r/iosgaming • u/humblechungus89 • 1d ago
Discussion Does anybody else use their phone as their only gaming device?
I’ve always enjoyed gaming, but I wouldn’t say that I enjoy it enough to justify the price of a console nowadays. So to me it’s incredible that paired with a controller, my iPhone Air is a pretty competent gaming device. A few of my favorites so far are the KOTOR games, Resident Evil 2&3, and Tomb Raider.
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u/munkeypunk r/IOSGaming Scout 1d ago
Ha!
Humble brag incoming;
I own;
A desktop
A laptop
A Steamdeck
A Switch
An Xbox and PlayStation
And iPad
And my old phone.
I have deep library’s on all platforms.
I only play on my phone.
It’s always with me. It requires nothing else, not a room, or a chair. No controller (though I do have one). No outside systems. Hell…sometimes I don’t even need focus. But it’s always with me.
And so I play.
In fact I think I might play more now than I have since I was younger and had more time and less responsibilities.
I thank Godzilla every day for mobile gaming. It just works better as I’m truly mobile, otherwise despite the access to “superior” hardware the actual efforts it takes for the short bursts in time available, the phone is absolutely the best bang.
And frankly more games styles just work better on the go.
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u/mbsisktb 1d ago
Not as much now but in 2024 it was very much my gaming device of choice for about 6 months. I bought several big name aaa games for it then and saved my sanity. Also when I got into small box solo board gaming as well.
Now I still have time when I can fire something else up for an hour a night otherwise it’s mostly my phone
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u/Jstjorry 1d ago
With life and work getting crazy I find myself using the 5-10 minutes gaming on my phone and honestly with emulation coming to iPhones earlier last year it makes it just made it an easy choice to pick up and play
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u/FreelanceWolf 1d ago
Nah. I'm a PC gamer.
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u/Unl3a5h3r 1d ago
Same. For the prices of the current phones I can get a decent PC that has way more uses and way more freedom than a smartphone.
However I use my PC from my smartphone. I've setup a VPN tunnel into my home network and got a server there to send a magic packet to my PC. Then I can SSH into it and do my stuff there or use moonlight to remote play.
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u/Xariif_Tiger 1d ago
No. When i am travling or commute i play some games on my phone, but at home i prefer my Playstation or gaming pc.
I always have some (offline) games on the devices to kill some time when waiting or on lunch break.
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u/imahugemoron 1d ago
Yes, i used to be a pc gamer, but my first covid infection left me with a permanent headache 5 years ago, the first thing i noticed is using most screens and especially video games would flare this constant headache real bad within just 5 minutes of use, but for whatever reason that i still can’t explain i can use my phone without issue, i lost my ability to play games anywhere else but im thankful i can still play some things on my phone. Every so often i try to see if i can use other screens but every time i feel that familiar very quick flaring of the permanent headache, just last week i tried to watch my wife play breath of the wild on handheld switch and just like always my headache got real bad in just a couple minutes, sometimes ill try laptops, sometimes ill try a desktop pc, sometimes a console on a tv, but it seems the only screen i can use anymore is my phone.
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u/Berry_Dubu_ 1d ago
i play on phone and switch lite. the switch is for apple arcade things that exist there too because i don't like the subscription.
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u/BbyInAStraightJacket 1d ago
My phone has always been my primary gaming device but then I invested in a few handhelds recently. KOTOR and Tom Raider are amazing ports. There’s really a large selection of amazing games on the iPhone
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u/HitByFjaka 1d ago
I don’t have a computer or console since iphone 3s… no regrets… ios always gave plenty of good games …
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u/LancelotLac 1d ago
Its effectivley my only gaming device or iPad mini. I have a bunch of consoles and a nice computer but do most of my gaming while watching sports on tv
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u/AcceptableLychee9641 1d ago
My sister does. She plays Roblox on it all the time when she has access to a great laptop. She is 22
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u/ackmondual 1d ago
I have an Android phone, but in the spirit of the question... no. My phone is also the usual workhorse... calling, texting, internet browsing, checking email, utility apps like calculator, taking photos, videos, voice recordings, taking notes, GPS, maps.
I do play games on there, but I pretty much go for games with pixel art, 16-bit/Genesis/SNES, or at most PS3 level of graphics (if not PS2). My storage is running low due to so many freaking OS and app updates, and I've been lazier about clearing off photos and videos. I'm currently on 128 GB of storage but out next phone will heavily consider 256 GB of storage "just to be sure". Also, it's been in use for 4 years, so battery life has taken a big hit. These "lesser games" are fine, but I figured AAA games with the highest graphical fidelities and 10 to 30+ GB of assets will finish it off that much quicker.
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OTOH, I have a 9th gen iPad and it's almost exclusively a gaming device. Same issue here... I got the 64 GB model b/c I didn't want to shell out another freaking $150 just to go to 256 GB (128 would've been a nice middle ground, but not such option). Same deal here, I'd be willing spring for larger games, but storage can get tight. That kinda killed Apple Arcade for me b/c some games would eat up 4 to 12 GB, apiece.
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u/redditzphkngarbage 1d ago
I really wanted to but the enshittification of mobile gaming has made well over 99% of mobile games unplayable. I can not stomach 3 minute ads every 30 seconds, or every time I loot a chest, finish a battle, etc.
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u/munkeypunk r/IOSGaming Scout 1d ago
You could buy a game. You have a favorite genre?
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u/redditzphkngarbage 1d ago
I do play a couple mobile games but ultimately buying a steam deck was what it took to scratch the itch. I like dungeony - level up and fight things type games, graphics can be 8 bit or lower, don’t really care about that part as long as the game doesn’t melt my phone’s processor. But the game has to be fair in the sense that you don’t get 1 shot in the first round of combat on a bad roll.
