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Top 25 best console and PC conversions for iPhone and iPad (iOS)

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Top 25 best console and PC conversions for iPhone and iPad (iOS)

25 essential ports to have in your iOS collection

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Update October 10th, 2023 - swapped 1 game. Original list by Jon Mundy, updated by Jupiter Hadley.


Today we are going to talk about the best console games on iOS, as well as the PC games on iOS! Original games are the lifeblood of any platform. You can guarantee that the winner of the console war in any given generation will be the machine with the best unique titles in its roster.

But a good port can be just as persuasive. If your console lacks a bone fide third party classic that can be found on another platform, you can bet your bottom dollar that questions are going to be asked.

We're always cautiously happy when a big game comes to iOS, even if initially came out years earlier, or was built with a TV and physical controls in mind.

The best ports tend to be those that capture the purity of the original, but smartly retune things for a mobile phone or tablet. They don't have to function well with touchscreen controls - Bluetooth controller support means that's not strictly necessary - but it certainly helps.

Basically, though, we just want playable versions of our favourite PC and console games on our iPhones and iPads. Is that too much to ask? Not judging by these 25 prime examples.

Click Here To View The List »

1
FTL: Faster Than Light

Developer: Subset Games
Publisher: Subset Games
Available on: iOS + Android + Steam
Genre: Strategy
Find out more about FTL: Faster Than Light
FTL: Faster Than Light

An easy-breezy port from PC to tablet, this game is one of the best console ports on iOS of all time. Its retro art and rich, sandbox nature make it a favourite in plenty of people's books, and the controls and ease of use between PC and mobile make it that much more enjoyable.

If you're not sure what FTL: Faster Than Light is or never heard of it before, then we've got an FTL review to give you an idea of what to expect from it.

Download FTL: Faster Than Light
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2
Hearthstone

Developer: Blizzard Entertainment
Publisher: Blizzard Entertainment
Available on: iOS + Android
Genre: Card battler, RPG, Strategy
Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft

Hearthstone is one of the greatest card battlers of all time, and one of the best examples of free-to-play, too. And it's all coated in that delicious Blizzard polish. It's a lovely game that you can play on your iPad or iPhone any day, any time, since it's as timeless as time itself.

We've got a bunch of Hearthstone guides for the various expansions, so make sure to check them out if you're curious in particular. There's definitely something in there for everyone.

Download Hearthstone
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3
Dead Cells

Developer: Motion Twin
Publisher: Motion Twin
Available on: iOS + Android + Steam + Switch
Genre: Action, Adventure
Find out more about Dead Cells
Dead Cells

Has there been a better roguelite platformer than Dead Cells since the launch of the imperious Spelunky? I don't think so. With such immersive and lovely graphics, and an even better playstyle, this game has captivated us - and for good reason.

This wonderful game sparkles thanks to a limber combat system and a dizzying arsenal of ranged and melee weaponry. You can read our Dead Cells review if you're eager to learn our experience playing it, or you can dive straight into some beginner tips!

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4
GRID Autosport

Publisher: Feral Interactive
Available on: iOS + Android + Switch
Genre: Racing
Find out more about GRID Autosport
GRID Autosport

There are plenty of brilliant mobile racers that justifiably claim to be console-quality, but none have delivered the real thing to the extent of GRID Autosport. This racing game is a brilliant console port for iOS that not only looks absolutely brilliant but also plays accordingly.

It's a deep, technically astonishing slab of premium racing action that is worth adding to your collection, especially if your collection is full of shiny four-wheel supercars. If you're not sure yet though, you can always read our GRID Autosport review. Otherwise, you can read some beginner tips to help you get a head start in every race!

Download GRID Autosport
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5
Slay the Spire

Publisher: Humble Bundle
Available on: iOS + Android + Steam
Genre: Card battler
Find out more about Slay the Spire
Slay the Spire

Despite being an imperfect port, Slay The Spire remains the king of card battlers and an endlessly replayable roguelite masterpiece. This beautiful iOS console port is full of strategy and tactics every step of the way, but we've shared more on that in our Slay the Spire review. We have also created a tier list for Slay the Spire cards that you can (and should) pick and the ones that you should avoid.

This game basically takes everything that requires strategy and deck building and mashes it into a battler where you have to decide your own fate. One could say, it's got both brains and beauty!

