The BlackBerry 9720 holds a unique place in mobile history. Released in 2013, it was a bridge between the classic QWERTY era and the modern touch interface. Running on BlackBerry OS 7.1, it offered a surprisingly tactile gaming experience that many enthusiasts still crave today. While it isn't a powerhouse compared to modern smartphones, the library of BlackBerry 9720 games features some of the most addictive and well-optimized titles of its time. The Charm of Gaming on BlackBerry 9720
The 9720 features a 2.8-inch touchscreen paired with the legendary BlackBerry physical keyboard. This hybrid setup changed the way users interacted with mobile games. Developers often utilized the optical trackpad for precision movement and the physical keys for rapid-fire actions, creating a mechanical feel that touchscreens alone cannot replicate. Top Picks: Must-Play BlackBerry 9720 Games
If you are dusting off your device or looking to fill up your SD card, these titles are essential:
BrickBreaker: The gold standard of BlackBerry gaming. It’s simple, responsive, and perfectly tuned for the trackpad.
Word Snacker: An intellectual challenge that thrives on the 9720’s physical QWERTY keyboard for fast typing.
Need for Speed Shift: One of the more graphically intensive titles that showed off what the 806 MHz Tavor MG1 processor could actually do.
Sonic Pro: A classic platformer that feels right at home with the device's directional navigation.
Texas Hold’em King: A staple for social gaming enthusiasts during the BBOS 7 era. Where to Find Games Today
Since the official BlackBerry World storefront has transitioned over the years, finding games requires a bit of nostalgia-fueled detective work.
Legacy Archive Sites: Many enthusiast forums maintain repositories of .jad and .alx files specifically for OS 7.1 devices.
Sideloading: Using tools like BlackBerry Desktop Software or third-party BBSAK (BlackBerry Swiss Army Knife), you can manually install game files from your PC.
OTA Links: Some dedicated fans still host Over-The-Air download links that can be accessed directly via the 9720’s native browser. Optimizing Your Experience blackberry 9720 games
To get the most out of your gaming sessions, remember that the 9720 has 512 MB of RAM. 💡 Pro Tip: Always close background apps like BBM or Facebook before launching a heavy game to prevent lag and ensure smooth frame rates. The Verdict
Gaming on the BlackBerry 9720 isn't about high-fidelity graphics or open-world exploration; it’s about the "pick up and play" factor. The tactile feedback of the buttons and the reliability of the software make it a fantastic device for retro gaming fans and those who appreciate the era of physical keyboards. To help you get started with your setup: Do you need a step-by-step guide on how to sideload apps?
Tell me what you need so I can help you get your 9720 fully loaded!
The BlackBerry 9720, released in late 2013, was a curious hybrid—a budget-friendly device that blended the classic BlackBerry OS 7.1 experience with a modern touchscreen. While primarily a productivity tool, it hosted a surprising library of games that leveraged its unique physical QWERTY keyboard and optical trackpad. The Gaming Experience: Precision Meets Portability
Gaming on the 9720 was defined by its 2.8-inch touch display (480 x 360 resolution) and tactile controls. Unlike modern all-touch devices, the 9720 allowed for:
Tactile Input: The physical QWERTY keyboard served as a built-in gamepad for platformers and arcade titles.
Trackpad Accuracy: The optical trackpad was ideal for puzzle games and navigating strategy menus where precise "clicks" were better than finger taps.
Local Storage: Content was stored directly on the device via microSD, meaning many games functioned perfectly without a constant internet connection. Iconic Games for the BlackBerry 9720
Though BlackBerry World was the primary source for downloads, several titles became staples for users:
BrickBreaker: The undisputed king of BlackBerry games. On the 9720, players used the trackpad to slide the paddle with pixel-perfect precision—a far superior experience to swiping on a glass screen.
Word Mole: A highly addictive word-finding game that utilized the QWERTY keyboard to quickly type out words before time ran out. The BlackBerry 9720 holds a unique place in mobile history
Texas Hold'em King: A classic for the professional crowd, often used for quick sessions between emails.
