In the early days of mobile phones, games were a far cry from the high-end, graphically-rich experiences we see today. Back then, mobile games were simple, fun, and easy-to-play titles that fit in the palm of your hand. These "old school" mobile games may have been technologically limited, but they had a charm and addictive gameplay that still holds up to this day.

One of the most iconic old school mobile games was Snake, which debuted on Nokia phones in 1997. In Snake, players controlled a pixelated snake that would grow longer as it ate dots on the screen. The challenge was to avoid crashing into walls, your own tail, or other obstacles. While the gameplay was simple, the game was incredibly addictive, and it became a cultural phenomenon. Snake was pre-installed on Nokia phones for years, and it's estimated that over 400 million people played the game during its heyday.

Also, Space Impact was a series of sci-fi themed shooter games developed by Nokia for its phones in the early 2000s. Players took on the role of a pilot who must navigate through levels filled with enemy spacecraft, asteroids, and other hazards. The game's simple controls and satisfying shooting mechanics made it a hit with gamers. The series included several sequels and spin-offs, and many fans still have fond memories of playing Space Impact on their Nokia phones.

Another classic mobile game was Tetris, which had been around since the 1980s but became a staple on mobile phones in the early 2000s. In Tetris, players arranged falling blocks to create horizontal lines, which would disappear and earn points. The game's simple mechanics made it easy to pick up and play, but its challenging gameplay kept players coming back for more.

In the early 2000s, the popularity of mobile gaming skyrocketed, thanks in part to games like Bejeweled. In Bejeweled, players swapped adjacent gems to create rows of three or more, which would then disappear and earn points. The game's colorful graphics and simple gameplay made it a hit with casual gamers, and it paved the way for the "match-three" puzzle game genre that's still popular today.

Another popular mobile game of the time was Doodle Jump, which was released in 2009. In Doodle Jump, players controlled a bouncing character that had to climb as high as possible by jumping on platforms and avoiding obstacles. The game's simple mechanics and charming graphics made it a hit with casual gamers, and it was one of the first mobile games to introduce the concept of "endless" gameplay.

Angry Birds, released in 2009, was another mobile game that took the world by storm. In Angry Birds, players launched a variety of birds at structures in order to destroy them and defeat enemy pigs. The game's physics-based gameplay, colorful graphics, and addictive progression system made it a massive hit, and it spawned numerous sequels and spin-offs.

Of course, not all old school mobile games were hits. Many were forgettable titles that disappeared into obscurity, but there were still some hidden gems that are worth revisiting. For example, Pocket Tanks, released in 2001, was a simple artillery game that featured cute graphics and a wide variety of weapons. The game's turn-based gameplay made it perfect for short play sessions, and it was a hit with gamers of all ages.

Another classic mobile game was Bubble Trouble, which was released in 2002. In Bubble Trouble, players controlled a character that had to pop bubbles with a grappling hook while avoiding getting hit by the bubbles themselves. The game's simple mechanics and charming graphics made it a hit with casual gamers, and it's still remembered fondly by many mobile gaming enthusiasts.

In conclusion, while the technology of mobile phones has come a long way since the early days of mobile gaming, there's still something special about the old school mobile games that many of us grew up playing. These games may have been technologically limited, but they had a charm and addictive gameplay that still holds up to this day. From Snake to Bejeweled to Angry Birds, these games paved the way for the mobile gaming industry we know today.