2025 was a big year for mobile gamers; we saw the release of Destiny Rising, Delta Force, and Persona 5: The Phantom X, but what are our most anticipated new mobile games coming soon? There are a lot of hype-inducing games on the way, but we've managed to narrow it down to the most exciting ones.
Whether you're after a GTA-inspired gacha game, a fresh portable FPS, or something a little cozy that you can play while snuggled up as the winter months roll by, our list has a little something for everything to get excited for.
Here are the biggest new mobile games on iPhone and Android coming in 2026:
Ananta
Ananta, formerly known as Project Mugen, looks like a really interesting new gacha game with vehicles to drive, intense action combat, and some cute characters to roll for. We've seen a few games try to take Genshin Impact's crown in recent years, and I think Ananta has a very good chance of converting Hoyoverse lovers into NetEase lovers.
The game currently has a very impressive 16 million + pre-registrations, which shows just how eager we all are for this mobile GTA-, Spider-Man 2-, Yakuza-like title. Though Honkai Star Rail and Final Fantasy 7 Ever Crisis currently take up most of my time, I'm always eager to try out a new gacha
As NetEase has very slowly dripped information, it looks like it might be a ways off, but until then, make sure you check out our Ananta guide and list of all the Ananta characters we've seen so far.
Pokémon Champions
Any time I hear about a new Pokémon game, I'm automatically excited, and that goes for mobile games in the franchise, too. There are a few things that help to make Pokémon games as special as they are, and Champions zooms in on one of them, focusing entirely on battles.
As much as I enjoy the collectathon aspect of the main games, I'd be lying if I said that it's not the thrill of battle that pulls me in. As a highly competitive person, I can't wait to form the ultimate team and take a strategic approach to ensure my pals thrive, regardless of the match they're in.
Plus, the game is even compatible with Pokémon Home, so you can bring in plenty of partners to help you, along with the ones you can recruit in the game. I'm buzzing for Pokémon Champions; between that and Pokopia, I'm going to have all of the Pokémon goodness I need in 2026.
Honkai Nexus Anima
There's no denying that Hoyoverse is one of the biggest names on the mobile gaming scene these days. From the open-world wonder of Genshin Impact to Honkai Star Rail's exciting twist on turn-based tactics, these games span a wide range of genres and styles, appealing to audiences from all walks of life. So why not throw a Pokémon-like into the mix?
Honkai Nexus Anima is primed to be the next entry in the Honkai series, and takes the form of an intriguing creature-collector adventure game with strategy elements. Combat revolves around an autochess system, where you deploy your team of Honkai Nexus Anima animas (the cute critters at the heart of the game) to duke it out. Between these matches, you can also explore a beautiful open world with your fantastical companions, taking photos, playing at the beach, and more.
So far, the animas we've seen range from pudding-like puppies to balloon unicorns, each with their own unique exploration and battle abilities, and I genuinely can't wait to catch 'em all. I'm also excited to see if any other familiar faces show up on the Honkai Nexus Anima character list alongside Honkai Star Rail's Blade. Unfortunately, we don't have a confirmed Honkai Nexus Anima release date just yet, but we'll be keeping a close eye out for any news.
Neverness to Everness
I only had to watch one trailer for Neverness to Everness, and I was hooked. It's a bit of a cliché to say that this game looks like it has everything, but in this instance, it really does. It's an open-world adventure with driving mechanics, arena combat battles, and supernatural investigations. Honestly, what more can you ask for?
Not only does the gameplay look seriously engaging, at least from the footage we've seen so far, but it's also a treat for the eyes. The visuals in this game combine a sort of comic-book style with the anime aesthetics we've seen in previous smash-hit gachas to make for something that pops off the screen, and the city of Hethereau looks prime for exploration by foot, car, or, as the trailer seems to tease, motorbike.
Given that the studio publishing this game, Perfect World, is responsible for Persona 5: The Phantom X and Tower of Fantasy, two fantastic mobile titles, I've got pretty high expectations for Neverness to Everness. I'm just hoping that we don't see any delays, as while the 2026 release window seems pretty set in stone, you can never know for sure these days.
