Years before iPhone revolutionized mobile gaming, PocketPC hosted a vibrant gaming ecosystem. From impressive PC ports to creative originals, these games demonstrated what mobile devices could achieve.
The Gaming Platform
PocketPCs offered genuine gaming potential:
| Feature | Gaming Benefit |
|---|---|
| Stylus input | Precise control |
| Physical buttons | D-pad navigation |
| VGA displays | Sharp graphics |
| GPU acceleration | 3D capability |
| Sound hardware | Quality audio |
Legendary Ports
Quake
PocketQuake proved PocketPCs could handle “real” games:
- Full 3D engine
- All original levels
- Multiplayer support
- Custom control schemes
Running on a device in your pocket, Quake felt magical in 2002.
Doom
Multiple Doom ports appeared:
- PocketDoom: Original engine port
- Doom CE: Enhanced version
- ZDoom CE: Modern source port
The modding community ensured Doom ran on every capable device.
Age of Empires
Age of Empires for PocketPC wasn’t a port—it was a ground-up remake:
- Touch-optimized interface
- Simplified mechanics
- Campaign mode
- Multiplayer
Microsoft demonstrated commitment to mobile gaming with this quality title.
Original Titles
Warfare Incorporated
The definitive PocketPC RTS:
Warfare Incorporated Features:
├── Full campaign mode
├── Skirmish battles
├── Resource management
├── Base building
├── Unit variety
└── WiFi multiplayer
Originally shareware, it later went open source—still playable today.
PDAMill Games
PDAMill (Space Trader developer) created PocketPC classics:
- Space Trader: Elite-style trading
- Pirate Dawn: Pirate RPG
- Galactic Realms: Space strategy
Their games emphasized depth over graphics.
Astraware Titles
Astraware dominated casual gaming:
| Game | Genre |
|---|---|
| Bejeweled | Puzzle |
| Bookworm | Word |
| Zuma | Action puzzle |
| Chuzzle | Puzzle |
Sound familiar? These games later conquered smartphones.
Action and Adventure
Tomb Raider
Tomb Raider came to PocketPC:
- Lara Croft gameplay
- 3D environments
- Puzzle solving
- Touch controls
Performance varied by device—VGA units handled it best.
Prince of Persia
The classic platformer received faithful ports:
- Original gameplay preserved
- Touch control options
- Save states
- Multiple versions available
Fade
Fade showcased original PocketPC game design:
- Noir detective story
- Stylish visuals
- Adventure gameplay
- Full voice acting
Racing Games
Asphalt Urban GT
Gameloft’s racing titles impressed:
- 3D graphics
- Multiple tracks
- Car selection
- Racing physics
Gameloft would later dominate iPhone gaming.
Colin McRae Rally
Rally racing came to PocketPC:
- Licensed vehicles
- Varied terrain
- Championship mode
- Realistic handling
The Dell Axim X51v’s GPU delivered smooth framerates.
Role-Playing Games
Pocket RPGs
Multiple RPG options existed:
| Game | Style |
|---|---|
| Dungeon Explorer | Diablo-like |
| Arvale | Classic JRPG |
| Arcanum | Western RPG |
| PocketHeroes | Strategy RPG |
Text Adventures
For story lovers:
- Interactive fiction interpreters
- Infocom game support
- Modern IF titles
- Community creations
Emulation Scene
PocketPCs excelled at emulation:
Console Emulators
| System | Emulator | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Game Boy | GnuBoy CE | Excellent |
| NES | PocketNES | Excellent |
| SNES | PocketSNES | Good |
| Genesis | PicoDrive | Good |
| GBA | PocketGBA | Fair |
Classic Computer Emulation
- DOSBox CE for DOS games
- ScummVM for adventure games
- Various computer emulators
Distribution Methods
Unlike modern app stores, PocketPC gaming was fragmented:
Sources
- Handango: Major marketplace
- PocketGear: Alternative store
- Developer websites: Direct purchase
- Freeware sites: Community sharing
- CD compilations: Magazine bundles
Pricing
- Shareware: Try before buy
- Commercial: $10-30 typical
- Freeware: Community support
- Open source: Growing category
Gaming Hardware
D-Pad Controls
Some devices included gaming controls:
- HP iPAQ 5-way navigator
- Dell Axim D-pad
- Dedicated game buttons (some models)
Accessories
Gaming-focused add-ons:
- Game controllers (cradle-based)
- Extended batteries
- Screen protectors
- Grips and cases
Multiplayer Gaming
WiFi Gaming
With WiFi-equipped devices like the Toshiba e740:
- Local network battles
- Turn-based hot-seat
- Ad-hoc connections
Bluetooth Gaming
Bluetooth enabled:
- Two-player battles
- Device-to-device sync
- Controller connections
Legacy Impact
PocketPC gaming influenced mobile gaming’s future:
- Touch controls: Stylus to finger evolution
- Casual games: Astraware �?App Store hits
- Gameloft: PocketPC roots to mobile giant
- Freemium: Early experiments with model
Preserving PocketPC Games
For gaming historians:
- Archive.org collections
- XDA-Developers archives
- Dedicated preservation sites
- ROM collections
Many games remain playable through emulation or original hardware.