If John Wayne were still alive today, Westward would undoubtedly be his mobile game of choice for long bus journeys (or wagon trips, come to think of it).

Westward sees you face the challenge of controlling the Wild West, by building booming towns, exploring unchartered plains, guiding settlers to success, and protecting citizens from outlaws. The game boasts four different locations, with more than 20 levels to explore.

Westward starts with a tutorial level, where a teacher guides you through the process of discovering new lands, fighting bandits, harvesting food and water, and building houses, farms and factories. The controls are well explained and it's pretty easy to pick up the basics from these tutorials.

I like the way that Westward doesn't try to tie you to playing as one character. All of the citizens, sheriffs and deputies can be controlled independently of each other, and the challenge of the game lies in utilizing each one to their full potential.

Like many strategy games, Westward always displays the current tasks that you need to work on, and once you've achieved a mission, a new one pops up straight away. This makes it a game that's awfully hard to put down, because the temptation of playing "just one more mission" is tough to resist.

In terms of its presentation, Westward looks and sounds great with some lovely attention to detail. The background music is typical of those old western movie soundtracks and there are some realistic sound effects. Although the game's graphics are incredibly detailed, I found them just a little bit too small for viewing on a mobile device. What's more, the animation is a little slow and you seem to spend a lot of time waiting for characters to move from one place to another.

Overall though, Westward makes for a rip-roaring, gun-slinging, mobile adventure that's very difficult to put down.

Download Westward 1.00 in Softonic

Brain training games are all the rage these days, and Resco Brain Games brings an accomplished take on the format to Windows Mobile devices.

Brain Games is designed to help you improve your mental capabilities by following a course of different tests and puzzles. There are 36 in all, which test challenge your skills in mathematics, memory and analysis. Each of the 36 brain games are broken down into ten separate tests of rising difficulty, and you can't progress to the next difficulty level until you've finished the previous test.

You're awarded stars out of five depending on how many questions you get right and how quickly you finish the brain games. A glamorous teacher is on-hand to award you your points, or simply to give you instructions on what to do.

The control system is Resco Brain Games has been very well designed and makes for intuitive use via the direction pad or touchscreen. The layout of the answer buttons means you have no excuse for being slow to answer, as they're incredibly simple to access.

There's no doubt that the tests in Brain Games are great for boosting your brain power, and as I could clearly see from the comprehensive statistics section, I found myself steadily improving over time. My only slight qualm would be that the games aren't diverse enough. Perhaps some word puzzles or reflex-testing games would've made Brain Games a more well-rounded app.

Nevertheless, Resco Brain Games is without doubt one of the best Windows Mobile brain trainers around.

Download Brain Games 2.03 in Softonic

Bejeweled is the official handheld version of the incredibly popular online puzzle game

Amazingly simple to play - Unbelievably hard to put down! One of the rare games that you can play all day ''just one more go'' at a time. Choose from a relaxing and absorbing easy game, or a frantic timed game, as you tap adjacent pairs of gems to swap them and make matching horizontal and vertical lines of three or more.

In recognition of the Handango Champion Awards, Best Game Application 2003 we are excited to offer the all new ''Game of the Year'' Edition featuring the original PopCap pulse-pounding music soundtrack by famed Future Crew composer Skaven.

Bejeweled Features:

• Addictive Gameplay Faithful Conversion of the online game
• High quality grey or color graphics and animation
• Sound Effects
• Really Addictive Gameplay
• Two Modes - easy for relaxation, and Timed for a frantic game
• Export High scores to the Astraware Bejeweled Internet High Score Table
• Instructions and Tips included to get you started
• Automatic Hints to help you play
• Did we mention it was addictive?

Download Bejeweled 2.61 in Softonic

Living in a castle is great but it does have its downsides. One of the main ones being that you're prone to attacks by invaders who want to get into your castle, as you'll witness in Defender.

An interesting mobile strategy game, Defender charges you with the task of defending your citadel from waves of attacks by nasty monsters. In order to block their path you need to build towers strategically in the land in front of your castle. Bricks don't come for free though, so you'll need to think carefully about where you put them and which kind of towers to use in order to maximize your defense system.

