The best games to play with one thumb on your commute

Most of my mobile gaming happens on public transport, standing up, holding a rail with one hand. That rules out a shocking number of games. If a title needs two thumbs and full attention, it's not commute-friendly, no matter how good it is.

The best one-thumb games share a few traits. Controls sit on one side of the screen or use a single input. Rounds are short so an interruption isn't a disaster. And the game pauses gracefully when you tab away to check a message.

Vertical-layout RPGs have quietly gotten great at this. So have well-made casual and puzzle games. The trick is checking the settings menu on day one: turn off anything that vibrates on a crowded train, and see if there's a battery-saver mode for longer rides.

Test it yourself before you commit. Play a few rounds one-handed at home. If your thumb has to stretch to the far corner of the screen, that game and your commute are not going to get along.