100% His & Hers

It seems pretty obvious that Ms Pac-Man was made to appeal to a female demographic, but Toru Iwatani also designed the original dot eater with the girl gamer in mind. He wanted to veer away from the inherently violent nature of video games, and although he's probably been accused of calling women across the world fat because of it, the maze munching antics did indeed find a new realm of gaming fandom awaiting them.

But Pac-Man also proved that the divide between male and female gamers isn't all that well defined. The dudes love to pour coins into Pac-Man cabs just as much as the chicks, and what Iwatani's game actually succeeded in was turning the arcades into a mixed venue.

This is a trend that's continued to this day, and although there are certain consoles that have attracted a wider male audience, the likes of the DS and mobile platforms have found an appeal that seems to transcend gender. A bit like my neighbour, Alan. Er, I mean Kate.

But ever since Toru Iwatani inducted girls into the gaming realm, it's not been the hardware that's kept the sexes happy (ahem) but the software (double ahem). Games are carefully structured to find a very specific appeal these days, so we thought it was time to take a look at some of the best mobile games that appeal to 50% Mobile men, and 50% Mobile women - just like Pac-Man did all those years ago.

The 100% His & Hers

Pac-Man (Namco) Navigate the maze, avoiding the ghosts while gobbling up all the yellow pac-dots. Remember: munching on the large power-pellets enables you to turn the table on the pesky ghosts! Classic gaming never dies. Read the Pac-Man review	" width="640" height="320" class="inner" width="128" loading="lazy">Pac-Man mobile game">
Devil May Cry (Capcom) Continuing the popular series from the home console, Devil May Cry - based on Devil May Cry 3 - features over 30 missions and an arsenal of weapons and skills to acquire. With a "Style" rating at the end of each mission you must defeat your enemies in as skilful way as possible. Read the Devil May Cry review
Brothers in Arms: Art of War (Gameloft) Get ready for intense battles, reliving 1944's Operation Market Garden, as well as other high-risk infantry missions in North Africa and Germany. For the first time on mobile, parachute directly into anti-aircraft fire, bring down enemy planes, and prepare for the worst in the face of enemies determined to do whatever it takes to prevent you from completing your mission. Read the Brothers in Arms: Art of War review
Mercenaries 2 (I-play) Follow the money wherever it leads, play as Mattias and execute your deadly skills in the name of cash. Enter war-torn Venezuela and use rocket launchers, C4 and precision air strikes to annihilate bunkers, bases, radio towers, vehicles and cargo! Answer to the highest bidder and help resolve the bloody conflict while padding your bank account. Whatever pays the bills, right? Read the Mercenaries 2 review
LEGO Batman Mobile (THQ Wireless) LEGO Batman Mobile is a side scrolling action/adventure game that uses a unique fighting mechanic to create a fast moving platform beat-'em-up game with blistering action. Utilising Batman's fighting prowess and gadget-laden utility belt, the player has to race against the clock to disarm bombs whilst battling villainous henchmen along the way. Read the LEGO Batman Mobile review
Ms Pac-Man (Namco) The Queen of Videogames is here! Help Ms. Pac-Man eat all the dots and bonus items from each of the 4 mazes. The mobile version of the best-selling arcade machine of all time! Read the Ms Pac-Man review
Cooking Mama (Taito) Play against the clock as you frantically try to create mouth-watering meals. Perfect your kitchen skills with a variety of unique and entertaining cooking games that will bring out the chef in everyone. Prepare foods, combine raw ingredients, cook the meal and present your culinary masterpiece to become the master chef. It's a recipe for success. Read the Cooking Mama review
Sally's Salon (Real) Help Sally spread her salon savvy and make the cut from the shopping mall to the glittering lights of Hollywood in this stylish and engaging challenge based on RealArcade's 2007 PC game. Pamper your customers in five unique salon locations. Read the Sally's Salon review
Buzz! The Mobile Quiz (PlayerX) Buzz! The Mobile Quiz features your favourite contestants, sarcastic host Buzz's taunts and the best quiz rounds. Throw pies, guess the picture and avoid the bomb, all while answering up to 1000 general knowledge questions in this hilarious and frantic single player quiz. Read the Buzz! The Mobile Quiz review
Bubble Popper Deluxe (Digital Chocolate) Make crazy chain reactions and burst thousands of bubbles in up to 64 unbelievably addictive levels! Packed with up to four unique worlds, revolutionary physics and crazy bonus levels - Bubble Popper Deluxe redefines the meaning of fun. Read the Bubble Popper Deluxe review
Want more games? Get more 100% mobile games by checking out the wap portal now. Visit www.100percent-mobile.com or text TRYGAMES to 2020 for an SMS with a direct link.

Four ways to get 100% from your mobile gaming

100% Mobile isn't only about delivering the best games. The service also offers a whole host of new ways to get hold of them.

You don't have to pay a one-off charge for your mobile gaming thrills. 100% mobile has plenty of ways for you to enjoy the entertainment on your own terms.

Try Before You Buy: Not sure if the game's really what you're after? Then download a completely free demo version to test it out first.

Discover this now on the O2 UK www.100percent-mobile.com portal or check out our handy 'How to' guide to try b4u buy on 100% Mobile.

Pay Per Play: Remember those arcade machines at the seaside? This is just the same principle. Rather than stumping up the whole price up front, you just pay a small fee for each time you play a game.

Discover this now on the O2 UK www.100percent-mobile.com portal or check out our handy 'How to' guide to pay per play on 100% Mobile.

Rental: Faced with a long train journey and think you'll be able to finish the game in a day? Why not simply rent the title for 24 hours?

Discover this now on the O2 UK www.100percent-mobile.com portal or check out our handy 'How to' guide showing you how to rent games on 100% Mobile.

Subscription: The perfect option for people who want to change games every couple of days, the subscription model allows you to pay for the days you want the game. You can cancel at any time.

Discover this now on the O2 UK www.100percent-mobile.com portal or check out our handy 'How to' guide to subscription on 100% Mobile.

Note: 100% Mobile is currently only available to O2 customers in the UK. Hopefully we'll see more of it soon!