Word Games

Word Game Fun

Overview

Word Games can be a delightful challenge. Sometimes you have to know definitions, and other times you need to just know the spelling, but you'd better know your words. Discover some fun word games that test your mad word skills and maybe even expand your vocabulary right here.

Essential Apps

$2.99
Words With Friends

by Zynga Inc.

This app has earned a permanent spot on both my iPhone and my iPad (find the iPad version linked below). To call it an obsession might be an understatement. This is Scrabble, but more popular than Scrabble's own app. Connect to your Facebook friends, pass-and-play live, or get matched up with a random opponent. Try out the free, ad-supported version linked below.
$0.99
Abca

by Kieffer Bros.

Abca is incredibly fun. The basic premise is very similar to a word search. You look for words in a grid of letters, and, once you find a word, drag across it with your finger. However, Abca offers 4 different versions of such a different premise that the game always stays fresh. The best part of this game, however, is its design, which is chock-full of glowing tiles, great yet subtle sounds, and multiple other visual and audible touches that make Abca a treat to play. The interface is simple, the engine is smart, the gameplay is addictive, and the method it uses to keep your score is very interactive and exciting. As long as you can put up with its $1.99 price tag and love interactive word searches, Abca is the word puzzle for you.

Notable Apps

$2.99
Hanging With Friends

by Zynga Inc.

This twist on the traditional pencil and paper Hangman game is quite engaging. Play with your friends or get matched up with a random opponent. The adorable graphics and virtual prizes you can buy with earned or purchased "coins" will keep you coming back for more.
$1.99
wurdle

by Semi Secret Software, LLC

Wurdle is “Boggle”-type game that's better than Boggle itself. The goal is to find as many words as you can in a grid of letters ranging from 4x4 to 8x8. The premise is simple, but the gameplay is pretty addictive and fun. With an option to see all possible words from the puzzle and slick (and even customizable) designs, wurdle is the best Boggle-style game in App Store. It has the added bonus of being universal, so play it on all of your iDevices.
Free
Textropolis

by NimbleBit

More than a typical anagram game, Textropolis adds a fun layer of gameplay by having you play through 30 different cities. You also get definitions for the words you play, so you expand your vocabulary even as you are being entertained.
Free
Imangi

by Imangi Studios, LLC

Slide the tiles to create the longest words in this fun and challenging word game. You must fill the board with words that are valid both left to right and top to bottom. Once you have created as many words as you can, submit your board to see if you've made the high score list. This is truly a unique game, and for free, definitely worth checking out.
$1.99
SCRABBLE

by Electronic Arts

A good solid app, it has yet to reach the popularity of Words With Friends, but it's still a great way to play Scrabble. There is a free version and an iPad version. Coolest of all, there's a special app that turns your iPhone or iPod touch into a Scrabble rack for when you play the iPad version. All of these are linked below.
Free
Word Solitaire ~ a relaxing Klondike game with letters for crossword puzzle and sudoku lovers!

by Candywriter

This solitaire game with a twist is sure to delight word game fans. Move the stacked letter cards around strategically to form the longest words. Check out the free version and iPad version linked below.
Free
NYTimes Crosswords

by Magmic Inc.

If crossword puzzles are your thing, then you know that the daily New York Times crossword puzzle is the ultimate. This free, universal app gives you a one week trial of their daily puzzles, plus access to their archive of 4000 puzzles. If you want to continue to get the current daily puzzles, you'll need to pay a few bucks each month for a subscription.
$0.99
WordFu

by ngmoco, Inc.

Shake and throw your letter dice and then create as many words as you can from the resulting letters. Fun sounds (Hi-ya!) and attractive graphics make this an enjoyable word game. The "Plus" version is actually the free one, and it's linked below.
$4.99
Word Quest PLUS

by IslandJohn.com

If you are into word search games, you'll definitely want to add Word Quest to your collection. With smooth gameplay, attractive graphics, and thousands of puzzles to play, you won't get tired of this universal app. Try the free version linked below.
$2.99
Moxie 2

by Blue Ox Technologies Ltd.

Form word chains by changing one letter at a time. This sequel to the original Moxie game has its own lingo (Twaddle, Moxie Words), new puzzles each day, and a devoted following. Check out the free and iPad versions linked below.
$1.99
Cryptogram

by Norman Basham

A cryptogram is a quote that has been encoded, with each letter standing for a different letter. Your job is to decode the quote, letter by letter. This gorgeous app is universal, so grab it for all of your iDevices.

Decent Apps

$0.99
Bananagrams

by Majesco Entertainment

Bananagrams is a word construction game. You are given a collection of letter tiles that you have to use to construct your very own grid of letters. While this premise is an interesting one, I'm not sure that this was a game made to port for electronic devices. I love playing the physical version of this game with friends and family, but it seems to be missing something when you play it on a device like the iPhone. Nevertheless, Bananagrams can be fun with its clean interface and fun sounds. The key component of this game is its uniqueness when it comes to word puzzle games—if you want to take a crack at sorting through a pile of letters and turning them into words, this game is just what the doctor ordered.
$1.99
Bookworm

by PopCap

Bookworm is very similar to Abca in that it is also a word searching game with multiple modes. It is pretty fun and, when stripped down to the nitty-gritty gameplay, is virtually the same as Abca. That being said, it is no where near as good. Bookworm is more expensive (it costs $2.99) and more glitchy than Abca with a less appealing design and fewer game modes.
$1.99
Jumbline 2

by Brainium Studios LLC

This game is another fun one that only requires you to know the spelling of words. The computer gives you a jumble of 5, 6, or 7 letters (the number depends on the difficulty you select), and you have to make as many words as you can out of the letters. It is a simple premise that has been done many times before, but this is a nice execution due to a clean design, a lack of duplicate puzzles, and very nice touches when it comes to the colors of the backgrounds and the sounds that play. There are also two other game play modes, Cloud Pop and Star Tower; which are variations on the basic game idea. Check out the free and iPad versions below.
Free
Word Scramble Challenge Edition by Zynga

by Zynga

Zynga never fails to disappoint, and Word Scramble is no exception. Simply drag your finger around the 4x4 or 5x5 board to create more words than your opponent in this Boggle-type game. Play solo or with a friend; GameCenter integration makes it even more competitive.