Look back The Lost Vikings, Blizzard game

Now right in this article, let's look back The Lost Vikings, Blizzard game

Three’s company

System requirements: DOS 3.1, Intel 80386SX CPU, 640KB RAM

The Lost Vikings wasn’t the start of Blizzard as a company, but it was the first game Blizzard released on PC. Blizzard was still called Silicon & Synapse for its first three games, and it wasn’t until Warcraft: Orcs & Humans that the company really went all-in on developing for the PC, though Lost vikings helped lay the groundwork for that. The game’s levels were created using a program called CED, a cell editor made by CEO Mike Morhaime that Blizzard used to lay out levels, which later went on to be the basis of the Warcraft and StarCraft map editor. Take a quick look at funny pictures with captions that can help you reduce stress quickly.

Blizzard was also hired by Interplay Productions to create a scripting engine for developing platformers, which it then used for nearly all of its SNES games. But Morhaime recalled to us that Blizzard got much more use out of it than Interplay. “I think in the amount of time we did all those games, maybe they did one or two,” Morhaime said. “We were a lot faster with it.” But having a larger company help fund their engine development boosted the still relatively small team, at that point only a dozen or so people total.

Even if the studio wasn’t under a different name at the time, it would be easy to forget that Blizzard made The Lost Vikings. Its sequel in 1997 was the last platformer the studio ever made, and I only realized the connection when the game’s bumblingly heroic trio was resurrected for Heroes of the Storm. But even this early on, you can see traces of that distinct Blizzard style peek through. The bright colors and exaggerated proportions would let its characters fit right in with the Warcraft series, and the contrast of ye olden swords and shields with a sci-fi setting is oddly prophetic of Blizzard’s future ventures.

Samwise Didier, art director of Blizzard, in Blizzard 20th anniversary video

“When I started on Lost Vikings, there were about 100 vikings you could control. Some that would raise up ladders, some that would throw torches, all that sort of thing. It was very PC game oriented. … We decided to make it a little more friendly for the Super Nintendo, so we dropped it down to five characters, then to four, then to three.” Check out my list of fun, weird and just plain amazing fact of life I have found.

Michael Morhaime, in a Blizzard Insider interview:

"I think we learned some important design lessons that have become sort of part of the Blizzard culture now. Everyone at the company played The Lost Vikings over and over to help test and polish it. We saw what a huge impact that such attention to detail had on the game. We also learned that the people who program and design a game aren't the best judges of how difficult it is to play; they know the game too well. We had to constantly bring new people in and watch them play, especially with the early levels, to make sure they weren't too hard. Working on Vikings helped us remember the big picture: that a game, first and foremost, should be fun to play…that it should feel good and look good. The Lost Vikings was also our first attempt at adding a bit of humor to a game. We wanted each Viking to have some charm, so we came up with funny animations and interesting dialogue to give each character his own unique personality. By the time Warcraft II came along, we had refined the concept a little more, but Blizzard's first attempts at humor began with The Lost Vikings." Would you like to get app, device and game reviews?

Billy Gilman - The young boy impressive

The young boy Billy Gilman are impressive the four judges and make them turn their chair. He have strong, clear and unwavering voice. In this post we will talk about him to get more imformation from him. 

Former child star Billy Gilman returns to the TV spotlight tonight (Sept. 20) with an appearance on Season 11 of NBC’s The Voice. Billy took part in the show’s blind auditions and impressed all four coaches.

In 2000, 11-year-old Billy released the single “One Voice,” which was a Top 20 hit for the youngster from Rhode Island. He was also nominated for a Grammy - Music Award for Best Male Country Vocal Performance for this debut single "One Voice", He later released an album of the same name that reached double-platinum status. Billy left country music after releasing the single “I’ve Changed” in 2009—returning in 2014 with the release of “Say You Will” and the sharing the news that he was gay.

Gilman’s cover a beautiful rendition of Adele‘s “When We Were Young” impressed all four of the TV singing competition’s Season 11 judges. His voice is strong, clear and unwavering, and he employs excellent technique as he navigates the first verse, with the judges’ interest clearly piqued from the beginning. Gilman builds his performance as the judges exchange glances, with Blake Shelton beginning to nod along and Adam Levine listening intently. 

Adam Levine was the first to turn his chair around, with Miley Cyrus following shortly thereafter and Blake Shelton and Alicia Keys turning around at the very end. And once Gilman introduced himself to the coaches, they started to recognize him from his childhood career.

