The best mobile games have come a long way in recent years. Thanks to more powerful operating systems, enhanced graphics, and fantastic coding, gamers can now access amazing titles without the need for a dedicated console. The top mobile games have evolved from simple tap-based titles to immersive, feature-rich, and exciting experiences.
The biggest challenge for today's avid gamers is simply deciding which mobile game to play. There are options to suit every taste in the current world, from puzzle and strategy games to titles focused on battling, war, and adventure.
Today, we're looking at some of the most popular, highly-rated, and well-renowned titles to hit the mobile market recently. This list includes options from all of the top trending categories.
1. Genshin Impact
Introduced to the mobile gaming space in 2020, Genshin Impact has quickly emerged as one of the top-rated, and most popular mobile games of all time. An excellent insight into how far the mobile gaming landscape has come, Genshin Impact delivers a console-quality experience on a small screen.
This open-world RPG gives you the freedom to choose between four playable characters you can use to explore an absolutely massive environment. The artwork is stunning, and there are tons of storylines and quests to complete. If you love roleplaying and action games, Genshin Impact is definitely the title for you. You can swim through lakes, climb waterfalls, and take part in epic battles, just with your smartphone screen.
2. Pokemon Go
Perhaps the world's best-known AR game, Pokemon Go changed the way we interact with our smartphones forever. Designed by Niantic, this title has actually been around for quite some time, first launching in 2016. However, it remains just as popular and immersive today as ever. The company frequently updates the platform with new events and Pokemon, so it never gets stale.
In Pokemon Go, you collect hundreds of creatures by simply walking around in your physical environment. The AR app can even show you the Pokemon in your surroundings, so you can connect with the game like never before. Once you've captured your Pokemon, you can put them to work battling foes, defending gyms, and more. Make sure you keep an eye out for Community Day events for a chance to catch rare creatures.
3.?Pokemon Unite
It would be unfair to mention Pokemon Go without also giving a shout-out to Pokemon Unite. This is one of the most recent games from the franchise to appear on mobile devices, and it's attracting a lot of attention from fans. While Pokemon Go is all about collecting rare creatures and exploring the world, Unite focuses more on the battle side of the Pokemon franchise.
You'll be able to create your ideal team of Pokemon (up to 5) and battle against other people, whether through the web or with your local friends. There are tons of ways to train and expand your team. Plus, Pokemon Unite also gives you the freedom to customize some of your creatures with outfits and bonus extras. It's a fantastic and eye-catching game.
4. Minecraft
You'd have to be living under a rock not to be familiar with Minecraft these days. The game is easily one of the most popular of all time, among people of virtually every age and background. Minecraft allows you to build, and explore an ever-changing world, brimming with discoveries. You can mine for resources in caves, while fending off monsters, or even seek out major boss battles.
Minecraft is also constantly updating and improving, so even if you played the game for hours a couple of years ago, you'll be able to explore an entirely new world today. You can build castles, fight creatures of the night, and even experiment with red stone to build automated creations. You might want to consider getting a separate controller for Minecraft if you are playing it on your phone, however, as some areas can be tough to navigate with a touchscreen.
5. Brawlhalla
Brimming with color and personality, Brawlhalla has quickly made its way into the hearts of gamers all over the globe. If you're a fan of Super Smash Bros and similar games, then you're going to love this title. While you might not be able to play as your favorite Nintendo-based characters here, you will have a very similar battle mechanic. The fights are fun, fast-paced, and great for mobile.
Available for both Android and iOS, Brawlhalla allows you to explore a range of fantastic characters to find the one you fit best with. There are wacky weapons to help you bash your opponents right off the stage, and various different platform environments to explore. This game, similar to many of the other top mobile titles available today, is also constantly updating with new features.
6. Call of Duty: Mobile
Let's face it, Call of Duty is definitely one of the better-known and most popular war-based games of all time. If you love the high-octane gaming atmosphere you get from COD games on the console, then you're going to adore the experience of playing on mobile too. COD mobile comes with a ton of fun ways to immerse yourself in the action, including popular pre-existing modes like Kill-Confirmed, and a Deathmatch mode.
Though the game can be a little challenging for beginners, it's a lot of fun once you've learned how to master all the features. You can play against friends, or take part in a competitive ranked mode on the web. There's also new seasonal-based content uploaded to the platform all the time. What's more, you'll have the option to experiment with your play style by customizing your load-out.