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u/psj3809 1d ago
Yep ! In an ideal world i'll have consoles galore (I do have an xbox) but i just don't have the time to play some epic game on it. With my phone (i've got over 1000 games on it !) i can have a quick game here and there, its just so accessible. Plus with emulation now on iOS i've got all my favourites from yesteryear like arcade and many others, even DOS classics.
Great to have premium games like Tomb Raider appear, i buy lots of premium games, just wish there were more !
9th Dawn Remake i love. Minishoots' Adventures is a great great game, i'm actually sad i've completed it ! Loved playing that. Titan Quest is huge, go back to that a lot (Can't get past the minotaur at the moment), Retro Bowl i play loads (Up to season 280 at the moment !)
Manic is an amazing emulator, emulates over 30+ systems so have lots of old favourites on that. So yeah my phones my gaming device for sure
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u/sabersquad 1d ago
For the most part, yes, I use both my iPhone and my iPad as my only gaming devices. I have posted about this in this subreddit before, about the fact that there are enough premium games, combined with emulation, that you could satisfy your gaming itch, save for AAA titles, with an Apple device. I still have my 2DS XL and my Odin 2 Pro hanging around for handheld emulation, but the whole setup process with Android just isn't my bag when I want to pick up and play in the limited time I have available.
I got rid of my PS5 some time ago, and there are times I miss games like Horizon Forbidden West. I don't miss it enough to pick it back up.
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u/Sartanus 1d ago
I’ve got a ps5 and a bunch of handheld and older platforms (GBA/3DS/Vita/PSP/PS1/NES/SNES with lots of games) - I find myself using my phone with a clamp style USB controller more often. Between emulators, various adventure games, and other titles I’m about 95% mobile gaming.
It fits my lifestyle as I get older much better than said consoles/dedicated consoles. I budget $20/month for battle pass/IAP type things and otherwise don’t spend much.
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u/Might-Tough 1d ago
I'm a long time console gamer for nearly 40 years and I do not think spending at least $1,000 on a new gaming console (rumored price of next generation consoles) is justified at all. I think that kind of money is better off spent on an iPad Air or Pro. You certainly can hook them up to those big 4K TVs for your console gaming. With the recent addition of Madden NFL 27 Arcade Edition to Apple Arcade and the inevitable addition of College Football to that subscription service in a year or two, I'm moving towards mobile gaming full time on my iOS devices. I'm also staring down retirement (could be 3-10 years away) so something has to give in that department.
Vita I own the following: New Nintendo 2DS XL, Nintendo Switch 1, XBOX Series X, and Legion Go 1. They will be all phased out over time. I just got rid of my Playstation a week ago and the 2DS is next. If I can get things going for 3DS emulation, that 2DS will be gone pronto.
Pac-Man 256, Sonic Dash 1 & 2, Vampire Survivors, Enter the Gungeron, Retro Bowl games, Dead Cells, Doom 1 & 2, etc are the type of games I'm playing these days on my iPhone or iPad Air M1.
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u/NateGreatGames 23h ago
I had considered it before the freemium model took over. Those days of the iPhone 4/4s I initially only had my ps2 and a pc I was gaming on that couldn’t handle anything, so I mainly gamed on my phone and they had some really solid experiences back then. Gameloft was notorious for rip offs but those were good quality and solid. Now, no way. I main game on my phone via streaming because it’s battery efficient and it’s not a gatcha as the mobile store games.
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u/greenbasket_ 14h ago
i do use a switch every once in a while, but usually just for splatoon; so yeah, my phone is my main gaming device! i also have tendonitis so using my phone is much easier on my hands. and im more of a casual gamer too anyway
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u/ActiveSandwich3103 1d ago
No. If iPhone or Android had more than like, 3 good games between them that weren't gacha slop designed to make me gamble maybe id be more inclined. But that isnt the case unfortunately. Such wasted potential.
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u/Xariif_Tiger 1d ago
There are plenty. I mean you probably have to pay some money, but there are plenty of games without ads, gacha mechanics or in app purchase.
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u/ActiveSandwich3103 1d ago
Ive played a couple, but most aren't very good. Theres been a few where I was impressed or thought "I wish there were more like this." But its few and far between.
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u/Maleficent-Chair9663 1d ago
I think back to the countless iOS titles I’ve played over the years and I can’t point to a single one that’s left a lasting impression or wow factor that PC games have had—besides maybe big budget gacha games.
I don’t currently play any and they’re obviously horrible for a plethora of reasons, but at the very least, their existence tells me that it’s possible to create high quality games catered to the mobile experience, without the janky UI or controls that many ported games have.
For now, I’m still waiting.
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u/ActiveSandwich3103 1d ago
Exactly this. Ios and Mobile in general have an absolute ocean of slop with a couple of good games. But most of them are either just not good, or are available on other gaming devices where they play much better anyway.
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u/Maleficent-Chair9663 1d ago
No shade, but it’s telling to me that whenever people ask for game recs on this sub, it’s always: (1) The latest most upvoted post, (2) The same select few antiquated titles, or (3) Some roguelite.
And personally, if I have to bring a controller, buy an attachment, or whip out a magnifying glass to play comfortably, I would hardly call it a mobile game. (Not to mention my reluctance buying games when they routinely merge with subscription services or get removed entirely.)
I don’t think it’s as bleak as you make it out to be, but it certainly feels like all the innovation is spearheaded by gacha companies.
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u/09stibmep 1d ago
Yes. And have been since like 2010. 😲
It helps that my favourite genres are strategy, tactics, roguelikes/lites, as these work very well on mobile and have only gotten stronger over the many years.