Billy Gilman

“I know Billy,” Shelton said, sharing that Gilman’s hit “One Voice” came out during the time when Shelton was making his debut album. “You always wonder whatever happened to somebody, you know? Now you’ve found your sound and where you belong musically.”

Cyrus, meanwhile, recalled one of Gilman’s music videos — and Gilman shared that he opened up for her father, Billy Ray Cyrus. She pleaded with Gilman, “Let me take care of you!” noting that she’s familiar with having to reinvent yourself and, therefore, would be the perfect coach … but Levine was keen on getting Gilman for himself, too, and put up a strong fight against Cyrus.

Levine, who had remained standing saying, "I haven't sat down because it's not physically possible at this point … I'm not sitting down until you join my team."

“I’ve never been so nervous in my life,” Gilman admitted as he prepares to pick his coach — but, in the end, he settled on Levine.

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Now you can disable Google ad tracking. How to disable it?

Factoflife - Now, Google ad tracking can be disabled. Recently, Google has given new privacy policy to ensure protection of its users’ personal information. A provision on the technology firm’s privacy statement had been ruled out. In this statement, Google promises not to integrate cookies on personal information without approval from each user.

Ever since Google had changed its method of tracking its users, their personal information on their account had been incorporated with the company’s search records on the Internet.

 ProPublica, a non-profit news agency, had conducted a study on Google’s changes in its privacy statement. They research explained that the search engine had promised primarily to keep the two sets of data as separate entities so as to protect user’s information. However, it had update its policies so that it deleted the statement that supports this promise. They used to state that they would ask for user’s consent before the combine cookie data with personally identifiable information.

DoubleClick is actually an online advertising company acquired by Google. This company employs the cookies to monitor surfing people’s surfing behavior through their IP address. This mechanism allows the company to point their ads to the right target. With cookie information, DoubleClick can predict the surfing habit in one’s location. However, it is unable to determine one’s identity.

Meanwhile, Google had all the names, email and other information in their search data.

Many organizations of Google’s users had filed a complaint against the company to the Federal Trade Commission during this acquisition. They contest that their privacy had been violated by this provision change in Google’s privacy statement.

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iRacing Showed Up Before Le Mans So You Can Drive It In Your Living Room

Nothing’s better than getting home, saying auf pantsdersehen to anything more substantial than a pair of gym shorts and enjoying some small-screen entertainment. If your screen is usually an iRacing display, you’re in for a treat: the lovable wonks showed up before Le Mans to scan the Circuit des 24 Heures.

There have been plenty of racing games and sims that have included the 24 Hours of Le Mans’ full street circuit over the years, including Project Cars and the last two releases in the Gran Turismo series, although none quite have the cult following that iRacing does.

Part of that cult following is from the series’ attention to detail, as you can see here. They don’t just grab the layout, but attempt to replicate the bumps and other key details to put you at Le Mans from the comfort of your own home.

This also made scanning Le Mans’ circuit a bit tougher for the iRacing team. It’s a track that doesn’t exist except for a short period of time during the year. So, they had to show up before the track was opened to competitors in order to scan it. 

iRacing claims that the 24 Hours of Le Mans circuit is their single most requested track to add. It’s Le Mans. It’s precious unobtainium for the masses. Few of us will ever get to drive it, and even those who do get precious little seat time there. As 2015 winner Jordan Taylor points out, there’s simply no opportunity to come and practice the track in the offseason. It simply doesn’t exist. 

Taylor speaks the truth about how significant it is to have Le Mans somewhere to study and drive, too. Seat time in anything—so long as it’s somewhat accurate—helps. As much as I suck at video games, even my fumble-throughs on friends’ racing sims have helped get me familiar with a track before I show up to drive it in real life. You show up more confident because you’ve already seen the track and have some idea of what to do. 

So, soon you can practice driving the full Circuit des 24 Heures from wherever, thanks to iRacing. Cool. Next step: saving up for a lilac GTE-Am Porsche, haha. 

No release date for iRacing’s version of Le Mans has been set, but the legwork has been done to get all the information they need.

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Tiger- his huge predator is a man

Fearless Randy Miller, 45, has trained big cat Eden to leap 15 feet and pile-drive him into the ground in an inch-perfect fake tiger attack. It then looks like Randy's days are numbered as the huge predator then mauls him on the floor.

