Mobile operating systems on smartphones and tablets continue to get more powerful year after year.
Although they don’t quite have the processing power to take on modern PS4 and Xbox One games, they’re still tough enough to tackle many of our favorite PC and console games of the last decade.
Here are 10 popular games that were ported to mobile devices
1. Portal
Portal was the extremely popular first-person puzzle game where players had to navigate around obstacle-filled rooms by creating two-way portals to circumvent obstructions and enemies.
Portal was extremely popular on PC, but now it’s also been adapted to Android. You can play on any Android device, you only need a compatible mobile game controller.
2. Counter-Strike
Counter-Strike revolutionized gaming by making first-person shooters on PC more competitive with highly strategic team-based gameplay.
Pretty much every video game that’s a team-based eSport—Overwatch, Fortnite Battle Royale, Call of Duty—owes a little something to Counter-Strike. Now you can play the original iteration of the game on Android devices.
3. Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel
Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel is one of the newer console games to have been ported over to Android (now might be a good time to learn how to boost your Android battery life, because the graphics on this one might drain your device).
Borderlands is a great role-playing shooter, and now you’ll get to enjoy the sci-fi action on your smartphone or tablet.
4. Super Slam Dunk Touchdown
Super Slam Dunk Touchdown just might be the, uh, sportiest game ever made. This sports simulation game combines football, soccer, basketball, and hockey into one manic sports match.
This was a pretty easy Android port because the graphics are cute and retro (takes you back to the days of Tecmo Bowl). But it’s the gameplay that counts, and the gameplay is awesome. Play it on Android and download from Steam.
5. Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic is considered one of the greatest RPGs ever made, thanks to its innovative combat system and classic Star Wars story (lots of Star Wars fans think this is what the prequels should have been).
Now, KOTOR is available for both Android and for iOS.
6. Journey
The journey was originally released for the PlayStation 3 Store, and then it was ported to PlayStation 4. It’s a highly innovative game that has players exploring the mysterious sand dunes of an unknown world.
It’s fitting that this exploration-themed game is now available now on iOS—play while on your smartphone and tablet while you’re out and about.
7. Grand Theft Auto III
Grand Theft Auto III was one of the most innovative (and controversial) open-world games ever made, and it was so popular that it spawned two sequels: Grand Theft Auto: Vice City and Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (the latter of which is considered one of the greatest games of all time).
The three Grand Theft Auto III games are now available on Android and iOS. Now you can steal cars, cause mayhem, and make money all on your smartphone or tablet.
8. Carmageddon
Carmageddon pre-dated Grand Theft Auto III by a few years and caused a similar amount of controversy. Now it’s back in all it’s bloody, battle racing mayhem. The simple, arcade-style gameplay makes it the perfect game to port to Android and iOS.
9. Doom
Before there was Halo, Call of Duty, and Left 4 Dead, there was Doom. Doom made the first-person shooter game popular, and now you can play it on Android and iOS.
This is another great game to port to mobile because it’s so simple—there’s no running or jumping or crouching to be done. You just run around the map and shoot at the bad guys.
There’s a little strategy to Doom besides moving and shooting as fast as you can, and that’s why the game has maintained a relatively steady fanbase over the years, despite there being more strategic FPS games on the market.
10. Baldur’s Gate
When Baldur’s Gate was released in 1998, it basically set the standard for all Dungeons-and-Dragons-style RPG games. Now you can play this RPG classic on Android and iOS. It’s not quite the most unique or intuitive RPG anymore, but this is sure to be a fun one to play for the nostalgic value.
Did you know that video games aren’t the only advanced thing you can do on your mobile device? Learn how to professionally edit photos on Android.