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6
Bad North: Jotunn Edition

Developer: Raw Fury Games
Available on: iOS + Android
Genre: Strategy
Find out more about Bad North: Jotunn Edition
Bad North: Jotunn Edition

We always suspected that Bad North, one of the finest strategy games of recent years, would play well on mobile. The way it distils the real-time strategy genre into a touch-friendly format makes this backs-to-the-wall Norse epic feel like an iOS native.

Before you start your Norse journey make sure to read our Bad North: Jotunn Edition beginner tips though - they'll help you get the best head start and give you an overall idea of what you should do and what you should avoid.

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7
Papers, Please

Developer: Lucas Pope
Publisher: Lucas Pope
Available on: iOS + Android
Genre: Simulation, Time management
Find out more about Papers, Please
Papers, Please

Papers, Please puts you in the shoes of a border control agent in a fictional communist state called Arstotzka. You have to study passports, read entry rules, and make sure no troublemakers get in. It sounds dull, but the human stories and branching narrative mean this game is one of the most engrossing games on mobile - even years after its release.

You can read more about what to expect in our Papers, Please review though - we've thoroughly enjoyed it and we tend to go back to playing it every now and again. If you want something that has you reading through walls of text and paperwork, this is a very wise choice of game!

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8
XCOM 2 Collection

Publisher: Feral Interactive
Available on: iOS
Genre: Strategy
Find out more about XCOM 2 Collection
XCOM 2 Collection

Who would have thought that one of the finest 3D squad strategy games on PC would translate so well to mobile? XCOM 2 Collection is a generous bundle and a genuine port success, and we strongly believe that any fan of the series will agree with us.

For those who are not familiar with XCOM just yet, all you need to know is that it's an exceptional strategic masterpiece that you can find yourself playing for hours! You can also read our XCOM 2 Collection review if you're eager to learn more about it.

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9
Star Wars: KOTOR II

Developer: BioWare
Publisher: Aspyr Media
Available on: iOS + Android
Genre: RPG
Find out more about Star Wars: KOTOR II
Star Wars: KOTOR II

It's the follow-up to one of the greatest RPGs ever made (which can also be played on iOS) and a pretty darned great one in its own right. KOTOR 2 is the long-anticipated Star Wars sequel it's OK to like - especially if you want to like it as much as we did.

While the graphics might feel a little bit outdated in 2023, it's still a very smart console port to iOS in which some small details can be overlooked. However, if you want something more contemporary, you can shift your attention towards some of the other titles on this list.

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10
Legends of Runeterra

Available on: iOS + Android
Genre: Card battler, Card/board game, Strategy
Find out more about Legends of Runeterra
Legends of Runeterra

Legends of Runeterra is a beautiful card game set in the world of League of Legends and subsequently Wild Rift. It is similar to Hearthstone, which we have previously featured on this list, but it also has a number of unique features that make it extremely appealing to the fans, especially those who seek to learn more about their favourite champions and their backgrounds.

The game plays extremely well on mobile, which is just what one might expect from a developer like Riot Games - the best part, however, would have to be the ability to cross-play from PC to mobile and swap at any time using the same account. All in all, it's a brilliant choice for TCG enthusiasts.

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11
Football Manager 2023 Mobile

Available on: iOS + Android
Genre: Simulation
Find out more about Football Manager 2023 Mobile
Football Manager 2023 Mobile

Football Manager 2023 Mobile gives you the full-on soccer management experience with streamlined touch controls. There's no deeper and more complicated game on this list. You can recruit famous players and devise strategies in order to win championships, and all without having to actually kick the ball around yourself.

We have a soft spot for FM23 Mobile on our list, but if sports are not at all your thing, then keep going because this list of best console and PC conversions for iOS is far from over.

Download Football Manager 2023 Mobile
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12
7 Billion Humans

Publisher: Tomorrow Corporation
Available on: iOS
Genre: Puzzle
Find out more about 7 Billion Humans
7 Billion Humans

7 Billion Humans is a game that actually teaches you something as you play. It's a clever puzzle game that essentially has you programming in solutions in a rather unique way. It's a game that feels better on the bigger screen, but if you love yourself a cool little brain game full of challenges, this is a perfect fit.