Here is only man in the world who can withstand a full-scale assault by a 400lb tiger. Maybe he is also the only man who know clearly about all animal facts, especially tiger facts. Fearless Randy Miller, 45, has trained big cat Eden to leap 15 feet and pile-drive him into the ground in an inch-perfect fake tiger attack. It then looks like Randy's days are numbered as the huge predator then mauls him on the floor. But it's all part of the duo's purr-fect act - as Randy walks away unharmed. Dad-of-two Randy rears his star animals from birth and uses his lifelong bond with them to achieve wild things on the big screen.

He bottle fed Eden when she was a cub, and eventually taught her to jump on him for food rewards. Randy's predator stunts are so astonishing they landed him a top stunt award for his work on Russell Crowe blockbuster Gladiator after they superimposed Crowe's face onto Randy for a famous scene when main character Maximus was attacked by one of Miller's tigers, Tara, in a Colosseum battle. At his special animal training facility in Big Bear, California, Randy has trained amazing creatures for roles in Transformers 2, The Last Samurai and many other movies.

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SOME REVIEWS OF PHOENIX WRIGHT: ACE ATTORNEY - SPIRIT OF JUSTICE

It’s easy to make the case for Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Spirit of Justice, so long as you have the patience to push through its clumsier moments.

No one should look to Phoenix Wright for a gritty and accurate representation of criminal justice. As in countless procedurals on TV, the primary concern of this long-running visual novel series is entertainment and storytelling, but with a decidedly anime flair. As such, its greatest assets are (and have always been) its characters, its world and what it does with them. But sometimes that’s not quite enough. The frequent ambiguity in its puzzle designs can make unraveling cases more tedium than triumph, and so the best Ace Attorney games need to be strong enough in what they do well to overcome what they don’t. At this, Spirit of Justicesucceeds.

The events of Ace Attorney - Spirit of Justice see its episodes divided between the activities of Phoenix Wright in the kingdom of Khura’in and his associates Apollo Justice and Athena Cykes back in the States. While Apollo and Athena have been left to manage the Wright Anything Agency, Phoenix has traveled to Khura’in, a theocratic country on the brink of revolution, to meet with his former assistant Maya Fey as her ascetic training there comes to an end.

EACH TIME THE DIVINATION SÉANCE OCCURS, THE GAME PUSHES IT A LITTLE FARTHER

As a result of this split in setting, some of Spirit of Justice’s cases employ characters and systems that should be familiar to longtime fans, while others are completely new. For example, Athena’s mood matrix once again plays a prominent role, allowing players to suss out inconsistencies in a witness’s emotions and not just their testimony.

The kingdom of Khura’in, meanwhile, has its own legal practices. Thanks to a law that makes those who defend criminals as legally culpable as the criminals themselves, defense attorneys are all but extinct there. Prosecutors are accustomed to running the show with the help of a ritual known as the Divination Séance, which allows a deceased victim’s last moments (including what they experienced through their various senses) to be seen and interpreted by a priestess present at the trial.

These séances are an integral part of each trial in Khura’in, and you’ll need to point out inconsistencies between the priestess’s descriptions of her vision and what you see — a reflection in a mirror, a sound growing stronger when it should be diminishing. Unlike other tools the series has introduced for analyzing spiritual and emotional evidence, the séance and the priestess’s Insight into what it shows are treated as a blend of evidence and testimony. It’s formalized to lay the foundation for each of the Khura’inese trials, rather than being something whipped out of a pocket when the time is right.

When séances and Insight were introduced during the first case, they seemed more like a hole into which a bunch of clever ideas that couldn’t be demonstrated through concrete evidence had been thrust. But each time the Divination Séance occurs, the game pushes it a little farther, twists it here and there, and turns it into an increasingly meaningful part of the trial process.

Tools and techniques introduced in previous Ace Attorney games are all still available, of course, and if someone is jumping into the series for the first time, there’s a good chance they might feel overwhelmed. Even with the optional tutorials offered for returning mechanics, the first two cases in particular may feel like a rush of gimmicks and doodads until the story hits its stride.

What really holds Spirit of Justice back is the same thing that’s consistently made the series as frustrating as it can be rewarding.

YOU’RE NEVER LOOKING FOR A FLAW, YOU’RE LOOKING FOR THE FLAW

There are countless occasions in Spirit of Justice in which investigations provide you with multiple pieces of evidence that can point towards the same conclusion. In theory, this redundancy should be a boon. It suggests that no matter what, you will be able to cement a certain conclusion while you’re making your case. Even if you fail to observe something subtle about Exhibit A, you may technically be able to prove the same relevant detail courtesy of Exhibit B.

