Best Handheld/Mobile Games of 2018
It’s award season here at Twinfinite! Let’s look back at the best handheld and mobile games of 2018. Voted on by our editors, these were the best games to play on-the-go, whether it was on your phone or handheld console.
Let’s start with some honorable mentions, and then our top vote-getting runner-ups, and finally, of course, our overall winner!
Honorable Mention: WarioWare Gold
Staff Writer Greysun Morales: Bringing voice acting to the series for the first time ever, along with personality to each and every member of the eccentric cast of characters, WarioWare Gold excels on the Nintendo 3DS. Not only does this collection contain some of the best microgames throughout the franchise (and then some new ones), but it also marks the ultimate package for any fan of the fast-paced and frantic mini-game compilation.
Besides some of the annoying use of the microphone and gyro controls, WarioWare Gold will provide you with hours upon hours of totally wicked mini-games to test your luck with. And also, with tons of little trinkets and meta mini-games to collect and peruse through, WarioWare Gold offers lots to check out once you complete the main stages.
Best Handheld/Mobile Games of 2018
Second Runner-Up: Dragalia Lost
Features Editor Alex Gibson: Dragalia Lost is Nintendo’s first attempt to breach the mobile market with an all-new IP, one that doesn’t rely on household names, like Super Mario Run and Animal Crossing Pocket Camp.
The game’s stunning aesthetic and catchy musical score make a great first impression, and they tee up what is generally an endearing and entertaining adventure. Nintendo and Cygames also deserve plenty of credit for creating a streamlined combat system suitable for mobile and other handheld devices. It’s surprisingly satisfying to play despite the action only requiring a single tap of the screen, and the various weapons and cards add layers of strategic depth to the experience to keep things fresh throughout.
It isn’t perfect, in all honesty, with some unsavory gacha mechanics slightly spoiling what is otherwise a charming dungeon crawler. I would have liked to have seen more innovation from a company that has always been at the forefront of the industry. Still, there’s no denying that Dragalia Lost is an entertaining package that deserves its recognition as one of the best mobile games of the year.
Best Handheld/Mobile Games of 2018
First Runner-Up: MapleStory M
Staff Writer Irwyn Diaz: MapleStory M is a bite-sized adventure for those who are big fans of the original game. It takes all of the classic elements and packs them in the palm of your hand, letting you take the fun wherever you go. The game is packed with nostalgic charm, from its chibi graphics down to the side-scrolling adventure.
While MapleStory M caters to longtime fans, it’s also incredibly easy to pick and up play. The game is peppered with some light tutorials to get you on your feet and help you learn all there is to building your character and starting your adventure. All that said, both newcomers and veterans to the series will find something to love in MapleStory M, making it one of the best handheld and mobile games of 2018.
Best Handheld/Mobile Games of 2018
Winner: Florence
Assistant Editor Tom Hopkins: Florence is a beautifully simple game. Costing just a couple of dollars on the iOS or Android stores, it leads you through the story of the titular character’s first love and how it affected the rest of her life, presented with simple puzzles and short cutscenes. Her life has ground to a halt, filled with little more than sleep and social media, but it all changes when she meets a fellow cello player named Krish. It turns her life around and we get to see how Florence evolves as a result.
Playing Florence is an emotional 45 minutes, seeing you get to know the central characters. Dialogue is minimal, but you learn about their hobbies, personality quirks, and talents, making it all feel very personal and relatable.
The puzzle moments are easy to grasp, seeing you do little more than swipe and flick to reveal additional narrative moments, but they’re important in connecting you to the story. When the gorgeous cello music swells and the tale hits its peak, Florence is as affecting as any other video game this year. It’s told in such a poetic way that demands to be played in one short sitting. When you finish, though, you’ll be left with a lump in your throat. It’s undeniably worth your time and the small entrance fee makes it one of the best mobile games in the market.
