For the first time, Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) Corporation’s famed Solitaire is available outside of Windows. Now, you can play Solitaire Collection on both iOS and Android. The game has been a staple for Windows machines for decades, starting with Windows 3.0. This version, Microsoft Solitaire Collection, includes game modes such as Klondike, Spider, FreeCell, Pyramid, and Tripeaks.
With integrated Xbox Live, players can sign into the Solitaire app to play with friends and earn achievements, much like many other Xbox Live games. It features daily challenges for every game type, as well as four difficulty modes. A premium version is also available for $1.99/month, which removes ads and increases the coin rewards from daily challenges and game boosts.
While remembered as a pre-installed game for older Windows operating systems, Microsoft launched the Solitaire Collection app with Windows 8. Microsoft then made the decision with the Windows 10 version to charge players $9.99/year for a version of Solitaire that runs ad-free. Those who run the free version are met with 15-30 second ads that cover the entirety of the screen. The Windows 8/10 version replaced the desktop game that was preinstalled on previous Windows operating systems.
However, Microsoft seems to be returning to their roots with the app available for mobile devices. While Solitaire Collection still includes ads for the free version, classic features have returned, such as the shuffling sound effects, and the bouncing card animation that activates when the player wins a round.
Solitaire can be synced between devices to allow players to keep track and build stats anytime, anywhere. For a limited time, Microsoft is also providing players with a free month of the Premium Edition to celebrate the worldwide launch.
While not the only Solitaire game available through the Play Store and the App Store, Microsoft’s 25-year-old game has garnered enough reputation to bring back their game’s popularity.
Previously, there have been a handful of Microsoft games brought to non-Microsoft platforms, including their flagship Halo franchise to iOS, with Halo: Spartan Assault and Halo: Spartan Strike. Microsoft also released a mobile version of Age of Empires for iOS called Castle Siege. These games have not made it to Android devices, making Solitaire Collection a rare time that Microsoft has released a game on Google’s platform.
Recently, Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) has been setting records in the stock market, averaging above 60 USD per share for the past month, thanks partly to the company’s push for cloud services, which are widely available on non-Microsoft platforms.
Now, if we’re lucky enough, Microsoft will look into bringing 3D Pinball: Space Cadet to iOS and Android.