But that’s not how it works. In practice, you’ll inevitably take penalties when you present a piece of evidence that still indicates the correct answer, but isn’t the precise piece of evidence the game expects or intends for you to present. With witness testimony, it can be difficult to discern which of two statements with similar content is the one the game wants you to target and refute, leading to further penalties.

In every case, I repeatedly felt cheated of the feeling of cleverness and triumph these games set out to provide when I had every single piece of the solution in hand, but put them together or presented them in a way that the script didn’t account for. For example, when I was trying to prove that my client couldn’t have left fingerprints during their alleged crime, video evidence of the accused wearing gloves triggered only the default form rejection of irrelevant evidence, because the game wanted the fingerprint analysis from the scene instead.

Or, how about this one: I needed to present a contract to someone to prove a flaw in what they’d said, but presenting the actual contract didn’t work. I had to instead present the clipboard that the contract had been signed on, which then triggered Apollo pulling out the aforementioned contract that I had been penalized for presenting just a moment earlier.

Cool.

I spent less time figuring out the solutions to these riddles and dilemmas than I did figuring out the very specific ways in which the game wanted me to present them. You’re never looking for A Flaw, you’re looking for The Flaw.

And yet by the final case I was making plans to double back on this series and complete the games that I’ve missed or left unfinished over the years. At the climax of its story, when you finally begin to untangle the source of the political tumult in Khura’in, Spirit of Justice reminded me that while the series’ failings are evergreen, so too are its successes. It’s one of the most successful visual novels out there because it succeeds so well at making its static images and reams of text feel dynamic and exciting. It also has some of the best character designs that you’ll find anywhere, and over time — as the games have shifted from sprites to 3D models — that’s only become more pronounced. Every character in Spirit of Justice is laden with detail and lovingly animated so that not even a single gesture wastes the potential to define that character further.

But more than anything, Spirit of Justice succeeds at telling a story that lands. It’s just about as absurd a depiction of political unrest as Ace Attorney itself is a depiction of the legal system, but it lays down its plot threads effectively as you proceed from case to case, and gathers them all up at the end for a spectacular finale that makes those moments of frustration with its structure seem irrelevant. It brought me to such a high high that those low lows are barely even visible anymore, and that’s something that few games manage.

WRAP UP:

SPIRIT OF JUSTICE'S CONFIDENT STORY OUTWEIGHS ITS CLUMSY MOMENTS

The frustration that comes with fumbling with redundant evidence and testimony when you know the solution is very real, and it often works against the feeling of satisfaction that solving a case should deliver. But muddling through the occasional poorly designed riddle to experience all thatPhoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Spirit of Justice executes on well is worth it in the end. It gets the important things right, even if the occasional clipboard or contract still slips through the cracks.

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Pokemon GO: Become a Gym Leader

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Ever dreamed of being a feared gym leader? Here’s how to steal gym’s from the opposing teams and work with your Pokemon to make that fantasy come true in Pokemon Go.

Pokemon Go may not have an official release date yet, but Niantic and Nintendo have confirmed that the game will arrive before the end of July, so the countdown is on. The extensive field tests wrapped up on June 30, so all that is left to do now is wait and anxiously refresh the app store in hopes that the augmented reality mobile game will appear on the newly-released section. For players who weren’t a part of thePokemon Go beta and haven’t played Niantic’s previous game, Ingress, there is some homework that can be done to catch up.

In Pokemon Go, players don’t actually need to fight Pokemon in the wild in order to get them weak enough to catch. Instead, catching a Pokemon usually requires properly throwing the on-screen Pokeball at the adorable creatures. The game wouldn’t be Pokemon without some battling though and that’s where the gyms come into play.

For those who have played Ingress, Pokemon Go’s gyms are very similar to Ingress’ portals (we know this fromfield testing and leaked gameplay footage). Each player selects a team to join at the beginning of the game (yellow, red, or blue) and one of the main goals of the game is to keep as many gym’s as possible under your team’s control. Gyms are usually located at points of interest in the real world like a statue, a plaque, or maybe even a coffee shop. They’ll appear on the map color-coded based on which team is currently in control of them. A grey gym is currently uncontrolled and can be claimed by whichever team reaches it first. Gyms look like towers on the map and will be easy to spot.

