We've decided to approach our list of the best mobile games from a simple, if slightly out-there premise. If an alien were to land tomorrow and ask for a crash course in gaming, which mobile games would you encourage it to install first? We're looking at those important, genre-defining games that represent something essential to the history of smartphone gaming.
We've intentionally written this in such a way that we've got plenty of recommendations that pretty much anyone could play, regardless of whether or not they have a brand new phone. So if you've got an iPhone or Samsung device, here are our top choices, spanning loads of different developers and genres.
Here's our list of the best mobile games in no particular order:
1. Disney Dreamlight Valley
The cozy life sim that will create a severe obsession in any Disney fan. You arrive in a dreamlike village cursed by a strange fog, and it's up to you to restore the land by helping iconic Disney and Pixar characters rediscover who they are. From gardening and mining with your favorite characters to making sure beloved villains such as Ursula and Scar don't wreak too much havoc, it's a wholesome, quest-driven experience with just the right amount of charm.
In our Disney Dreamlight Valley review, Kayleigh Partleton praises the game's story, calling it "a treat" before confidently stating, "I think it's clear that I'm in love with Disney Dreamlight Valley." With nostalgia-inducing sound design, some of our favorite Disney characters, and some hilarity along the way, it's hard not to recommend this game to anyone.
The mobile version plays beautifully. While it doesn't do anything wildly different from its console counterpart, the fact that you can take your dream village with you makes it one of the most satisfying life sims available on mobile right now. It's great for Disney fans, of course, but even if you're just after a gentle and cozy game to forget about life, this one's worth checking out.
Check prices: App Store
2. Honor of Kings
Honor of Kings is a MOBA that requires you to refine your strategy with a team of friends to take down your enemies in 5v5 combat. Each round only takes 15 minutes, making this a great game to play on your lunch break while on public transport
There are over 100 heroes to choose from, all with unique skills and designs, so that you can play as a character that reflects your personality and plays how you want them to. Whether you want to take on a support role or become a marksman to take on foes from afar, it's up to you.
We love helping newbies with our guides, so make sure you check out our Honor of Kings tier list to pick a character, or grab some Honor of Kings codes for some free stuff to use in-game.
Play for free: Google Play and the App Store
3. Balatro
A simple premise that can quickly turn into your most played game within just a few days, Balatro delivers a roguelite card game that is easy to learn, yet hard to master. As you play different Poker hands for more points, things become increasingly difficult as you up the Ante, forcing you to make hard decisions on which Jokers to pick up for their bonuses and when to remove them.
Our very own Connor Christie gave the game a shining 9/10 in his Balatro review, giving the game props for its "creative mechanics, charming visuals, and a wealth of content to keep you coming back for more."
You don't need to play (or even understand) poker to enjoy what is undoubtedly one of the best card games on any platform. Balatro is a great addition to anyone's library, and we can guarantee that after the first round, you'll be hooked.
Check prices: Google Play and the App Store
4. Final Fantasy 7
It would be an understatement for me to call Final Fantasy 7 a masterpiece; it's my favorite game of all time, not just on mobile, but it plays oh so well on the platform. With the ability to boost speed and max your stats at will, this is a great way to get accustomed to this game.
In my 10/10 Final Fantasy 7 review, I call it "the best game of all time" and praise its "unforgettable story and characters." I honestly can't recommend this game enough for turn-based combat lovers and those of you who want to get enthralled in an epic story.
This isn't the only Final Fantasy game on mobile, and I think if you enjoy 7, then you'll probably love 8 or 9 as well. Especially being able to play them on the go, thanks to your mobile.
Check prices: Google Play and the App Store
5. RollerCoaster Tycoon Classic
Readers of a certain age will probably have a lot of fond memories of building their own theme parks in the original RollerCoaster Tycoon for PC. As it happens, it's the kind of game that feels perfectly suited to phone play - after all, it's super convenient to just check in on your parks while you're waiting for the bus or on your lunch break.
