Gaming on iPhones is still a fairly common punching bag for many enthusiasts, despite mobile gaming having the largest market share in the hobby. This is still no surprise. Even though phones and tablets have had AAA gaming capabilities for years, many of the most popular games are still micro-transaction-riddled clickers or basic public domain titles like chess and card games. However, with the right mindset and a little hardware, even the most 'hardcore' of gamers can have a great time gaming on the go.
The Right Tool for the Right Job (BackBones, iPhones, and Other Controllers)
Over the years of my experience in playing games on my phone, I have tried multiple options of playing with traditional controllers. Mount clips attached to controllers, Bluetooth pairing DualShock 4's, the Razor Kishi, and AirPlaying my phone's screen to the TV. None of these have been quite the thing. For all of these options, either the experience is too cumbersome, the portability is compromised, or the controllers are not built well. I was going to throw in the towel, but I gave it one more try. This time, I became a mobile gaming believer.
This attempt involved the BackBone controller. For those who don't know, the BackBone is similar to Razer's Kishi controller in that they both are controllers that collapse into a portable format and can expand in order to fit a phone in the middle. Think the WiiU gamepad, but instead of a crummy 480P touchscreen, it's your phone. Not only does this make the controllers more portable and reduce the number of accessories you need to carry, but no extra power is needed, so you do not need to lug around extra USB cables or power bricks.
The BackBone has the obvious advantage of also just being a good controller. Buttons are responsive with the right amount of give and 'springyness'. Analog sticks hit a good middle ground between range of motion and tightness. The controller also has a few niceties such as a 3.5mm headphone jack and a charging port so you can game while charging.
Now that I have the right tool for gaming, the next question is obvious: how are the games?
iPhone Games, Old Games, New Games, Oh My!
What is the first thing you think of when you think of the term 'iPhone game'? I think for most people, it would be an uber-simple game like Candy Crush Saga or Fruit Ninja. Lately though, companies like Apple, UbiSoft, and Capcom are trying to overcome that stereotype by porting their console and PC titles to the latest generations of iOS and iPadOS devices.
I started the exploration by playing some of these larger titles. Rockstar Games has their GTA Definitive Editions available through Netflix and I downloaded all of them. Forget that Netflix has games? So have most people. Anyway, playing a console game on the phone has a ton of novelty, but it doesn't change the fact that most games are not designed for the portability of mobile gaming. I found myself frequently having to put the games in standby mode, hoping that progress does not get lost if the OS decides to close the app in the background to free up memory.
What worked out better were games more designed for gaming on-the-go. GTA Chinatown Wars was a mild hit when it came to the Nintendo DS back in 2009, but has had a resurgence due to a solidly made iOS port. Unlike with the older and more robust titles, Chinatown Wars cuts out a lot of the long-winded traversal and missions are overall short and simplistic. This is not bad though, since the portable nature of the game still evokes a sense of completion and accomplishment. Other Netflix Games that I've enjoyed playing include the indie hit Hades and the avant-garde FMV mystery/horror title Immortality.
Apple's gaming service Apple Arcade has also been a nice hub for mobile-friendly titles, many of which have controller support. Patterned is a delightful puzzle game that also serves as a great venue for iPhone background wallpaper images. Sneaky Sasquatch is a cute pseudo-stealth title. There are also a lot of re-releases of classic mobile titles, but with ads removed and micro-transactions either removed or diminished. Angry Birds, Asphalt, and Bridge Constructor have all been given this treatment.
What's Next
Capcom and UbiSoft have hopped on the train of putting their console and PC titles to mobile, with Resident Evil 4 Remake, RE Village, Assassins Creed Mirage already out and AC: Shadows coming soon. These are exclusive to the latest iPhone and iPads, so I haven't had the chance to play them. I fear that they will end up as merely tech demos, but it's awesome to even just see the effort to make these ports at all.
I don't think the bias against mobile gaming will magically vanish any time soon. However, if you've been neglecting these platforms, give it a shot again, you might just enjoy what you've played.