Once you find an enemy controlled gym, the first step is to check and see if your squad stands a chance. In this game, Pokemon are ranked by CP (combat points) rather than levels, so, for example, you obviously won’t want to take your level 200 CP crew in against a gym where the leader has a CP of over 1000. Gyms are protected by a leader (the trainer who has the Pokemon with the highest CP) and multiple other trainers that must be defeated and kicked out before the leader. The higher a gym’s Prestige level, the more trainers there are to defeat.

Learn more: emperor penguin facts for kids 

Best smartphone 2016 - buying guide & top mobile phone picks

Find your perfect smartphone from our list of Android, Windows and Apple handsets

Our smartphone is one of the most important devices we use on a daily basis, but picking the right one for your needs and budget can be tricky when there are so many different handsets lining the shelves. To help you make the right choice, we've sifted through all our reviews to bring you the definitive shortlist of the best handsets currently available and which ones are the best value for money. 

Every smartphone on this list has been tested and benchmarked in full, but we'll be updating this list regularly with new entries as and when they come in for reviews. Be sure to also check out our handy buying guide on page two to help narrow down your choice even further. We explain everything from which operating system you should go for to screen quality, battery life and performance, and how much storage you'll need. We also explain whether you need 4G and the best ways to buy your new handset. 

New entry: OnePlus 3

If you thought the OnePlus 2 was great value for money, think again, as it's just been replaced by the even more astounding OnePlus 3. Even better, you don't need an invite in order to buy one, as OnePlus has finally ditched its restrictive invite system and made the OnePlus 3 available to all right from day one.

It's more expensive than the OnePlus 2, but what you get for another £60 is definitely worth paying extra for. With a Snapdragon 820 and a huge 6GB of RAM, the OnePlus 3 is one of the fastest smartphones around, rivalling the LG G5 (also listed below) and HTC 10, and it's almost as fast as Samsung's Galaxy S7 as well. Combine that with 64GB of storage as standard and a stunning aluminium chassis, and this £309 smartphone has plenty of ammunition to compete in the smartphone big leagues.

It does have a few downsides - namely no microSD slot and a slightly oversaturated display, but on the whole, it's incredible value for money. The Nexus 5X still has a better camera in our eyes, but it simply can't compete with the OnePlus 3's blistering speed or brilliant battery life. If you want something a little more upmarket than the Moto G4, the OnePlus 3 is the smartphone to buy. For more details, see our OnePlus 3 review.

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Price when reviewed: £309 SIM free. Buy the OnePlus 3 now from OnePlus

Processor: Quad-core 2.2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 820, Screen Size: 5.5in, Screen resolution: 1,920x1,080, Rear camera: 16 megapixels, Storage (free): 64GB (52.6GB), Wireless data: 3G, 4G, Size: 153x75x7.3mm, Weight: 158g,Operating system: OxygenOS (Android 6.0.1)

1. Samsung Galaxy S7

On the outside, Samsung's brand-new Galaxy S7 doesn't look that much different from the Galaxy S6, but the number of improvements it's received inside make it by far the best Android smartphone we've ever seen. Its battery life is incredible, its speed is unprecedented, and, more importantly, it's nowhere near as expensive as the S6 was when it first launched this time last year. 

It also rectifies lots of the problems we had with the S6, as the S7 now has a microSD slot to expand the phone's storage up to 200GB, and it's also dustproof and waterproof up to a depth of 1.5m for 30 minutes, making it more practical. The curvy S7 Edge is arguably more attractive than flat S7, but this year it's also much larger, making the the regular S7 a better fit for those who want something a little more hand and pocket friendly. For more details, see our full Samsung Galaxy S7 review

Price when reviewed: £569 SIM free. See all of the best Samsung Galaxy S7 deals on uSwitch

Processor: Octa-core 2.3GHz Samsung Exynos 8890 Screen Size: 5.1in, Screen resolution: 2,560x1,440, Rear camera: 12 megapixels, Storage: 32GB / 64GB, Wireless data: 3G, 4G, Size: 142x70x7.9mm, Weight: 152g, Operating system: Android 6.0.1

2. LG G5

LG's done the impossible with the LG G5, as it's managed to combine a full metal unibody and an interchangeable battery. How has it achieved this feat of technical wizardry? By making the phone modular. It may not be the prettiest phone in this list, but the ability to tap a button and simply slide out the battery gives it a huge advantage over its fixed rivals. 

