The top 2024 mobile games

Which smartphone games are the best?We've chosen to tackle this question from a straightforward, although rather absurd, premise. Which mobile apps would you urge an extraterrestrial to install first if it landed tomorrow and asked for a crash lesson in gaming? We're examining those significant, genre-defining titles that have a special place in the annals of smartphone gaming.

We suggest getting one of the best gaming phones to play these games, and then deciding whether you want a iPhone or Samsung smartphone. You may also check out our lists of the best mobile RPGs and the best mobile strategy games if you're looking for games in a particular genre.

The top mobile games of 2024 are listed below:

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The Legend of Mushroom

It's time to play Legend of Mushroom and have some fun with some weird mushrooms. This adorable AFK gacha game is rather simple yet quite morish, and it will undoubtedly grow on you with time—it has on us, for sure.In order to evolve into a human warrior and level up your mushroom friend, your primary objective is to defeat a lot of beasties.

You may spend tickets to unlock new creatures and talents, battle other players in the arena, search for resources in the mine, cultivate your own crops, and more as you go along. You can even wish on magic lamps to earn items. But don't worry, everything is really relaxed and you may leave your squad in autobattle mode while you take care of other business, then just enjoy the benefits when you get back!

Check out our Legend of Mushroom tier list to join in on the fun with fungus, and use our Legend of Mushroom codes to get some freebies.

Get free access to Legend of Mushroom.

Play on Apple Arcade

Monument Valley

Monument Valley is one of those uncommon video games that has become popular again, particularly its sequel, Monument Valley 2. the sort that are played by non-gamers and mentioned in TV programs but are not associated with mobile gaming.

That's not to minimize its really gorgeous artwork or its clever spatial puzzles that resemble those of Escher. Just to let you know, a huge number of people, including ourselves, really really enjoy it.

On Apple Arcade, play Monument Valley.

Play for free

Rise: Legends of Shadow

Experienced players may get a little picky about gacha role-playing games. The fact remains that a surprising amount of people seem to play them, and Raid: Shadow Legends is the 800-pound gorilla of this specific beloved and despised sub-genre. It's extremely impossible to ignore.

With breathtaking 3D visuals and screen-filling fireworks that follow every PVE campaign quest and PVP Arena battle, it is, in fact, rather hard to ignore a game this excellent. To get started in it, check out our Raid: Shadow Legends tier list.

Get the free version of Raid: Shadow Legends here.

Play for free

City of Mafia

Many readers will already be familiar with Mafia City because of its persistent marketing push. We would like to suggest this game since it offers a unique experience of strategic gaming along with a narrative about rising to the position of new mafia leader.

This strategy game is very fascinating since it puts you in charge of a criminal syndicate in a contemporary metropolis, when many other strategy games concentrate on historical events or fantastical settings. The structures you choose to construct allow you access to additional resources and let you train different kinds of forces. Next, you get to choose whether you want to play peacefully with friends to support each other's empire growth, or if you want to engage in combat to take out other players who get in your way.

Free play of Mafia City.

Play for free

Epic Seven

Are you something of an anime fan? Do you get the most excitement out of gacha games' random element? In such scenario, we advise you to try Epic Seven. The goal of this free-to-play game is to assemble a group of heroes and lead them in turn-based role-playing games as the plot develops.

You really get a sense of the game's large cast of people via the writing, and because of the gacha gameplay, you'll probably end up being connected to a different group of characters than another player. You're left with an experience that is both captivating and addicting when you combine it with some extremely well done anime sequences.

Get free access to Epic Seven.

Play on Apple Arcade

Take down the Spire

It felt like homecoming when the best deck-building card battler made its way to mobile devices. Many other mobile games, some of them rather effectively, have copied the Slay the Spire model in full.

But with its simple to use but very complex and diverse card-based fighting system, Slay the Spire remains supreme.

Slay the Spire may be played on the Apple Arcade.

