With eight out of 10 12-15-year-olds owning a smartphone, according to Ofcom (pdf), it’s no surprise that mobile gaming is on the rise. A July Tesco Mobile survey of 1,000 children aged nine to 15 found that 56.4% used their phones for gaming (or intended to once they had one), with the latest results from Ukie – the trade body for the UK’s games and interactive entertainment industry – finding that the market in this country has grown to a massive £1bn. And there are real benefits to playing as well. Oxford University research involving 5,000 children found that teens aged 10-15 who played for less than an hour a day were happier, more sociable and less hyperactive than those who don’t play at all. So why let teens have all the benefits? We asked three young gamers to let us know the games we should be downloading on to our phones right now.
The Battle Cats (iPhone, Android)
Create the ultimate feline army with this battle game, where you can use cute cats functioning as cannons to shoot at your enemies or tap on cats that you want to fight for you, either against your friends or the computer. The goal is to add more cats to your army and pull together a squad with different strengths and weaknesses in order to climb up the levels. “This is my favourite game,” says Donovan Dakin-White, 12, from Esher. “To me, the Japanese-style graphics really stand out from other games, and I like how there are new free updates every week, meaning there are new cats and weapons to download – it keeps it fresh.” Players can also unlock new moves as they progress throughout the game – and it requires logical thought as, similar to Pokemon, the cats have strengths and weaknesses against certain rivals. “It’s what keeps me coming back for more,” adds Donovan.
Fortnite (iPhone, Android)
You’ve no doubt heard of the breakthrough game of 2018 – not just a game but a legitimate cultural phenomenon, given the England goal celebrations it inspired during the World Cup. Latest figures show it has 125 million total players, thanks to this multiplayer shooter allowing you to play in bursts of around 20 minutes in its most popular Battle Royale format. The aim here is to be the last player standing – and you can do this by arming yourself with weapons hidden around the game. Although you can team up with friends to enhance your chance of winning, many teens, such as 15-year-old Eva Macleish, from Berkhamsted and Joey Loughlin, 15, from Stourbridge, play alone. “This way, you can pick it up whenever you want, such as if you’re bored in the house, and the fact the games are short, yet exciting, makes you want to play it again and again,” says Joey.
Jetpack Joyride (iPhone, Android)
This arcade game sees you fly through the air on a jetpack, collecting items and prizes while dodging obstacles such as lasers and birds. When you crash into something you have to start all over again, rendering it highly addictive and stimulating. “I play this a few times a week, usually when I’m bored at home,” says Eva, one of 25 million people who’ve downloaded the game on to their phones. “I really like trying to beat my high score by staying alive as long as possible.” Games usually last around three to five minutes, meaning you always have time for just one more go.
Fallout Shelter (iPhone, Android)
Set in an apocalyptic world, post-nuclear disaster, this simulation sees players build a vault for the remnants of humanity to live in, ensuring they provide enough food, water and power for their citizens, while dealing with catastrophic incidents such as fires in real time. “I like how you can leave it for a while then come back to it to find your shelter has grown,” says Joey. “You get a good feeling of achievement when you build something successful.”
Clash of Clans (iPhone, Android)
The aim in this strategy war game is to team up with your friends to pillage rival villagers and plunder their resources. “I play this with my friends a lot,” says Donovan. “I really like the idea of working together as a team and sharing our resources, and we are all fans of the 3D-style cartoon graphics.” You can also play the game in short bursts, something that keeps players returning time and again. “I come back to this game, as if you have a spare 10 minutes – if you’re on the bus – you can do a quick raid to pass the time.”
Clash Royale (iPhone, Android)
Part card game, part multiplayer online battle, this Clash of Clans spin-off sees players pitted against each other to destroy towers. “I play this against my friends a lot,” says Joey. “I also like how you can play with other people in the immediate vicinity, and there are different styles of gameplay, from arena battles to challenges, so it feels like you get more than you would in a standard war game.” It’s so popular it generated a staggering £780m in 2016, the year of its release, and there was even a recent e-tournament held in London, in which 28 million players participated.
Clicker Heroes (iPhone, Android)
Clicker Heroes is a simple game, where players have to tap 3D cartoon monsters as they come up on the screen in order to steal their gold – and every five levels there’s a new boss to fight. This is one of the reasons why Donovan, who is one of a million people who’ve downloaded the game, enjoys playing it. “I often play for an hour at a time,” he admits. “I like how the more you keep playing, the more different characters appear, and there’s a real sense of achievement when you hit the next level.” It’s this idea of working towards a goal that keeps people hooked.
Visit Tesco Mobile for more information and content on families and mobile
