Best games
Best iOS games of 2009
The 26 best iOS games released in 2009, ranked from 8,392 critic and player ratings.
The best iOS game of 2009 is Street Fighter IV, with a critic score of 91/100 — updated September 2026.
How this ranking is built
- Games are ranked on the aggregated critic score out of 100 imported from IGDB and Metacritic, never on Tier's own grades.
- A game only enters the ranking with at least 80 external ratings, so a single enthusiastic review never outranks a proven classic.
- Community grades from F to S are shown next to every game, and only stated as a fact above 5 Tier ratings.
- Release window covered: 2009.
- 26 games are listed on this page, carrying 8,392 ratings between them.
- Rankings are recomputed hourly; this one was last rebuilt on 28 September 2026.
Top 26
01
Street Fighter IV
Street Fighter IV brings the legendary fighting series back to its roots by taking the beloved fighting moves and techniques of the original Street Fighter II, and infusing them with Capcom’s latest advancements in next generation technology to create a truly extraordinary experience that will re-introduce the world to the time-honored art of virtual martial arts. Newcomers: - Abel - C.Viper - Rufus - El Fuerte - Gouken
91
/100
02
Ticket to Ride
91
/100
03
Empire: Total War
Empire: Total War introduces a host of revolutionary new features, including true 3D naval combat. For the first time in the Total War series, you will be able to intuitively command single ships or vast fleets upon seascapes rich with extraordinary water and weather effects that play a huge role in your eventual glorious success or ignominious defeat. After pummelling your enemy with cannon fire, close in to grapple their ship and prepare to board, taking control of your men as they fight hand-to-hand on the decks of these wooden behemoths. In addition, Empire: Total War will see further enhancements to the Total War series’ signature 3D battles and turn-based campaign map. Real-time battles will pose new challenges with the addition of cannon and musket, challenging players to master new formations and tactics as a result of the increasing role of gunpowder within warfare. And the Campaign Map for many, the heart of Total War introduces a variety of new and upgraded elements, including new systems for Trade, Diplomacy and Espionage with agents; a refined and streamlined UI; improved Advisors; and a vastly extended scope, taking in the riches of India, the turbulence of Europe and, for the first time, the untapped potential of the United States of America.
90
/100
Street Fighter IV
Street Fighter IV brings the legendary fighting series back to its roots by taking the beloved fighting moves and techniques of the original Street Fighter II, and infusing them with Capcom’s latest advancements in next generation technology to create a truly extraordinary experience that will re-introduce the world to the time-honored art of virtual martial arts. Newcomers: - Abel - C.Viper - Rufus - El Fuerte - Gouken
91
/100
02
Ticket to Ride
91
/100
03
Empire: Total War
Empire: Total War introduces a host of revolutionary new features, including true 3D naval combat. For the first time in the Total War series, you will be able to intuitively command single ships or vast fleets upon seascapes rich with extraordinary water and weather effects that play a huge role in your eventual glorious success or ignominious defeat. After pummelling your enemy with cannon fire, close in to grapple their ship and prepare to board, taking control of your men as they fight hand-to-hand on the decks of these wooden behemoths. In addition, Empire: Total War will see further enhancements to the Total War series’ signature 3D battles and turn-based campaign map. Real-time battles will pose new challenges with the addition of cannon and musket, challenging players to master new formations and tactics as a result of the increasing role of gunpowder within warfare. And the Campaign Map for many, the heart of Total War introduces a variety of new and upgraded elements, including new systems for Trade, Diplomacy and Espionage with agents; a refined and streamlined UI; improved Advisors; and a vastly extended scope, taking in the riches of India, the turbulence of Europe and, for the first time, the untapped potential of the United States of America.
90
/100
04
Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars
Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars is an entirely original entry into the critically acclaimed Grand Theft Auto series, and brings a new level of interactivity to its sprawling open environments. With the use of the DS touch screen, players navigate their way through the streets as they uncover the truth behind an epic tale of crime and corruption within the Triad crime syndicate, delivering the unprecedented amount of depth that has become a true trademark of the franchise.
90
/100
05
Machinarium
Machinarium is award-winning independent adventure game developed by the makers of Samorost and Botanicula. A little robot who’s been thrown out to the scrap yard behind the city must return and confront the Black Cap Brotherhood and save his robot-girl friend.
88
/100
06
STEINS;GATE
Steins;Gate is a Japanese visual novel developed by 5pb. and Nitroplus. It is the second game in the Science Adventure series following Chaos;Head. The game is described by the development team as a "hypothetical science ADV" and explores time and time travel in 2010 Akihabara. The gameplay follows non-linear plot lines which offer branching scenarios with courses of interaction.
87
/100
07
Flower
ESCAPE TO A DREAMLIKE WORLD From the studio behind the genre-bending titles Journey and flOw comes Flower, a unique gaming experience that lets you soar through a dreamlike world of luscious fields and rolling hills. Control the wind to carry a stream of flower petals around each landscape and watch as it comes to life. Every level has its own unique aims and little mysteries – but you don’t have to worry about them if you don’t feel like it. Flower is about doing what you want, when you want. Freedom is everything.
83
/100
08
The Sims 3
In The Sims 3, you can create Sims with unique personalities, fulfill their desires, and control their lives within a customizable living neighborhood. Unlock all-new Karma Powers and unleash them on your Sims: help your Sim get lucky with the power of "love connector", bless them with the power of "age defiler" or "instant beauty" or curse them with an "instant enemy". Use these powers wisely, because they may have unexpected results! As you guide your Sims through life, you can complete challenges to unlock additional items, new buildings and landmarks.
