The 6 best iPad and iPhone games to gift on Giving Tuesday (2015)
Yes, Giving Tuesday, deal with it
Apparently it's Giving Tuesday. I don't know why all days have to have names now, but apparently they do, and that's something we're all going to have to come to terms with in our own way.
But since you can gift games on the App Store, we thought it'd be nice to give you a list of games you should send to people you like today.
You could even send them to people you don't like in an attempt to make new friends or rebuild burnt bridges. It doesn't take much to be kind you know.
If you can think of other games you'd like to gift, feel free to add them in the comments at the bottom of the article.
Slamjet Stadium
Slamjet Stadium gets its place on this list because it's much more fun to play it with other people. So if you're not taking your iPad out with you this week, why not buy it for someone you're visiting.
Do people still visit other people? I presume they do.
Anyway, this is a brilliant futuristic sports game that's all about smashing a ball around. And your opponent. And anything you can find. Smash stuff.
It looks great, it plays great, and your friend will probably give you a hug if you get it for them.
Final Fantasy VII
This one makes it to the list because some people still haven't played it. Can you imagine that? Can you imagine living in a world where you had no idea what Materia was? Where you had no concept of Emerald Weapon?
Well if any of your friends fit into that appalling category, why not consider ending their misery and buying them the mobile version of this classic?
It might not be the perfect platform to play the game on, and the controller overlay is what you might call wonky, but that can't hide just how special the whole experience is.
The Room
Maybe your friend has just got a new mobile device. Maybe they're banging on about how there are no decent games, maybe you just want to stab them in the thigh with a fork?
Don't do that though, give them The Room instead. And then sit back smugly as they realise their diatribe about mobile games was utterly uninformed.
Then make them buy The Room 2 and The Room 3. Then talk about your experiences and cement your friendship in the warm glow of mutual satisfaction.
Gunbrick
Most of Nitrome's games are free. So you'd imagine that anyone with a mobile device has at least some of them installed. But why not treat them to one of the dev's bigger releases?
Gunbrick is a wonderful platforming puzzler that layers on all the twists and surprises you'd expect from Nitrome. And it sees you controlling a brick with a rocket launcher in it.
It's a brilliant introduction to the world of Nitrome, and I bet if you buy it for a chum they'll give you an awesome high five.
XCOM: Enemy Unknown
It might be expensive. It might take up a wodge of storage, but if you gave me XCOM this Tuesday I'd be so surprised and full of love that I'd buy you a drink.
This is by far one of the best examples of a console port done brilliantly. It's slick, it works wonderfully on touchscreen, and your friend will probably show it off with glee once they've downloaded it.
Plus it's really tough, and they could waste hours on it. So maybe give it to someone you don't have plans with this week, otherwise they'll cancel and it'll be awkward.
Operation Dracula
If your friends are like my friends, then your friends are probably quite old. And old people bloody love arcades. Not gambling arcades, but proper smoke-filled gaming arcades with joysticks and gross carpets.
Anyway, Operation Dracula will make your old friends happy because it's got a perfect arcade heart. They'll smile, they'll shoot things, they'll reminisce about the jangle of coins.
They'll also have a lot of fun. You'll have put thought into their present, and they'll enjoy it. And that's what Giving Tuesday is about. Maybe? What the hell is Giving Tuesday?
