A report from online market research company comScore has revealed that mobile game downloads grew by 17 per cent last year, thanks to smartphones like the Apple iPhone.

Close to four per cent of mobile phone subscribers - 8.5 million people - have downloaded games to their mobile handsets in the United States. comScore revealed that six out of ten devices downloading games were smartphones, compared with last year's top ten download devices, which included no smartphones.

Senior analyst at comScore, Mark Donovan, said: "The rapid growth in smartphone adoption in the United States has provided a boost for mobile gaming, as 34 per cent of those downloading a game in November did so using a smartphone."

Handsets like the iPhone and Research in Motion's BlackBerry are doing particularly well, especially with the help of touchscreen capabilities, more powerful processors and better graphics.

Last year, Motorola's popular RAZR phone was the device that saw the most game downloads. Although the iPhone tops the charts for mobile game downloads, BlackBerry is not far behind - nor is Nokia's Symbian software and Windows Mobile.

Development in the mobile gaming industry has lead to better, more appealing games. In his statement, Mr Donovan said: "As the mobile phone has evolved into a better platform for both playing and merchandising games, the games being offered have also been improved, drawing in a broader user base."

comScore speculated that mobile gaming could see a $4.5 (£3.1) billion boost to the industry in 2009.

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