Mario Bautista
I was one of those people who thought mobile gaming wasn’t “real gaming”. But after playing Apex Legends Mobile, my opinion quickly changed. Now I find myself playing games on my phone more than my PC or console. Here’s why.
1
I Can Play Anywhere, Anytime
Console and PC gaming requires bulky equipment and a dedicated gaming space. I love that when playing on mobile, all I have to do is whip out my smartphone (a device I always have with me), and I am good to go.
This portability and convenience means I can enjoy gaming on a bus ride, during my lunch break, while waiting in line at the bank, or even better, while lying in bed after a long day. Unlike when playing on my console or PC, I am not tethered to a single location.
2
It’s Best for Casual Play Sessions
Google Play and the App Store have a vast library of games suitable for quick play sessions, which helps when I’m too lazy for PC and console gaming. Sometimes, I just don’t have the time or patience for the immersive gameplay experiences these platforms often demand, making it harder to jump in and out of gameplay sessions.
Mobile has plenty of games that are addictive and easy to get into—and this is a lifesaver when I need a quick gaming fix. Some of them you can even play with one hand. These include Candy Crush, Mighty Doom (before it shut down), Marvel Snap, Shovel Knight Dig, and Subway Surfers.
3
Most of the Games Are Free-to-Play
There are many more free-to-play games on mobile than there are on consoles. And you will find all sorts of genres, including action, adventure, strategy, roguelike, shooter, and puzzle.
These are hard for me to pass up since they require no upfront costs. This, coupled with the fact that there is no need to invest in expensive hardware, has led to me and many of my close friends doing most of our gaming on our mobile devices.
I understand that mobile games need to generate revenue to stay alive. But as long as they stick to cosmetic-only microtransactions or non-intrusive in-game ads, I don’t think it takes away from the fun in any way. Even gacha games can be fun if you don’t mind the grindiness.
It’s only when a game goes overboard with the microtransactions and pay-to-win mechanics that I stay away. I also can’t stand games that show misleading ads to entice you to click on them.
4
Mobile Games Are Usually Cheaper
Even if a mobile game requires money upfront, it is usually cheaper than its console counterpart. For instance, at the time of writing, Streets of Rage 4 was $24.99 on the PlayStation Store, but the same game was $4.99 on the App Store. In that scenario, I prefer the cheaper mobile version.
Plus, this also allows me to play on the go and online for free. You need PS Plus to play online when it comes to Streets of Rage 4 on PlayStation.
On mobile, you can easily share things such as your stats, profiles, high scores, and battle records with a few taps. It’s not so simple on other platforms. This is especially true on consoles, where you have to navigate several menus using something as unintuitive as a controller.
And even if the game doesn’t have social media integration, it’s quite easy to take a screenshot and share it on social media using the phone or tablet’s native sharing options.
6
I Have a Netflix Subscription
Since then, I have discovered some other great titles, including Rainbow Six: SMOL, Sonic Mania Plus, Cut the Rope Daily, and, the best ones so far, Shovel Knight Pocket Dungeon and Into the Breach. Some of these are available on PC and console, but they aren’t free with your Netflix subscription unless you play the mobile version.
Mobile phones have already taken over cameras, video recording, calculators, diaries, calendars, and more. I expect them to be the go-to solution for many gamers in the not-so-distant future, especially as phones become capable of better graphics. But for now, I can’t believe I ever called mobile gaming not “real gaming”.
