The Best Mobile Games To Download Right Now

12. Plants Vs. Zombies

Platform: Android, iOS

At this point, the original Plants Vs. Zombies is considered a classic in the short history of mobile gaming. The highly addictive tower defense game sees players using a variety of different plants to prevent an army of zombies from entering their houses and “eating their brains”.

The game features some fantastic character design and a concept so wacky that it works. Plants Vs. Zombies has spawned numerous sequels, spin-offs, and clones but the original game is still the pinnacle of the series. Though the game was ported to every console imaginable, the mobile version stands out for its excellent touch controls, which give the player more precise control over the frantic gameplay.

11. PUBG Mobile

Platform: Android, iOS

PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG) is an online battle royale shooter that took the gaming world by storm in 2017. Players are dropped into a wide, open area, and must fight to the death – all while the battlefield shrinks, adding pressure to all in its grip. Truth be told, in the early days of mobile gaming, playing a AAA shooter on your cell phone would have made for a frustrating experience.

While PUBG isn’t exactly known for its graphical fidelity on the current generation of consoles, the game runs quite well on the high-end cellphones of today. As of May 2018, PUBG Mobile ranked at #1 as the world’s most downloaded mobile game. More than 227 million people log in to PUBG monthly and with 50 million copies being sold on the PC and Xbox One, that means that the majority are playing the free-to-play version on Android and iOS.

10. Oxenfree

Platform: Android, iOS

Oxenfree is a 2.5D graphic adventure game that incorporates an 80s aesthetic, teenage angst, and a mysterious island into a supernatural mystery that plays extremely well on mobile devices. The game’s story revolves around a group of teens who uncover a creepy supernatural surprise when they go away for the weekend. Complete with an incredible moody synth soundtrack, Oxenfree is full of brilliant dialogue, memorable characters, and plenty of different ways for the action to unfold as you explore.

Deciding just who will get off the island safely is completely up to you in this story-driven experience. The game doesn’t require precise controls so the lack of tactile buttons on your mobile device won’t hold you back from an enjoyable experience.

9. Real Racing 3

Platform: Android, iOS

Released back in 2013, Electronic Art’s Real Racing 3 remains the pinnacle of realistic racing sims on the mobile platform. Featuring 19 real-world tracks as well as 223 licensed cars from 33 manufacturers such as Ford, Ferrari, Porsche, and McLaren, Real Racing 3 is the mobile counterpart to the Forza and Gran Turismo series. Unlike in the previous Real Racing games, players are required to maintain and service their vehicles, requiring in-game cash and real-world time which has led to some less favorable reviews.

The freemium progression system has been tweaked over the years, to the point where gamers won’t feel the pressure of having to pony up the real-world currency. The game is downright gorgeous and runs extremely well, even on hardware that is a few years older.

8. Oceanhorn: Monster of Uncharted Seas

Platform: Android, iOS

A blatant rip-off of the Legend of Zelda series, Oceanhorn is effective in capturing some of the same spirit of the storied Nintendo franchise. The game follows the design and gameplay philosophies of classic Zelda games such as The Wind Waker and A Link To The Past. Unlike some other games on this list, which were ported over from more traditional consoles, Oceanhorn’s simple and intuitive control scheme feels right at home on mobile platforms.

The action-adventure game focuses on an unnamed protagonist and his quest to find his lost father and defeat the living fortress, Oceanhorn. Critical reactions to the game were overwhelmingly positive with praise going to the game’s visuals, music, and intuitive controls. Oceanhorn has recently made the jump to consoles, and while it may have been buried by better experiences on those platforms, it still stands out as a quality RPG on mobile devices.

7. Lara Croft Go

Platform: Android, iOS

Lara Croft GO is a beautiful adventure that retains the series’ key component of braving perilous ruins to hunt down ancient artifacts. The second in Square Enix’s “GO” series, Lara’s entry remains the best due to the fact that it fits the franchise so well. Unlike her 3D adventures, Lara’s GO controls are all about swiping to move, as you make your way through turn-based traps and other death-defying risks.

The control scheme works well on mobile devices and the turn-based puzzle gameplay is the perfect way to kill 10-20 minutes of free time.  Lara Croft Go is a beautiful game with a gorgeous art style and a sublime soundtrack that adds to the overall experience.

