Top 20 Mobile Games Of All Time

1. Angry Birds

Whether you hate it or love it, you have to admit that “Angry Birds” redefined what was possible from a mobile game. It’s a legitimate pop culture supernova, one that Rovio has wisely mined for all that it’s worth. If you had told me five years ago that a game people play on their phones could have its own cartoon, appear on kids underwear, get turned into toys and board games and heaven knows what else—and that all that stuff would sell—I would have given you my disbelief face.

“Angry Birds” occupies the perfect sweet spot between accessibility and challenge, and the developers have done an amazing job coming up with new levels, themes, and game mechanics over the past few years. The “Star Wars” partnership is a winner, and even the “Bad Piggies” spin-off game is really good. Plus the games are priced right, making it easy to purchase them on a whim.

Other games may eventually transcend mobile gaming, and I hope they do. But if there’s ever a Mobile Games Hall of Fame, the first bust will be in the form of a scowling bird. Count on it.