Got a gaming smartphone? Here’s how you can make the best use of it

Mobile phones have come a long way from being clunky pieces of metal and plastic to being the symbol cutting-edge technology and electronic performance. While almost every modern mobile phone share certain qualities, there are some who stand head and shoulders above the rest. These are smartphones that, apart from performing the usual functions, also double up as a portable console. Gone are the days when an avid gamer had to have multiple devices to play games to his heart’s content. So, if you are a gamer by heart, here’s how you can make the best use of your gaming smartphone.

1. Use the Gaming Mode

This one should be a no-brainer if you have purchased a gaming smartphone. While most phones have private modes to customize your notifications, the Gaming Mode does much more. It not only minimizes your notifications, but also optimizes your RAM and memory support. This gives a huge performance boost to your game and it can be played in a better resolution.

2. Keep your phone up-to-date

Smartphones are notorious for getting slow over time. However, companies keep sending over-the-air (OTA) updates to improve the phone and provide patches for your software. Though the phone notifies you in case of a new system update, it is always good to manually scroll through the settings and check for any system updates. This helps the gaming smartphone stay at the top of the game and offer the best performance.

3. Purchase a wireless controller

Modern games have evolved from 2D side-scrolling platformers to ultra-realistic 3D open worlds. Similarly, mobile gaming has also seen the shift from arcade games like Subway Surfer and Fruit Ninja to full-blown simulators and console ports. While almost all games can be played flawlessly using the touchscreen, the essence of some games is in the controller. Games like simulators, FPS or even some arcades perform much better and offer greater fun when played with a wireless controller. This controller can be connected to the gaming smartphone via Bluetooth and can be used to play multiple games. Some games offer inbuilt controller support, while others require an external key mapping software.

Image: Google Play Store

4. Consider using emulators

If you are an old-school gamer you might miss the days of Sony’s Playstation or Nintendo’s DS entertainment systems. Well, lucky for you, gaming smartphones have evolved to double up as your choice of console. No, you cannot insert your console’s disk in the phone, but you can play those games in another way. There are many emulators available on the Google Play Store or Apple App Store that offer console quality gaming on your smartphone. You can either opt for free ones like PPSSPP or go for paid ones like DraStic. The former one allows you to play any Playstation Portable (PSP) while the latter one runs Nintendo DS games. Emulators also let you play games that are otherwise unavailable on gaming smartphones, such as console exclusives.

Image: Google Play Store

Thus, you can make the best use of your gaming smartphone and optimize your gaming experience.

Love playing games on your smartphone? A wireless controller works best with these!

Mobile gaming has a loyal fan following around the world and many gamers are exclusively dedicated to their smartphones. While most games offer a seamless experience when played using the touchscreen, there are many that perform best when played with a wireless controller. Following is a list of games that maximize their performance with a wireless controller.

1. Grid Autosport

Grid Autosport is probably one of the best games on the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store. It not only offers console quality graphics on your smartphone, but also offers a realistic racecar driving experience. As the name suggests, the game revolves around racing cars around close-circuit tracks around the world. It features over a hundred licensed cars and tracks, making it a must-have for racing sim enthusiasts as well as automobile fanatics. Grid Autosport offers the most realistic driving feeling possible on a smartphone and works best when played with its inbuilt controller support. It is a paid app, though the first purchase unlocks all content, including some bonus DLCs.

Image: Google Play Store

2. Real Racing 3

If you wish to play a racing game with your wireless controller but are unwilling to shell out money, Real Racing 3 is a free alternative. It too offers console quality racing experience and features hundreds of licensed cars and racetracks. However, Real Racing 3 has certain in-app purchases that you can make to progress faster in the game, while its racing dynamics is not as on point as Grid Autosport. Still, its online multiplayer feature allows you to race against your friends and compete for the fastest time, making it a worthwhile app to pass time with.

Image: Google Play Store

3. Shadowgun Legends

Fans of the first-person shooter (FPS) genre will be overjoyed by playing Shadowgun Legends with their wireless controller. Set in a futuristic and fictional world, the game revolves around the player hunting down aliens and “bashing some skulls.” A free-to-play app, it can be played with up to three other players and offers complete controller support. Shadowgun Legends is a must try for gamers who have played Virtua Cop 2, CounterStrike or Quake in the past.

Image: Google Play Store

4. Minecraft

Minecraft has been around for a long time and has garnered a massive global fanbase. Its pocket edition for the smartphone offers the same joy of Minecraft with the pleasure of having it in your pocket! Players can roam around a vast universe; building, breaking, hunting, running and laughing along the way.’

Image: Google Play Store

5. Infinite Flight

Infinite Flight is an authentic aircraft simulator that lets you live your dream of becoming a pilot. Available as free-to-play, the game offers a realistic flying experience, that is further enhanced with a wireless controller. Players can select their choice of airport to take off from and land on, though its full features are locked behind in-app purchases. The full version of the game offers multiple weather conditions, global airports, Air Traffic Control (ATC) mode and a lot more.

Image: Google Play Store

Miss the good old days of console gaming? Here’s how you can bring back!

Old-school gamers know the pleasure of coming back from school, hastily eating lunch and booting up their gaming console. While most gamers have shifted from console gaming to mobile gaming, the essence of consoles remains unchanged. If you love to reminisce on those days and wish to play some of those games again, here’s how you can enjoy console games on your smartphone.

