The Top Five mobile games your mum could play

Here's a true story: my mum [that's not actually her pictured, but a professional mum model, by the way - Photo Ed] now carries her Nokia charger in her handbag all the time. Why? Because she keeps running her phone battery down playing Chuzzle Mobile. I'm still in joyful shock after hearing the news.

It's her first experience of gaming. Well, apart from the two-week period back in 1989ish, when I kept coming home from school to find her playing Tetris on my Commodore 64 with a guilty look on her face.

What about your mum? If she's got a relatively modern phone (i.e. not one that lives in the glove compartment of her car and hasn't been charged since 2003), it's capable of playing games.

But, assuming she's not already a hardcore gamer, what mobile games should you introduce her to? Here's a prime selection.

Top Five Mobile Games Your Mum Could Play

Chuzzle Mobile Publisher: PopCap Games We should start with Chuzzle, the game that's got my mum burning her battery life. One reason is that it's instantly accessible - sliding rows of cutesy critters back and forth doesn't require prior gaming experience. The game is constantly rewarding you too, which is perfect for people looking for a quick gaming fix. Oh, and did I mention the cutesy critters? Those colourful Chuzzles would melt the heart of any mum.
Slingo Bingo Publisher: I-play It is, of course, a wild and inaccurate generalisation to suggest that mums and bingo make a good match. Many people's mothers wouldn't be caught dead within a mile of the local bingo hall. But nevertheless, mums understand how bingo works, so a mobile game based on its principles has clear appeal. Better still, Slingo Bingo is a bright, well-presented game that's easy to get into, but has the addictiveness factor in spades.
Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? 3rd Edition Publisher: Glu Mobile If your mum is something of a doubting Thomasina when it comes to mobile games ("but what's the point?"), a familiar format can go a long way. Glu's latest game based on WWTBAM follows the structure of the TV quizzer closely, with a comprehensive catalogue of questions, and a selection of virtual friends to 'phone' for a lifeline. Be warned though, if your mum downloads this, she'll be on the phone to you within minutes wondering why Chris Tarrant is missing.
Cafe Solitaire Publisher: Digital Chocolate If your mum is in recovery from her addiction to Windows Solitaire - and this applies to millions of mothers around the world - then maybe you shouldn't tell her about Cafe Solitaire. It's by far the slickest solitaire game for phones, offering 12 different variants to keep her interest up. And while it's not essential to get into the accompanying Cafe connectivity, don't be surprised if next time she calls you, it's to get your Cafe code...
Brain Challenge Vol. 2 Publisher: Gameloft Nintendo has made a decent fist of selling DS handhelds to mums of all ages, thanks to its pioneering brain-training titles. But some have resisted, wondering whether they really want a dedicated gaming device. If this is your mum, then point her in the direction of Gameloft's Brain Challenge Vol. 2, which is one of the most playable and accessible of the many mobile brain-trainers.