GTA 3 Mobile has landed on iPhone and select Android handsets today. It’s a massive day in terms of mobile gaming, but it’s got us thinking: where are the other classic console titles? If you’d love to play some of gaming’s giants on your smallest screen, here are the best alternatives money can buy…
1. The console game: Gran Turismo
The alternative: Real Racing 2, £3.99, iOS
While Asphalt 6 boasts more motors, this is the true driving sim for smartphones. With 16 tracks, real-time damage, 30 cars to buy and a lengthy career mode, it’s the closest thing to GT available.
2. The console game: Super Mario
The alternative: Roboto, £2.45, Android, iOS
It bears more similarity to Ratchet & Clank than Mario in terms of setting, but this is by far one of the most joyous and addictive platformers yet developed for mobile handsets. Top presentation, great level design and 80’s side-scrolling action abound.
3. The console game: Halo
The alternative: N.O.V.A 2, £4.99, Android iOS
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, right? Consider Halo a blushing wreck. N.O.V.A 2 is heavily inspired by the Xbox franchise. There’s a varied and fun 12-chapter campaign on offer, but the real fun comes form the excellent online multiplayer.
4. The console game Fantasy VII
The alternative: Chrono Trigger, £6.99, iOS
The first few Final Fantasy games are on the iPhone and are well worth checking out, but if you’ve never played this 90s magnum opus then buy. It. Now. One of the all time best RPGs, with one of the most memorable stories in gaming history.
5. The game: Resident Evil
The alternative: Resident Evil 4: Platinum, £0.69, iOS
You’re in luck, here: Capcom’s been kind enough to port one of the series’ greatest moments to the iPhone in full. Just as with GTA 3 Mobile, the controls have translated pretty well and the overall experience suffers not one bit from the smaller screen.
Will HTC sell you your next console?
6. The console game: Gears of War
The alternative: ShadowGun, £3.49, Android, iOS
As with N.O.V.A 2, ShadowGun doesn’t really try to hide the fact that it’s massively influenced by another title. That results in a pretty faithful mobile translation of the Gears of War aesthetic and gameplay mechanics, though. The campaign’s not awfully long, but it’s certainly very fun.
7. The console game: Zelda
The alternative: Sacred Odyssey: Rise of Ayden, £4.99, iOS
A mix between Zelda and Fable that really works. While Gameloft has always struggled with decent stories, the gameplay and production values in Ayden are top notch and will proffer hours of game time.
8. The console game: Call of Duty
The alternative: Modern Combat 3: Fallen Nation, £4.99, Android, iOS
Modern Combat is aligning itself as THE Call of Duty clone on mobile, by offering a series of games with console-rivaling graphics, production and presentation, along with engrossing campaigns. The multiplayer is the draw here, though: it’s endless fun.
Into gaming? Read these:
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