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From timeless classics to modern sensations, these top mobile games have raised the bar and left a major mark on the gaming landscape, forever changing the scene. Some of them may have also, somewhat, defined an era.
Angry Birds
Bursting onto the scene like an explosion of glitter, Angry Birds revolutionized mobile gaming with its simple yet addictive gameplay. You have to catapult a variety of feathered friends from a slingshot, aiming to topple rickety structures and defeat the mischievous green pigs within.
Developed by Rovio Entertainment, Angry Birds took the mobile gaming world by storm with its addictive physics-based gameplay and charming characters. It was simple yet satisfying and gave us all a peek at what’s possible with mobile gaming.
Angry Birds eventually became an absolute cultural icon, spawning numerous sequels and adaptations.
Clash of Clans
You can build, battle, and conquer in Clash of Clans, the iconic multiplayer strategy game that pits players against each other in epic clan wars. From humble beginnings, you’ll have to develop your village, gather resources, and train an army to defend against enemy attacks and launch raids of your own.
There’s an addictive marriage of base-building, resource management, and strategic combat in Clash of Clans and this lent much to its overwhelming popularity. Even today, it continues to foster vibrant online communities and competitive gameplay that keeps players coming back for more.
Pokรฉmon GO
In the summer of 2016, the world witnessed the phenomenon known as Pokรฉmon GO, an augmented reality game that brought the beloved creatures of the Pokemon universe into the real world.
Niantic’s Pokรฉmon GO was one of the first flagbearers of augmented reality gaming, allowing players to explore the real world while capturing, battling, and training Pokรฉmon. The game’s innovative use of AR technology and social features encouraged everyone to run on real-world adventures, leading to widespread popularity and cultural impact.
Pokรฉmon GO continues to evolve with regular updates and events, keeping players perpetually engaged and entertained. Pokemon GO captured the imaginations of millions, reigniting a passion for Pokemon that spanned generations.
Among Us
Everyone knows this one too, especially the younger gamers. Among Us is a multiplayer game of teamwork and betrayal set aboard a spaceship. You and others take on the roles of crewmates trying to complete tasks while uncovering the impostors or killers among them.
Among Us challenges players to trust their instincts, communicate effectively, and root out the impostors before it’s too late. Whether you’re an innocent crewmate or a cunning impostor, Among Us delivers tense gameplay and hilarious moments that keep you on the edge of your seats (be it a toilet seat or an actual chair).
Tetris
A timeless classic developed by various creators over the years, Tetris remains one of the most iconic puzzle games of all time. Here, you must strategically arrange falling blocks to create complete lines, testing their spatial awareness and reflexes.
Even as Tetris goes through multiple iterations and twists, it’s the same game everyone knows and loves. Consequently, its design has also doubled as some kind of brain game that will help you with quick decision-making and moment-to-moment thinking.
Flappy Bird
A game as simple as it is infuriating, Flappy Bird held the world hostage with its addictive gameplay and minimalist design. You’ll be tapping your screen to navigate a tiny bird through a series of pipes, aiming to achieve the highest score possible without crashing.
Despite its straightforward mechanics, Flappy Bird became a global sensation, inspiring countless imitators and sparking debates about the nature of addiction and game design in the mobile gaming industry.
Minecraft Pocket Edition
Not many games let you enter a world of endless creativity and exploration, unlike Minecraft Pocket Edition. It’s the mobile counterpart to the legendary sandbox game. In this pixelated universe, you could build, mine, and craft to your heart’s content, constructing elaborate structures, exploring vast landscapes, and surviving against the dangers of the night.
There are limitless possibilities here paired with intuitive controls and cross-platform compatibility. Minecraft Pocket Edition became a playground for players of all ages, fostering creativity and collaboration in equal measure. It’s a game that parents can play with their children with both learning a lot along the way.
Candy Crush Saga
King’s Candy Crush Saga forever revolutionized the match-three puzzle genre with its colorful visuals and addictive gameplay. Here, you must match candies to progress through hundreds of levels, encountering various challenges and obstacles along the way.
Matching colorful candies to progress through hundreds of levels is a gameplay loop that’s as sweet as the candy rewards you can obtain in-game. Moreover, just about any player of all ages can play Candy Crush Saga, giving everyone a chance to see what the sweetness is all about.
Roblox
Roblox isn’t just a game; it’s a platform where you can create, share, and play an endless variety of user-generated experiences. There’s no end to its thrilling adventures and immersive simulations. Roblox offers something for everyone, allowing you to build your own worlds and games or explore those created by others.
Roblox has also inspired millions of players to unleash their creativity and forge friendships in virtual realms. Some have even found ways to monetize their creations and have become full-fledged Roblox developers and a way for younger and less experienced game auteurs to test out their humble creations.
Temple Run
Imangi Studios’ Temple Run introduced players to the exhilarating world of endless running games, challenging them to navigate treacherous obstacles and evade pursuing enemies. Here, you will navigate treacherous paths, evade obstacles, and outrun demonic monkeys in a race for survival.
It comes with simple swipe-based controls and endless runner gameplay. Also, its intuitive controls and addictive gameplay loop have made Temple Run a beloved classic in the mobile gaming landscape, inspiring generations of endless runner titles. You can blame this game for TikTok shorts trends where they place running games alongside other videos for dual attention spans.