When the RollerCoaster Tycoon Classic iPad version landed, our very own Connor Christie couldn't get enough, stating, "[RollerCoaster Tycoon] Classic feels even better on iPad than it does on PC." As we mentioned above, being able to take the game on the go makes mobile the ideal way to play, and getting it as part of your Apple Arcade subscription sweetens the deal.
This game combines both of the first two RollerCoaster Tycoon games and consequently provides a long list of scenarios for you to take part in. This is a streamlined experience that enhances the originals in almost every way, and the new touch controls suit it perfectly. Some scenarios have been removed, unfortunately (due to rights issues with real-life parks), and the ability to share custom parks is removed, but other than that, this is a great way to experience these classic games for the first time, or to revisit them as an older fan.
Check prices: Google Play and the App Store
6. Slay the Spire
When the ultimate deck-building card battler came to mobile, it felt like it had finally come home. Plenty of other mobile games have tried to lift Slay the Spire's formula wholesale, some of them quite successfully, but Spire still rules the roost with its intuitive yet impossibly deep and varied card-based combat system.
Even if you're not a fan of deck-builders, Slay the Spire is a great entrance to the genre and is renowned as one of the greatest strategy games around. We can't recommend this one enough.
As it's part of Apple Arcade, this is also one of the best iPad games, and is great to play on the slightly larger screen with its vibrant colors and immersive battles.
Check prices: Google Play and the App Store
7. Genshin Impact
Everyone with a phone has heard of Genshin Impact by now. This game took the world by storm in 2020 with its anime-inflected fantasy world and action-RPG mechanics. Now there are over 100 characters to choose from, nine vast regions to explore, and an epic story to unfold over many, many hours.
In my Genshin Impact review, I gave the game 8/10, but after many years of updates, I can see myself scoring it a little higher these days. Back then, I called the game "a joy to explore" as I ventured through Monstadt and appreciated "the open world, gathering ingredients and minerals, and speaking to the varied inhabitants scattered across the plains."
It's pretty amazing that it does everything so well and is also a free mobile game. If we've managed to convince you, we can also offer a little bit of assistance in the form of Genshin Impact codes for free in-game currency and other helpful goodies.
Play for free: Google Play and the App Store
8. Honkai Star Rail
Honkai Star Rail is a turn-based gacha RPG from the developer behind Genshin Impact. It features vibrant, exciting areas to explore, difficult enemies to defeat, and a roster of unique characters that you can have on your team. It is easily one of the best RPGs you can play on the go.
The game is now just over two years old and is only getting better with age. Since release, we've seen so many improvements and story beats; there's so much content to sink your teeth into now. In our Honkai Star Rail review, Tilly Lawton gave the game a 9/10, gushing over the "tight combat, charming characters, engaging narrative, and stunning world."
One of the toughest parts of getting into a new gacha game is pulling for new characters, so if you're new to trailblazing, we recommend you take a look at our Honkai Star Rail codes for some free in-game currency.
Play for free: Google Play and the App Store
9. DC Dark Legion
There's nothing like playing an excellent superhero game, and DC Dark Legion has action in droves. However, between matches of intense fights with The Batman Who Laughs and his legion of Dark Knights, you'll be upgrading your own personal Batcave and ensuring your own Justice League - with heroes and villains alike - is ready for any battle.
That being said, even the downtime is exciting. Watching your Batcave grow is a show of success to your squad's strength, and as you complete more game modes, including the fantastic story with a fully-voiced narrative, it's easy to fall in love with DC Dark Legion.
It is a gacha game, so be wary that you may need to grind rare resources or use DC Dark Legion codes to get those coveted pulls. However, it's a very generous game, and you can get an all-star team without paying a penny.
Play for free: Google Play and the App Store
10. Pokémon Go
If there's another mobile game that has kept people coming back for as long as Pokémon Go, you'll have to remind us what it is. Having launched way back in 2016, it's still going strong with new events and fun ways to play.
With monthly Community Days to help you catch a shiny or two and intense raid battles that require you to gather a group, there's a little something for everyone. I'm a fan of collecting them all, and the Go Pokédex does a great job of tracking all your shiny, shadow, and purified Pokémon among all the rest, so you have an almost endless number of things to collect.
