A quick guide to mobile genres and who they're for

People ask us which genres are actually good on phones, and the honest answer is: it depends what you want from a session. Casual and puzzle games win for pick-up-and-play. RPGs and adventures reward longer sits.

Strategy games can be brilliant on touchscreens now — drag-select and pinch-zoom solved a lot of old problems — but they're rarely one-handed and they eat battery. Save them for when you're settled and preferably charging.

Racing and arcade games are the sweet spot for many. Short rounds, instant fun, and they show off what a phone can do. Just be ready to try a few control schemes before you find your groove.

Simulation games are the quiet winners for a lot of readers. Farm sims and town builders offer a calm, offline routine you can dip into forever. If you want something that never demands your full attention, start there.