Accessible mobile games
Tablet and smartphone games accessible for people living with low vision.
Summary
Mobile games can offer a rich world of entertainment and relaxation, and because of their digital nature, can combine features such as audio, contrasted visuals, large text, and haptics (touch or vibration feedback) to create an accessible experience for players living with low vision. While not every app is designed with accessibility in mind, there are still a range of immersive, accessible games to be enjoyed.
What makes a game accessible?
Though there is no one-size-fits-all approach to accessible design for low vision, there are some general features which can make games easier to play. Here are some things you can look for when searching for games.
- High contrast visuals, such as high colour contrast between background and foreground, or text that is easy to read against the background.
- Simple visuals, like plain rather than patterned or image backgrounds.
- Large text. Look for games which support dynamic text sizes, so text within the app adjusts to the text size you have selected for your device.
- Minimal text. Games with heavy text, like storytelling games, can be fatiguing. Look for games which rely more on colours and shapes, like puzzle games.
- Adjustable difficulty levels or modes provide extra time to process visual information.
Helpful tip: If a game is difficult to play due to low contrast or its colour scheme, changing certain settings on your phone might help. Try adjusting your brightness or inverting your display colours. For support to use these features on your device, check out SeeWay’s free online skills training.
Some accessible games you might enjoy
Disclaimer: We’ve gathered this list of games as potential resources you may enjoy, and we hope you find something which suits your needs. However, please note these are all third-party programs and are not affiliated with or endorsed by SeeWay.
Evidence 111
An audio-only, mystery game where you play as Inspector Alice Wells, featuring voices from famous actors including Zoë Robins, Rosamund Pike, and Mike Bodie. The app is free to download but to access the full story there is a cost.
Download Evidence 111 for Android.
Download Evidence 111 for iOS (Apple).
A Blind Legend
A Blind Legend is a game without visuals, designed for both people with vision loss and sighted players to embark on a journey solely through sound. Play as Edward Blake, a knight who is blind, trying to save his kidnapped wife while guided by his daughter Louise. A Blind Legend is currently only available for computers and iOS devices.
Purchase A Blind Legend for computer or laptop.
Download A Blind Legend for iOS (Apple).
Accessible Solitaire
A free mobile version of the classic card game. It uses large suit symbols and numbers on cards to increase readability, sounds to indicate the outcomes of plays and other actions, and is screen reader compatible.
Download Accessible Solitaire for Android.
Download Accessible Solitaire for iOS (Apple).
Diceworld
Diceworld offers free, accessible versions of five classic dice games: Farkle, Yatzy, Pig, Threes and 1-4-24, also known as Midnight. The app uses large dice, strong contrast and sound effects and is screen reader compatible.
Download Diceworld for Android.
Download Diceworld for iOS (Apple).
Flow Free
A free, colour-based puzzle game where you connect differently coloured dots on a grid without overlapping your lines. The game is played without text, uses strong, high contrast colours, and has different sizes of grids available to play on.
Download Flow Free for Android.
Download Flow Free for iOS (Apple).
Tetris
The classic computer game developed for smartphones and tablets. With a dark background and brightly coloured tiles, the free game uses strong contrast and does not rely on text.
Download Tetris for iOS (Apple).
Paint by Number
Paint by number games allow for close zooming in and magnification and offer pictures in a range of styles and detail levels. When a colour is selected, corresponding sections will become shaded, helping to differentiate between similar-looking numbers.
Download Paint by Number for Android.
Download Paint by Number for iOS (Apple).
Blackbox
A unique puzzle game where you solve puzzles without touching the screen. The aim of each puzzle is to turn on a coloured ‘light’ using unconventional methods such as tilting your phone, singing, going for a walk and more. Currently Blackbox is only available on iOS devices.
Download Blackbox for iOS (Apple).
Blindfold Games
A range of mobile games designed to be navigated entirely through audio, from card games and brainteasers to audio-only versions of popular board games. To play Blindfold Games, download the Blindfold Games launcher app, which will then direct you to download specific games as you want to play them. Currently Blindfold Games are only available on iOS devices.
Download Blindfold Games launcher for iOS (Apple).
Looking for something different?
This list is only a short selection of the many games out there designed to be accessible for people with low vision or blindness. If you have a favourite game or app we haven’t mentioned, let us know! Send us an email to info@seeway.com.au or call us on 1800 733 929.
Here are some further lists you can explore to find more games for your smartphone, tablet, and computer.
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