It's also incredibly quick, and its graphics performance even surpasses the Samsung Galaxy S7 below. Its 5.3in display is superb as well, and its rear dual cameras give it plenty of flexibility when taking photos. The main 16-megapixel camera is excellent, but its wide-angle 8-megapixel lens is also a really fun addition, giving creative types plenty to get stuck in with. For more details, see our full LG G5 review. 

Price when reviewed: £500 SIM free. See all of the best LG G5 deals on uSwitch

Processor: Octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 Screen Size: 5.3in, Screen resolution: 2,560x1,440, Rear camera: 16 + 8 megapixels, Storage: 32GB, Wireless data: 3G, 4G, Size: 149x74x7.7mm, Weight: 159g, Operating system: Android 6.0.1

3. Motorola Moto X Force

The Motorola Moto X Force is truly the king of all smartphones. With its incredible shatterproof display, you never need to worry about breaking your phone's screen ever again. We've hit it with a baseball bat, chucked it on the floor (concrete or otherwise) and it's come out completely unscathed.

It's an astonishing feat of engineering, and to make things even better, Motorola has also equipped it with a gorgeous 5.4in 2,560x1,440 AMOLED panel, a super fast octa-core processor, a fantastic camera and one of the largest batteries we've seen this year. Even if you've never dropped a smartphone in your life, you never know when that dreaded day might arrive. With the Moto X Force, you can just keep on rolling with the punches, making it our top smartphone of 2015. For more information, see our full Motorola Moto X Force review

Price when reviewed: £480 SIM free.

Processor: Octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 Screen Size: 5.4in, Screen resolution: 2,560x1,440, Rear camera: 21 megapixels, Storage: 32GB / 64GB, Wireless data: 3G, 4G, Size: 150x78x7.6mm, Weight: 169g, Operating system: Android 5.1.1

4. Apple iPhone 6

It took Apple a while, but it finally increased screen size with the iPhone 6 range. Now with a 4.7in display, a fast processor, improved battery life and iOS 8.1, the iPhone 6 is an improvement in every way on the iPhone 5S. We also think that it strikes the perfect balance between screen size and physical size, making it the best iPhone for most people. For more details, see our full iPhone 6 review

Price when reviewed: £619 SIM free. See all of the best iPhone 6 deals on uSwitch

Processor: Dual-core 1.4GHz Apple A8, Screen Size: 4.7in, Screen resolution: 1,334x750, Rear camera: 8 megapixels, Storage: 16GB / 64GB / 128GB, Wireless data: 3G, 4G, Size: 138x67x6.9mm, Weight: 129g, Operating system: iOS 8

• Upcoming Video Games Releases for 2016

5. Moto G4 2016

Step aside, budget smartphones, you've just been made obsolete by the brand-new Moto G4 2016. If you thought the 3rd Gen Moto G was a great smartphone, then prepare to get your socks blown off by the Moto G4, as this packs in even more power for just £10 more than the original launch price of the 3rd Gen model. It's truly astonishing what Motorola's managed to achieve with the G4, as its specs rival that of several smartphones that are twice as expensive.

With an octa-core 1.5GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 617 chip at its disposal, it's faster than anything else in its price range, and its 3,000mAh battery also gives it buckets of stamina. It's admittedly a little bigger than previous Moto Gs, as its 5.5in display puts it firmly into phablet territory. As a result, it's probably a good idea to try and get it in your hand before you buy just to make sure you're okay with the size, but even if you're used to smaller handsets, it really doesn't take that long to get used to. 

Provided you're not put off by the size, though, the Moto G4 is an absolute masterpiece and a more than a worthy upgrade over the existing 3rd Gen Moto G. If you want the best phone money can buy for little more than £150, it doesn't get any better than the Moto G4. For more details, see our Moto G4 2016 review.

Price when reviewed: £169 SIM free. Buy the Moto G4 now from Motorola

Processor: Octa-core 1.5GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 617, Screen Size: 5.5in, Screen resolution: 1,920x1,080, Rear camera: 13 megapixels, Storage (free): 16GB (10.8GB) / 32GB, Wireless data: 3G, 4G, Size: 153x77x7.9mm, Weight: 155g, Operating system: Android 6.0.1

6. Motorola Moto G (3rd Gen, 2015)

The 3rd Gen Moto G may have now been replaced by the Moto G4 (see above), but it's still a great smartphone in its own right, especially now the price has come down to around £130 SIM-free. In terms of overall value, the Moto G4 is streets ahead of the 3rd Gen model, but if you don't fancy the idea of having a 5.5in smartphone in your pocket, then I'd still recommend going for the 3rd Gen Moto G instead. Its large 5in HD screen looks great, it has a fantastic 13-megapixel camera, and its battery life is excellent. For more details, see our full Moto G 3rd Gen 2015 review