Dragon Quest Smash/Grow
Another Dragon Quest mobile game is on the horizon, and I cannot wait to jump back into it. I was lucky enough to take part in the Dragon Quest Smash/Grow closed beta earlier this year, and I had an absolute blast. This roguelite RPG takes everything compelling about the DQ series and somehow makes it work for short play sessions.
In my Dragon Quest Smash/Grow beta preview, I described the game as "a unique and engaging take on the series, without losing the charm and aesthetics that make Dragon Quest what it is." I'm not put off by the gacha systems, but then again, I'm already a gacha fiend.
Square Enix's recent Dragon Quest games have hit so hard for me, and Smash/Grow is no exception, so I'm really excited for this adventure to launch in its finished form. We still don't have an exact release date, though, so who knows how long I'll be waiting.
Petit Planet
Hoyoverse has some incredible games under its belt, each of which has a huge fan base that grows year on year. While the combat-based games are great, I'm looking forward to its Animal Crossing-inspired cozy title, Petit Planet.
This adorable life-sim has humanoid and animal-shaped characters to meet that look after different areas of business on the planet, from catching bugs to astrology, to haberdashery, who can help as you fish, farm, frolic, and generally have fun on your own intergalactic isle.
The only public test the game's had so far didn't span the UK, so I couldn't try it out for myself, so I'm very excited to jump in and get cozy when it does release - hopefully in 2026. I trust Hoyoverse's schedule and ability to release gams on time, unlike certain other cozy game makers that haven't delivered the goods after years and years.
The Division Resurgence
Where the heck is this game? Ubisoft's small-screen take on The Division could be an absolute banger. If you aren't aware, The Division Resurgence is a mobile-exclusive extraction shooter, taking the action back to New York City, with a wholly original story of its own. It's still in the same universe as the other games, though, so you can expect it to merge with them in some way.
But Ubisoft is playing its cards close to its chest with this game. Revealed in 2022, a few playtests behind closed doors have concluded, and word of a release date continues to evade us. A developer update in November says that "the team has been busy identifying areas for improvement and gathering the final pieces needed to push forward. With new experts on board, production is now moving at a faster pace."
Hopefully, an early 2026 launch date is coming. The first entry in The Division series remains the hallmark for me, and Resurgence looks to be drawing influence from it heavily. With grittier gunfights, controller support, and that familiar loot goblin goodness, Resurgence may emerge as a top free mobile game contender next year.
Valorant Mobile
Another year of speculation is upon us: will this year finally be the year that Valorant Mobile hits our phones? Riot Games' 5v5 FPS shooter has been promised to mobile since 2021, but guys, I think it might really be coming this year, after its release in China in 2025 and some upcoming changes to the esports systems that hint at platform expansion.
At least, I hope so. Valorant is my all-time favorite PC game, having given me an entry into online FPS games with its vast array of charming characters, each with their own cool abilities and intense backstories, as well as its colorful and smooth gunplay experience. I spend hours chilling in the warm-up areas, admiring the graphics and testing the range of agents on offer. The game is ultimately just a lot of fun, especially with friends.
It's often referred to as knock-off Counter-Strike, but I think it's more accessible than its peers in the category due to its vibrant worldbuilding - this will be especially true when it arrives on mobile. It has the potential to be massively impactful for the growth of the game, enveloping new fans into a new world.
Assassin's Creed Jade
I've been quietly looking forward to Assassin's Creed Jade for a while now, with the prospect of stealth gameplay in ancient China quite an exciting one. While I've enjoyed recent AC titles set in Egypt, Greece, and beyond, I've seen those locations in countless games, whereas China is a bit more unknown.
One thing I do know for sure is that I'll be pulling out some serious parkour moves across the Great Wall the first opportunity I get. I have some doubts, mainly in terms of how invasive in-game microtransactions might be and how easy it is to maneuver a deadly assassin with touchscreen controls, but considering how long this game has spent in the pipeline, I'm hopeful it comes out polished and without too many paywalls.
Either way, I'm still looking forward to causing some chaos in the shadows as soon as the time comes. Watch out, Chinese warlords, I'm coming for you.
There you have it: all of the biggest new mobile games you can play soon. To keep the portable good times rolling, head over to our list of the best Nintendo Switch games and the biggest new Switch games coming soon.