The touch control tricks good mobile games get right

Bad touch controls can ruin an otherwise great game. After playing hundreds of them, a few patterns stand out that the good ones almost always share.

The best games keep important buttons where your thumbs already rest, not floating in awkward corners. They use radial menus instead of tiny lists, and they respond to gestures — a swipe or a hold — rather than demanding precise taps on small targets.

Haptic feedback is underrated. A subtle buzz confirming an action makes controls feel solid even when you're not looking directly at the button. Big Bass Fishin does this well, and so do a handful of the racers we've covered.

If you're picky about controls, always check the settings before writing a game off. Sensitivity sliders, layout options and the choice between tilt and buttons can turn a frustrating experience into a smooth one.