30. Despicable Me: Minion Rush
The endless runner genre was fast running out of steam by the time Minion Rush came around, but thankfully the game added some desperately needed variety to the typical gameplay. Varied environments and obstacles make this one of the best runner games you can get for your phone or tablet - and the app store charts tell their own story of the game's success.
29. Sonic Dash
Sega's decision to release an endless running Sonic game didn't exactly surprise its fans - if anything, they wondered why it took so long. Sonic Dash leans on concepts we've seen countless times before, but it's so polished that we simply don't care. Fast-paced and one heck of a good time, we spend countless hours running and jumping through the game's environments while destroying enemies with Sonic's Homing Attack. The fact that we can also play as Tails and Knuckles is just an added bonus.
28. Rayman Fiesta Run
In offering more of the same, Fiesta Run couldn't help but fall into the shadow of its predecessor Jungle Run. Still, what a shadow that was, and the sequel offers up another dollops of all the superb platforming design and artwork you'd want from a sequel. Fans of the original game shouldn't hesitate to grab the game over the festive period.
27. Device 6
If 'weird and wonderful' had a dictionary definition, Simogo would be the ones scribbling away at the entry, and this follow-up to the surreal Year Walk delivers on both of these descriptions. Twists await around every turn in this journey through the written word...
26. Riptide GP2
The original Riptide GP fast became one of our favorite racing games on mobile, and this year's sequel provided excellent tilt controls, customizable vehicles and fantastic visuals. Prepare to witness some of the finest graphics on iOS and Android devices, and while the tracks are full of impressive detail, it's the water that really steals the show.
25. Type:Rider
Like Device 6, Type:Rider looks to the written word for its inspiration, but this time in a much more literal sense. This strange puzzle game is set within the history of typography, from caveman scribblings on cold stone walls, all the way to the modern-day digital era. A beautiful and mesmerizing puzzle game.
24. Rymdkapsel
Officially 2013's least enjoyable game name to type, Rymdkapsel has nevertheless been one of our favorite games to actually play this year. This starkly minimalist strategy game is a masterclass in design economy, and while the experience might be a little short, the memory of it will last a lifetime.
23. Sonic The Hedgehog
If you know your App Store history, Sonic the Hedgehog might seem like a weird addition to this best-of list. The original port was disappointing to say the least, and so SegA joined forces with developer Christian Whitehead - the talented designed behind the Sonic CD mobile port - to make the title really shine. The end result is a fully remastered version that runs in widescreen at 60 frames per second. Sonic's never looked so good.
22. Star Wars: Tiny Death Star
If you were being slightly uncharitable, you might just look at Tiny Death Star and see a licensed cash-in on the success of NimbleBit's breakout title Tiny Tower. Look a little deeper though in this case. While the core gameplay is very, very similar to that earlier game, the Star Wars flavoring has been applied with a huge amount of love, and there's enough new gameplay content included to make this an essential download for even the most jaded Tiny Tower fan.
21. Stickets
Like the equally excellent Rymdkapsel, Stickets is another masterclass in building compelling complexity from the most basic of building materials. You'll have to very carefully position tetrominoes in a limited play area to clear screen real estate, and while it's simple to grasp, high score glory will take a surprising amount of strategy and planning.
The endless runner genre was fast running out of steam by the time Minion Rush came around, but thankfully the game added some desperately needed variety to the typical gameplay. Varied environments and obstacles make this one of the best runner games you can get for your phone or tablet - and the app store charts tell their own story of the game's success.
29. Sonic Dash
Sega's decision to release an endless running Sonic game didn't exactly surprise its fans - if anything, they wondered why it took so long. Sonic Dash leans on concepts we've seen countless times before, but it's so polished that we simply don't care. Fast-paced and one heck of a good time, we spend countless hours running and jumping through the game's environments while destroying enemies with Sonic's Homing Attack. The fact that we can also play as Tails and Knuckles is just an added bonus.
28. Rayman Fiesta Run
In offering more of the same, Fiesta Run couldn't help but fall into the shadow of its predecessor Jungle Run. Still, what a shadow that was, and the sequel offers up another dollops of all the superb platforming design and artwork you'd want from a sequel. Fans of the original game shouldn't hesitate to grab the game over the festive period.
27. Device 6
If 'weird and wonderful' had a dictionary definition, Simogo would be the ones scribbling away at the entry, and this follow-up to the surreal Year Walk delivers on both of these descriptions. Twists await around every turn in this journey through the written word...
26. Riptide GP2
The original Riptide GP fast became one of our favorite racing games on mobile, and this year's sequel provided excellent tilt controls, customizable vehicles and fantastic visuals. Prepare to witness some of the finest graphics on iOS and Android devices, and while the tracks are full of impressive detail, it's the water that really steals the show.
25. Type:Rider
Like Device 6, Type:Rider looks to the written word for its inspiration, but this time in a much more literal sense. This strange puzzle game is set within the history of typography, from caveman scribblings on cold stone walls, all the way to the modern-day digital era. A beautiful and mesmerizing puzzle game.
24. Rymdkapsel
Officially 2013's least enjoyable game name to type, Rymdkapsel has nevertheless been one of our favorite games to actually play this year. This starkly minimalist strategy game is a masterclass in design economy, and while the experience might be a little short, the memory of it will last a lifetime.
23. Sonic The Hedgehog
If you know your App Store history, Sonic the Hedgehog might seem like a weird addition to this best-of list. The original port was disappointing to say the least, and so SegA joined forces with developer Christian Whitehead - the talented designed behind the Sonic CD mobile port - to make the title really shine. The end result is a fully remastered version that runs in widescreen at 60 frames per second. Sonic's never looked so good.
22. Star Wars: Tiny Death Star
If you were being slightly uncharitable, you might just look at Tiny Death Star and see a licensed cash-in on the success of NimbleBit's breakout title Tiny Tower. Look a little deeper though in this case. While the core gameplay is very, very similar to that earlier game, the Star Wars flavoring has been applied with a huge amount of love, and there's enough new gameplay content included to make this an essential download for even the most jaded Tiny Tower fan.
21. Stickets
Like the equally excellent Rymdkapsel, Stickets is another masterclass in building compelling complexity from the most basic of building materials. You'll have to very carefully position tetrominoes in a limited play area to clear screen real estate, and while it's simple to grasp, high score glory will take a surprising amount of strategy and planning.