Play for free

Mech Room

Mech Arena, a game from the same company that made Raid: Shadow Legends, is just what it sounds like. In the game, you and other players take control of mech suits and engage in combat in arenas. The mech has a ton of customization options, and you may earn more items by persevering.

It's a simple enough idea to pick up and play anytime you're in the mood for some lighthearted excitement. You may fight on a variety of grounds, including lunar bases, Japanese villages, and desert encampments. The controls are solid and the action varied and entertaining. You're probably going to like this too if you like Overwatch because of the presentation, which is really quite similar to that game.

Get free access to Mech Arena.

Play for free

The Empire's Forge

This mobile strategy game is available for free and excels in a number of areas. The first and most satisfying aspect of constructing your own village is that you may use the resources you earn to invest in various forms of research. You can create and grow it as you see fit. Additionally, you get to see it go through many historical periods in real life before entering the futuristic science fiction regions. In addition to all of that, you get to fight other countries in turn-based tactical battles.

Forge of Empires is a game that has a plethora of amazing content, making it a game you will likely spend hundreds of hours playing daily. Fans of strategy or history should not miss this game—it's addictive in all the best ways.

Start a free game called Forge of Empires.

Play for free

The Ascending Cultures

Yes, you are correct; this is the second Innogames game that we have included. However, don't worry, we'll soon concentrate on other developers—we swear—and this game is deserving of its place on the list. What, then, is so unique in Rise of Cultures?

Rise of Cultures is a game about creating a civilization that develops over time, much as Forge of Empires before it (Innogames is amazing at that kind of thing), but this one takes a more human-centered approach. In addition to selecting which kinds of cultures to raise in your civilization, you can also exert direct control over individual laborers by assigning them the most fruitful work schedules possible—which include time for relaxation—and using them to improve your city in any way you see fit.

Get Rise of Cultures for Android at no cost.

Red Alert

Similar to The Room, you could choose any game from the quartet of excellent Kingdom Rush titles, and you'd have a tower defense game that exemplifies the genre.

Many smartphone games need you to upgrade and arrange defensive soldiers precisely in order to repel waves of foes, but none are as charming or meticulously designed as Kingdom Rush.

Play on Apple Arcade

Journey with Jetpack

Although Canabalt was the first endless runner to appear on mobile, Jetpack Joyride was among the first and finest. The fact that it's still running strong and has continued support from renowned developer Halfbrick is equally relevant to our list.

Use crazy power-ups and dangers that appear out of nowhere to sprint, fly, and smash your way as far as you can as the heroic Barry Steakfried.

On the Apple Arcade, play Jetpack Joyride.

Play on Apple Arcade

Reigns

Three excellent examples of modernizing the narrative-led adventure genre for a mobile gaming audience are the Reigns games available on iOS and Android.

It seems that the secret was to include a strong dose of comedy and a card-swiping control mechanism that was directly borrowed from the dating app Grindr. Who was aware?

On the Apple Arcade, play Reigns.

Play for free

Geneshin Impact

Genshin Impact, with its action-RPG gameplay and recognizable anime-infused fantasy setting, proudly displays elements of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.

You'll overlook the blatant homage act, however, since it perfectly fits the mold and comes in the shape of a free-to-play mobile game. it is just incredible. In case you're not persuaded, allow us to provide you with a brief explanation of what Genshin Impact is. For newcomers, our Genshin Impact tier list is also a useful resource.

Genshin Impact free to play.

Play for free

Hero Wars

Given how often it is advertised, you've probably heard of the game Hero Wars before. Unfortunately, they are also rather misleading, since Hero Wars is much more than just the sliding doors puzzle game that they depict. That being said, the game's actual content is still enjoyable.

Many smartphone players will be aware with the game's formula: it revolves around assembling a squad of heroes and watching them navigate dungeons. If they're not up to the task, you'll need to strive to unlock other heroes who could be more fit for the job, or you'll need to grind and improve them. Playing this game is a great way to lose yourself in it, and before you know it, it's ingrained in your everyday habit.

