The best genres for one-handed play

A lot of mobile gaming happens when the other hand is busy holding a coffee or a pole on the train. So which genres actually work with one thumb?

Casual and puzzle games win easily. They're built for taps and swipes, and the pace forgives a missed input. Card games do well here too, since you're mostly selecting and dragging.

Simulators and slow strategy games can work one-handed as long as the interface isn't crammed with tiny buttons. It's worth checking the UI before you commit to a long game on the go.

Where it falls apart is anything needing two thumbs at once: action racers, most shooters, twitchy platformers. Tilt steering helps in racing, but it's awkward standing up.

When we review, we always note how a game feels one-handed, because for many readers that's the whole use case.