Ampers & Dot

If you’ve stopped by here before you likely know that I’m a bit of a Windows Mobile enthusiast. I have the ability to refute nearly any argument of the iPhone’s superiority and counter it with a robust list of things that WinMo can do that other devices still cannot (copy and paste is the least of the problems).

One argument I find myself in often is about the iPhone App Store, because on one hand - it’s amazing. You just tap a button on your device and you find yourself an almost limitless list of programs and games. On the other hand - it is indeed limited and overly regulated and seemingly overrun by stupid fart applications (seriously: if you’ve downloaded one of those then you should be ashamed… and chances are that you have downloaded one).

Well, although Windows Mobile is working on its own App Store (Skymarket anyone?) I’ve still had the last five years of WinMo use during which I’ve been forced to download applications the old fashioned way. This has been great because there are almost no limitations to what can be built, but also leaves a bit to be desired when trying to actually find new games. The problem with no central repository is that you’ve got to hunt them out.

Over the last half decade of Windows Mobile use I’ve played dozens and dozens of games - some have been awful, some have been great. So as part of my good Windows Mobile Evangelistic dead of the day - here’s a list of games I actually play on my phone. I’ve weeded it down to a manageable list - and please not that none of these involve any type of farting application (seriously iPhone… you should be ashamed). Let’s do it:

(Please note: although every game listed below also has a Windows Mobile standard version (non-touch) - the links to .cabs are for Windows Mobile Professional 6.0+ and please use at your own risk)

Crosswords (aka xWords — aka Scrabble)

Crosswords is an almost perfect recreation of Scrabble. You can play against a computer (with multiple difficulty settings) or against others locally (no online play… but that’s ok). It’s really truly a great game - my ONLY complaint is that the dictionary isn’t OSPD4 and doesn’t recognize a lot of fancy Scrabble words. You can override the dictionary to still play these words, but there is no option to “Add to dictionary”. Otherwise it’s a perfect game. Direct link to .cab here

Astraware Casino

I have played every casino game made for Windows Mobile and absolutely none compare to Astraware Casino. There are 11 games all built into the casino (Blackjack, Texas Hold ‘Em Limit and No Limit Poker, Video Poker, Video Derby, 3 Card Poker, Roulette, Craps, Baccarat, Slots, and Video Keno) as well as rewards for different achievements (like “First blackjack” or “Win $50,000 on a single bet!”) that keep this game fun and engaging for a long time. It’s not free… it’s $15 - but there is a free demo period built into the game (.cab available here). Play the demo and then happily hand over your money. Also - this game is beautiful on VGA screens.

Dopewars

Yes, the popular Graphing Calculator game has been ported to other mobile platforms… and the graphics haven’t changed much. Fortunately neither has the game play - it’s still fun! Let’s first put the drug thing aside - and look at this game as a classic buy low/sell high day trading game. It’s just fun. This version also has the ability to edit names, values, and descriptions of “items” - so if you’re uncomfortable with the seedy underbelly concept - you can change everything into stocks (or is that even sleazier these days…?). Anyway, it’s 100% free - download the .cab here.

Kevtris - The only Tetris clone you’ll ever need

There are many, many Tetris like games out there. Kevtris is by far and away the best. And the free-est - which is a great treat. I don’t play it much anymore (now that I have a Touch Pro which crippled the arrow buttons…) but this game plays well and looks great on every phone I’ve owned. Download the .cab here.

Now I know I already put in Astraware Casino, which is $15 bucks… but this list wouldn’t be complete without the other games that are actually worth paying for:

Bejeweled 2

100% everything you’d expect to be in Bejeweled 2. The full game. Unfortunately comes at the full price of $15 - but well worth it if you like the gem-swapping gameplay. There’s a free, but limited, demo - available here.

TextTwist

I played this game so often on my last phone that I permanently dented a few spots on the screen from tapping the letters so often. I’m a bit of a word-game nut, so this one might not be your cup of tea- but I just can’t get enough of it. Download the (unlimited…!) demo here. Or pay $15 for it… your choice.

And that’s pretty much it.

I’m not saying there aren’t better games out there - I’ve paid for a handful of others that really disappointed me and downloaded a few dozen free ones that REALLY REALLY disappointed me - but the ones listed above are what I play. What else should I play?

Anyway- once Skymarket is alive we’ll have a better repository of these things (that will hopefully be free and unregulated… but there’s no way in hell that will happen). So in the meantime - go crazy - download everything - play them all. And Enjoy!