Gaming on mobile has really taken off in the past decade. Plenty of young gamers get their first experience on a tablet or a phone, well before getting access to a console or one of the best budget gaming PCs. With the increasing number of apps being developed and released, it's a bit confusing to pinpoint games that strongly focus on multiplayer.
Strangely, certain mobile titles are slowly bringing back couch co-op. That's rather interesting, considering this venue has mostly been forgotten by mainstream console developers. Although plenty of iOS games feature worldwide or regional connectivity, others also let you have fun while being in the same room as a friend.
10 Chess — Play & Learn
The game of chess is among the oldest in existence, especially with regard to human interaction. However, playing it on a console just feels wrong. Unless you have a board and a person to sit down with, this app is the next best thing.
There are many chess games on the iOS app store, but this one is particularly good for a few reasons. First of all, it's free, you can simply start playing without any added frills. Secondly, the game also teaches you how to play if you're a newcomer to chess. Lastly, this is one of the most downloaded items in the store, so you'll never have to wait long to find a match, which is perfect for quick lunch breaks.
9 Heads Up!
Heads Up! is a great party game to enjoy with your friends and family, especially on rainy days or special occasions. It does cost a meager $0.99, but it's the best dollar you'll ever spend on a game. Chances are, you already played this with a friend at some point in time.
If you haven't, the premise of this game follows traditional charades like Taboo: hold the phone in front of your forehead and let your friends clue you, so you can try to currently guess the word or character displayed on the screen.
8 Terraria
This fun 2D, 16-bit game is perfect if you enjoy sandboxes with a focus on crafting. Terraria is available on a wealth of platforms, you might have even seen it on shelves in retail stores. In terms of content, this title is extensive, you can spend hours upon hours of gameplay with it.
Terraria is available for $4.99 on the app store, and it features a multiplayer mode that even includes a dedicated server compatibility using PC support. You can play with up to 7 friends, online or over local Wi-Fi.
7 Mario Kart Tour
Ever wanted to play Mario Kart, but don't have a Nintendo Switch? You're in luck since you can download Mario Kart Tour on iPhone for free. It does come with some microtransactions, but you don't need to worry about them unless you absolutely want to unlock a specific character, kart, or glider.
The production quality of this game is surprising considering the game is free to play. Naturally, Mario Kart Tour isn't the same as playing it on console, it does have some technological drawbacks. Nonetheless, it's an undeniably great multiplayer game.
6 Call Of Duty: Mobile
A Call Of Duty game had to arrive on mobile, sooner or later. Perhaps, you'll be able to play one on your microwave, someday, just like Skyrim. Jokes aside, this iPhone game is your traditional battle royale that's free, although it comes with a heap of microtransactions and recurring seasonal passes.
If you can look past the overwhelming monetization on cosmetics, you can enjoy one of the most popular shooter games in the mobile scene. Other than the battle royale, Call Of Duty: Mobile also comes with a 5v5 mode that's more in tune with quick, high-octane play sessions.
5 PUBG Mobile
It's only natural that the game that popularized the battle royale genre would end up on mobile. This version of PUBG is free to download on your iPhone, but like every other battle royale, it comes with microtransactions — what a shocker.
PUBG Mobile has a few interesting modes other than the one where you have to look for players, encounter no one, and magically die from a sniper hiding in a bush. Do you like zombies? How about team deathmatch? It's all here.
4 8 Ball Pool
This game has been around on Miniclip since the dark ages, and it got many gamers through hard times, namely when they didn't have money to spend on other games. 8 Ball Pool is easily one of the most addictive, quick-play titles ever. Matches last about 5 to 10 minutes, whether you win or lose makes no difference, you still want to jump to the next opponent.
This game is completely free, but it could be regarded as pay-to-win if you try to compete in high-end tournaments. Stay away from those and enjoy the random matchmaking system.
3 UNO!
When it comes to card games, UNO! takes the cake. Whether you want to play with friends or random people around the world, this game is perfect for those who enjoy quick, exhilarating matches.
The mobile version of UNO! comes very close to the beautiful feeling of throwing a +4 to your buddies in real life, so much so that it's all too easy to fall in love with the gameplay loop. Since this app is free and occupies relatively little space, there is no reason why you shouldn't get it.
2 Among Us
You probably already heard of or played Among Us. This sensational hit took the world by storm a year ago, when everyone was forced to stay indoors because the seeming apocalypse was upon us. Among Us is still one of the best games to get for your iPhone, and it's easily the very best free one.
Either complete all your tasks without dying or hunt down every crewmate without being caught. This simply beautiful dynamic coupled with detective-like discussion periods account for one of the most engaging gaming experiences there are. Everyone should play Among Us, at least once in their life.
1 Minecraft
It's no surprise that the best-selling video game of all time happens to be the most downloaded in the app store. Since vanilla Minecraft isn't especially technologically taxing, having it at your fingertips gives you unparalleled ease of access to wonderful adventures alongside other players.
Naturally, the best way to play this game is with a good old mouse and keyboard, but if you only have a phone and $6.99 to spare, you are in business for some serious boundless fun.