Holiday Gift Guide: 25 Mobile Games We Want This Year

With the launch of the PlayStation Vita, the growth of iOS gaming, and the proliferation of the Nintendo 3DS, handhelds had a pretty big 2012. We saw the release of several console-quality games that previously were impossible to experience on-the-go, the realization that free to play apps don't have to suck, and clever new ideas that work fantastically as mobile experiences.

If there's one thing that can be taken away from this year's handheld triumphs its that gaming on the go is increasing playing a role in our lives as we get more climatized to mobile phones, handhelds and tablets. This list celebrates the best this year had to offer for those of us not tethered to our couches 24/7.

Developer: atebits

Platforms: iOS

Release Date: October 24, 2012

We all hate free-to-play games, but Letterpress does such a good job of integrating itself into the Game Center system that it's so easy to set up and play with friends, you'll want to keep doing it. Surely it doesn't help that the game ultimately comes down to a pissing match over who's vocabulary is larger, but it's a genuinely interesting mix of Boggle and Pearls Before Swine that'll keep calling you back.

Developer: Indies Zero

Platforms: Nintendo 3DS

Release Date: July 3, 2012

Take Dance Dance Revolution, swap the dance pad out for a controller and you've got a pretty boring game. Turn that same system into a combat mechanic and you've got a joyous time. Having a lot in common with Elite Beat Agents, Thetrhythm Final Fantasy is a fun new adaptation of the music genre with a cutesy Final Fantasy skin on top. You can never have enouch chocobo in your life.

Developer: Kairosoft

Platforms: iOS, Android

Release Date: March 2, 2012

Kairosoft has a history of making frustratingly addictive simulation games. Dungeon Village is another unique take on their formula, placing the player in control of a small town that's frequented by adventurers. If micromanagement is your thing, you'll enjoy organizing the stock and prices of your item shop, making sure there's comfy beds in your inn, and helping promote the general economy of your sleepy village.

Developer: Game Freak

Platforms: Nintendo DS

Release Date: October 7, 2012

Being the first time Game Freak's put out a direct sequel within a generation of Pokémon games, Black and White: Version 2 were met with some serious trepedation. However, with the strength of the original pair resting in its much more involving storyline, the extension of it in Version 2 is more than welcome. There may be way too many Pokémon to catch now (151 were enough, thank you very much), but with the advent of online play, it's more relevant and fun than ever.

Developer: Q Entertainment

Platforms: PlayStation Vita

Release Date: February 14, 2012

Time and time again, Lumines has proven itself to be one of the finest handheld experiences one can enjoy and Electronic Symphony is no exception. The simple premise of matching blocks together to create combos as a blissful soundtrack punctuates your success is near euphoric. For on-the-go play, it's great to have such a simple title you can enjoy for short bursts without having to engross yourself in a lofty narrative or complex combat system.

Developer: Rovio Entertainment

Platforms: iOS, Android

Release Date: September 27, 2012

The first in what should become a series of Angry Bird spin-offs that greatly deviate from the traditional gameplay, Bad Piggies encourages strategy and construction rather than mindless bird flinging to solve your problems. It's a fun expansion on the series' universe (if we're now calling it an Angry Birds universe) and is well worth the couple of bucks it costs.

Developer: Sora, Ltd.

Platforms: Nintendo 3DS

Release Date: March 23, 2012

Kid Icarus: Uprising is not without its problems, but it deserves a slot on this list for the sheer volume of content it includes, the enjoyable online experience it provides, and the wonderful re-imagining of a classic it represents. Mixing RPG elements with an on-rails shooter has been seldom tried and the gameplay concept mostly works here. To top it off are pretty, stylized visuals and a swelling soundtrack that adds a great deal of mood to the experience. Now, if only the controls were a little better.

Developer: Rovio Entertainment

Platforms: iOS, Android

Release Date: November 8, 2012

Star Wars seems like an unlikely pairing for an Angry Birds spin-off, but the game wors pretty damned well. Part parody, part puzzler, it takes a lot of notes from Angry Birds Space and repackages them with a force-filled theme. It's a great distraction and will offer a few smiles thanks to the branding, but most importantly it's more Angry Birds, which we all know you can't get enough of.

Developer: Capcom

Platforms: Nintendo 3DS

Release Date: February 7, 2012

The first Resident Evil game on the 3DS was a bit of a mess. Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D was a nice distraction, but it didn't deliver the true survival-horror experience that fans were expecting. Thankfully this year saw Revelations' release and boy did it do just what we wanted.

Capturing all the elements that define the Resident Evil experience and condensing them on to a handheld is no easy task, but it's made slightly easier with the inclusion of the (sometimes awkward) Circle Pad Pro. It also doesn't hurt that this is by far one of the best looking games on Nintendo's system, putting the 3D effect to good use.

Developer: SCE Bend Studio, Naughty Dog

Platforms: PlayStation Vita

Release Date: February 15, 2012

When Sony promised console-like experiences on the PlayStation Vita, many skeptics scoffed and turned their cheek. Then Uncharted: Golden Abyss came along with the pleasant revelation that the handheld was completely capable of delivering a fully featured blockbuster title in a pocket-sized package.