Get free access to Hero Wars.

Honkai Star Rail

The creator of Genshin Impact has released a turn-based gacha role-playing game called Honkai Star Rail. It has colorful, thrilling locales to explore, challenging opponents to vanquish, and a cast of unusual individuals you may assemble into your squad.

We suggest looking over our Honkai Star Rail codes, Honkai Star Rail tier list, and Honkai Star Rail banner guidelines if you're new to mobile gaming. Check out Honkai Star Rail's Jing Yuan and Honkai Star Rail's Seele for builds for every single character.

Blitz: World of Tanks

In the renowned multiplayer online shooter World of Tanks Blitz, you take control of a tank and engage in combat with others from around the globe. You may experiment with an enormous range of vehicles, maps, modes, and tactics on the battlefield as you fight in a 7x7 grid and try to win.

With historically authentic vehicles from the USSR, Germany, France, Japan, Great Britain, China, the USA, and many more nations, the globe is large and action-packed. If that's not your thing, however, you may also operate experimental cars built from real-world engineers' plans, those influenced by popular anime shows, and more. Furthermore, no two fights are the identical, and you never fight alone—whether you go with familiar faces or make new ones.

Get the free version of World of Tanks Blitz.

Pokémon GO

You'll have to let us know if there's any smartphone game that has maintained player interest for as long as Pokémon Go. Even though it was first released in 2016, it is still going strong.

Wish there was more?View our list of the top games similar to Pokémon Go!

As you fight and catch adorable creatures close to actual locations, this was the game that really brought augmented reality and location-based gaming to life.

The Odyssey of Alto

Alto's Odyssey is the endless runner's fashionable present, if Jetpack Joyride is its wonderful past. The artwork is so precise and smooth that it seems like it belongs on a magazine cover, and that will be the first thing you notice.

However, it also plays really well, with an incentive-driven design that entices you to try again.

Mobile Call of Duty

While there are excellent online shooters for both Android and iOS, Call of Duty: Mobile is perhaps the most feature-rich option. It combines a more larger Battle Royale mode with a sleek, quick-paced multiplayer shooter.

With excellent controller compatibility and a variety of settings to choose from, everything looks and moves flawlessly. Fans of first-person shooter games should definitely try out Call of Duty (CoD). FPS titles and mobile gaming go hand in hand.

Wild Rift: League of Legends

In the realm of eSports, MOBAs are still very popular, and League of Legends is the dominant game on mobile devices just as it is on PC. Select your hero and challenge your friends to a traditional 5v5 lane-running battle.

It's amazing how accurate this smartphone version is to the original recipe. Check out our League of Legends: Wild Rift tier list if you'd like to give it a try.

Pathward Souls

With Wayward Souls, a roguelike action RPG that combines randomly generated magic with the iconic top-down action of 16-bit Zelda, RocketCat games struck gold.

Here, you will explore, hack, slash, and die in every run. Time and time again.

Between Us

A free-to-play online whodunit that demands cautious communication and a fair share of sleuthing, Among Us adopts a novel and oh-so-modern approach to online multiplayer gaming. It's understandable how it managed to get to the top of the list of online games in recent times.

As you and your friends get your spacecraft ready to take off, keep an eye out for the faker. Unless it's you, in which case feel free to kill your group.

Clash Royale

Clash Royale, the game that inspired a thousand copies, blends a card-battling mechanic with base raiding gameplay reminiscent of a MOBA. When you play cards here, 3D troops appear on a straightforward two-lane battlefield.

Supercell's games consistently have excellent presentation, a manageable learning curve, and perfect balance. There are few mobile games that are more enjoyable than assuming the character of a Royale and kicking and tackling opponents.

See the best mobile role-playing games and best iOS games for additional stuff similar to this.The top portable gaming consoles may be found here if you like playing games on the go but want something more substantial than a smartphone.