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From Snoopy To Sherlock – The Classic Characters Thriving In Modern Mobile Entertainment

By Author Devante


It seems odd to think that once upon a time gaming was regarded as a bit of a niche pastime. Today, so many of us enjoy relaxing by playing the latest titles, with titles on handheld technology and gadgets like smartphones and tablets proving to be particularly popular.

According to research released by App Annie earlier this year, mobile gaming saw 25 percent more spend in 2019 than all other forms of gaming combined. Remarkably, the study also anticipated that spending on mobile games across all app stores could reach more than $100 billion this year.

Such figures are perhaps not a major surprise when you consider how many different games are available, as well as the range of styles that are on offer. One of the most notable recent releases has even breathed new life into a classic character who started life in a comic strip many years ago.

Snoopy’s new journey

The Peanuts comic strip was first created back in the 1950s by Charles M Schulz and has grown to become a pop culture icon thanks to much-loved characters including Charlie Brown and – of course – Snoopy.

Now, the famous dog has made his way, yet again, onto mobiles with Snoopy Puzzle Journey. Pocket Gamer.com outlines how the title from Capcom takes on a similar form to other mobile puzzle games, with players having to break tiles on a board. The twist is that once you complete a level, you move to a new ‘destination’ – as each level is themed around different locations across the globe.

Available on the Apple App Store and Google Play, the game can perhaps be viewed as just the latest example of how classic characters, who have been around for a number of years, are finding a new home in the world of mobile entertainment.

Making their way on mobile

For example, much-loved video game characters like Sonic the Hedgehog and Mario have made a successful leap onto smartphone and tablet, with the latter in particular proving incredibly popular. Earlier this year, Nintendo’s range of mobile games had generated more than $1 billion in lifetime revenue, from spending on both the App Store and Google Play, with Super Mario Run remaining the company’s most-downloaded title.

Other classic characters from the gaming world that can be found on mobile include Lemmings, while there was plenty of speculation earlier this year that a Crash Bandicoot mobile title was also on its way.

Furthermore, another video gaming icon, who can be found in the further mobile entertainment sector, is Lara Croft, although not perhaps in the form that you would expect. As well as offering traditional casino tabletop digitalisations via a mobile app, some online casinos sites offer innovative slot titles including Lara Croft: Temples & Tombs – which is based on the classic Tomb Raider franchise which dates back to the late 1990s. The site boasts titles based on much older famous names too, with slots based on literary classics like Sherlock of London and Moby Dick also being available.

Getting nostalgic

Of course, the fact that so many well-known characters from the history of pop culture are now featured in all forms of mobile entertainment does beg one question – just what is driving this trend?

There could be many reasons behind it, but one strong one could, of course, be the power of nostalgia. Playing games featuring characters we know and love may bring an element of comfort, while it may also remind us of times playing games based on them when wes were young.

Kotaku examined this issue just last year, with writer Alyse Knorr outlining how games can lead to a strong feeling of nostalgia due to the amount of time and emotions we invest in them. In addition, she added that playing old titles may go some way towards easing any anxiety we may feel about ageing.

Familiar faces

When that is considered, it perhaps becomes understandable why so many much-loved characters have been introduced into the world of modern mobile entertainment.

While the way in which we make gaming part of our lifestyle may have changed in recent years, we have some very familiar faces to guide us on that journey. Snoopy may be the latest iconic creation to enter the world, but it is unlikely he will be the last.