Browsing games on any app store may yield three kinds of results: blatant timewasters, promising games overrun by microtransactions, and the occasional mobile gaming gem. With all these games those, it may be hard for you to decide what to download. Fortunately, we are here to help you with this.
In this list, we're going to take a look at some of the best mobile games that you can play on iOS and Android today. These games cover many different genre types. Many of these games are free as well, allowing you to head to your device's app store and download one right now!
Updated May 23, 2023 by Jacqueline Zalace: Looking for the best mobile games on the market? We've added even more games to this list, giving you plenty of content to play through.
24 Cat Quest 2
Cat Quest 2, as you might guess, is the follow-up to the beloved "meow-vellous" action RPG, Cat Quest. Cat Quest 2 picks up where the original game left off, with your cat adventurer, along with a dog companion, off to save the day in the lands of Felingard and the Lupus Empire.
Cat Quest 2 is a super vibrant RPG that can be played solo or with another player alongside the journey. You are able to pick up a bounty of quests, filled your coffers with loot, and, of course, defeat a host of cartoony baddies, all while trying to save the day. Cat Quest 2 is incredibly polished and just a lot of fun.
23 Dead Cells
Dead Cells will give your mobile device an action game for the ages. The "Metroidvania" gameplay has plenty of depth, while still maintaining the addictive accessibility that makes you want to pick it up again and again.
Dead Cells has players fight through a dungeon with gruelingly combat, upgrading and unlocking new abilities with every death. Each new life comes with a new dungeon, and because of the game's challenging difficulty, you'll always want to come back for another run.
22 Oxenfree
If you haven't played Oxenfree yet in the many years that it has been out, give it a download and kick yourself later. This story-driven indie darling is atmospheric and cinematic, and not enough people have given it a try.
You play as Alex, a teen caught up in a supernatural mystery on a spooky island. The game consists of exploration and dynamic dialogue, where the player can have free-flow conversations with other characters. If you enjoy coming-of-age stories and have the time (a very long commute, per se), try Oxenfree and experience the mystery for yourself.
21 Alto's Odyssey
Dozens of games are similar to Alto's Odyssey, but none of them are quite as compelling. This relaxing endless runner has players snowboarding down gorgeous, ambient vistas while providing enough gameplay variety for every kind of player.
There are plenty of goals to work towards and mechanics that shake up the gameplay, but it also allows for totally endless playing. It's simple, pretty, and satisfying on any level you're willing to engage with it. If you play mobile games for simple, relaxing fun, then this one is for you.
20 Monument Valley 2
With no shortage of puzzle games on mobile storefronts, Monument Valley and its sequel are some of the most unique experiences in the genre. You must guide the protagonists from one end of the level to the other — simple in concept. However, every level is like a living M.C. Escher piece, full of optical illusions that can be difficult to navigate.
Navigating these mazes makes for a fun brain teaser, and the game's presentation only adds to the experience. It's all so pretty... and confusing. The series is definitely worth checking out if mobile puzzle games are starting to feel the same.
19 Shadowgun Legends
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Look, it's tough to find a shooter on mobile that isn't awful... or something you already own on a console. However, sometimes you just want to play a shooter on your phone, and this scratches that itch.
If you put every looter-shooter in a blender and garnish it with Halo, Destiny, and Fortnite, then you'd get Shadowgun Legends. It might seem obnoxious at first, with text boxes and ads for premium currency flooding your screen, but it has everything shooter fans might want.
It has single-player quests, co-op, PvP, surprisingly impressive graphics, and gameplay that manages to feel satisfying on mobile. It definitely has a lifespan for players who are unwilling to shell out actual dollars for premium cash (as most of these do), but the progression system showers players in enough loot to keep them coming back anyway.
18 Spaceteam
Of course, some of the most popular mobile games are the ones you play with the people around you. Instead of recommending a reliable game of headbands or charades, you might want to try Spaceteam. It's pretty old, but it is still one of the best party games on mobile devices.
Once all participants have downloaded the game, they can engage in some of the silliest cooperative experiences they will ever have. Spaceteam has players commandeer a spaceship, with each player manning ridiculously named controls. The only way to keep things running smoothly is to call out commands to the rest of your team. Soon, you'll be surrounded by friends shouting gibberish at each other in total chaos. It's great!
17 Gris
Gris is a puzzle-platformer with the aesthetics of a hand-drawn animated film. The narrative is open to interpretation, but the gameplay follows a girl named Gris as she navigates surreal watercolor environments.
There are plenty of great platformers on mobile devices, but Gris is a standout for its stellar sound and animation. Put some headphones on, immerse yourself, and let Gris wash over you. It's a game that will stick with you, which is increasingly hard to find on the mobile market.
16 Pokemon GO
Say what you want — Pokemon GO was an inherently great concept when it first launched, and the game has only improved since. It's the closest thing fans of the series will ever get to an authentic mobile experience, and it encourages healthy physical activity and urban exploration.
With new Pokemon, community events, and several additional features, the game is objectively better than when it started and — despite its obnoxious popularity — is still a solid mobile game.