This was the game that really made a virtue of AR and location-based gameplay, as you battle and capture cute critters near real-world landmarks. If you've dabbled in this title for the last few years and want to play something similar, we have a whole list full of games like Pokémon Go.
Play for free: Google Play and the App Store
11. World of Tanks Blitz
World of Tanks Blitz is a legendary MMO PVP shooter in which you control a tank as you roll into battle with players from all over the world. There's a huge variety of vehicles, maps, modes, and strategies for you to test out on the battlefield, as you fight in a 7×7 format and pursue your victory.
The world is vast and action-packed, hosting historically accurate vehicles from the USSR, Germany, France, Japan, Great Britain, China, the USA, and many other countries. But if that's not your jam, you can also drive experimental vehicles based on blueprints created by real-life engineers, inspired by well-known anime series, and more.
On top of that, no two battles are the same, and you're never alone - whether you bring old friends or meet new ones. When it's time to hop out of the tank, why not take a look at our list of the best FPS games to keep the guns ablazing?
Play for free: Google Play and the App Store
12. Call of Duty: Mobile
Neither Android nor iOS is lacking for quality online shooters, but Call of Duty: Mobile is arguably the most comprehensive package of the lot. It bundles together a slick, fast-paced multiplayer shooter with a more expansive Battle Royale mode.
It all looks and moves beautifully, too, with top-notch controller support and plenty of modes to try. FPS titles and mobile gaming go hand in hand, so it's only natural that fans of the genre need to give CoD a go.
It can be a little daunting hopping into a new multiplayer game, so to make things a little easier for you, we have some COD Mobile redeem codes for free stuff to help you shoot your way to victory.
Play for free: Google Play and the App Store
13. League of Legends: Wild Rift
MOBAs continue to be big news in the world of eSports, and on mobile just as on PC, League of Legends is the king. Choose your hero and embark on a classic 5v5 lane-running face-off with your fellow players.
What's remarkable is how true to the original formula this mobile version is. With a roster that features over 100 champions to play as and different roles for you to master, there's no end to the content you can appreciate in this game.
If you're interested in trying it out, make sure you check out our League of Legends: Wild Rift tier list to choose the champion that suits you, but don't take it for gospel. We want you to enjoy the game no matter which character you like most.
Play for free: Google Play and the App Store
14. Among Us
Among Us is a free-to-play online whodunnit that takes a fresh and oh-so-modern approach to online multiplayer gameplay, demanding careful communication and no small amount of skulduggery. It's easy to see why it's been able to become one of the most popular online games recently.
Join your fellow players in preparing your spaceship for departure, but watch out for the imposter. Unless it's you, in which case, go right ahead and murder your crew. It's easy to pick up a game with or without a group of friends, and the community is known to be pretty friendly.
The color of your Among Us character doesn't matter all that much, but it's nice to represent your favorite while also wearing a funky little hat or accessory. Try not to overthink your choice too much, though, we all know Red is a little sus…
Play for free: Google Play and the App Store
15. Clash Royale
The game that launched a thousand imitators, Clash Royale combines a card-battling strategy with MOBA-like base raiding. Playing cards here spawn 3D units onto a simple two-lane battlefield.
As so often with Supercell's games, the presentation, learning curve, and balance are absolutely spot on. Mobile gaming doesn't get much better than taking on the role of a Royale while tackling enemies and kicking butt.
If you're not sure what all the Clash Royale cards mean, we're here to help, but that's not all, as with most of the other entries on this list, we also have some Clash Royale codes so you can nab yourself some free stuff.
Play for free: Google Play and the App Store
There you have it, our guide to all the best mobile games. We have other guides that tell you all about the upcoming mobile games and upcoming Nintendo Switch games that will surely make their way onto this list in the future as well.
If you don't want to wait for something new to play, we've got a guide to the best Switch games as well. If you'd like to disagree (or be nice and agree) with our picks, be sure to join the official Pocket Tactics Discord server.