Best bang for the buck in IOS?

[jp1]

Ok, I'm looking to get a little game time in on my iphone 7 since I have very little time at home these days.

I'm not well versed in mobile gaming or IOS. So! My request is that some of you in the know might guide me through the landscape a bit.
My preference would be that the games are solid mechanically, imaginative, unique, and worthwhile even if played only in short increments.
To start I would love to stick to a budget of $30 or so. I'd prefer that be spent on 2 amazing games than 10 mediocre games. However, if 5 or 6 great games could be had, I'd obviously love that as well.

Remember, I am on the 7 with it's small screen. I'd like to experience a game that explores 3D touch as a useful game mechanic as well.

I really appreciate any suggestions, I have been doing a little research...but, I prefer to hear the opinions of retro enthusiasts.

[marurun]

Is free to play/freemium stuff out of the question?

[prfsnl_gmr]

First, check this site everyday:

https://www.iosnoops.com

It lists when games go on sale in the App Store.

Second, your budget will get you dozens of games. Some of my favorites for the iPhone, off the top of my head:

A Dark Room
Super Hexagon
Downwell
Kero Blaster (and its free prequel and sequel Pink Heaven and Pink Hour)
Arkanoid vs. Space Invaders
A Ride into the Mountains
Potatoman Seeks the Troof
Super Mario Run
Device 6
Year Walk
Warlock's Tower (fantastic "Gameboy" puzzle game that is just too hard for me!)
Monument Valley
Azarashi
RayForce

There are also dozens of games I own but haven't played yet, and there are lots of retro games you can't find anywhere else. (Seriously, I have official ports of three MSX games on my phone, Eggy, Guardic, and Zanac.)

Finally, The Stranger Things game just came out, its truly free, and it's supposed to be pretty good. Basically...just search around the App Store, and you will find tons of great stuff...like Ultima IVand The Lost Treasures of Infocom.

EDIT: More!!!

Bloo Kid
Framed
Severed
Prune
Trials of Glork
Canabalt
Groove Coaster
Space Invader Infinity Gene

There's just so much!!!

[jp1]

Is free to play/freemium stuff out of the question?

Absolutely not, as long as it is quality.

First, check this site everyday:

<span class="skimlinks-unlinked">https://www.iosnoops.com</span>

It lists when games go on sale in the App Store.

Second, your budget will get you dozens of games. Some of my favorites for the iPhone, off the top of my head:

A Dark Room
Super Hexagon
Downwell
Kero Blaster (and its free prequel and sequel Pink Heaven and Pink Hour)
Arkanoid vs. Space Invaders
A Ride into the Mountains
Potatoman Seeks the Troof
Super Mario Run
Device 6
Year Walk
Warlock's Tower (fantastic "Gameboy" puzzle game that is just too hard for me!)
Monument Valley
Azarashi
RayForce

There are also dozens of games I own but haven't played yet, and there are lots of retro games you can't find anywhere else. (Seriously, I have official ports of three MSX games on my phone, Eggy, Guardic, and Zanac.)

Finally, The Stranger Things game just came out, its truly free, and it's supposed to be pretty good. Basically...just search around the App Store, and you will find tons of great stuff...like Ultima IVand The Lost Treasures of Infocom.

EDIT: More!!!

Bloo Kid
Framed
Severed
Prune
Trials of Glork
Canabalt
Groove Coaster
Space Invader Infinity Gene

There's just so much!!!

Wow, that is a huge selection. Thank you!

I'll say that Monument Valley was already on my short list, as well as Super Mario Run. I've also looked into Egglia, some hesitation on that front though.

I definitely have a lot to sort through now, thank you.

[Michi]

Wow, that is a huge selection. Thank you!

I'll say that Monument Valley was already on my short list, as well as Super Mario Run. I've also looked into Egglia, some hesitation on that front though.

I definitely have a lot to sort through now, thank you.

Super Mario Run is currently on sale right now for $4.99 (down from $9.99) until the 12th. So if that one is a high interest, you might want to jump on it soon. You can always try it out first before you commit.

[Tanooki]

The SNK arcade stuff is solid, at least the stuff they've so far updated for the force 64bit upgrade (or being not able to run) in iOS11 which annoyingly I think is only Neo Turf Masters which could last you a lot of hours. Dragon Fantasy which is a well made mockery of old 8bit/16bit RPG tropes is pretty awesome.

A Dark Room had a sequel called The Ensign which is fairly challenging.

If you like re-runs the old 8/16bit Square NES/SNES RPG/action RPG library is well represented as well as the Enix Dragon Quest titles, but I would strongly suggest waiting on their few times a year 50% off sales as they like to charge a lot on some of them.

Out There is a solid one, you will die and a lot, but it's a fun ride and designed as such.

I could recommend also Terraria, Whoa Dave, Zookeeper. Also as far as optional pay stuff Sky Force is excellent as are the Namco Galaga Wars and Pacman 256.

If you like digital pinball ZaccariaME (Zacarria Pinball) is a split of some free tables and some that aren't, but there's plenty to enjoy there and it handles as nicely as Pinball Arcade.

[racketboy]

The Sonic, Sonic 2, Sonic CD ports are all stellar. The onscreen controls are pretty decent, but they play wonderful with a bluetooth controller.
I play them on the Apple TV mostly.

The ports are by Christian Whitehead with his Retro Engine
http://sonic.wikia.com/wiki/Christian_Whitehead

[SamuraiMegas]

The Ace Attorney and Ghost Trick Phantom Detective are on IOS.

[ElkinFencer10]

My recommendation

[racketboy]

The Ace Attorney and Ghost Trick Phantom Detective are on IOS.

They are? How did I miss this?
I used to love the first Ace Attorney on the DS