6. Riptide GP: Renegade

Platform: Android, iOS

If you’re a fan of the Wave Race or Jet Moto series which were popular in the 90s, you’ll love Riptide GP: Renegade. Developer Vector Unit, who was responsible for 2010’s XBLA hit Hydro Thunder Hurricane, have successfully transitioned the fast-paced aqua racing action to mobile devices. Set in not-too-distant future where water has seemingly engulfed the planet and rocket-powered hydro jet racing has become the sport of choice, Riptide GP: Renegade is a visually stunning game featuring outstanding water physics and a great sense of speed.

The game features a plethora of content, including an extensive story-based career mode, leaderboard challenges, and both online and split-screen multiplayer options. At a price point of $2.99 on the Google Play Store, Riptide GP: Renegade is well worth a dip.

5. Hearthstone

Platform: Android, iOS

Hearthstone is a wildly popular free-to-play online collectible card game developed and published by Blizzard Entertainment in 2014. The turn-based card game focuses on building and battleing with class-specific decks that require different strategies as players summon creatures and cast spells to inflict damage on their rival. The game is triumphant in combing the World of Warcraft aesthetic with popular deck-building card games.

The greatest thing that Hearthstone has going for it is that it’s a card game that isn’t confined by the boundaries of paper. Gorgeous graphics, animations, and sound effects are leveraged to create a card game with unparalleled depth. Absolutely one of the best free-to-play experiences available on a mobile device, Hearthstone is worth checking out.

4. Monument Valley (Series)

Platform: Android, iOS

Puzzle games have long been a staple of mobile gaming due to their ability to be played in short chunks. Monument Valley offers such an experience. The game was developed and published by Ustwo Games and received rave reviews on its way to selling over two million copies and being nominated for several awards including Best iPad game of 2014.

The player leads the princess Ida through mazes of optical illusions and impossible objects while manipulating the world around her to reach various platforms. Monument Valley is presented in an isometric view, and the player interacts with the environment to find hidden passages as Ida progresses to the map’s exit. Each of the ten levels has a different central mechanic, which helps to keep the short but worthwhile experience feeling fresh.

3. Asphalt 9: Legends

Platform: Android, iOS

Asphalt 9: Legends is the ninth installment in the popular racing game franchise developed by Gameloft. The graphics and effects have been drastically improved over its 2013 predecessor, Asphalt 8: Airborne. Gameloft has made a bold choice in ditching the control scheme of previous iterations for its new “Touchdrive” system, which allows the player to control the action with one hand. The control scheme takes some getting used to, as it removes some of the control from the player in an effort to deliver a more arcade-like experience.

All you need to do with Touchdrive activated is swipe on the screen to steer toward different upcoming track features that are indicated by icons at the top of the screen. In other words, swiping left will steer you toward whatever is in the icon on the left, swiping right steers you toward that instead. Taken as a whole, Asphalt 9: Legends is the best arcade racing experience available on the mobile platform.

2. Superbrothers: Sword and Sworcery EP

Platform: Android, iOS

First released back in 2011, Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EP is an indie adventure game created by Superbrothers and Capybara Games, with music by Jim Guthrie. Players set off on a mystical quest through two worlds, one of dream and one of reality, as you attempt to assemble three pieces of a mystical trigon. It’s a magical adventure with a sense of style that uses its visuals, music, and dialogue to create a wondrous experience that’s unlike any game you’ve played before.

Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EP is a rare occurrence in mobile gaming. It was both a critical and commercial success, selling more than 1.5 million copies by the end of 2013. Despite being released nearly seven years ago during the infancy of mobile gaming Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EP is still one of the best experiences on the platform.

1. Fortnite Mobile

Platform: Android, iOS

Although most Android users are just now getting the opportunity to play Fortnite on their mobile devices, iOS users have been able to experience the mobile version of Epic’s battle royal shooter for months now. For those of you who are somehow unfamiliar with Fortnite Battle Royale, it’s a free-to-play game where up to 100 players fight in increasingly-smaller spaces to be the last person standing.

Fortnite Mobile is described as the full Battle Royale experience with no compromises. It features the same map, the same content, the same unlockables, gameplay and even the same weekly updates. The game doesn’t feature the same visual fidelity as its console and PC cousins but it’s still a more than adequate version of the world’s most popular video game.

Via LikedGame

Charles Rogers

Charliee Rogers is a freelance writer, father of two, and video game player!