As if capturing the iconic gameplay and tone of the series weren't enough, the graphics are absolutely stunning. They're still not quite as perfect as its console counterpart, but you'll swear the difference is negligable.

Developer: Level-5

Platforms: Nintendo 3DS

Release Date: October 28, 2012

Who doesn't love a good mystery? On the Nintendo DS, the Professor Layton games introduced us to deduction and puzzle solving in a story-driven format that we just hadn't seen in games before and its debut on the 3DS is just as pleasant.

With fantastic animated sequences and clever challenges that'll make you feel like a genius when you complete them, Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask is the best hybrid of investigation and narrative on Nintendo's handheld.

Developer: Nintendo EAD

Platforms: Nintendo 3DS

Release Date: August 19, 2012

A list like this wouldn't be complete without at least one core Mario Bros. game and New Super Mario Bros. 2 delivers exactly what you'd expect from Nintendo's biggest franchise. Sure, it may not be super innovative and the gold-centric aesthetic may seem a little tacky at times, but at the end of the day, this is bar-none the best platforming experience on the market.

Developer: Intelligent Systems

Platforms: Nintendo 3DS

Release Date: November 11, 2012

The Paper Mario series has undergone some changes since it originated and the latest offering from Nintendo continues this trend by mixing the paper-thin world with a very unique RPG combat system that prioritizes item use rather than character development.

In many ways Sticker Star trains you to be an OCD collector in the best way possible. You'll spend way too long on a given level hunting the last of the hidden stickers because each and every one of them can be used in battle, and sometimes having that extra one or two can be the difference between life and death. It's cute, it's clever, and there's a lot more to the battle system than appears at first glance.

Developer: Terry Cavanagh

Platforms: iOS

Release Date: August 31, 2012

Callit hexing if you like bad puns, but Terry Cavanagh's latest, Super Hexagon, is the kind of action-puzzle game that is really hard to put down. Throwing the player into an almost trance-like state as tehy avoid the edges of the descending hexagons and guide their little arrow to safety is such a simple game that it's hard to understand why it's so gripping.

Perhaps it's because when you screw up, it genuinely feels like it's your fault, or maybe because the minimalist visuals don't collude your screen with more information than you need, but the game feels above all things fair. That's why it's so damn maddening to see your friends besting your high scores!

Developer: Rocketcat Games

Platforms: iOS

Release Date: October 24, 2012

Punch, punch, punch, punch. That's how you play Punch Quest. A variation on the Jetpack Joyride style of gameplay, Punch Quest is a fantastic action game that's super well catered to the iOS platform. With simple controls (tap to punch, tap to jump) it's easy to get into and hard to get out of.

The questing and upgrade systems offer a great deal of variety when designing loadouts for your character, but it never feels naggy or bossy like other games. There really isn't a point in the course of this one where you absolutely feel the need to buy coins with an in-app purchase because the game is remarkably well paced for fun.

Developer: Double Eleven

Platforms: PlayStation Vita

Release Date: September 25, 2012

LittleBigPlanet on the PS3 was great, but who knew it would be so fantastic on the handheld as well? The addition of new gameplay elements that utilize the touchscreen add a new layer to the diversity of levels offered by the game while the online community is still providing more than enough content to ensure you're never without something new to play.

With shorter levels than its predecessors, a more action-centric focus, and as many stickers as ever, LittlBigPlanet Vita is well catered to an on-the-go experience. Plus, it's covered in Sackboy and if that doesn't melt your heart, there's probably no hope for you anyway.

Developer: Atlus

Platforms: PlayStation Vita

Release Date: October 30, 2012

Remakes and rereleases should never really be included in any year-end wrap ups because ultimately, those titles had their time in the spotlight when they first came out. Persona 4: Golden on the other hand defies this convention by proving that sometimes particular titles are just waiting for an appropriate platform to release for them to be fully enjoyed.

With a deep RPG system that's arguably the best the Persona series has ever offere, Golden is a mark better than its original release thanks to all of the additional content and competent use of the PlayStation Vita's tech that's included in the package. If you've been looking for a JRPG to sink 100+ hours into, this is likely your best bet.

Developer: Robot Entertainment

Platforms: iOS

Release Date: Janury 11, 2012

Play-by-mail games were all the rage in 2012, but Hero Academy stands head and shoulders above the rest as the most fun you can have playing asynchronous multiplayer on your iPhone. With a simple combat system that's balanced for strategy at a turn-by-turn, it's perfect for fostering pick-up-and-play rivalries with your friends.

Perhaps the most impressive part of Robot Entertainment's offering is the evolution its undergone with the addition of new teams through the year. With each group offering unique gameplay styles and abilities that differentiate them greatly from their counterparts, there's a lot of exploration to be done in Hero Academy.

Developer: Chunsoft

Platforms: PlayStation Vita, Nintendo 3DS

Release Date: October 23, 2012

Imagine if SAW was created by a JRPG team who had just finished playing Escape: The Room and you might have an idea what Virtue's Last Reward is like. Creepy, puzzling, and mentally stimulating, the game is one of the most engaging and gripping handheld titles released this year.

