Top 15 Mobile Games of 2025: Leading iOS and Android Picks

LocalThunk's deckbuilding roguelike game, inspired by poker, will immerse you in captivating gameplay, making it hard to stop after just one run. Balatro's appeal lies in its ability to engulf players in an endless loop of entertainment. CNET's Game of the Year 2024 : It's really, really Challenging to resist. While Balatro lacks a narrative, the tension escalates during gameplay – victory hinges on blending Joker combinations, strategic insights, and a touch of fortune.

Understanding how the impact of scarce cards can enhance your hand can give you an edge similar to outsmarting your opponents in a friendly card game. It's exciting to collect your winnings and surpass the previous round's score. Losing a round earns you extra Jokers for your next attempt, guaranteeing continuous excitement. Balatro doesn't demand quick reflexes or agility, but it incentivizes players to be cunning and imaginative, making it an ideal game to enjoy on your mobile device.

Release Date: Feb. 20, 2024

Platform: Apple's App Store for iOS devices and Google Play Store for Android offer a wide range of applications.

Genre: Poker-themed deckbuilder roguelike

Developer: LocalThunk

The debut game "Vampire Survivors," known for its Castlevania-style visuals and straightforward gameplay, has captivated a vast audience of gamers. This solo adventure by developer Poncle offers convenient on-the-go entertainment. By strategically selecting power-ups and adeptly navigating the game environment, players can effectively eliminate swarms of enemies such as bats, mummies, gargoyles, and various other supernatural creatures.

While appearing deceptively simple, Vampire Survivors offers a base game that includes various maps presenting distinct challenges, 48 unique characters each equipped with special gear and permanent upgrades, as well as weapons introducing fresh attack combinations. To excel in Vampire Survivors, players need to explore meta-progression mechanisms and discover effective attack synergies tailored to their preferred characters.

Boasting numerous in-game accomplishments to pursue, there is a constant sense of purpose as you engage. Beyond the core game, there are five DLCs enriching the Vampire Survivors universe, featuring collaborations with Castlevania, Contra, and Among Us.

Release Date: Dec. 17, 2021

Platform: iOS App Store for Apple devices and Google Play Store for Android offer a wide range of apps.

Genre: Roguelite bullet heaven

Developer: Poncle

Building on the bones of the popular browser game Crush the Castle, the Angry Birds franchise combines kinetic physics-based puzzles with a colorful cast of characters. Though the original game went missing-in-action after Rovio pulled it from app stores, fan backlash won the day: Red's First Flight is a rewrite of the first Angry Birds game utilizing the Unity engine.

Red's First Flight is a challenging game with numerous levels featuring intricate structures created by adversary pigs, requiring players to use birds to demolish them. With advancing levels, players gain access to new birds possessing unique abilities such as the swift yellow bird or the explosive black bird. The goal is to earn three stars on each level by mastering bird tactics and penetrating the pigs' defensive setups.

This updated version of the classic Angry Birds game may not be found on Google Play, yet it remains a top choice among iPhone games in 2025.

Release Date: �March 31, 2022

Platform: iOS App Store (iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch)

Genre: Bird-brained castle crusher puzzles

Developer: Rovio Entertainment

Charming pixel graphics and peaceful "talk and walk" gameplay sections belie the dark paranormal mystery at the center of Night School Studio's game Oxenfree, originally launched on PC and rereleased on mobile. Alex, her stepbrother Jonas and her friends arrive on Edwards Island to throw a small party but quickly find themselves out of their depth as they're sucked into time rifts and attacked by ghosts.

In this narrative-rich game centered around dialogues, players are tasked with sealing interdimensional breaches to protect Alex's companions. Alex, who has experienced significant personal losses, discovers temporal anomalies on the island that allow her to alter the course of history. However, these actions may lead to unforeseen outcomes in the current timeline. Gamers need to make thoughtful decisions to navigate this journey while safeguarding Alex's vital connections.

Similar to other games mentioned here, the mobile edition of Oxenfree is published by Netflix. To access it, a subscription to the platform is required, however, it is complimentary for existing members.

Release Date: Jan. 15, 2016

Platform: iOS App Store for Apple devices and Google Play Store for Android offer a variety of applications.

Genre: Engage in enigmatic 2.5D adventure with paranormal mysteries and challenging puzzles.

Developer: Night School Studio

Niantic's AR Pokemon game - beyond entertainment, it's a groundbreaking mobile experience. best Pokemon games of all time Niantic fulfilled its promise of turning players into real trainers by placing beloved pocket monsters in their neighborhoods. While the 2016 "pokemania" craze has faded, the company continues to innovate, adding fresh features and gameplay elements to Pokemon Go, keeping the game engaging and exciting almost ten years later.

As a Pokemon enthusiast, this game offers various engaging activities. Whether you aim to fill your Pokedex, collect diverse Pokemon, form powerful raid squads, or devise winning strategies against fellow players, there's something for everyone. By tending to your virtual companions, Pokemon Go encapsulates the essence of fostering bonds between individuals and Pokemon, promoting real-world connections among players.

Release Date: July 6, 2016

Platform: iOS App Store for Apple devices and Google Play Store for Android offer a wide range of applications.