It doesn't take long to get used to the way Defender works, thanks to an interactive tutorial at the start, which walks you through the process at a gentle pace. The control system in Defender is straightforward enough and just involves clicking on the square you want to build your defense, before selecting a tower from the menu that pops up.

Overall, the game is well packaged with intricate graphics and an awesome soundtrack. The only criticism I would level at Defender is that the pop-up, tower-selection menus are incredibly small and so it's sometimes difficult to work out what you're doing.

Rather like a computerized version of Crossbows and Catapults, Defender provides an immensely fun challenge for Windows Mobile users.

Download Defender 1.20 in Softonic

I've been after the next great leap in puzzles and perhaps I've found it, although it looks very similar to a leap we made a few years ago. No, there's no denying that the puzzle is still Sudoku. But this is next generation Sudoku. Sudoku in the extreme.

First of all there's the multiplayer option. In Sudoku! That's right, so immediately you can add a competitive edge to the gameplay. Then there's the opportunity to change grid size. And you thought Sudoku always came in 3x3s. Oh no, you can shrink to 2x2 or expand to 4x4. However, I found the largest grid size very confusing with so many options displayed in each little square. It was difficult to know whether I was still playing Sudoku or a completely different game. There are various levels of difficulty but most interesting of all is that this Sudoku watches you play. And then gives you tips on where you're going wrong. So you can really improve your skills.

Download Sudoku Time 1.3 in Softonic

If you're a budding megalomaniac then chances are you've enjoyed playing classic strategy games like Civilization and Populus in the past. Times have moved on though, and it's now possible to play God while you're sat on the train.

Revival is the latest creation from legendary developer Herocraft, charging you with the task of exploring seven planets and 27 continents with one main objective - to conquer them. There are two game modes to choose from. The wimpish 'Single' game, where you start with a home city already built for you, or the tougher 'Campaign' where you literally start with nothing and must build up schools, homes and protection for your community.

Along the way, you'll need to develop your citizens and build them from a bunch of simple archers to a bunch of tooled-up fighting machines. Of course, things are not that easy, and you'll constantly find yourself having to battle invading tribes hell-bent on destroying you. Thanks to some impressive AI, this is no mean feat, as your opponent's armies are aware of your strengths and weaknesses.

The graphics are small but wonderfully detailed and the soundtrack to the game sets the mood perfectly, changing style depending on whether you're building, fighting or training. I found the menu system a little confusing and at first you'll struggle to know exactly what you're doing as you try to suss out the controls though. As a result, I found Revival difficult to get into, yet with a bit of persistence you get the hang of the way it works, and start to relish the prospect of battle.

If you're a fan of God games and if you have the patience, Revival makes for a great download for your Pocket PC.

Download Revival 3.1.0 in Softonic

The game of Battleships has come a long way since the days when you had to draw out grids on two separate pieces of paper.

In fact, there were times when I was playing Sea Battle that I actually thought I was commanding a naval fleet. That's because this is a very well-presented version of the classic strategy game. It boasts realistic 3D graphics which depict your ships and their location in the water.

However, it's the sonics that really impressed me with this game. Not only does the tense background music set a good atmosphere for the gameplay, but the sploshing and exploding sound effects you get depending on if you hit a target or not, are superb. The immersive nature of Sea Battle is further intensified by the use of live speech, where a naval officer shouts out commands and advises you whether you're on target or not.

While the developer of this game has done a great job of dressing up the Battleships format, they haven't actually added much in terms of gameplay options. for instance, there's no high scores tables or difficulty levels, and the lack of a multiplayer mode means that this one only has a limited shelf live.

Nevethless, Sea Battle provides a great way to pretend you are a military commander while you're sat on the bus.

Download Sea Battle 1.0 in Softonic

Orions: Legend of Wizards is an unique strategy game taking place in a world separated into many connected islands, called Orions. You must battle the Orion Lords defeating all that stand in your path in this world of Legendary Wizards. You will fight using battle cards - monsters and spells, all unique not only by appearance, but also by their amazing abilities. Meet Liches and Demons, Efreets and Hydras, Elves and Priests, Magic Elementals and Unicorns in the final fight for the battle for Orions!

