- Abalone translates the tabletop classic to mobile
- Pit your marbles against an opponents in an attempt to push them off the board
- Don’t get caught in an disadvantageous position
Translating classic tabletop releases to mobile can be a bit hit or miss, but it’s become increasingly prevalent over the years. However, while we’ve had some iconic classics such as Uno or chess appearing in various forms, I don’t think we’ve seen much of Abalone (in fact, we only have one version on the books!) until now.
Abalone may sound strange, but it’s a deceptively simple, checkers-like ruleset. You have a hexagonal board, two sides of white or black marbles, and the aim is to push at least six of your opponent’s marbles off the board. To do so, there are a whole host of rules about what you can move, when, and where you can push marbles off the board.
It looks complex, but it’s deceptively simple to master. However, Abalone for mobile offers all the strategic depth that longtime players associate with it, while newbies can experience the surprising strategic depth for the first time. It even includes multiplayer to duke it out with friends!
No, not the seafood
While I’d seen Abalone before, I hadn’t known much about it until now. But it looks as if this mobile version is directed firmly at fans of the existing tabletop puzzler. There isn’t any indication that there are tutorials or other ways to ease new people in.
But, at the same time, it’s clear that there is a market for Abalone fans. And considering the bevvy of online chess options out there, being able to play Abalone easily on a digital platform is sure to help raise the profile of this competitive puzzler with fans, both casual and hardcore alike.
If you want to put your brain cells to the test, however, there are even more options if Abalone doesn’t take your fancy. Check out our list of the top 25 best puzzle games on iOS and Android for everything from casual arcade fun to veritable brain-busters.
