Microsoft has finally brought its wildly popular version of Solitaire to mobile, offering it as a free download on Android and iOS. This is the first time the Microsoft Solitaire Collection has been available on a non-Windows platform, so it would be rude not to take advantage.

Solitaire was a core component of Windows for many years. It was included with every version of the operating system from Windows 3.0 to Windows 7, and millions of people played the game in that time. But Microsoft Solitaire was then replaced with the Microsoft Solitaire Collection.

This is a freemium app already available for Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows 10, and Windows 10 Mobile. However, from today (Nov. 23), the Microsoft Solitaire Collection is now also available on Android and on iOS. Representing a refreshing change of strategy from Microsoft.

The Microsoft Solitaire Collection is available to download for free. Users then have the choice of putting up with ads, or upgrading to the Premium Edition for $1.99-per-month. This removes the ads, and gives you game boosts and double coins to boot. The Premium Edition is free on Android and iOS from now until the end of the year.

What Is the Microsoft Solitaire Collection Anyway?

The Microsoft Solitaire Collection includes Klondike, Spider, FreeCell, Pyramid, and Tripeaks. There are daily challenges for players to complete. And the app comes with support for Xbox Live, which means you can sign in with your Gamertag and save your progress across platforms, as well as play with friends and earn achievements.

Microsoft claims 119 million already play the Microsoft Solitaire Collection on Windows. However, that number is sure to increase massively as Android and iOS users jump on the bandwagon.

There are already a host of Solitaire games available on Android and iOS, but none come with the pedigree of Microsoft's offering. To make sure you're downloading the real Microsoft Solitaire Collection either follow these links to Google Play or the App Store, or just check the app was published by Microsoft Corporation.

Are you a fan of Microsoft Solitaire? Do you remember playing it on an older version of Windows? Or do you play the Microsoft Solitaire Collection on Windows 8 or Windows 10? What do you think of it arriving on Android and iOS? Please let us know in the comments below!