1. Download an emulator

Almost every console that ruled the market in the 90s has been replicated digitally. These are called emulators and can be downloaded from the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store. PPSSPP is a free emulator that plays Playstation Portable (PSP) games while DraStic is a paid one that supports Nintendo DS games. There are many others as well that support games from Nintento Gameboy, Microsoft Xbox, Sony Playstation 2 and so on.

Image: Google Play Store

2. Search for ROMs

The next step after downloading an emulator is to download the games for it. The easiest way to do so is to is via the emulator itself, though you can even look them up on Google. These are digitized versions of the same games that are played on their respective consoles, so you need to worry about system requirements. However, it is advisable to use a good gaming smartphone to optimize the gaming experience.

Image: Google Play Store

3. Opt for a controller

While emulators offer controls on the touchscreen, their gameplay is better suited for physical buttons. As they are basically console ports, the games that they play also work well with a controller. Hence, opting for a wireless controller can significantly enhance your gaming experience.

Image: Google Play Store

4. Connect to a Smart TV

Although this is strictly for the hardcore, many emulators also allow you to broadcast your gameplay. If not, there is always the option of mirroring your smartphone’s screen to your Smart TV. In this way, you can practically relive the moments of old school console gaming without the hassle of repairing old consoles!

Thus there are many ways to bring back the old days of console gaming, integrated with modern technology!

Marvel Super War: A gateway to the Marvel Universe!

Did you ever wish to see Iron Man go against Spiderman? Have you regretted Thor not aiming for the head of Thanos? Were you angry when Starlord disturbed Mantis’s spell and ruined their chance? Well, here’s your chance for redemption. Comic book giant Marvel recently collaborated with game published Netease to launch “Marvel Super War.”

The game is based in the fictional marvel universe and falls in the Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA) genre. Older gamers who were associated with Valve’s Dota2 will find themselves at home with Marvel Super War. You get to pick one among multiple Marvel superheroes, each with their unique role and skillset. The players then duke it out 5V5 on the same map, with an objective of destroying the other team’s base tower.

Image: Google Play Store

Marvel Super War can be played against the setting of Wakanda, which is Black Panther’s country. The map is divided in three lanes for each team and every player is assigned a lane. The superheroes are divided into five individual classes, though some heroes share their characteristics with other classes. These include Fighter, Energy, Assassin, Marksman and Support.

As the names suggest, each category has its unique advantages and drawbacks. The essence of the game is to make the perfect team and win the battle. Of the five players, three are given the job of handling enemies on their lane, while one enters the “jungle” to level up. The jungle is a neutral area spread across the map, which has neutral creeps. These creeps offer additional buffs and are usually killed by assassin heroes, who are also known as “junglers.” The fifth hero, which falls under the Support category, can roam around the map and support any team mate stuck in a difficult situation.

Image: Google Play Store

Each hero has either three or four skills, depending upon the hero selected and begins the game at level one. As the game progresses, the player can level up his respective hero by collecting gold and by gaining experience. Each hero upgrades up to level 18, while improving all his skills along the way. Gold can be collected by killing enemies, enemy minions, neutral creeps or destroying the guard turrets that protect the enemy base. The game also has a shop of inventories, of which any six can be purchased by each player to further enhance the hero abilities.

Image: Google Play Store

Marvel Super War also features Surtur that can be killed by any member of any team, following which that player’s team will be aided by Surtur. It then becomes the job of the opposing team to kill Surtur again before it does any serious damage.

Image: Google Play Store

Marvel Super War includes several popular superheroes such as Captain America, Hulk, Black Widow, Thanos, Iron Man, Spiderman and Hawkeye, among others. It also includes members of the X-Men, the Fantastic Four and the Guardians of the Galaxy. Players have the liberty of choosing one of all these characters, giving the player a wide range of options. The game is also expanding continually and is adding new heroes every month.

Fans of the Marvel Universe can bring their wildest fantasies to reality with this game. You can pit Rocket Racoon against Groot, you can make Ronan help Starlord defeat Thanos or you can even make Thanos fight alongside Iron Man! The possibilities are endless, letting the player enjoy hours upon hours of gameplay without boredom.

Image: Google Play Store

Marvel Super War was released in December 2019 and I have been playing it since then. It has seasonal updates like any other online multiplayer and it is currently preparing to launch the third season. There are close to 60 heroes, with more coming in. My personal choice is mostly among the Energy or the Marksman heroes. Energy heroes include Mysterio, Magneto, Storm, Human Torch and Iron Man, among others. Marksman heroes allow you to choose from Hawkeye, Angel, Vision, Rocket Racoon and Starlord.

While the Energy heroes do not do much damage with basic attacks, they are extremely powerful spellcasters and can change the course of the game at any moment. Marksman heroes on the other hand give much higher damage with their basic attacks, but their skills offer limited boost. My other choices are also among Tank heroes, that include Hulk, Ronan, Cull Obsidian and The Thing, among others. These heroes are extremely damage resistant and prove a major blow absorber for the team.

As mentioned earlier, the essence of the game is to form the correct team and gain a tactical advantage over the enemy team. Friends can even team up to play in a custom room and form their own teams to fight each other. Finally, every Marvel fan can realize his dream of seeing The Avengers battle the X-Men, or the Fantastic Four go against the Guardians of the Galaxy. Marvel Super War is currently exclusive for the Android platform and is free-to-play. Its next update is scheduled for July 9, 2020 and will add “Adam Warlock” as a new hero.

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