Genre: Alternate reality creature collector

Developer: Niantic, Inc.

MiHoYo's breakthrough in the Western market with Genshin Impact was inevitable due to the game's unique blend of features. Breath of the Wild Combining open-world discovery with dynamic elemental battles, the game delivers an immersive experience. Gamers embody the Traveler, a formidable figure searching for their lost sibling in the enchanting land of Teyvat. Embarking on a quest through seven diverse nations, the Traveler tackles challenges, fights formidable creatures, and recruits companions with similar goals.

Genshin Impact's combat system combines real-time action with strategy, as players are encouraged to swap four party members in-and-out of battle to take advantage of seven different types of elemental abilities. Most enemies are weak to certain elements and resistant to others, but combining elemental attacks can result in powerful effects that level the playing field. Genshin Impact allows up to four players to take on the world of Teyvat together in seamless co-op play, and mobile users can matchmake alongside console and PC players.

Release Date: Sept. 28, 2020

Platform: Apple App Store (for iOS devices) and Google Play Store (for Android) are major platforms for app distribution.

Genre: Open world action RPG with gacha elements

Developer: MiHoYo

Among Us, the globally recognized social deduction game, was released in 2018, gaining immense popularity when it caught the attention of influential Twitch streamers amidst the COVID-19 restrictions. Participants assume the characters of astronauts marooned in space, striving to accomplish vital missions for a safe return home. Though seemingly straightforward, the challenge lies in the presence of a few players who are impostor aliens assigned to sabotage the crew. The astronauts must efficiently fulfill their tasks before falling victim to the impostors or identify and expel them from the spacecraft, eradicating the menace permanently.

Among Us provides an excellent opportunity to interact with and deceive others, whether they are familiar acquaintances or unknown individuals. Primarily a game, it also serves as a social arena facilitating new connections and reuniting old companions. The tasks it offers are not overly demanding, making it accessible to a wide audience. Additionally, Among Us enables seamless crossplay between PC and console users, granting mobile players unencumbered entry into their friends' game rooms. However, caution is advised when placing trust in others.

Release Date: June 15, 2018

Platform: Access apps on iOS App Store (iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch) and Google Play Store (Android) for your devices.

Genre: Innovative sci-fi social game with playful cartoon-style action.

Developer: Innersloth

Familiar with Activision's iconic first-person shooter franchise, gamers will feel right at home with Call of Duty Mobile by TiMi Studio Group. With multiplayer, battle royale, and zombies modes, it offers a balanced blend of competitive and cooperative gameplay, akin to the mainline series.

Various popular game modes can be found in Call of Duty Mobile, such as Team Deathmatch, Domination, Hardpoint, Search and Destroy, and Kill Confirmed. For those seeking a more laid-back experience, there are special events featuring fun modes like Prop Hunt, Gun Game, and Sticks and Stones. With an in-game credit system, players can obtain weapons, scorestreaks, and equipment without spending real money, ensuring a balanced gameplay environment across the classic Call of Duty maps.

When it comes to mobile first-person shooting, Call of Duty Mobile stands out with its wide variety of experiences in different game modes, offering the best depth and breadth.

Release Date: Oct. 1, 2019

Platform: iOS App Store for Apple devices and Google Play Store for Android offer a wide range of apps.

Genre: Cutting-edge PvP game with a prominent battle royale mode

Developer: TiMi Studio Group

Being one of the pioneering endless runner games, Temple Run immerses players in the heart of the adventure. You assume the role of a daring explorer who seizes a valuable artifact and must navigate through ancient obstacles and deteriorating structures while fleeing from a relentless supernatural entity.

Temple Run stands out as a classic arcade game, offering straightforward gameplay that intensifies as you progress. Collect coins strewn across ancient ruins to acquire lasting enhancements and momentary skills for your next attempt to reach the coveted idol.

Despite its basic meta-progression system, Temple Run stands the test of time as a classic mobile game for both iPhone and Android users. Its enduring popularity over the past decade speaks volumes about its quality and appeal in the gaming world.

Release Date: Aug. 4, 2011

Platform: Apple App Store (for iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch) and Google Play Store (for Android)

Genre: Endless runner

Developer: Imangi Studios

Developer Motion Twin's highly praised side-scrolling action roguelike game offers players an exciting jailbreak adventure where strategies and choices play a crucial role. Players assume the enigmatic character of a Prisoner on a mission to navigate through an island infested with monstrous creatures to reach and eliminate the king. Despite the Prisoner's immortality, the bodies he inhabits are vulnerable to destruction. Therefore, a slight mistake can force him to retreat to the prison block in search of a new host.

The core of Dead Cells gameplay lies in its precise combat mechanics, requiring players to skillfully evade enemies' attacks and strike during opportune moments. It's a challenging game that demands players to learn from mistakes, yet utilizing traps and acquiring lasting enhancements after each attempt can enhance the overall experience. Initially, progressing towards the final boss may seem daunting, but akin to Souls games, there comes a breakthrough moment when everything falls into place, captivating you with its action-packed gameplay indefinitely.