15 Pocket City
Plenty of city builders and "idle" games flood app stores week to week. While most of them are just vehicles for advertisements and microtransactions, Pocket City is probably the closest thing to a proper Tycoon game on mobile that won't waste your time; it's a micro-manager's dream come true.
You won't have to worry about premium currency or arbitrary build times. Simply build your city, manage your economy, and create without the constant annoyances featured in similar mobile titles. It doesn't necessarily have the depth of a PC copy of Sim City, but it feels perfectly downsized for a satisfying experience on your phone or tablet.
14 Anything From Supergiant Games
At first, Bastion made the list, but it seemed a little too old. It was replaced with Transistor, which might be better on other platforms, and then Pyre, which is their most recent launch on mobile. However, Supergiant Games develops some of the most compelling games that don't require oversized hardware to play.
Whether it's the action of Bastion, the tactics of Transistor, or the reimagined sports of Pyre, this studio develops unique, atmospheric games that are just as engaging as they are accessible. Arresting visual and sound design, meaty gameplay mechanics, and the ability to play them anywhere — why haven't you tried these yet?
If you are a fan of Supergiant Games on your phone, be sure to check out Hades. This game is available on PC, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox.
13 Fantasian
Fantasian is an Apple Arcade-exclusive JRPG that really blows other mobile RPGs out of the water. Since it's only on Apple Arcade, you won't encounter any microtransactions to ruin the immersion.
If you are a fan of Final Fantasy games, then Fantasian is right up your alley. The mobile game was developed by Mistwalker Corporation, which was founded by Hironobu Sakaguchi, who happens to have created Final Fantasy. Additionally, the music for the game was composed by Nobuo Uematsu, who also composed music for the series.
12 League of Legends: Wild Rift
League of Legends needs no introduction. If you are a fan of the game, then you probably know about Wild Rift, which is essentially a mobile version of the game. Based on this, it would make sense that they are pretty similar.
Interestingly, Wild Rift was rebuilt from the ground up. The original League of Legends couldn't be implemented on mobile, so Wild Rift was rebuilt. Overall, the game is still free and fun, making it a must-have for all fans of the original.
11 Marvel Snap
Marvel Snap is a unique card game that allows you to face off against other players with a hefty roster of Marvel characters. In each match, you will have six turns to place cards in three different locations. Your goal is to control the majority of the spaces, but this is easier said than done.
Many cards have abilities, such as destroying all other cards or placing rocks on every other location. Additionally, the location types change between every game, giving you endless hours of gameplay. Marvel Snap draws from the comics, so if you are an avid fan, you will recognize tons of characters who have yet to appear in the MCU.
10 Among Us
Chances are, you know what Among Us is. This game took the world by storm when it was first launched, making a great game for groups of friends. This worldwide hit is also available on mobile for free.
Now, you can play Among Us with friends while on the go. Thankfully, this mobile version of Among Us is also cross-platform, allowing you to play with others even if they just have it on PC.
9 Stardew Valley
At this point, Stardew Valley is practically a household name. This charming farm life simulator hit the gaming scene in 2016, and has since spread across different platforms. Now, you can tend your farm and live life in the valley, right from your phone.
Developer ConcernedApe ensures that mobile players will have the same experience as those playing on other platforms. Updates are a bit behind, but this is, by no means, a 'lite' version of the game.
8 Genshin Impact
Genshin Impact brings us to the world of Teyvat, where you can summon various characters to fight alongside you. Unlike most mobile gacha games, Genshin Impact has an open-world feel, with a vast land for you to wander around.
Itching to know all there is about every character in the game? Check out our list of every character's age, height, and birthday.
The game also features cross-saving. This means that you can play on your PC, and then open the game on your phone and your progress will remain the same. This gives you the flexibility to play from anywhere.
7 Legends of Runeterra
Legends of Runeterra is a card game drawing inspiration from League of Legends. If you are familiar with other card-collecting games, this is similar to how Hearthstone is based on the World of Warcraft universe.
The game has only been around since April 2020, but it has made waves in the gaming world. Legends of Runeterra is easily accessible to many people and has stunning artwork. Although there are in-app purchases, you play and succeed without spending any money.
6 20 Minutes Till Dawn
20 Minutes Till Dawn is a bullet-hell roguelike game, with play sessions that last around 20 minutes. In this time, you will need to slice through hordes of monsters and come out victorious. You can choose from several different characters and upgrades as well, making each run unique.
If you manage to survive for a long time, your game will become increasingly more chaotic, with enemies coming at you from every angle. There are currently two versions of 20 Minutes Till Dawn, with one being free and one costing money. Don't worry though, the free version is still filled with content.
5 Honkai Star Rail
Honkai Star Rail is another game brought to us by miHoYo, who also developed Genshin Impact. As such, the games are quite similar. Unlike Geshin Impact though, Honkai Star Rail makes use of turn-based combat. The game is self-described as a "space fantasy RPG", what's not to like about that?
Fans of moHoYo may notice that Honkai Star Rail is similarly titled to a previous game, called Honkai Impact 3rd. Star Rail is technically not a direct sequel. Instead, it's referred to as a 'spiritual sequel'. Overall, you won't need to play Honkai Impact 3rd to enjoy Honkai Star Rail.