Features:

• Unique full-size strategy, never before on a Pocket PC scene: cards based fights, build orders, RPG elements, economics
• Two game modes to play: Campaign and a Duel, where you can fight AI or a human opponent
• TCP/IP based multiplayer, which means that you can play over Bluetooth, Wi-fi, or even Internet
• Six schools of magic, at least 12 unique cards in each
• 66 unique buildings to build
• Powerful particle engine, animating every single card's ability or a spell
• Everything to make the game complete: music and sound effects, comprehensive manual, interactive tutorial, epic story, and a great deal of one unique gameplay, never before on any PDA

Download Orions Legend of Wizards 1.20 in Softonic

Spb Brain Evolution is one of the most intelligent games for Pocket PC. By using Spb Brain Evolution you can improve your mental awareness, and maintain your brain fitness. Use this game for everyday training and you will find that your brain became faster and more reliable.

The game includes 10 development mini-games and provides two independent game modes, one for measuring your brain status, and one for improving your abilities.

Spb Brain Evolution was developed for a wide-range auditory and it helps to keep the brain fitness as well as to improve all basic mind activities like logic, arithmetic, pattern finding, memory, and other. Playing Spb Brain Evolution five-ten minutes a day can help you to maintain your mind flexible and fresh.

Spb Brain Evolution Features:

• Support for qVGA , Square Screen and VGA devices
• Addictive gameplay
• Brain Marking and Brain Training modes
• 10 development mini-games (Sudoku included)
• Handy hardware keys control
• Different awards for better play
• Knowledge base
• User profiles support

Download Spb Brain Evolution 1.2 in Softonic

Spb Quadronic is a very original and attractive arithmetics game. The goal of the game is to clear the field by placing a number into an empty cell, but only when it equals the sum of the surrounding numbers. If everything is correct then all of the numbers around the new one will be eliminated.

Download Spb Quadronica 1.2 in Softonic

Resco Diamonds is a highly addictive and popular logical game with realistically glistening diamonds. The aim of the game is to create groups of at least three diamonds of the same color.

If you manage to create larger groups, you will receive various bonuses in form of special diamonds. The 4 game modes include a time trial, an endless game, and games the aim of which is to create lines or arbitrary shapes.

Features of the game include:

• Support for landscape (Moto Q, Samsung i320, i600) and portrait screens
• 4 game modes: action lines, action shapes, endless lines, endless shapes
• Autosave feature at any point
• Optimized for single-hand use

Download Resco Diamonds 1.30 in Softonic

CornerChaos is a new and unique puzzle game! It's very easy to learn and great fun to play! The object of the game is to drop the colored balls into the holes located near the four corners of the play area. The ball then rolls into the sloped arena and lays to rest towards the center. If four balls of the same color are touching, they're removed from the game!

As the levels progress, the number of different balls increases making it more difficult to create color groups. With no time penalties you can play the game at your own pace. The controls are very easy to master; this is a most relaxing game for all ages!

Download CornerChaos 1.1.8 in Softonic

As a kid I used to be fascinated by magnets and if I was given a couple of them I would be amused for hours, discovering what you can do by trying to connect the different poles. As an adult, I'm still pretty intrigued, so this game looked like it would be right up my street - and it is!

"Original" and "intelligent" are the two words that best sum up Magnets for the Pocket PC. Based on a popular puzzle game from a French magazine, the basic purpose of this one is to arrange a series of magnets on a grid so that two positive poles or negative poles never touch each other. The number of positive and negative poles is clearly displayed next to each row and column.

What's more, no 2x2 square can be fully occupied, making this a baffling challenge that is surprisingly addictive. It's all a little confusing to start with, but luckily the game includes some useful visual help, lending you a hand when you're first trying to get to grips with your magnets.

Graphically, the game isn't much to look at and uses only four different colours. This is only a minor gripe though, because the sheer imagination of the game makes it one that you won't be able to put down for a long time.

If you fancy treating your brain to a bit of a workout then Magnet obliges by offering some truly mind-boggling gameplay.