It snuck onto the market with little fanfare, but this spiritual follow-up to 2010's 999: Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors is well worth taking a look at. You're not likely to find another game that challenges you in the same way Zero Escape does. Its proficient use of the Vita and 3DS touch screens just makes it even more appealing.

Developer: SCE Japan Studio

Platforms: PlayStation Vita

Release Date: June 12, 2012

Nobody likes following the rules and gravity is by far the most strict of them. Gravity Rush allows you to turn the world on its head with a mix of puzzles and action that requires the player to constantly look at things from a new perspective. When down is up and up is down, it can be hard to make sense of what's going on, but Gravity Rush keeps players focused through its relatively simplistic level design that ramps up in challenge as it goes on.

Making use of some of the PlayStation Vita's most interesting technological features, this is a game that goes beyond your average platformer in terms of depth and polish. Overlooked by most, this is one of this year's most unique mobile highlights.

Developer: Queasy Games

Platforms: PlayStation Vita

Release Date: August 7, 2012

Music-genre games that don't go down the Rock Band or Guitar Hero route tend to wind up being less than stellar. That can't be said about Queasy Games' Sound Shapes. Rather than forcing the player along a designated path and having them adapt to the music as it comes, this game allows players to define the soundtrack based on their actions.

Collecting notes in each level to add layers to the music is both compelling and rewarding as the tunes produced reach new depths. With songs composed by the likes of Jim Guthrie and Beck, there is some serious talent at play here.

The best of it all though is the level editor which allows players to act like a hybrid level designer/musician as they create their own masterpieces. It's surprisingly simple to do, but if that's not your thing it just means there's more content for you to enjoy thanks to its fervent community.

Developer: Vblank Entertainment

Platforms: PlayStation Vita

Release Date: October 9, 2012

Brian Provinciano's Retro City Rampage is a nostalgic trip down memory lane full of mayhem, chaos, and a life of whimsical crime. With an incredibly diverse set of missions, a majority of which are themed after classic 8-bit games, Retro City Rampage captures the best moments of your childhood and repackages them in an incredibly polished format.

It'll make you laugh, it'll make you sigh, it'll make you wonder where the hell this game was when you were 12 years old and bored at your step-dad's place. With more content and features than you can shake a stick at, there's a pretty clear reason why it took about 5 years to develop.

Developer: Grasshopper Manufacture

Platforms: PlayStation Vita

Release Date: November 20, 2012

The level design in Sine Mora make it intensely satisfying for on-the-go gaming. Just about the right length for those downtime moments of life, but filled with all the intensity you'd expect from a 2.5D shoot 'em up, it is both beautiful and thrilling.

What really separates the game from the pack is the new time-bending mechanic that allows players to slow down the environment around them so they can carefully maneuver between the hailstorm of bullets headed there way. This allows the screen to be filled with the most intricate patterns of projectiles that - while incredibly stunning in their own right - never seem to diminish the fidelity of the backgrounds and enemies.

Quality art direction can be seen all through the game, from the intricate multi-stage bosses, to the detailed world that surrounds them. Sine Mora grips players with its aesthetic in a way that's remarkably uncommon for games of its type.

Developer: TellTale Games

Platforms: iOS

Release Date: April 24, 2012

Much like its console and PC counterparts, the mobile version of TellTale Games' The Walking Dead is a nightmarish procession of moral greys and hard choices. It lacks the dextrous intensity that most zombie games require, but it more than covers that ground with difficult ethical quandries that will either leave you pondering if you made the right choice or mortified because you know you didn't.

This is not a game for the feint of heart; characters who you grow to know and adore can die at any moment - nobody is safe. The best part about it is that often these event unfold due to your decisions, making you painfully aware that all of your actions have consequences.

There are times when the game can be incredibly heartfelt too. Clementine is by far the most realistic depiction of a child in any game to date and when the survivors aren't fleeing the dead or ripping each other apart, some sentimentality can be seen; tragedy can draw us all together as much as it can rip us apart and The Walking Dead never forgets this.

Developer: Superbot Entertainment

Platforms: PlayStation Vita

Release Date: November 20, 2012

If there's one thing that would have made the 3DS a killer system, it would have been a portable version of Super Smash Bros. Unfortunately for Nintendo, Sony has beaten them to the punch with an unbelievably fantastic adaptation of the four-player mascot brawler genre that's perfect on the go.

Designed with time limits in mind rather than life meters or kills, each match only lasts about 3-5 minutes, making it great for short trips or busy lines. The offering of characters is diverse and encompass a wide-range of PlayStation history while the stages are unique mashups that will have play on your nostalgia.

What kicks the game into overdrive is the more-than-competent online functionality and the fact that it's fully supports the new PlayStation cross play functionality, making it the first portable game to play well with its parent console. The simplicity of the controls make it great for players who enjoy fighting games, but hate the minutia of remembering combos, while there's enough depth to the system to make strategizing a legitimate part of the gameplay. Bar none, this is the most fun you can have on the PlayStation Vita.