A Nostalgic Tribute to the Golden Era of iPhone Gaming

It might be hard to imagine now, but the App Store was once a vibrant hub for innovative indie games. The widespread adoption of the iPhone and the relatively straightforward development process allowed smaller studios to showcase their creations to vast audiences, sparking a golden age of experimentation that sadly didn’t endure. If you’re looking to revisit those glory days, Simogo’s latest collection is just what you need.

You may know Simogo from their more recent hits, like the noir mystery Lorelei and the Laser Eyes or the colorful interactive pop album Sayonara Wild Hearts. However, before these titles, the studio was a powerhouse in the mobile gaming scene. The Simogo Legacy Collection gathers seven games from that era, along with a companion app, all developed between 2010 and 2015.

What stands out most about this collection is the incredible variety of games included. It’s surprising to think they all came from the same team. Early titles like the arcade game Kosmo Spin and the delightful automatic platformer Bumpy Road offer stylish spins on familiar mobile genres. As you delve deeper, you can see the studio’s boldness and confidence grow. Beat Sneak Bandit introduces rhythm-based action, while Year Walk takes players on a folklore-inspired adventure. The collection also features the Year Walk companion app, which provides insights into the strange creatures encountered in the game.

Things get even more unconventional: Device 6 blends gameplay with a mystery novel format; The Sailor’s Dream is a mixed-media storytelling experiment; and rounding out the collection is SPL-T, a puzzle game that challenges your brain in a manner reminiscent of Tetris.

If there’s a common thread among these diverse titles, it’s a remarkable sense of style and a clear vision. Each game, while distinct, showcases a specific focus and purpose, reflecting the care put into every aspect, from visuals to game design to music.

The collection itself mirrors this attention to detail. I played it on the Switch 2 (it’s also available on Steam and the original Switch), and it effectively transforms your device into a giant smartphone, featuring a simple menu where the games appear as app icons. There are plenty of extras to explore, including playable prototypes of some games and bonus materials like a podcast series that accompanied The Sailor’s Dream. Don’t overlook the music player; it features some fantastic tracks.

The Simogo Legacy Collection is more than just a well-crafted compilation of great games; it serves as an essential act of preservation. While you can still find these titles in the App Store, Apple’s digital marketplace can be unwelcoming to older games, making this release vital for ensuring that gems like Year Walk and Device 6 continue to thrive on other platforms. It’s also a wonderful reminder of how dynamic those early days were and how the best creations endure over time.

The Simogo Legacy Collection is now available on Steam and the Nintendo Switch and Switch 2.