Bored on Your Commute? Try These 8 Mobile Brain-Twisters
Life’s a cakewalk for a genius like you. Challenge your gray matter with these brain-racking puzzles.
READ: The Deadly Global War for Sand
iOS
WORDS
PuzzleJuice
This deceptively complex app combines aspects of word-search puzzles with everyone’s favorite falling-block game, Tetris. The resulting twofer is difficult and incredibly addictive. $2
NUMBERS
BiColor
The graphics are simple. The goal only seems that way: Move each tile a designated number of spaces to turn the screen a single color. Slide puzzle + Minesweeper = your next habit. $1
DRAWING
Trainyard Express
Sketch tracks to lead each train into its color-matched station. Attempt to not lose your mind as the trains change colors. You get over 60 levels gratis; $1 buys you 150 more. Free
ADVENTURES
The Heist
This is several brain twisters in one—three sliding puzzles and a Sudoku-like game played with symbols instead of numbers—all presented through the prism of a safecracking job. $1
READ: California’s About to Run Out of Water. We Have to Act Now.
Android
WORDS
Bonza
Part word search, part jigsaw puzzle, and part trivia quiz, Bonza gives you a few word fragments and a theme. Your task: Reconstruct the pieces to spell words that match the theme. Free
NUMBERS
Quento
This elegant math game asks you to arrive at a specific number by adding and subtracting numbers on adjacent tiles. Arithmetic hasn’t been this challenging since fourth grade. Free
DRAWING
Blek
Squiggle a gesture with your finger, then watch it animate and repeat. If you drew it correctly, it’ll hit all the colored dots on the screen. If not, you’ll yell something more R-rated than “Blek!” $3
ADVENTURES
Monument Valley
The levels in this 3-D game are impossible—literally. Their Escherian design requires decoding visual perspective tricks to advance. Gameplay is short but beautiful. $4
More from Wired
* This Hellish Underground Fire Has Burned For 100 Years
* Chevy’s Helping Parents Spy on Their Terrible Teen Drivers
