100% Platinum

Here at Pocket Gamer the Platinum Award is reserved for games that almost transcend the prosaic world of scores and reviews. Naturally they don’t come along very often (which is just as well or we’d be out of a job).

But there are other games like Sonic The Hedgehog 2 - Crash!, Worms 2008 and even Deal or No Deal that don’t necessarily manage a universe-altering revolution, yet consistently return to our mobile phones and never lose their radiance.

This is another kind of platinum game - one with a lower case ‘p’, but still made of incredibly valuable material.

As much as we fawn over new innovation, without the infinitely playable stalwarts such as Tetris and Bejeweled, the mobile games industry would probably have collapsed a long time ago.

Their ability to sell more and more downloads - to the point at which it’s hard to believe that every mobile phone owner in the world doesn’t have two copies - are what make them precious, so we’re kicking off 2009 with a look at those recurring, 100% Platinum heroes.

The 100% Platinum

Sonic The Hedgehog 2 - Crash (Glu) Sonic is back to crash his way through Dr Robotnik's defences with his famous fox friend Tails. Sonic The Hedgehog 2 - Crash! is the blue blur's latest adventure based on the second half of the classic Sega Mega Drive game, Sonic The Hedgehog 2.
Deal or No Deal (EA Mobile) Experience tempting offers and heart-pounding dilemmas in the official mobile game of the popular game show hosted by Noel Edmonds directly on your mobile phone. In this unique game, you'll have the opportunity to play with the regular rules as if you were on the stage or go through qualification rounds for extra challenges. The tension will be at its highest peak. Read the Deal or No Deal review
Bejeweled (EA Mobile) The classic gem-swapping puzzle game Bejeweled comes to mobile with enhanced graphics and more fun than ever. String together three or more gems to rack up points in a fast-paced treasure hunt. Advance through levels in normal single-player mode or race the clock in timed mode. It's a treasure trove of mobile fun. Read the Bejeweled review
World Championship Pool 09 (I-Play) The new official World Championship Pool game takes you to the heart of the battle for the World Champion's crown. Compete against 32 of the world's best players in the official world championship.
Ms Pac-Man (Namco Bandai) The Queen of Videogames is here! Help Ms PAC-MAN eat all the PAC-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
Tetris (EA Mobile) Tetris is one of the most popular games on mobile phones. What started as a simple Russian computer puzzle game became the addiction of millions of players worldwide. In addition to the classic Marathon mode, two extra modes have been added: Ultra and Forty Line to fit the way people play games on phones. Read the Tetris review
The Crystal Maze (Player X) Let Richard O'Brien guide you through the Crystal Maze four zones (Mediaeval, Futuristic, Aztec and Industrial), playing the famous games from the show: Physical, Skill, Mental and Mystery. Collect crystals to buy crucial time in the Crystal Dome and, once in there, frantically grab the golden tokens swirling around inside. Collect 100 and you win the ultimate prize. Read the Crystal Maze review
Bubble Bash (Gameloft) Take off for Bubble Island and make your way through the 100 levels of this surprising puzzle game. Join Temaru and Maeva in their quest to find the Island treasure. Take a break in Bubble Bash's tropical setting and have ultimate fun as you test your skills. Burst bubbles by forming rows of at least three of the same colour. But watch out, because there will be lots of obstacles along the way. The island's animals are rather determined to slow you down, see. Read the Bubble Bash review
The Fast and the Furious: Fugitive (I-play) The award-winning franchise is back on mobile with Fugitive. In the latest iteration you are a cop on the run! To get your badge back and clear you name, you must drive from LA to Miami and bring down an international crime syndicate. Read The Fast and the Furious: Fugitive review
Worms 2008 (THQ Wireless) Taking destruction to the Final Frontier! Arm your squad of Worms and blast your opponent into tiny little Worm pieces! With more weapons, hugely improved graphics, and now with a whole range of mini-games to play out your space age Worms battles. Read the Worms 2008 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.
Get the 100% gaming magazine! There's even more 100% mobile gaming available in our new digital magazine, including news, features, reviews and the ability to buy off the page and have links sent to your phone. Click here to check out the 100% Mobile games magazine now!

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!