Playing games on mobile phones has never really appealed to me. This lack of interest stems from two major niggles: screen size/resolution, and an uncomfortable control system.

While the latter has yet to be rectified, technology has allowed for impressively clear graphics on Jo’s and my current phone. And so, when Jo recently expressed an interest in downloading a game or two (two being my interpretation), I was only too glad to have a valid reason to challenge my prejudice.

Jo’s phone, the W900i

For Jo I found a conversion of one of the first, and best, puzzlers on the PSP: Lumines

A game reminiscent of Tetris, with loads of other new ideas thrown in, Lumines comes from the man behind the brilliant PS2 release, Rez. With this in mind, I knew it would offer an enjoyable game experience, as long as the conversion was decent.

So far, with the exception of the lack of decent (and interactive) music that the original offers, I’m impressed with the gameplay (though it’s still fiddly) and, in particular, the clarity and sharpness of the graphics. 1-0, then, to Mobile Phones vs Grouchy Jon.

And mine, the W800i

Next, for me, because I knew I’d easily get frustrated with a game that requires microcosmic manual dexterity, I chose Chess Master.

Now, I consider myself to be okay at chess. I have a good opening play, but start to show ineptitude when the game opens up, and then fuffle about thereafter with varying degrees of failiure; however, I’d still rate myself as average (bare this in mind).

To bring myself into the game, I first chose “Monkey” level (pfft!), the easiest, and won convincingly (Who’s your daddy?). Next up, “Child” (snigger), and…I’m being beaten like a schoolboy mischief in the 1920s.

There are eleven difficulty levels to choose from, and I’m being soundly rogered by an opponent that is two levels easier than “Beginner”. This is clearly a case of mistaken identity; I just said I was average, which to me means at least the equivalent of beginner. I am a shadow of the person I thought I was, and the only explanation I can find (ooh, a Carpenters song floats into my head) is that I simply do not have the time and concentration available to beat such a simple opponent.

Actually, that is a fair enough comment. I do rush through my game, because of either family or (currently) football interuptions, so I will give this a thumbs-up, though perhaps chess is not the best game to be testing the capabilities of today’s mobiles.

Footnote: I actually gained a stalemate in a “Child” match last night. And I should have won, had I not stupidly forced a draw.