7. PUBG Mobile
Another popular console and PC game converted into a mobile masterpiece, PUBG mobile is a free-to-play battle-royale style event. The solution comes from PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds, which has a lot of similar features to COD and Fortnite. You'll be dumped into an ever-changing environment with a range of other players when you start this game, and it'll be up to you to find resources to help you survive to the end of the battle.
The great thing about this game is how fast-paced it is. The matches only last around 10 minutes, so you can play when you're sitting on the train to work, or waiting for your lunch. There are tons of arenas to check out and unique seasonal games to play. The title does take a little getting used to for beginners, but it's well worth the effort.
8.?Among Us
Among Us is one of the most popular games to hit the market in the last few years. Though it didn't gain too much attention when it first launched in 2018, it became perhaps the go-to game during the pandemic for people looking to reconnect with friends. This is a fun and playful social deception game you can play with friends, or online. At the beginning of each game, you're assigned the role of either an imposter or an innocent player.
If you're innocent, your job is generally to keep your spaceship running by performing various simple tasks. However, you'll also be constantly on the lookout for the saboteurs in your group, who will be damaging systems and killing off your crewmates. At the end of each round, you need to decide whether you're going to kick someone off your ship, accusing them of being an imposter. If you find the imposter before the end of the game, you win. If you don't, you lose.
9.?Raid: Shadow Legends
If you follow a lot of gamers on Twitch or YouTube, you might be tired of hearing about Raid: Shadow Legends at this point. It seems like virtually everyone is talking about this freemium title. However, there's a good reason for this. The title might seem a little like a basic RPG at first, but it's actually a very immersive and fun experience.
You'll be able to choose your champion from a range of about 14 playable factions and fight against a host of enemies. You need to train your team members to fight together, complete raid tasks, and so much more. The game looks fantastic, with screen-filling animations. Plus, there are plenty of ways to customize your character as you go. Though there are some annoying parts of the game, like having to pay for additional moves, it's still well worth a look.
10.?Monument Valley 2
Monument Valley 2 builds on the phenomenal success of the first Monument Valley game. We'd definitely recommend downloading the original if you haven't tried it already. In this title, you'll be responsible for guiding a mother and her child through a series of complex puzzle-based environments. This award-winning game has captured the hearts and minds of countless players thanks to its beautiful imagery, and relaxing music.
If you're looking for a game that allows you to slow down, take your time, and experiment with different visuals, this is the option for you. The 3D environments are truly marvelous to explore, and there are some significant challenges to overcome too. Ultimately, it's one of the best puzzle games there are.
11.?League of Legends: Wild Rift
Introduced to take advantage of the wide number of LoL lovers in the mobile landscape, Wild Rift is almost identical to the classic League of Legends game. Just like you would in the typical League of Legends title, you'll start by choosing your hero from a range of different options. Each character has its own special playing style and specific moves to learn.
You'll embark on 5v5 lane-running battles, where the aim of the game is to bypass and overcome your enemy, and destroy their base. Interestingly, this game is not just a mobile port of the original League of Legends game, it was specifically designed for the mobile arena. This means you end up with a slightly different, but very immersive experience.
12. Gwent
If you are a card game lover with a special place in your heart for the Witcher franchise, you're going to need to download Gwent. This is one of the most popular card-based games on mobile of all time, and it comes directly from the Witcher landscape. Gwent is a fast-paced and challenging title with a lot of rules to learn, so be prepared to put your strategic skills to the test.
The free-to-play title is all about thinking a few steps ahead of the competition. There are some beautiful pictures and animations built into the experience too, so you're sure to stay fully immersed in the experience. You'll learn how to combine different cards and strategic moves as you go and gather abilities over time. You can even unlock new skills and cards over time.
13. Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
Finally, a Star Wars game for mobile that's well worth playing. Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, otherwise known as “KotOR?”, is an engaging and full-sized version of the older Star Wars game for PC and consoles. Notably, you're going to need quite a significant amount of space on your phone to download this game, but it's worth it if you've got the room.
You'll be able to choose which path you're going to take in your Star Wars adventure. You can either pick the path of light and become a Jedi, protecting others and completing quests to make the world a safer place, or you can opt to become a Sith. The Sith journey takes you down a darker route, where are you?ll need to fight and destroy the Jedi. You'll also have a chance to explore some of the better-known locations from the Star Wars franchise.
Make the Most of your Mobile
There are tons of great options out there for mobile gamers these days. This is just a handful of our favorite choices, picked based on their popularity, and the versatility of gameplay available. If you've got a preferred mobile title you simply can't put down that we haven't mentioned here, feel free to share it in the comments below.