Every Handheld Assassin’s Creed Game, Ranked

Highlights

• Assassin’s Creed has expanded beyond games to movies and a Netflix series, with over 20 releases across platforms.
• Handheld titles like Altair’s Chronicles and Bloodlines cater to specific platforms with linear gameplay and friendly interfaces.
• Games like Discovery and Chronicles offer fast-paced 2D gameplay with unique storylines and visuals for fans of the franchise.

Assassin’s Creed has expanded through games to movies and even an upcoming Netflix series. With almost over 20 releases to hit the series for PlayStations, Xbox, and PC, it might surprise even the most die-hard Assassin’s Creed fans to know that there are some games in the franchise for the handheld market.

Not every title in Assassin’s Creed has pushed the envelope of gaming technology, and some have been released to cater to specific platforms, such as the handheld gaming device market — handheld gaming devices are not to be confused with mobile devices, which have games designed specifically for mobile operating systems such as Android and iOS.

5 Assassin’s Creed: Altair’s Chronicles

Metacritic Score: 58

Assassin’s Creed: Altair’s Chronicles was released exclusively for the Nintendo DS console, but would later be ported to multiple mobile operating systems. The game is very linear, with prompted dialog scenes and accomplishing the next task at hand. The top screen of the DS is where the game actually happens, while the bottom will usually have the area map, showing NPCs and key markers on it.

The story takes place before the events of the first game, making it a prequel, and its combat is along the lines of earlier generation action games — where players charge towards a single target and attack with everything they have before targeting the next. Unlike the first Assassin’s Creed game, this one does not feature all the particle effects of the animus and instead uses more traditional, solid-colored indicators to guide players. This game is definitely intended for fans of the handheld gaming experience over that of how the mainline Assassin’s Creed games play.

4 Assassin’s Creed: Bloodlines

Metacritic Score: 63

Assassin’s Creed: Bloodlines was released for the Sony PSP, and never saw any ports to other devices. Unlike Altier’s Chronicles, Bloodlines is set after the events of the first game, and its combat system is much more like that of the first game. It features many other similar gameplay elements, such as climbing to high-up points to synchronize the map, as well as intense and gripping assassination attempts on high-profile targets.

Everything the player needs to know while playing is clearly displayed on their HUD, giving it a very friendly interface and smooth gameplay experience. While the game is not one of the longest Assassin’s Creed games, the open world and side missions help to extend players’ enjoyment longer than many handheld titles.

3 Assassin’s Creed 2: Discovery

Metacritic Score: 69

• Platforms: Nintendo DS, iOS
• Release: November 17th, 2009 (DS)
• Developer: Griptonite Games

Assassin’s Creed 2: Discovery was released for the Nintendo DS, and would later be ported to the iOS. Everyone loves a great Metroidvania experience, and Discovery has a very similar feel to it. It features fast-paced 2D side-scrolling gameplay, with players needing to react to incoming threats. Its combat is much faster-paced and action-oriented thanks to this being a 2D side scroller, but it still includes stealth and assassination aspects at various points.

This is one of the many Assassin’s Creed games that follow Ezio Auditore, one of the most well-known and beloved characters in the entire franchise. While originally intended to be a canon entry for the series, this status has been moved back and forth as to whether or not it should be considered part of the story.

2 Assassin’s Creed 3: Liberation

Metacritic Score: 70

Assassin’s Creed 3: Liberation was released for the Sony PlayStation Vita, but it was also released on other major platforms after its Vita release date. This makes it the most accessible of the entries on this list — it is also one of the best-selling titles that the Vita had during its life cycle. Assassin’s Creed 3: Liberation is a full-fledged Assassin’s Creed game that rivals the mainline games — and feels right at home on the Vita. The main character will be able to alternate between 3 different personas. The Assassin Persona, the Slave Persona, and the Lady Persona.

The Assassin Persona is best suited for combat, the Slave Persona offers the most for stealth and escaping enemies, while the Lady Persona will be the best for manipulating NPCs to avoid the need for combat and fleeing altogether. There are plenty of side objectives that one can do between missions, or save them for once the main story is complete.

1 Assassin’s Creed Chronicles

Metacritic Score: 70

• Platforms: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation Vita.
• Release: April 5th, 2016 (Vita)
• Developer: Climax Studios
• Genre: Action-Adventure, Stealth

Various games were released under the name Assassin’s Creed Chronicles. The first was China, followed by India, and finally Russia. After these initial games, a collection of all three was released. The final platform this collection was released on was the Sony PlayStation Vita. The games featured in this collection are 2.5 D side scrollers, although not as fast-paced as Discovery.

Players will not be able to zip past enemies like in Discover, with the game giving a much more fulfilling experience — both in terms of its combat and its stealth elements. The three games follow the same formula and are not that long, but each tells a very different story that builds into the lore of the franchise. The visuals are something unlike in any other Assassin’s Creed game, with Russia in particular being a visual treat for fans and newcomers alike.