NFS (Need for Speed) Shift: One of the more intensive titles that showed off the device’s 806 MHz Snapdragon processor and surprisingly capable graphics for its class. Technical Specifications for Gaming Processor 806 MHz Tavor MG1 Memory 512 MB RAM Screen 2.8" IPS LCD (Touch) Battery 1450 mAh (Removable) Storage 512 MB internal + MicroSD (up to 32GB) The Legacy of "BBM Gaming" ⭐️ more BlackBerry items
BlackBerry 9720 , released in 2013 as the final device to run BlackBerry OS 7.1
, was designed primarily for communication rather than intensive gaming. However, its combination of a 2.8-inch touchscreen and a physical trackpad allowed for a variety of casual titles that defined the era's mobile experience. CrackBerry Pre-installed Classics
Most BlackBerry 9720 units came with several iconic games built into the software: Brick Breaker
: The most famous pre-loaded title. Players use a touch-sensitive trackpad to control a paddle and destroy bricks with a bouncing ball.
: A popular word-search game where players connect letters to form words, often featuring a gardening theme. Popular Downloadable Titles
While the 806 MHz processor and 512MB of RAM limited performance, users could download thousands of apps from the BlackBerry World storefront during its peak: CrackBerry BlackBerry Gaming: The Secret Nobody's Talking About 9 Jan 2025 —
Blog Title: Reliving the Classics: The Best Games for the BlackBerry 9720
Published: April 13, 2026 | Category: Retro Tech & Mobile Gaming
There are smartphones that break, and then there are BlackBerrys that last forever. If you are still holding onto a BlackBerry 9720, you aren’t just using a phone; you are driving a piece of mobile history. While the app stores of today have shut their doors to OS 7.1, the 9720 remains a surprisingly capable gaming device—provided you know where to look. Blog Title: Reliving the Classics: The Best Games
With its physical QWERTY keyboard, optical trackpad, and bright (if small) display, the 9720 offers a tactile gaming experience that modern glass slabs simply cannot replicate. Here is your ultimate guide to the best games for the BlackBerry 9720.
While the original Angry Birds was a staple, Angry Birds Seasons ran exceptionally well on the 9720. The 480x360 screen was crisp enough to see the details, and the game supported both the touchscreen (for pulling the slingshot) and the trackpad (for precise aiming). It was the perfect "coffee break" game.
6. Asphalt 5 Before Gameloft became a freemium nightmare, they made Asphalt 5 for the 9720. It features licensed cars and tilt controls (or keyboard). The soundtrack is pure 2010s techno, and the "cop chase" mode is genuinely thrilling.
7. Sudoku (by Magmic) The gold standard for puzzle games on BlackBerry. The numbers are crisp, the note-taking feature works perfectly with the keyboard, and you can download thousands of user-generated puzzles via your SD card.
8. Bubbles (or Bust-A-Move) Aim a cannon, shoot colored bubbles, match three to pop. The trackpad allows for millimeter-perfect aiming. Very relaxing until you are one bubble away from the bottom.
The BlackBerry 9720 is not a RetroPie or a Nintendo Switch. It is a distraction-free gaming device. There are no in-app purchases begging for your credit card. There are no ads popping up every 30 seconds. There is just you, the trackpad, and a ball breaking bricks.
If you still have a 9720 in a drawer, charge it up. You might be surprised at how fun "limited" mobile gaming used to be.
Do you still play games on your old BlackBerry? Drop a comment below with your favorite .JAD file!
The BlackBerry 9720 runs on BlackBerry OS 7.1. While it was not a powerhouse, it supported a range of casual and arcade-style games that utilized its 2.8-inch touchscreen and physical QWERTY keyboard. 🎮 Iconic Games for BlackBerry 9720
These games were specifically popular or optimized for the OS 7.1 platform: BlackBerry Gaming: The Secret Nobody's Talking About
Here is the challenge: BlackBerry World (the official store) is dead. You cannot simply browse and download anymore. However, the .COD and .JAD files live on.
Oval racing at its finest. The game is mostly about timing your pit stops and drafting. The graphics are 3D, and the trackpad provides analog-like steering control.
Exclusive to BlackBerry (and incredibly rare), Word Mole is arguably the best first-party game ever made for the platform. It is a combination of Scrabble and a digging game. You have a grid of letters, and you must spell words using the physical keyboard. The "mole" moves over the letters as you type. Because the 9720 has one of the best keyboard feels of any device ever made, typing long words like "JAZZ" or "QUIZ" is deeply satisfying.
Copyright © 2026 Gavl Pty Ltd.
Don't have an account? Create one for free.
Sign into your account below. Forgot your password?
Are you an agent?
By registering you agree to the terms & conditions and privacy policy.
Don't have an account? Create one for free.
Loading..
