15. Picross Touch
If you love logic puzzle games like Sudoku where you need to make repeated logical deductions to arrive at a solution, then you absolutely needPicross Touch.
This mobile game is a no-nonsense implementation of the popular “nonograms” family of logic puzzles, where a grid of squares is filled in according to number clues that reveal a picture when complete.
Picross Touch requires no internet connection, and I’ve personally used this game to get me through several international flights.
14. Quizoid
Quizoidis a fun little trivia game that you can play by yourself or with any number of people. Ask the questions out loud in free-for-all style, or play in teams while passing the device, or on your own.
With more than 7,000 questions across 8 different categories, Quizoid is bound to keep you guessing—and they’re all stored on the device (updated every so often with the app), so you can play offline.
Related:Fun mobile games to play in the same room
13. Pocket City
Pocket Cityis a city simulation game that puts you in the role of mayor. Designate residential, industrial, and commercial zones. Take care of crimes and disasters. Beautify your city with parks.
You unlock new content by advancing in the game, complete quests to earn XP and cash, and play in either landscape or portrait modes. It’s basicallySim City, and you can play it completely offline.
12. Really Bad Chess
Really Bad Chessis the chess game for people who hate regular chess. In this version, both sides start with a random set of pieces in random spots. Nine Knights? Four Queens? Anything is possible.
It’s chaotic, hectic, and surprisingly tons of fun—even if you don’t like or understand chess. In fact, you’ll probably get better at real chess just by playing this. And no internet connection required!
11. Flow Free
If you like logic puzzle games but hate numbers—ruling out Sudoku and the aforementionedPicross Touch—thenFlow Freeis the mobile game for you. It’s a logic maze game, and it’s totally addictive.
Given a set of colored circle pairs on a grid, you need to connect each circle in a pair to the other, but you can’t cross over any lines you’ve drawn. It’s the kind of game that demands creative thinking, and every win feels satisfying. No Wi-Fi or data needed to play.
10. Unblock Me
Unblock Meis a lightweight puzzle game that’s great for filling time in short bursts. It involves a grid with blocks that can only move up-and-down or left-and-right, and a special block that needs to be removed by getting it to the exit space.
Move the blocks around and unblock the special block—but it’s not as easy as it sounds, particularly when you get to the higher levels. But it needs no Wi-Fi or data, so it’s playable anywhere you go.
9. Plague Inc.
If you’ve never playedPlague Inc.before, get yourself a download and play it ASAP. There’s a reason why this game is so popular around the world that it’s achieved meme status: it’s really fun!
Your goal is to infect the entire world and eradicate humanity, and you do that by evolving as a pathogen and being smart in how you contaminate countries. With its strategic gameplay and offline support, you can work toward world domination anywhere.
8. Crossy Road
Remember the old-school video gameFrogger? Well,Crossy Roadis a modern take on the same cross-the-road-without-getting-squashed gameplay, with endless hopping across roads, rivers, and train tracks.
The more you play, the more retro-styled characters you can unlock. You don’t need an internet connection to play, and you can compete with friends on the same device.Crossy Roadhas gone viral—and once you play it, you’ll understand why.
Related:The best mobile games for couples on one phone
7. Minecraft
As the best-selling game in video game history,Minecraftrightfully deserves a spot on this list—and it earns this spot by not requiring an internet connection to log on and play in single-player mode.
You can play in both Creative Mode or Survival Mode, and all the goodness ofMinecraftis waiting for you to explore, build, and destroy. And when you do have Wi-Fi, you can play online multiplayer.
Related:The best iPhone games with controller support
6. Word Cookies
Word Cookiesis a fun little mobile game where you try to find as many words as you can with the letters given to you. If you’ve ever playedText Twistor the Word Racers game in theHousepartyapp, then you already know what this is going to be like.
Earn coins by scoring bonus words that aren’t part of the puzzle, and spend those coins to get hints on tough solutions. With more than 2,000 puzzles to be played offline,Word Cookiesis definitely a mobile game you’ll want to keep around as a time-killer.
5. Buttons and Scissors
Buttons and Scissorsis a match-based logic puzzle game where you’re trying to get rid of all the buttons on a denim swatch, but you can only cut buttons that are in a line together.
With several different difficulty levels, hundreds of challenging levels, and unlimited undos for those who hate making accidental mistakes,Buttons and Scissorsis a great game to have with you when you’re disconnected from the internet.
4. Fallout Shelter
Fallout Shelteris a simulation game where your goal is to build a thriving underground civilization in a post-apocalyptic wasteland. Manage your dwellers, use your resources wisely, and explore the wastelands to see what’s out there.
The game uses the lore and aesthetics of theFalloutseries, but you don’t need to have played theFalloutseries to enjoy this one. If you likeSims-type games, then this is the offline mobile game for you.
Related:The best phone accessories for mobile gaming
3. Stardew Valley
Stardew Valleyis an indie masterpiece that takes the successful formula ofHarvest Moonand ramps it up to extreme levels. In this open-ended farming RPG, you’ll tend to crops, cultivate your land, and build the farm of your dreams.
Beyond that, you’ll also be able to pursue romantic relationships with villagers, raise livestock, explore the countryside, encounter dangerous monsters, participate in festivals and events, and more.
The mobile version ofStardew Valleycan be played with touchscreen controls, virtual joystick, or an external game controller. And it can be played completely offline, letting you check in whenever.
Related:The Best Free Idle RPG Games for Android and iOS
2. Bloons TD 6
Well-made mobile tower defense games are hard to come by, but theBloonsseries has never been a let-down—andBloons TD 6is the latest and greatest edition of the monkey-based strategy series.
With your choice of 21 different monkey towers, several upgrade paths, powerful monkey Heroes with special abilities, and dozens of fun new maps with new designs and mechanics,Bloons TD 6is the must-have tower defense game for your phone.
And given that tower defense games are some of the best to play when you’re bored without internet, it’s great thatBloons TD 6doesn’t require any Wi-Fi connection to play in single-player mode.
Related:The best stickman stick figure mobile games
1. Eternium
Eterniumis a fantastic action RPG for mobile phones, with a unique swipe-to-cast mechanic for spells in combat. Combined with its intuitive tap-to-move mechanic, it’s one of the best action RPG experiences on any touchscreen mobile device.
Choose between the Mage, Warrior, or Bounty Hunter and delve into a world of adventures, dangers, creatures, and loot. It’s a refined mobile game with crisp animations, fun storyline, and original music.
You can playEterniumin offline mode once the content is downloaded. There are a few online-only features, but they won’t prevent you from playing when you don’t have any Wi-Fi or data.
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