Thank goodness it's so very charming, or your brain might melt under the strain - and talk about strains, you should read our review if you're eager to know more about our experience playing it.

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13
The Unfinished Swan

Developer: Giant Sparrow
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
Available on: iOS + PS Vita
Genre: Adventure, Puzzle
Find out more about The Unfinished Swan
The Unfinished Swan

Despite being a belated port of a years-old PlayStation release, The Unfinished Swan still feels fresh. It's a first-person narrative adventure of rare poise and ingenuity. This game has not only a minimalistic approach in terms of colour, but also extremely immersive gameplay.

You will unfold the back and white narrative with pops of colour here and there, all in order to reveal something hidden in the world around you - or in the world within your mobile phone. It's absolutely stunning and well worth playing even in 2023.

Download The Unfinished Swan
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14
Hyper Light Drifter

Developer: Heart Machine
Available on: iOS + PS Vita + Ouya + Switch
Genre: Action, Adventure
Find out more about Hyper Light Drifter
Hyper Light Drifter

Take a classic top-down Zelda template, imbue it with intense levels of twitchy combat, and slap it with a stunning neon-drenched aesthetic. Oh, and let's not forget about the chiseled pixelated approach. It basically looks like everything has been stitched together by the most attentive designers, when, in fact, it's just an impressive release - both on mobile and otherwise.

Did you know we have a Hyper Light Drifter review? If you want to read more about the game, as well as our experience playing it, you should go ahead and read it!

Download Hyper Light Drifter
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15
Journey

Developer: thatgamecompany
Publisher: Annapurna Interactive
Available on: iOS
Genre: Adventure
Find out more about Journey
Journey

One of the most moving in downright beautiful games of recent years has made the unexpected hop to mobile, and it's as lovely as ever. This game not only looks absolutely stunning, but the fact that you can fit it straight into your pocket device makes it that much more enjoyable.

Whenever you want to experience a little piece of joy and serenity you can just get your iPhone out and dive into your own Journey. It's a beautiful multiplayer adventure that pretty much anyone can play and enjoy.

Download Journey
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16
Teamfight Tactics

Publisher: Riot Games
Available on: iOS + Android
Genre: Strategy
Find out more about Teamfight Tactics
Teamfight Tactics

What might seem like a surprising addition to this list, is actually a game that has amassed a MASSIVE following especially lately. Teamfight Tactics was originally a sort of mini-game available in the League of Legends client that gathered so much attention and so many players looking for a different kind of game using their favourite champions, that it naturally received a mobile port.

TFT is essentially an auto-chess game, in which you'll have to think about a strategy to be the last one standing. 8 Players compete against each other in turn-based battles, and the one with the most HP at the end of the game will be the winner, while the others get slowly eliminated.

The Teamfight Tactics we can enjoy on mobile is a lot more compact than the one we can enjoy on PC, but regardless, it allows for cross-platform play and that's something extremely important. And while we do not have a review, we do have a collection of TFT guides to help you out!

Download TFT: Teamfight Tactics
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17
Gwent: The Witcher Card Game

Publisher: CD Projekt Red
Available on: iOS + Android
Genre: Card battler
Find out more about Gwent: The Witcher Card Game
Gwent: The Witcher Card Game

Those waiting for a Witcher 3 conversion will have to keep on dreaming. We might be scouting the internet left and right, but so far no news about it. However, until that happens, you can play the brilliant strategy card game from that beloved RPG on your iOS device.

You can also read our Gwent tips to help you out throughout the game, so if you're still at the beginning, they will most certainly come in handy.

Download Gwent: The Witcher Card Game
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18
Cultist Simulator

Publisher: Weather Factory
Available on: iOS + Android
Genre: Card/board game, Strategy
Find out more about Cultist Simulator
Cultist Simulator

Cultist Simulator is tough to pin down. It's a narrative card game with elements of strategy and deck building and a massive dose of trial and error. The only thing that's plain to see in this enigma of a game is the quality of its iOS conversion.

If you want to read more on what this game is all about, you can always dive into our Cultist Simulator review - it'll certainly give you some very giving clues of what to expect from this conversion.