83
/100
09
S
Minecraft
Minecraft focuses on allowing the player to explore, interact with, and modify a dynamically-generated map made of one-cubic-meter-sized blocks. In addition to blocks, the environment features plants, mobs, and items. Some activities in the game include mining for ore, fighting hostile mobs, and crafting new blocks and tools by gathering various resources found in the game. The game's open-ended model allows players to create structures, creations, and artwork on various multiplayer servers or their single-player maps. Other features include redstone circuits for logic computations and remote actions, minecarts and tracks, and a mysterious underworld called the Nether. A designated but completely optional goal of the game is to travel to a dimension called the End, and defeat the ender dragon.
83
/100
10
Broken Sword 2 - The Smoking Mirror (Remastered)
Broken Sword: The Smoking Mirror - Remastered is a remastered edition of the original game. The game features the same basic story, but has additional features, including fully animated facial expressions, higher quality audio, an interactive comic book, cloud save support, context-sensitive hints, a game diary and a new user interface.
82
/100
11
Osmos
80
/100
12
Angry Birds
80
/100
13
The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition
80
/100
14
Worms 2: Armageddon
80
/100
15
Tales of Monkey Island
80
/100
16
BIT.TRIP BEAT
80
/100
17
Crayon Physics Deluxe
79
/100
18
Zuma's Revenge!
78
/100
19
Ace Attorney Investigations - Miles Edgeworth
78
/100
20
Might and Magic Clash of Heroes
76
/100
21
Angry Birds
75
/100
22
And Yet It Moves
75
/100
23
Cogs
73
/100
24
Plants vs. Zombies
71
/100
25
James Cameron's AVATAR: The Game
60
/100
26
Terminator Salvation
47
/100
Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars
Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars is an entirely original entry into the critically acclaimed Grand Theft Auto series, and brings a new level of interactivity to its sprawling open environments. With the use of the DS touch screen, players navigate their way through the streets as they uncover the truth behind an epic tale of crime and corruption within the Triad crime syndicate, delivering the unprecedented amount of depth that has become a true trademark of the franchise.
90
/100
05
Machinarium
Machinarium is award-winning independent adventure game developed by the makers of Samorost and Botanicula. A little robot who’s been thrown out to the scrap yard behind the city must return and confront the Black Cap Brotherhood and save his robot-girl friend.
88
/100
06
STEINS;GATE
Steins;Gate is a Japanese visual novel developed by 5pb. and Nitroplus. It is the second game in the Science Adventure series following Chaos;Head. The game is described by the development team as a "hypothetical science ADV" and explores time and time travel in 2010 Akihabara. The gameplay follows non-linear plot lines which offer branching scenarios with courses of interaction.
87
/100
07
Flower
ESCAPE TO A DREAMLIKE WORLD From the studio behind the genre-bending titles Journey and flOw comes Flower, a unique gaming experience that lets you soar through a dreamlike world of luscious fields and rolling hills. Control the wind to carry a stream of flower petals around each landscape and watch as it comes to life. Every level has its own unique aims and little mysteries – but you don’t have to worry about them if you don’t feel like it. Flower is about doing what you want, when you want. Freedom is everything.
83
/100
08
The Sims 3
In The Sims 3, you can create Sims with unique personalities, fulfill their desires, and control their lives within a customizable living neighborhood. Unlock all-new Karma Powers and unleash them on your Sims: help your Sim get lucky with the power of "love connector", bless them with the power of "age defiler" or "instant beauty" or curse them with an "instant enemy". Use these powers wisely, because they may have unexpected results! As you guide your Sims through life, you can complete challenges to unlock additional items, new buildings and landmarks.
83
/100
09
S
Minecraft
Minecraft focuses on allowing the player to explore, interact with, and modify a dynamically-generated map made of one-cubic-meter-sized blocks. In addition to blocks, the environment features plants, mobs, and items. Some activities in the game include mining for ore, fighting hostile mobs, and crafting new blocks and tools by gathering various resources found in the game. The game's open-ended model allows players to create structures, creations, and artwork on various multiplayer servers or their single-player maps. Other features include redstone circuits for logic computations and remote actions, minecarts and tracks, and a mysterious underworld called the Nether. A designated but completely optional goal of the game is to travel to a dimension called the End, and defeat the ender dragon.
83
/100
10
Broken Sword 2 - The Smoking Mirror (Remastered)
Broken Sword: The Smoking Mirror - Remastered is a remastered edition of the original game. The game features the same basic story, but has additional features, including fully animated facial expressions, higher quality audio, an interactive comic book, cloud save support, context-sensitive hints, a game diary and a new user interface.
82
/100
11
Osmos
80
/100
12
Angry Birds
80
/100
13
The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition
80
/100
14
Worms 2: Armageddon
80
/100
15
Tales of Monkey Island
80
/100
16
BIT.TRIP BEAT
80
/100
17
Crayon Physics Deluxe
79
/100
18
Zuma's Revenge!
78
/100
19
Ace Attorney Investigations - Miles Edgeworth
78
/100
20
Might and Magic Clash of Heroes
76
/100
21
Angry Birds
75
/100
22
And Yet It Moves
75
/100
23
Cogs
73
/100
24
Plants vs. Zombies
71
/100
25
James Cameron's AVATAR: The Game
60
/100
26
Terminator Salvation
47
/100
Frequently asked questions
What is the best iOS game of 2009?
Street Fighter IV currently tops the ranking with a score of 91/100 across 213 ratings. Ranking updated September 2026.
How is this ranking built?
Games are ranked on their aggregated critic score out of 100, with a minimum vote threshold so a single glowing review never outranks a proven classic; the Tier community's own F-to-S grades are shown alongside each game.