Mobile Games Out This Week: 16/12/16

We spend all week scrounging around for cool new iOS and Android game releases. Then, every Friday, we put together a list of them to share with you. How awesome is that?

Hint: it’s pretty awesome.

Just so you know, it’s not an exhaustive list. Rather, it covers the games that most stand out to us. Enjoy this week’s games!

 

Top Pick: Tiny Rails

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GIoC_3-DVA

 

Your grandfather is getting too old for the train business, and it’s up to you to take over. You’ll spend quite a bit of time watching your train move, and I have to admit that I'm not sure how much game there actually is here. Still, the pretty pixel art and relaxing atmosphere make it worth it spending some time with. You can customize your train with a variety of upgrades, hire experts that provide unique bonuses, read and act on passenger reviews, and a lot more. It’s a free game so there’s IAP, but it doesn’t feel intrusive or progression-blocking.

Become a railroad tycoon on iOS or Android.

 

Super Mario Run

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qpdfg5km60w

 

Two words that never fail to generate a lot of hype: Super Mario. Well, there’s a new title in town, and it’s an endless runner. In Super Mario Run, you’ll guide Mario through three game modes one click at a time. Just as a warning, it does require an internet connection to play and the full game isn’t cheap.

Control Mario once again on iOS.

 

Planetoid

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJVSyolxm7A

 

This might be the most simple real-time strategy game I’ve ever played, but it’s surprisingly enjoyable and frantic. The goal is to capture all the enemy planets, and you do that by shooting bullets from your own planets. Planets grow in strength by the second though, and you’re able to control how many bullets you fire by how far you swipe.

Start capturing planets (without losing your own) on iOS.

 

Prototype X1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sID7c8_NtOo

 

Prototype X1 is a pretty sexy looking shoot-em-up. I hesitate to recommend it to the casual gamer because there aren’t any checkpoints during missions, but schmup fans should feel right at home. Outside of the action-packed gameplay, you’re able to spend coins to buy ship upgrades, extra lives, and weapons.

Hop into the pilot’s seat on iOS (or Android, where it’s been out for a few weeks).

 

Jump Or Stay

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_34Zyr-f84

 

It might be a single tap game, but that doesn’t mean it won’t make you think. You just have to remember two rules in this auto-runner: jump when the colors match and stay when they don’t match. It’s about as simple as it gets, but it’s not so easy to pull off in practice.

Give it a try on iOS.

 

LVL

 

LVL is a minimalist 2D and 3D puzzle game. You'll have to alternate thinking in both dimensions to solve more than 150 puzzles over the course of over 50 levels. I haven't actually played this one, but I'm digging the colorful, simple design and intriguing setup.

Set your brain to work on iOS.