What are the 5 best mobile puzzle games?

Sometimes, you don't want to shoot people in the face. Or punch people in the face. Or do anything mean to anyone's face. And in times like that, you need a good puzzler. But with so many on the App Store and Google Play, it's sometimes hard to figure out which one is best for you.

But don't worry about something as pesky as choice paralysis because that's where this list comes in. We've picked five of the best puzzlers available for iOS and Android so you can put your brain to the test.

We've tried to include a mixture of puzzlers, depending on what you're looking for. There are some you can play daily to keep your brain ticking over, alongside some you can complete in an evening. Some are relaxing, others slightly infuriating.

1. Gorogoa

We're kicking off this list of great puzzlers with the exceptional Gorogoa, a game that feels like you're genuinely playing with art. The entire concept is based on moving panels to manipulate context and perspective. Doing so allows the various elements of each frame to interact with one another. If you find the right combination, the story progresses.

It sounds incredibly simple, but discovering the solutions to Gorogoa's many puzzles isn't so straightforward. That said, when the solution finally clicks in your brain, it's a joy to watch the beautiful animations play out as you shift to the next part of the story. It won't demand much of your time either, clocking in at around two hours, so it's the perfect choice if you're after something short yet satisfying.

Gorogoa is available to download on Google Play and the App Store.

2. Candy Crush Saga

While I'm sure some of you are eye-rolling at the inclusion of Candy Crush Saga, you can't deny its success. If you're looking for a casual puzzler to play on the go, you'd be hard-pressed to find one better than King's ever-popular match-3. It doesn't have over a billion downloads for no reason.

Diving into Candy Crush's broad appeal would take a long time. It's multi-faceted, after all. Not many games can capture such a wide audience, nor should they aim to. All I can speak to is why I believe it has remained at the top, and, for me, the enduring popularity lies in King agonising over the small details. They have spent time analysing every tiny facet of each animation, making sure the candy bouncing as it drops is appealing and that each colourful explosion suits the moment. All of this serves to make each match feel that tiny bit more enjoyable.

Candy Crush Saga is available to download on Google Play and the App Store.

3. Golf Peaks

Golf is an interesting entity when it comes to games. Oftentimes, the best options aren't those that aim to emulate the sport as realistically as possible. Probably because it's unfathomably dull. Anyway, one example is Afterburn's Golf Peaks, which makes each hole an intriguing card-based puzzle.

Instead of selecting your club, choosing your power, and adjusting based on the wind, you simply play a card instead. Each hole acts as an obstacle course of sorts, leaving you to navigate it using the cards provided at the start of the level. And that's it, really. Figuring out the correct order to use them in is all there is to it, and yet, it makes for a stellar puzzling experience.

Golf Peaks is available to download on Google Play and the App Store.

4. Pink

If you're a fan of puzzlers, you should become acquainted with Bart Bonte. They have made a series of games named after colours, one of which is our next entry, Pink. Split into fifty levels, each offers an entirely different logic, keeping your brain on its metaphorical toes as you figure out what to do. Every solution is usually some genius twist that results in beautiful “A-ha!” moments.

Personally, it gives me Impossible Quiz vibes from the Newgrounds days of Flash puzzlers, except with a ton more polish and style. And the good news is, if you enjoy Pink, you can also try your hand at Yellow, Red, Black, Blue, and Green.

Pink is available to download on Google Play and the App Store.

5. Mini Metro

While the prospect of a transportation management and simulator might not sound appealing to most people on paper, the delightfully named Dinosaur Polo Club will likely change any sceptical minds once they settle down with Mini Metro.

The aim is to design the subway map for an ever-expanding city. It's all presented with a subtle yet stylish minimalist art style that makes your various underground networks easy to locate and alter as needed. As you progress and the city grows, it becomes more challenging to keep up with the demands while adhering to the game's rules. It's an attempt at achieving efficiency on the move, and it's delightful.

Mini Metro is available to download on Google Play and the App Store.