This week we bring you a durable smartphone browser, a Mahjong variant with a special spin, a feel-good hidden object game, and an adorable brownie as the hero in his own action-adventure game.
As is often the case, some applications include in-app purchases or advertising. However, we try all applications by hand to make sure everything stays within reason and you don’t fall into any unexpected cost traps. Our main goal is to find applications that improve your experience on your smartphone and provide added value.
If you’re looking for great app deals, be sure to check out our free apps of the week! Twice a week here you will find a collection of apps that normally cost money, but are currently free as part of a promotion. But let’s get to the point and see which mobile games and applications made our selection of the 5 best applications this week!
Ecosia (Android & iOS)
Among smartphone browsers, Chrome has a 65% market share – followed by Safari with almost 25%. And then there’s nothing for a very long time. However, there is a whole series of interesting alternatives, like Ecosia for example, which has not yet even managed to climb into the top 21 of the previously linked Statista report.
- Price: Free / Advertisement: No / In-app purchases: No / Account required: No
Ecosia is focused on sustainability. The developer promises that 100% of revenues are donated to reforestation and climate change projects. Thus, 200 million trees have already been planted in more than 30 countries. In the browser there is even a link to Ecosia’s financial report, which explains how the revenue is used for environmental protection.
Of course, the Mozilla Firefox-based browser also has the usual convenience features, including an ad blocker, dark mode and Incognito mode, and – how could it be otherwise in 2024 – a built-in artificial intelligence assistant . Speaking of Incognito, while the provider generates most of its revenue through advertising, Ecosia promises not to create user profiles or sell data to advertisers.
Vita Mahjong (Android & iOS)
Casi is both the Dean of Editorial and the Dean of Face at nextpit. This is perhaps why he came across this variation of mahjongg which is explicitly aimed at seniors. Mahjongg is one of the oldest casual games in the world, so we probably don’t need to explain the rules to you. In this 4.9 star rated game, you play through levels or solve a new daily challenge each day.
What is interesting here is the focus on older people, which is reflected in the game by particularly large tiles, easily recognizable characters and levels. You have the possibility to choose different game themes and backgrounds, but the default game is classic and therefore particularly playable.
- Price: Free / Advertisement: Yes / In-app purchases: Yes (€7.99) / Account required: No
So you don’t have to worry about fancy designs or game modes, you can get started straight away without an account and for free. Ads appear every two or three games, which you can remove after a few seconds. If you wish, you can also permanently get rid of advertising for money.
The whole thing is accompanied by relaxing music, so that seniors, but also people who, like Casi, are simply eyes in the mole department, can relax by playing a few levels of mahjongg.
krispee Street (Android & iOS)
In the words of the Apple App Store, Krispee Street is a “feel-good hidden object game.” Well, personally, I don’t know any more. At least the principle of the game is quickly explained: you have to find weird cartoon characters. Sounds like a game for little kids to stop the endless screaming, doesn’t it? Believe me, my despair grew so quickly that I myself wanted to scream.
- Price: Free / Advertisement: No / In-app purchases: Yes / Account required: Netflix subscription
You earn stickers and cards with characters that, like me, will probably infuriate you over time. Make no mistake, Krispee Street is a fun and surprisingly engaging Netflix game. Daily tasks give you even more opportunities for despair. Before you get to the difficult levels, you have beginner tasks in which arrows even show you where the cartoon characters you are looking for are hidden.
Impulse (Android & iOS)
After a long winter, are you feeling a little rusty, not only physically but also mentally? In this case, Impulse – Brain Training Games can help you stimulate your gray cells. The application offers you a bouquet of mini-games that will allow you to train your logical thinking, your spatial imagination, your memory or your ability to concentrate.
- Price: Free / Advertisement: No / In-app purchases: Yes (€32.99 / year) / Account required: No.
It works with typical memory training games, which are significantly superior to “Person. Woman. Man. Camera. TV”. go further. You have to remember the position of ghosts on a grid, click on numbers in ascending order over time or identify pairs of images and sort candies.
The app also offers some mini-games in the field of mindfulness, which will help you, for example, to relax or overcome your fears. There is also a personality test that classifies you into one of twelve archetypes.
You can try Impulse – Brain Training Games for free for three days. The full paid version will cost you 31.99 euros per year, or the equivalent of 0.62 euros per week.
The Legend of Jaffa Brownie (Android)
When you think of action/adventure games, what is the first game that comes to mind? The Legend of Zelda? Assassin’s Creed ? So think again, because with The Legend of Jaffa Brownie a new adversary enters the scene. You find yourself in the colorful world of little Brownie and must try to find the heart of the factory to know the meaning of your existence.
- Price: Free / Advertisement: No / In-app purchases: No / Account required: No
The controls here are very simple. With the left finger you move the cute hero and with the right finger you can either jump or fight your enemies with the sword. Throughout your adventure, you will complete quests that will allow you to earn additional coins that you can then spend on new pieces of cosmetic equipment.
If you are a fan of 3D platformers or like action/adventure games, you should definitely check out this game. However, on the French Google Play Store the game is called Legenda o Jaffinom Brauniju, which can be explained by the newness of the game and the lack of translation. Currently there is only an English and a Russian version. The game is not yet available on the Apple App Store.
Did you discover an interesting new app this week – and if so, which one? Or maybe you still have a good tip for the nextpit community? Whatever happens, feel free to let me know in the comments!
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