Download Cultist Simulator
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19
Stardew Valley

Publisher: Chucklefish
Available on: iOS + Android + Switch
Genre: Multiplayer, Simulation
Find out more about Stardew Valley
Stardew Valley

Stardew Valley is one of those games that will end up taking up loads of your time. As someone who has sunk many hours into it on PC, when it came to mobile, I was pretty excited. If you haven't heard of Stardew Valley yet, it's a story-based farming simulator where you can spend time growing your farm, taking care of animals, learning about villagers, attending festivals, fishing, mining and crafting! There is really a lot to do, and with the mobile version, you can spend more time developing your own little world while out and about!

Download Stardew Valley
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20
Inside

Publisher: Playdead
Available on: iOS + Switch
Genre: Platform, Puzzle
Find out more about Inside
Inside

Playdead's stunning follow-up to Limbo bests its predecessor in virtually every way, from its grimly beautiful world to its seamless blend of puzzles and wordless narrative. Inside's slow pace ensures that this is a platformer that works well on mobile, too.

You can read more about why we consider it such a great successor to Limbo in our Inside review, or you can read some useful tips to help you solve the puzzles!

Download Inside
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21
League of Legends: Wild Rift

Developer: Tencent
Publisher: Tencent
Available on: iOS + Android
Genre: MOBA
Find out more about League of Legends: Wild Rift
League of Legends: Wild Rift

Just like Teamfight Tactics, Wild Rift is a game that started off its journey more than a decade ago on PC. This MOBA has received a mobile version (arguably different than the PC version and with the mandatory adjustments), but we're still going to go wild and call it one of the best and most anticipated PC and console conversions on iOS to this day.

You can also check our increasing collection of Wild Rift articles since we post regularly about the latest updates and events in the game. There is also a tier list for Wild RIft where we have sorted the champions from the top-down, You wouldn't wanna miss them!

Download League of Legends: Wild Rift
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22
Invisible, Inc.

Publisher: Klei Entertainment
Available on: iOS + Steam
Genre: Stealth, Strategy
Find out more about Invisible, Inc.
Invisible, Inc.

Turn-based strategy meets stealth in this slick sci-fi crime caper. Invisible Inc's tense procedurally generated missions and stylish isometric visuals really sing on mobile. If you want a sure way to convince you to give this brilliant game a try, then you should read our Invisible, Inc. review.

Regardless, this game is something you'll want to experience on the smaller screens too if you've already played it on the bigger ones. We wholeheartedly recommend it!

Download Invisible, Inc.
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23
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night

Publisher: Konami
Available on: iOS + Android
Genre: Action, Adventure, RPG
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night

It would be inaccurate to say that we've been waiting for a Castlevania: Symphony of the Night conversion since the first iPhone, because it landed 10 years prior to that. But we're incredibly glad Konami finally got around to it because this is the game that put the 'vania' into 'Metroidvania'.

We have played it for the longest time, and it's still a long-standing title in this list as well as many others. It's one of those timeless creations that you'll definitely love.

Download Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
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24
Minecraft

Developer: Mojang
Publisher: Mojang
Available on: iOS + Android + Windows Phone + Xperia Play
Genre: Adventure, Brain training
Find out more about Minecraft
Minecraft

The next game on the list is probably one of the most popular survival games with a huge fanbase. That's right, Minecraft is an endless world where you are free to do what you want. The number of items you can use to build the buildings is impressive, therefore, it is a perfect game to express your creativity. Moreover, you can fight with zombies here, craft items, explore the world, mine, fish, and do many other activities.

And if you are looking for more content, why not check out our other Minecraft guides, such as how to grow mushrooms or craft the Eye of Ender.

Donwload Minecraft
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25
Moonlighter

Publisher: 11 bit studios
Available on: iOS + Steam + Switch
Genre: Action, RPG, Simulation
Find out more about Moonlighter
Moonlighter

Imagine if, after plundering a dungeon in a classic top-down action RPG like Zelda, you had to then wheel and deal to flog your wares. Well, you don't need to imagine any longer, because Moonlighter is the game that does exactly that. You have beautiful pixelated action-packed brawls at every step, which makes this mobile adventure that much more exciting.

That's Moonlighter in a nutshell, and it works brilliantly on iOS - provided you hook up a controller. You can read more about our experience in our Moonlighter review though!

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Jon Mundy
Jon Mundy
Jon is a consummate expert in adventure, action, and sports games. Which is just as well, as in real life he's timid, lazy, and unfit. It's amazing how these things even themselves out.