Our picks for the best mobile games of 2024

Cell video games have come extremely far previously decade, with many more recent releases providing console-quality experiences. 2024 was no totally different, with a slew of sequels, follow-ups, and completely new titles hitting Android gadgets across the globe.

With that in thoughts, and in no specific order, right here’s a fast have a look at our favourite cellular video games launched in 2024.

After the smashing successes that had been (and are) Genshin Impression and Honkai: Star Rail, it’s no surprise that developer Mihoyo’s newest undertaking was probably the most anticipated of the 12 months. Fortunately, it’s additionally very totally different from Genshin Impression, with a return to Mihoyo’s motion RPG roots. Plus, in contrast to Genshin Impression, you may play it with a controller on Android!

In some ways, it’s a step again from the expansive worlds of the earlier two titles, with extra manageable dungeon-style gameplay and a much less farm-heavy gameplay loop. The gameplay isn’t something notably revolutionary, however what makes Zenless Zone Zero shine is its model. The characters and world are attractive, with a futuristic city punk aesthetic that’s a transparent break from the remainder of Mihoyo’s portfolio.

With a simple idea and probably the most addictive gameplay loops I’ve ever skilled, Balatro briefly took over my life when it landed on Android in September. For the uninitiated, it’s a poker-based roguelike deck builder with much more depth than it appears at first look.

Regardless of being made by a single nameless developer, it was probably the most polished new video games on Android in 2024. It’s a premium sport, costing $10, nevertheless it’s greater than definitely worth the value of entry. It’s simple to sink hours into taking part in this sport in your telephone (belief me, I’ve), and the auto-save and resume mechanics work very effectively.

Star Wars: Hunters is a sport that’s been within the works since manner again in 2018, and 2024 was lastly the 12 months it truly launched. The squad shooter takes place after the autumn of the Galactic Empire and includes a very colourful solid of heroes from all sides of the battle. For as soon as, these characters don’t embrace any huge names you’ll acknowledge from the films, however the designs are nonetheless a spotlight.

The sport does job of bringing aggressive Overwatch-style matches to cellular, with a lot shorter and simplified gameplay. When you like that form of sport, Star Wars: Hunters is free-to-play, so that you’ve received nothing to lose by taking part in. It’s at present out there on Android, iOS, and Change, with a Steam launch coming quickly.

You could be tempted to dismiss Infinity Nikki as simply one other girly sport, nevertheless it’s received much more happening than simply glitz and glamour. I imply, sure, there’s a number of glitz and glamour, nevertheless it’s offered in a manner that actually works. As a substitute of defeating enemies and dungeons, the sport is usually targeted round exploration, puzzles, and amassing outfits for model challenges.

Pokemon TCG isn’t as fashionable as different aggressive card video games, nevertheless it was an enormous a part of my childhood. Pokemon TCG Pocket makes a direct play at nostalgia and largely hits the mark. Whereas it does have the PvP battles you’d anticipate from a cellular sport, it’s distinctive as a result of it’s extra about amassing playing cards than utilizing them.

Your foremost activity is opening packs with a satisfying animation, arranging them in binders, and exhibiting them off to different gamers. Positive, there’s a battle mechanic that can fulfill the aggressive wants of some (in case you like coin tosses), nevertheless it’s by no means going to compete with Hearthstone, MTG, and even Pokemon TCG Reside. And it doesn’t should.

Squad Busters didn’t get as a lot consideration as different cellular video games in 2024, nevertheless it’s the newest multiplayer battler from Supercell. In some ways, it’s an extension of Brawl Stars, with the identical top-down model and an enormous enviornment that slowly shrinks. Nonetheless, it provides a component of staff constructing, the place you will need to stability combating different gamers with farming cash to strengthen your staff.

Regardless of this, matches are nonetheless quick and mobile-friendly. This one has had a reasonably turbulent launch, and personally, I feel it’s lacking among the magic that earlier Supercell video games have had. Nonetheless, it’s good enjoyable in order for you a barely extra chaotic expertise than Brawl Stars, and it’s solely going to get higher because the builders discover their footing.

Name of Obligation Cell was an absolute sensation when it launched in 2019, and the follow-up Name of Obligation: Warzone Cell has already racked up over 10 million downloads. It’s truly set to switch CoD Cell within the coming years, so anticipate Activision’s help for Warzone to rapidly outpace the earlier title in 2025.

In case you reside beneath a rock, Name of Obligation: Warzone Cell is a first-person shooter sport, identical to the console and PC title. Even higher, it’s linked to the opposite two variations with cross-progression on battle passes, so you may take your habit with you on the bus. Sadly, there’s no crossplay with different platforms in addition to Android and iOS.

Netflix Video games has steadily printed a string of bangers, and the newest is a follow-up to probably the most iconic cellular video games of the previous decade. Monument Valley 3 appears and performs virtually identically to the earlier titles (for higher or worse), with mind-bending puzzles and gorgeous visuals.

It’s a brief sport, but when you have already got a Netflix subscription, you would possibly as effectively play it. The opposite two video games are additionally included in case you haven’t performed these but both, and beginning subsequent 12 months, Monument Valley 3 can have seasonal updates each few months.

Kingdom Rush is a collection that revolutionized the tower protection style on cellular, and greater than 13 years later it’s nonetheless going robust. The newest iteration, Kingdom Rush 5: Alliance, has the forces of excellent and evil working collectively in opposition to a better enemy.

The largest change right here is which you could management two heroes without delay. That makes it extra micro-intensive than earlier video games, and Elite towers assist add to the general replayability. Actually although, in case you’ve appreciated Kingdom Rush video games previously, you’ll like this one too. As of writing, it’s on sale for $4, with in-app purchases to unlock additional heroes.

My final decide is a little bit of an odd one since most of you most likely have by no means performed it — or not less than performed it on a telephone.

Grid Legends: Deluxe Version is a port of the Codemasters sport that launched on consoles in 2022. It’s a straight improve from GRID Autosport, however the catch is that it doesn’t work on most gadgets. At launch, it requires a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 or Gen 3 smartphone, plus not less than 15GB of storage. It additionally prices $13.49, which is a reasonably penny for a cellular sport.

Nonetheless, it’s a really totally featured sport, full with a profession mode and multiplayer, plus all the DLC content material. That’s a wonderful worth for anybody searching for cellular racing motion, and in case you’ve already shelled out for a contemporary flagship, you may most likely afford the value of entry.