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5 Best Console Games for the iPhone and iPad

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While there are a countless number of great games made specifically for the iPhone and iPad, many of the best iOS games are ports or continuations of games that debuted on consoles.

Some of those games are direct ports that translate everything from home consoles and PCs to touchscreens, while others use the same worlds with new concepts for touchscreens. Not every port handles the transition well, but some are still fun to play despite their concessions.

While many console and PC ports brings older games to iOS devices, some also take much more recent games to devices without sacrificing much.

Here’s a list of some of the best console games that are on the iPhone and iPad.

Deus Ex: The Fall

Deus_Ex_The_Fall

We’re hesitant to include Deus Ex on this list, as it isn’t available as of this writing, but if its anything like Human Revolution on consoles, it will be a very fun games Deus Ex: The Fall is a prequel to the most recent console game set in a cyberpunk setting where humans can choose to augment themselves for a variety of reasons.

The Fall includes many of the abilities of the console game, but with a different character and a new story to explore. Deus Ex: The Fall comes to iOS on July 11.

XCOM: Enemy Unknown

XCOM- Enemy Unknown for iOS

XCOM: Enemy Unknown for iOS is a port of the console and PC game of the same name. The strategy game puts players in charge of the XCOM task force that’s responsible for protecting the planet from an alien invasion.

The iOS version has slightly lower-resolution graphics and fewer combat arenas, but the basic gameplay is still there. The turn-based missions seem perfect for touch screens, especially the large 9.7-inch iPad.

At $20 XCOM: Enemy Unknown is more expensive than many iOS games, but it’s well worth the price for a AAA game that costs twice as much on other platforms.

Grand Theft Auto: Vice City

Grand Theft Auto: Vice City

A decade after its release on the PlayStation 2, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City is still just as fun on the iPhone and iPad. The classic game uses touchscreen controls, which means virtual buttons, but they work well for the game.

The game is essentially the same as the PS2 version, players still guide Tony Montana through a fictional 1980’s Miami as they try to own the city. Of course, players can always choose to just have fun in the city’s sandbox instead of playing through story missions.

The Bard’s Tale

The Bard's Tale

The Bard’s Tale brings the PS2 and Xbox re-imagining of the classic Amiga and Mac games of the same name to the iPhone and iPad. Of course, it also includes the original games from the 80’s as well, giving gamers easy access to the entire line of games.

The original three games are known for their great gameplay while the 2004 version is known for its humor poking fun at itself and fantasy tropes in general. All four games are still a joy to play, even if the original games feel quite dated.

Final Fantasy IV

Final Fantasy IV logo

This entry could really apply to any of the Final Fantasy games Square Enix released on the iPhone and iPad. Final Fantasy IV is an iOS port of the Nintendo DS game which was itself a 3D remake of the classic NES title that first came to the U.S. as Final Fantasy II.

As with most Japanese RPGs the story is somewhat convoluted and ridiculous, but the characters are still interesting and lovable. The turn-based combat still holds up on iOS, and works well with a touchscreen. The game is long, but is well worth the time investment for JRPG fans who may not have played the game in any of its other iterations.

2 Comments

2 Comments

  1. Buck CrossHaw

    08/25/2013 at 7:28 am

    Seriously dude ? Where’s N.O.V.A 3 and Modern Combat 4 or Gangstar ? You have no idea what the good games are… There’s RipTide GT, and I just can’t believe you left out Infinity Blade 2…

    • Mikki Gørë

      04/01/2015 at 6:37 am

      If you would have read the title, you might notice that they are only listing console games ported to iOS…but since you chose to disregard that and went ahead to write a complaint, you litherally made yourself look like an idiot.

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