Download Magnets 2.3 in Softonic

I can never work out whether to call this game 'Othello' or 'Reversi', but either way it's a fun way of passing some time that has always translated well on portable devices. This free version is a faithful incarnation of the original that includes some interesting options to keep you amused for some time.

In case you don't know, the game is played on a 8x8-square board, with players alternating with the computer using black and white stones. The objective is to form your coloured counters around the opponent's in order to 'capture' them and turn the stone into your colour. The player with the most stones at the end of the game is declared the winner.

CEZebra boasts different difficulty levels, the highest of which is very, very difficult. There's a neat practice mode though to help you fine-tune your skills before you take on the might of the computer opponent.

The crisp graphics and addictive gameplay of CEZebra make it one of the best Othello/Reversi clones for mobile devices.

Download CEZebra 1.0 in Softonic

Here's a puzzle game that I'm sure you will recognise. Not because it's a famous brand, but because, if you're like me, you might have played this when you were young and stuck in the car on a long journey with your parents. It's a jigsaw puzzle but with all the pieces already joined together. However, they are in the wrong order and it's your objective to slide them around until the picture is complete. This is easier said than done because of the nature of the sliding that sees you move one piece at a time and tends to disrupt the whole picture eg to slide a square in the top right you might need to start shuffling from the bottom left.

Each puzzle in Slide And Solve consists of eight to 34 tiles and the games get more difficult the more pieces there are in the puzzles. There are four levels of difficulty and also the option to upload JPEGs to create individual puzzles, which is a nice addition. So it's an old favourite brought nicely into the modern age.

Classic sliding puzzle with option to upload JPEGs

Download Slide And Solve 3.6 in Softonic

Who loves jigsaws? Of course you do. We all do. Especially that moment at the end when you can't find the one piece you need to finish the cat's face or the poppy field or the Isle of Wight. But jigsaws always used to be such an indoor sport. While watching the cricket in my case. Well now the joy has escaped from the box. Because Mobile Jigsaw allows you to put the puzzle together from a location of your choice. Including the Isle of Wight.

With Mobile Jigsaw you can choose to match the pieces of eight preset images or load your very own images and chop them into puzzles. This can be especially good fun with faces of friends. Cut them into classic, curly or your own free-formed shapes. And you can set how difficult the jigsaw is to reassemble. Go for very difficult and you get lots of pieces and a bit of a headache.

Download Mobile Jigsaw in Softonic

Ooh argh me hearties the pirates are back with a swashbuckling sequel. Build your empire through sea-combat and trade. Travel to the Caribbean ports to trade in Silk, Arms, General Goods or the highly illegal Dream Dust but enroute you must protect your cargo from pirates out to steal your booty.

Use your skills to plan your strategy, rescue maidens, defeat dangerous pirates and amass wealth through trading or vicious piracy, if needs be. Play as one of five characters with different complements of ships, debt and cash on hand. There are lots of new features but the fun is just the same.

Download Tradewinds 2 1.00 in Softonic

In this updated version of the Windows classic Minesweeper there are loads more options and even more frustration as you try to avoid the little explosions. Set the size of the playing field, choose from hexagonal, square or triangular shapes (not that it makes much difference) and get playing.

It's all very familiar - tap on a shape, clear the area of landmines, stick a red-flag where you think a little bomb is hiding and keep those fingers crossed. I've always found minesweeper a confusing game that should somehow be made a bit simpler. But then my brain's not so big.

Download Mine-Fields 1.02 in Softonic

You know the game. You know how to play. In fact you probably know all there is to know. This is a great mobile version of the old favourite. The graphics are nice and clear with great kaboom effects when you score a direct hit. It has all the feel of playing the board game which is difficult to achieve and the computer ranges from being a beatable challenge to a tough old sea dog.

The sound does all you want, some missiles away-style effects with a bit of booming and blasting when you get lucky. I really like this one, you should get it.

Download Battleship 1.63 in Softonic

Tradewinds is a pirate strategy game that sees you trade your way through the seven seas, rescue hostages and steal as much booty as you can. There are four characters available and one objective - to create an empire of fortune and power.

Download Tradewinds 1.00 in Softonic