iPhone Games: 5 Tips for Discovering Hidden Gems! 🎮✨

The most popular games on the App Store aren't always the best, and it's sometimes hard to distinguish the good from the bad. Here are some tips to help you find your next favorite mobile game. 🎮✨

Word of Mouth Recommendations (and Reddit)

Personal recommendations remain one of the best ways to discover new games, especially from those who share your interests. Asking your friends what they're playing or what their favorites are is a great way to find trending titles and little gems you might have forgotten. That's how games like Among Us gained popularity. 🗣️💬

An even better idea is to look for opinions on communities like r/iOSGaming on Reddit. There you'll find endless threads about favorite games, the best examples of a particular genre, mobile alternatives to popular PC and console games, and people getting excited about their current obsessions. 🕹️🔥

If you're looking for something specific, create an account and ask the community for recommendations. It's a great way to discover games similar to your favorites or discover titles you never knew existed. 🌟🤔

Explore the “Top Paying” Games

If you've had enough of free mobile games and would rather spend a little money for a better experience, check out the list of paid games on the App Store. You'll find it in the "Games" tab by scrolling down to the "Top Paid" section. 💰📱

Get ready to see a lot of games you already know, like Minecraft, Stardew Valley, and Terraria. Remember that even if a game has an initial cost, it doesn't mean it's free of in-app purchases, though it likely offers a good amount of content for the entry price. 🎮💵

The list usually includes a good number of games that originally came out for console and PC, such as GTA San Andreas: Definitive and Max Payne MobileMost of them take advantage of controller support in iOS, so you can turn your iPhone into a handheld console using a controller stand or a clamp-style controller like the Razer Kishi Ultra. 🎮🏆

Use Game and App Aggregators

Since game discovery on the App Store leaves much to be desired, aggregator websites are a good alternative to finding more of what you like. MiniReview, which calls itself a “game discovery platform,” might be the best of the bunch, and it supports both iOS and Android (which you can toggle at the top of the page). 🌐📊

The site uses reviews from the community to highlight games that are actually worth your time, with filters for criteria like controller support, games that use vertical orientation, and games that can be played offline. There's also a helpful "Similar Games" section to help you discover titles based on games you've already enjoyed. 👾🎉

AppRaven (formerly AppSliced) is another similar service, but with a stronger focus on finding good deals. It's not strictly limited to games, as it also includes regular apps. A great place to start is the "Popular" section, which highlights apps that are currently trending. 🏷️📈

You can also filter by sale status or find apps that have been temporarily free. While it's not a recommendation engine like MiniReview, AppRaven is good at finding games worth trying at a low price that may only be on sale for a very short time. ⏳💸

Pay Attention to Apple Arcade

Apple's secret weapon in the world of mobile gaming, Apple Arcade applies the Game Pass subscription model to mobile gaming. It's an attractive proposition thanks to Apple's dedication to continually supporting the development of new games and the requirements they must meet to qualify for the service. 🍏🎮

Apple Arcade games don't feature microtransactions or ads. By paying a flat monthly fee, you get access to a catalog of over 200 full-price premium games. Access the service under the "Arcade" tab in the App Store app. 🏷️📅

Like any subscription, the best thing about Apple Arcade is that you can jump in and out as you see fit. Cancel your subscription when you've played what you want, and resubscribe if you have a trip planned where you need to kill time with only your iPhone (or iPad, or Mac) for company. ✈️📲

Many of the best games (not just the best mobiles) end up on Apple Arcade, with optimized versions of games like Vampire Survivors, Balatro, Monster Train, and Angry Birds, all ready and waiting. 🥳🍭

You can check out what's new in Apple Arcade (no subscription required) using the "New Games" section in the Arcade tab. New iPhone owners get a free month, and occasionally Apple gives you a free month even if you've had a previous trial or paid subscription. Arcade costs $$6.99 per month. 🤑🗓️

Follow Your Favorite Editors and Developers

Some developers and publishers focus exclusively on mobile games, while others start out making games for iOS and Android and are so successful that those games end up on platforms like Nintendo Switch and Steam. 🌍🎮

A good example is Ironhide Game Studios, responsible for the famous series Kingdom RushYou may be familiar with the developer's most popular titles, but you might have overlooked other games like Iron Marines and its sequel, plus the Apple Arcade exclusive Junkworld TD. 🚀🌟

If you like it Mini Metro and you follow Mini Motorways, you should probably keep an eye on what's developing Dinosaur Polo Club. Monument Valley is one of the most influential mobile games of the last decade, so follow along ustwo Games to see what else they're creating. You get the idea! 🐉👾

Gaming and Podcast Press

Following the world of video games can seem like an impossible task, especially given the divide between mobile games and PC or console titles. Despite the fact that Touch Arcade closed in October 2024, the podcast is still alive and well and is highly recommended for those who love handheld gaming. 🎙️📽️

PocketGamer is another similar resource that highlights great mobile games, including trending new titles, best-of lists, and reader-voted awards. The site also has a podcast you might enjoy if you prefer passively catching up on the go, rather than scrolling in a browser. 🎧📲

There's also some interaction between the "regular gaming" press and mobile games. I remember hearing about Apple Arcade's amazing puzzle game. finity. by Ben Hanson on the podcast MinnMax, and how Giant Bomb's Jan Ochoa became terribly addicted to the freemium auto-battler Super Auto Pets in it Giant Bombcast. 🔊🎮

If you hear about a mobile game on your favorite gaming podcast or blog, it's probably worth paying attention to. 👀✨

The App Store Also Has Recommendations

The App Store isn't completely useless, especially if you have a bit of history. Click the "Games" tab and scroll down to the "Based on Your Recent Downloads" section to find a small selection of games Apple thinks you might like. 🧐📊

Please note that this is influenced by downloads, rather than games you've rated or spent hours playing, so it may not be very accurate (especially if you download a lot of games to test). 💔📉

This problem isn't unique to the App Store. Find out how writer Bertel finds the best Android games, or how to get a decent list of free games on Steam. 🔍💡