Going mobile

Released on Dec. 10, 2009, the goal of Angry Birds is to slingshot wingless birds towards their enemy targets, green pigs. By knocking down structures, setting off TNT and, of course, hitting pigs, players earn points to buy more birds and unlock new levels. Downloaded at age 5 on his old iPad, sophomore Bryson Steffey still finds time to play the game on his iPhone in between classes and during f...

Released on May 23, 2012, Subway Surfers is a single-player game that requires running on train tracks to avoid being caught by a train inspector. Sophomore Noah Albano enjoys collecting coins and rewards that allow him to upgrade his character in the game, which leads to new advantages. Albano originally started playing this game on his iPod touch five years ago and has continued to play it on his...

Crossy Road was released on Nov. 20, 2014, to iOS and to Android on Dec. 18, 2015. The goal of the game is to help your avatar cross the road while avoiding obstacles without losing your place. First playing this game when he was 6, freshman Nathan Straight enjoyed the idea of beating your high score. “I know it was really challenging to try to get to your newest high score,” Straight said. “I [...

Released on Sept. 1, 2006, Roblox was originally an online multiplayer game only accessible on computers. The game was then re-released for iOS on Dec. 11, 2012, and for Android on Jul. 16, 2014. “When I was younger, I liked meeting new friends and just having fun, I even had a Roblox boyfriend,” said sophomore Julia Register, who began playing on her laptop in third grade. Register began playing t...

My Singing Monsters, released on Sept. 4, 2012, allows players to complete challenges in order to collect monsters, which each sing a different tune. With more characters, islands and songs, sophomore Cailin Kilkenny still enjoys growing her monster choir. First downloaded when she was in third grade, Kilkenny enjoyed playing the game because she “liked singing the little songs and collecting the...

With the first version of the game released for computers on Feb. 4, 2000, The Sims is a real-life simulator where players complete daily activities for their characters like cooking, taking showers and even growing their family. “I love controlling people's lives, it's a fun game and you lose track of time,” said sophomore Bryce Padilla, who started playing in fifth grade. Padilla recently downloa...

Released on Aug. 5, 2011, Papa’s Freezeria was a web game that allowed players to run their own ice cream shop, serving customers and earning points for service quality. Sophomore Sabrina Gil enjoys the aspect of running a business and “all the toppings and the craze of when a lot of customers come in.” Gil began playing this game on a laptop in sixth grade, and now plays on her phone whenever...

Minecraft was released on Aug. 16, 2011, on the web, and later released in October and November 2011 for iOS and Android. The goal of the game is to explore and create while staying alive. Sophomore Jorge Tirado started playing this game when he was 11, on his cousin’s Xbox, but rediscovered it later on and enjoys the new updates and changes they now have on iPhone and Kindle Fire which are no lo...