Can’t Find a Switch? Play the 6 Best Nintendo Games for iPhone (Ranked)
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For many people, the stay-at-home pandemic is the perfect reason to buy that Nintendo Switch that they've desired for so long. Or it would be – if they weren't all sold out. Regular Nintendo Switches have been sold out worldwide due to high demand and little inventory, although Switch Lites are available in limited quantities at inflated prices.
But while you'll have wait to get a system for the latest Animal Crossing game, there are a variety of other games available to iOS users that you should play in the meantime. Continue reading to browse the six best Nintendo games for iOS, ranked.
Dragalia Lost
Dragalia Lost is one of the few Nintendo-made iOS games that are original in nature. Based in a kingdom where humans co-exist with dragons, players are given the chance to partner with dragon companions and unleash their power upon their opponents.
Dragalia adopts a standard mobile RPG model based on gathering heroes and leveling them up while progressing through a preset plot and competing with others. The game is free to download but has microtransactions to speed up tasks.
Fire Emblem Heroes
Fire Emblem has acted as a mish-mash of both strategy and RPG, where players level up and lead their soldiers against the enemy, developing diehard fans over the years. However, there has not been a version where players can pull heroes from one game to another. Now they can!
Fire Emblem Heroes allows players to choose and strengthen their favorite heroes from the series (pre-Three Houses, that is) and use them in a variety of combat stages. The mechanics do resemble those of the traditional FE experience, albeit limited to only four or more heroes.
Players can utilize FE Heroes for free or use microtransactions to get special heroes and speed up tasks. Get it here.
Dr. Mario World
If there's something that can be said about Mario, it's that he is a man of many talents. Kart driver. Plumber. Athlete. And Doctor, apparently. In 1990, Mario began his medical career in Dr. Mario, a Tetris-like medicinal game where players line up pills with viruses in hopes of curing the patient.
The game returned to mobile devices in a similar format (an understandable decision, considering that puzzle games like Candy Crush are immensely popular). There is a single player mode for players to progress through, as well as a competitive mode available for those who wish to challenge friends and neighbors to a puzzle-off. It is a perfect capture of the Dr. Mario experience for new users.
The game is currently free on iOS with microtransactions.
Super Mario Run
Auto-runner games were one of the most popular game subgenres on the iOS, whether it was Sonic Dash or Temple Run. So it only made sense for Mario to adapt their infamous game to the property.
Super Mario Run is a 2D-runner, where players race across the Mushroom Kingdom as Mario. They'd have to jump gaps, hop upon enemies and race against the clock to gather coins, take on friends in time trials, and a number of tasks.
Super Mario Run is free to play, but features microtransactions to make the gaming process easier.
Animal Crossing Pocket Camp
Animal Crossing has definitely defined the pandemic for thousands of gamers; offering a point of utopian peacefulness to escape to in the midst of chaos. It's also been a wonderful tool for unity.
While Pocket Camp does not have anywhere near the same amount of tools or options as other games, it's a wonderful alternative experience for players who need something in the meantime. Players can help manage and decorate a campsite, interact with AC characters and enjoy festivals and events.
The game is free to download but has microtransactions to speed up tasks and simplify methodologies.
Mario Kart Tour
It's hard to deny the joy of racing around Rainbow Road and knocking a friend or foe off the race track with a blue shell. Now players can explore this experience on their mobile devices with Mario Kart Tour.
Players can race up to seven friends (if connected on their devices), race around their favorite courses, customize and build their kart collections, and take on special challenge courses.
Mario Kart Tour is free to download with optional app purchases.