Since smartphones took over, mobile games have offered a whole new level of entertainment, attracting billions of players. But let’s not forget the early days of feature phones and their exciting games like Tetris and Snake—ah, the good old days. Today, mobile games make up at least half of the revenue generated by the video game industry.
From mind-boggling puzzle games to intense battle royale games, most players have shifted their gaming to their phones. That’s because mobile games come in various categories, and players can choose which ones they enjoy. Whether it’s puzzles, strategy, action, racing, trivia, or sports games, there’s a game for everybody.
There are even games where you can win real money. Bingo and mobile casino apps will let you enjoy games like video slots, bingo games, and poker, where you can win cash if you’re lucky. The games are based on titles offered on online casinos, so if you’ve played them before you can try them on mobile.
Going an extra step, mobile gaming companies have also tapped celebrities and mainstream entertainment to make their titles more popular. Angry Birds moved from a popular mobile game to a highly rated movie. Celebrities like Pedro Pascal have done an ad for Merge Mansion and Liam Neeson featured in an ad for Clash of Clans.
But even in their thousands, some mobile games have ranked more than others, becoming the most downloaded titles.
1. Subway Surfers
The number one spot for the most downloaded mobile game goes to Subway Surfers with over 4 billion downloads. This exciting endless runner game was created by Kiloo and SYBO Games in 2012 and was an immediate hit.
The game takes you on an adventure where you’ll play as a young graffiti artist called Jake who’s trying to evade capture by a grumpy police officer and his loyal dog. As you run through the colorful cityscapes, you’ll be dodging trains, obstacles, and barriers, as you collect coins and power-ups.
You can choose between various characters and play across cities like Tokyo, Rio, and Paris. Will you be quick enough to outrun the city inspector?
2. Candy Crush Saga
With over 3 billion downloads, Candy Crush is one of the most popular puzzle games. All you have to do is match three or more symbols to win points. In this game, the symbols are sweet candies that will leave you craving a treat.
Even though the early stages are easy, the more you progress the more difficult the game becomes. What makes Candy Crush stand out is its social hook where players can share their progress on Facebook. Your social friends can see where you’re stuck, fueling that friendly competition.
Candy Crush was released in 2012 by video game company King, now part of gaming giant Activision Blizzard.
3. Hill Climb Racing
Racing games have always appealed to people because they require speed, risky maneuvers, and overcoming difficult hurdles. However, Hill Climb Racing isn’t your typical car racing game. The game has a quirky cartoon design and stunts beyond the laws of physics, making it entertaining overall.
The uphill racer, Bill Newton, goes on a racing adventure in locations like the countryside, a nuclear plant, and Ragnarok. As you overcome tough terrains, you’ll collect coins doing backflips and other amazing stunts. But be careful you don’t run out of fuel or flip over.
Hill Climb Racing was created in 2012 by developer Fingersoft and has gone on to have over 1.8 billion downloads.
4. PUBG Mobile
Do you have what it takes to be the last man standing? PlayerUnknown’s BattleGrounds (PUBG) Mobile takes after the console and pc version of the game. This battle royale game starts with a dramatic parachute drop onto an isolated island where you compete with other players for supplies and weapons.
After a short while, the war area shrinks, reducing the size of the safe zone and forcing players to confront each other in an epic battle. In the end, only one player is left standing. One of the most outstanding features of the game is how they’ve perfectly packed all that action onto a mobile interface.
PUBG ranks as one of the top battle royale mobile games of all time with over 1.3 billion downloads and has received praise globally.
5. 8 Ball Pool
8 Ball Pool takes your pub-favorite billiard game to your mobile where you compete with friends and rivals on who has the best shots. It’s a simple sports game but exciting for beginners and experts who want to learn or test their pool skills.
The game was released in 2010 by Miniclip and provides various challenges where players compete for bragging rights and coins. You can update your cue stick, spice up your table, and choose an avatar that shows your might. 8 Ball Pool has over 1.2 billion downloads and continues to be a popular game to this day.