphics and animations, especially when the batter gets hit on the head, are enough to keep you playing.

Get if for Android or iOS.

4. MLB.com Home Run Derby 14

This game captures the essence of the home run derby with a nice intro video. Use one thumb to aim the bat on the screen and tap the screen with the other hand to swing the bat. If you’re lucky, you’ll hit a home run. Sign players with in-game currency (MLBUCKS) and improve hitting by buying bats. There are performance-enhancing items available including passive boots such as EAGLE EYE. This will let you see where the first 10 pitches. Without it, it’s pretty much impossible to hit the ball.

Get if for Android or iOS.

5. Homerun Battle 2

https://youtu.be/-29TAUsM9nM

It takes a while for Homerun Battle 2 to connect online, but when it does there’s a tutorial that prepares you for the game. Unlike the previous games on this list, Homerun Battle 2 lets you choose where on the screen to swing, as well as when to swing. Just tilt the smartphone to target the location of the ball and tap the screen to hit the ball. This is much more challenging, but isn’t as fun as just timing the swing. There are two options: single player and multi-player. In the multi-player mode, you compete against another player online to hit more balls and score more home runs. The mission mode in multi-player features unique challenges such as hitting three home runs without hitting a foul ball. In single-player, hit as many balls as possible. The burning mode in single-player is timed and the balls are thrown in rapid succession. It gets frustrating, and you might throw your phone at the wall. There’s a pause button and a chat message icon to relieve some of the stress.

Get if for Android or iOS.

Recommendation:

If I had to download one game, it would be Tap Sports Baseball. It has really good batting mechanics. You can accurately predict when to swing the bat by using the speed statistic of each player. Swinging early or quickly affects whether you make contact or not. The game is also well-designed with many additional features that add to the gameplay.

[Editor’s Note: I grew up with Star Wars. I saw the original movie in the theater and I have all  on VHS! Being able to play Star Wars related games on my phone has been a lot of fun, so I tasked Vasanth with putting together this post, even though he is not a Star War fan. May the Force be with you!]

There are many Star Wars games in the app store, and finding one that is well-designed and accurately represents the movie franchise can be a challenge. Here are five games to consider playing. The list includes a base-defense game, a strategy card game, and a run and gun game.

1. LEGO Star Wars Yoda II

Launch quickly into missions and navigate through different worlds by using the onscreen directional buttons. The action is fast-paced so you’ll have to react quickly to collect holocrons, shoot at targets, and avoid obstacles. Some of the missions are unplayable, such as the free-fall mission and the space-flight battle, while others, such as the land-based missions, are perfectly suited for smartphones. Run and gun or use the light-saber to make your way through these levels. This game is available on Google Play and on iTunes.

2. Star Wars Force Collection

https://youtu.be/kabKd-n0ywE

The game opens with live, realistic photos from the movie and continues into a card selection process, where you choose characters to fight against storm troopers. The battle occurs on its own. A more entertaining part of the game is the Quests, which require the player to tap the screen to destroy attacking storm troopers. If there are tougher opponents, a battle starts, and you must select the right cards to battle with. Decide which cards to enter into battle with and which cards to upgrade. This game offers in-app purchases, which consist of crystals. These help speed up game-play by filling out a player’s deck of cards. This game is available on Google Play and iTunes.

3. Star Wars Commander

https://youtu.be/0uIrNytw7Xg

This clan-based game is all about building a base and defending it from attacks. As a mercenary, you must choose to join either the Empire or the Rebels. Use R2D2 robots to construct buildings while making other arrangements, such as deploying Walkers to go on the offense. Always be aware of attacks from Jabba. The easy-to-follow onscreen prompts make it easy to transition from one screen to another, especially when you are training troops and adding hardware to the base.

Join a squad to chat with other players and request resources from other players in the squad. This is useful when you run out of troops. When you have enough troops, you can play matches against other players. During battles, tap the screen to deploy troops around a target. It takes a bit more effort to accurately use air attacks; you’ll have to tap the target to bomb, versus tapping safe deployment zones for troops. After winning, there’s a replay option to review the battle. This game is available on Google Play and iTunes.

4. Next Star Wars

Next Star Wars is a well-made space flight simulator. Fly through space by tilting the smartphone and shoot at enemies by tapping on the screen. It’s challenging and worth downloading. This game is available on Google Play.

5. Lego Star Wars – The Yoda Chronicles

This game features a well-made cinematic intro and a better perspective than most over-the-head camera levels. Maneuver through a city guarded by enemies and focus on defeating the Sith and other characters from the Star Wars universe. Watch out for ambushes, while shooting your way through the game. It is available on Google Play and iTunes.

My Recommendation: While I am not a fan of Star Wars, if I had to pick one game to download it would be Lego Star Wars – The Yoda Chronicles. It’s fun, interesting, and similar to standard console games.