10 great games to play on iPhone

Remember 2048, the 2014 viral sensation that The Washington Post called “nerdy, minimalist, [and] frustrating?” Meet Threes, the game’s better-designed predecessor.

In Threes (as in 2048), you swipe tiles up, down and side to side to combine equal number tiles and try to reach the highest possible number without the board filling up. But in just about every respect, Threes is better than 2048. It doesn’t have any ads. It’s easier to control, with tiles moving one space at a time, and a preview bar at the top telling you what kind of tile is coming next to help you think through your runs. It’s also just plain charming, with little faces adorning some of the tiles you slide around the four-by-four play space.

If you like puzzle games you can play in short sittings, Threes is perfect.