Price when reviewed: £159 SIM-free. See all of the best 3rd Gen Moto G deals on uSwitch

Processor: Quad-core 1.4GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 410, Screen Size: 5in, Screen resolution: 1,280x720, Rear camera: 13 megapixels, Storage: 8GB / 16GB, Wireless data: 3G, 4G, Size: 142x72x6.1mm, Weight: 155g, Operating system: Android 5.1.1

7. Nexus 5X

After last year's disappointing Nexus 6, the 5X is a breath of fresh air. It may not be the most attractive phone you've ever seen, but its fast internals and excellent screen make it great value for money. It's also got one of the best cameras we've seen in recent months, too, making it a fantastic all-round package. 

The Nexus 5X isn't the only Nexus phone this year, though, as Google has also launched the super-sized Nexus 6P, which is made by Huawei. The 6P is equally good value for those after a big screen phablet, but for us, the Nexus 5X has the greater long-term appeal. It's cheaper, it's slightly easier to hold and it's generally a bit more practical. For more details, see our full Nexus 5X review

Price when reviewed: £339 SIM free. See all of the best Nexus 5X deals on uSwitch

Processor: Hexa-core 1.8GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 Screen Size: 5.2in, Screen resolution: 1,920x1,080, Rear camera: 12.3 megapixels, Storage: 16GB / 32GB, Wireless data: 3G, 4G, Size: 147x73x7.9mm, Weight: 136g, Operating system: Android 6.0

8. Sony Xperia Z5

The Xperia Z5 has the most colour accurate LCD display I've ever seen, delivering bright, punchy colours that outshine almost every other smartphone display I've tested. If that wasn't enough, it's one of the fastest Android phones around, too, with blistering web browsing speeds and exceptional gaming performance. Topping it all off is Sony's brand-new chassis, which has a gorgeous frosted glass finish that dramatically improves the phone's grip and comfort, and a handy fingerprint sensor built straight into the power button, making it easier than ever before to keep your phone secure. For more details, see our full Sony Xperia Z5 review

Price when reviewed: £549 SIM free. See all of the best Sony Xperia Z5 deals on uSwitch

Processor: Octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 Screen Size: 5.2in, Screen resolution: 1,920x1,080, Rear camera: 23 megapixels, Storage: 32GB, Wireless data: 3G, 4G, Size: 146x72x7.3mm, Weight: 154g, Operating system: Android 5.1.1

9. Sony Xperia Z5 Compact

If the Z5 is just a little bit too big for your pocket, the Z5 Compact is the phone for you. While its screen only has a 720p resolution rather than Full HD, the Z5 Compact is just as fast as its big brother and has exactly the same camera sensor, making it excellent value for a miniature flagship smartphone. It's also got a fantastic display and a beautiful design, borrowing the same frosted glass finish as the Z5. For more details, see our full Sony Xperia Z5 Compact review

Price when reviewed: £429 SIM free. See all of the best Sony Xperia Z5 Compact deals on uSwitch

Processor: Octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 Screen Size: 4.6in, Screen resolution: 1,280x720, Rear camera: 23 megapixels, Storage: 32GB, Wireless data: 3G, 4G, Size: 127x65x8.9mm, Weight: 138g, Operating system: Android 5.1.1

10. Samsung Galaxy J5

The Samsung Galaxy J5 is an incredible budget handset. Not only does it have a gorgeous Super AMOLED display - a real rarity at this end of the market - but in our tests, its battery life even surpasses that of the significantly more expensive Galaxy S7. That's a pretty impressive feat for a phone that doesn't cost more than £200 SIM-free, and it shows you don't have to spend a lot on a top-flight flagship handset to get the best a phone can offer. 

In fact, it's a pretty close run race between this and Motorola's 3rd Gen Moto G for our favourite best budget handset, and a large part of it will come down to whether you prefer to use plain Android (as on the Moto G) or are happy with Samsung's TouchWiz interface. The Moto G has the edge when it comes to camera performance, but the J5 is still a highly accomplished smartphone for its price, and is easily one of Samsung's best budget handsets to date. For more information, see our full Samsung Galaxy J5 review

Price when reviewed: £160 SIM-free.

