7 Free Mobile Spin-Offs of Your Favorite Console Games
We all have our favorite gaming consoles, whether that’s PlayStation, handheld consoles like the Nintendo Switch, or PC games.
Yet, there are times when we don’t have access to our favorite games. Maybe it’s a vacation, visiting family, or simply enduring a work commute that’s preventing you from playing your most-loved games.
Luckily, many popular console games have mobile spin-off versions, meaning you can engage with your favorite games wherever you are. Here are seven free mobile spin-off games you can play when you don’t have your console to hand.
1. Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp
Animal Crossings: Pocket Camp is a free-to-start mobile game for iOS and Android. While it predates the Nintendo Switch 2020 Animal Crossings: New Horizons release, you’ll find there are plenty of similarities between the two.
Both versions of Animal Crossing focus on building a campsite while developing friendships and completing tasks to help you progress. Both mobile and console versions of Animal Crossing also run in real-time, meaning you’ll experience seasonal changes in the game that reflect real-life environmental scenarios.
Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp is a simplified version of its fully-fledged console sibling (as to be expected). As with many mobile games, you’re not safe from microtransaction prompts (disguised as buying “Leaf Tickets”). Yet, for a free version of one of Nintendo’s most popular gaming franchises, Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp is a great mobile spin-off for fans of traditional Animal Crossing console games.
Download:Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp forAndroid|iOS(Free, in-app purchases available)
2. The Sims FreePlay and The Sims Mobile
WhileThe Sims 4 became free-to-play in 2022, EA released two free-to-play mobile games within the franchise ahead of its announcement: The Sims FreePlay (2011) and The Sims Mobile (2018).
Both mobile games mimic the successful PC and console Sims games in ways including creating characters, building and customizing houses, and fulfilling your Sims wants, needs, and desires.
To get your Sims fix away from your PC or console, it’s simply a matter of choosing between The Sims FreePlay and The Sims Mobile. Here are a few differences between the two games to help you choose:
Overall, The Sims Mobile offers a more streamlined and modern gameplay On the other hand, where The Sims FreePlay lacks in-game progression motivation and flourishes, it offers a less intense and more accessible mobile game. Whichever you choose, both mobile Sims games are a great alternative when you don’t have your desktop to play on.
Download:The Sims FreePlay forAndroid|iOS(Free, in-app purchases available)
Download:The Sims Mobile forAndroid|iOS(Free, in-app purchases available)
3. Mario Kart Tour
Mario Kart has been a Nintendo console staple since its initial release on the SNES in 1992. Since then, we’ve been blessed with eight subsequent Mario Kart console games. When you don’t have your console to hand, however, you can still enjoy this classic racing game through its mobile manifestation: Mario Kart Tour.
The main barrier to playing Mario Kart Tour is that you need a Nintendo account to play, otherwise, it’s a case of downloading, logging in, and racing.
Essentially, Mario Kart Tour is a simplified version of what you’d expect from console games, with easy-to-grasp controls and a quick tutorial to get you started. While you won’t experience the same level of complexity, variety, and gaming modes as you would on a Nintendo device, the mobile game is a great substitute when you only have your phone to hand.
Download:Mario Kart Tour forAndroid|iOS(Free, in-app purchases available)
4. Call of Duty: Mobile
Fans of the ever-popular FPS game Call of Duty can draw their attention to Call of Duty: Mobile. The portable mobile game offers an impressive replica of the console favorite, retaining features such as team-based gameplay, a wide range of weapons, and progressive gameplay in its compact form.
As expected, Call of Duty: Mobile has simplified graphics, controls (which can take some getting used to), and maps compared to its console relative. The mobile version also trades in the narrative aspects of the console games for a more arcade gameplay style. But if you want your COD fix, you may’t argue with this free and ready-to-play mobile version.
Download:Call of Duty: Mobile forAndroid|iOS(Free, in-app purchases available)
5. Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery
Amongthe best Harry Potter apps for Android and iPhone, fans of the wizarding world can play through the franchise on their mobiles on Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery. This Harry Potter mobile game allows you to become a student at the famous wizarding school.
Within this simulation role-playing game, you can create a witch or wizard character, attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and play through classes, quests, and duels. Starting in Diagon Alley, you’ll pick up all your necessary school items before reaching Hogwarts.
While Hogwarts Mystery may struggle to rival the desktopHogwarts Legacy game which was highly anticipated prior to its release, playing a Harry Potter game for free on your mobile should hit the spot.
Download:Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery forAndroid|iOS(Free, in-app purchases available)
6. Just Dance Now
Just Dance fans rejoice: you don’t need to rely on a Nintendo Switch to follow choreography to popular songs. You just need to download Just Dance Now to your mobile.
While it’s free to play, Just Dance Now requires a subscription to access all features and available songs. This isn’t too dissimilar to the Switch version of Just Dance, however, as buying a copy of the game only unlocks so many tracks, and a Nintendo Switch Online subscription is required to unlock all available dances. You can still play a limited range of dances without having to pay a penny, which is still a pretty good deal.
A major difference between Just Dance Now and the other mobile game spin-offs on this list is that you need a screen (TV, tablet, computer, or another casting device) to play.
Download:Just Dance Now forAndroid|iOS(Free, in-app purchases available)
7. Assassin’s Creed Rebellion
The commercially successful Assassin’s Creed franchise joined the mobile gaming world in 2018 as a free-to-play strategy RPG in Assassin’s Creed Rebellion.
You can expect the standard content from this mobile version of AC, from historical settings and using the Animus, to playing as an assassin and using stealth and combat skills against enemies.
Limitations of Assassin’s Creed Rebellion are to be expected and include less explorative and combat options, patience (or real money) required to progress through the timer-based system, and potential repetition of completing similar missions. Otherwise, Assassin’s Creed Rebellion is a great mobile app for Assassin’s Creed fans, with enough content and reliable features to satiate expectations when playing the console version is unavailable.
Download:Assassin’s Creed Rebellion forAndroid|iOS(Free, in-app purchases available)
Take (a Free Version of) Your Favorite PC and Console Games With You
While mobile spin-off games can never quite live up to their full console counterparts, you could’t really argue with this list of freebies. If you’re in a pinch and want to tap into your favorite console game on the move, then trying a mobile spin-off version is your best bet.
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