A tour of mobile genres beyond puzzles

If you only look at the top charts, you'd think mobile gaming is all match-three and idle taps. Dig a little and the genre range is enormous, and that's what keeps this job interesting.

Mobile RPGs have grown real depth, with turn-based combat that fits touch perfectly. Strategy games use the big touchscreen for map planning in ways a controller can't match. Then there are the calm adventures and cozy sims that nobody markets loudly but that a lot of people quietly adore.

Racing and arcade games have adapted beautifully too, offering multiple control schemes so you can play them your way. The variety means there's genuinely something for every mood and every length of free time.

My suggestion: pick a genre you'd never usually touch and give it an hour. We do this all the time and it's how we find the games worth writing about.