Processor: Quad-core 1.2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 410, Screen Size: 5in, Screen resolution: 1,280x720, Rear camera: 13 megapixels, Storage: 8GB, Wireless data: 3G, 4G, Size: 142x72x7.9mm, Weight: 146g, Operating system: Android 5.1.1

11. Samsung Galaxy A3 2016

If you've been waiting for a Galaxy S6 Mini, look no further. While technically part of Samsung's new metal-edged A series for 2016, the 4.7in Galaxy A3 is, to all intents and purposes, a miniature S6 in disguise. It's definitely one of the most attractive smartphones you can buy for under £300, even if its specs aren't quite as powerful as its other mid-range competitors.

That said, the A3 has something that most other Android phones could only ever dream of at this price, and that's a gorgeous Super AMOLED display. It's also got one of the best battery lives I've ever seen on a mid-range handset, and its 13-megapixel camera isn't half bad, either. For more details, read our full Samsung Galaxy A3 2016 review

Price when reviewed: £269 SIM free.

Processor: Quad-core 1.5GHz Exynos Octa 7580, Screen Size: 4.7in, Screen resolution: 1,280x720, Rear camera: 13 megapixels, Storage: 16GB, Wireless data: 3G, 4G, Size: 135x65x7.3mm, Weight: 132g, Operating system: Android 5.1.1

12. Vodafone Smart Prime 7

Most handsets under £100 are pretty awful, but the £75 Vodafone Smart Prime 7 shows other cut-price smartphones how it's done. While the 2nd Gen Moto E is still my favourite current sub-£100 smartphone, the Smart Prime 7 comes a very close second. It not only looks great, but its 5in, 1280x720 display is arguably even better than the slightly more upmarket 3rd Gen Moto G. It's not the faster smartphone in the world, but it's still got plenty of oomph for everyday tasks.

It's also a good pick if you're buying this as someone's very first smartphone, too. It not only has a great optional tutorial available, but its various Vodafone apps are also extremely useful for looking after your bill and data allowance. You can even set it up to receive calls and texts in a web browser, which is great news if you happen to have particularly poor signal where you live. Just don't buy it on contract, as you can get the same entry-level 250MB data deal for almost half the price if you opt for one of Vodafone's SIM-only plans instead. For more information, see our full Vodafone Smart Prime 7 review

Price when reviewed: £75 (PAYG).

Processor: Quad-core 1.3GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 210, Screen Size: 5in, Screen resolution: 1,280x720, Rear camera: 8 megapixels, Storage: 8GB, Wireless data: 3G, 4G, Size: 144x72x7.9mm, Weight: 128g, Operating system: Android 6.0.1

13. Motorola Moto E (2nd Gen, 2015)

If you're looking for extremely low-cost Android phone that you can buy outright, the 2015 edition of the Motorola Moto E should be top of your list. Available for just £109, it's extremely good value. Its 960x540 screen is a little low-res, but its quality is very good. Performance is also respectable, and its battery life of 13h 30m in our video playback test is also extremely good for a budget handset. It even runs the latest version of Android, Lollipop. For more information, see our full Motorola Moto E (2015) review

Price when reviewed: £109 SIM-free. Buy Now from Amazon

Processor: Quad-core 1.2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 410,Screen Size: 4.5in, Screen resolution: 960x540, Rear camera: 5 megapixels, Storage: 8GB, Wireless data: 3G, 4G,Size: 130x67x12.3mm, Weight: 145g, Operating system: Android 5.0.2

14. Vodafone Smart Speed 6

Motorola's budget phones are excellent, but for those that don't want to pay £90 for the 2nd Gen Moto E (listed below), the £50 Vodafone Smart Speed 6 is a truly excellent alternative. You'll need to join Vodafone to get one, as it's only available on Pay as You Go, but if that doesn't bother you, then this compact smartphone is easily the best in its price range. It's just as fast as the Moto E, has great battery life, and runs stock Android, too, making it very simple and easy to use. For more information, see our full Vodafone Smart Speed 6 review

Price when reviewed: £50 PAYG. Buy the Vodafone Smart Speed 6 now from Vodafone

Processor: Quad-core 1.0GHz MediaTek MT6735M Screen Size: 4.5in, Screen resolution: 854x480, Rear camera: 5 megapixels, Storage: 8GB, Wireless data: 3G, 4G, Size: 132x65x9.9mm, Weight: 146g, Operating system: Android 5.1