Release Date: Aug. 7, 2018

Platform: iOS App Store (iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch), Google Play Store (Android) - the leading platforms for mobile applications.

Genre: ARPG roguelike game with metroidvania features in side-scrolling format

Developer: Motion Twin, Evil Empire

The challenges faced by Greek gods in video games are always formidable. Zagreus, the protagonist in Supergiant Games' RPG, is no exception - he encounters numerous obstacles. Hades As the underworld prince battles to reach his mother Persephone, the Olympian gods support him in his struggle against his father, the supreme deity.

In Hades, players have the freedom to craft diverse builds by selecting various weapons and embracing different divine blessings on each playthrough. After conquering four distinct dungeons - Tartarus, Asphodel, Elysium, and the Temple of Styx - and vanquishing the ultimate foe, fresh trials await the players, adding new layers of challenge to the game.

To uncover the complete tale of Zagreus, players must conquer Hades numerous times, engage with the denizens of the underworld, and become proficient in all the game's intricate mechanics and interactions. Regarded as one of the finest roguelike games to date, it comes with a noteworthy point for mobile users: access requires a Netflix subscription, mandating account login. Conversely, for subscribers of the streaming platform, the game is complimentary.

Release Date: Sept. 17, 2020

Platform: iOS App Store (iPhone, iPad)

Genre: Isometric action RPG with roguelike elements, immersing players in an epic storyline.

Developer: Supergiant Games

Even the elderly are familiar with the popular "match three" puzzle game. Candy Crush Saga, developed by King, was their initial venture into mobile gaming, boasting enduring popularity due to its captivating gameplay and design. more than 200 million people continuing to play throughout 2024.

Gamers collaborate with Tiffi to tackle challenges in the Candy Kingdom by clearing boards filled with vibrant candies at each stage. By exchanging candies with power-ups and forming rows of four or more identical candies, players can eliminate substantial candy quantities simultaneously. Despite its straightforward nature, Candy Crush Saga offers a wide array of levels featuring various twists, goals, and game board designs.

Release Date: April 12, 2012

Platform: Exclusive apps for iOS devices like iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, and Android devices on Google Play Store.

Genre: Match three puzzler

Developer: King

To effectively repel the undead in the timeless game developed by PopCap Games, players must possess gardening skills and strategic thinking. Plants vs. Zombies, a classic tower defense game, requires players to protect their home by strategically planting various powerful plants and mushrooms along different lanes in the garden. Once the preparation phase is over, players must skillfully maintain their garden as the zombies launch their attack.

Plants vs. Zombies offers a remarkable depth of strategy. Initially, players learn to produce sun and allocate it smartly to deploy plants. Later levels introduce increased challenges. During nighttime stages, sun production is limited, requiring careful budgeting. In poolside levels, players must use lilypads strategically to place plants in specific lanes.

Plants vs. Zombies offers a fully-featured tower defense experience with 50 levels and an infinite survival mode for skilled players. After conquering the original game, explore Plants vs. Zombies 2 for new plants, diverse maps, and exciting challenges.

Release Date: May 5, 2009

Platform: Apple App Store (iPhone, iPod Touch) and Google Play Store (Android)

Genre: Horizontal multi-lane tower defense

Developer: PopCap Games

Unraveling complex architectural enigmas captivates Ustwo Games' developers. Monument Valley Players are tasked with leading Princess Ida through sacred geometry, featuring impossible objects and various optical illusions. With each level offering an isometric perspective, the objective is to engage with the environment to unveil hidden pathways.

Monument Valley stands out as a visually captivating game, drawing inspiration from minimalist art in each level. The strategic placement of colors serves as a visual cue, directing players towards the core mechanics, enhancing the intuitive puzzle-solving experience. With 10 challenging levels, players immerse themselves in aiding Princess Ida's escape, engaging in a truly mind-bending adventure.

In Monument Valley 2, players face new puzzles, while Monument Valley 3 is exclusively accessible to Netflix subscribers, who can enjoy the game at no additional cost.

Release Date: April 3, 2014

Platform: iOS App Store for Apple devices and Google Play Store for Android devices offer a wide range of apps.

Genre: Isometric puzzler

Developer: Ustwo Games

Mega Crit's game Slay the Spire combines deckbuilding and roguelike elements, offering a challenging experience unlike the serene Balatro. Players ascend a tower of randomly generated floors, facing tough battles, discovering treasures, defeating powerful bosses, and acquiring new cards. Failure means starting over at the tower's base, adding a layer of strategy and persistence to the gameplay.

A mix of relic abilities, potions and upgradable cards to shuffle into the deck add depth to the game's combat system. With each turn, players are afforded three energy points to attack enemies and defend themselves. Slay the Spire's gameplay revolves around the mental calculus of spending those points. Do you keep some defenses up as you lash out at your foes, or do you expend all your energy on one final gambit? The most skilled strategists will find new ways to max out the combat effectiveness of each character class as they dominate the spire.

Release Date: Jan. 23, 2019

Platform: Exclusive apps on iOS App Store for Apple devices and Google Play Store for Android. Select your platform.

Genre: Fantasy spellsword deckbuilder roguelike

Developer: Mega Crit