Summary
Mobile games,as of late, have been receiving quite a lot of traction thanks toApple’s efforts to bring ports of triple-A console titles, likeResident Evilseries, toiPhones. Pushing technological boundaries on limited mobile hardware is no easy feat, so the list below takes a look at some of the most polished big-budget and high-production releases for Android and iOS devices.
For the purpose of taking a holistic approach towards the ranking, the list makes use of metrics like Google Play Store rating and total download numbers, as well as the game’s overall critical reception and cultural impact. Naturally, even though there are some huge AAA mobile ports, likeResident Evil 4 Remake, these did not make it into the following list because of the consensus of the users citing the many technical issues in the ports.
Dragon Ballis a huge name in the anime and game world,so it would only be fitting thatBandai Namcobrought their A-game to mobile platforms withDragon Ball Legends.From the iconic landscapes of the original series and the flair of the 2D anime art style, players will feel right at home as they embark on their journey with a new protagonist, the Saiyan called Shallot.
The strategic card-action combat will allow players to assemble just theright team of beloved characters from the serieswith some of the smoothest and most intuitive control schemes in the mobile games market. Players can take part in intense online PvP battles, or go solo against AI in the main campaign, seasonal events, and other modes as the developers continue to push new content updates regularly. The best bit about all of this is thatDragon Ball Legendscan be downloaded as a free-to-play experience.
Blizzardbrings the authentic dark-fantasy RPG experience of theDiabloseries to Android and iOS devices withDiablo Immortal. A free-to-play game grandiose in scale and amount of content,Diablo Immortalalmost sounds too good to be true. Despite having a good deal of microtransactions, Blizzard’s continuous community support to add new gear, quests, and competitive events to the game year-upon-year makes this game a solid outing that will give fans of the hack-and-slash RPG genre a bang for their buck.
All the loot-hunting, dungeon-raiding, andcharacter-upgrading that fans have come to expectfrom the series is ever so prevalent inDiablo Immortal, now with a smooth user experience and touchscreen-optimized controls. The journey to max out a character may be long, but at least players can experience it on the go, and on a portable platform.
Another established franchise that makes its mark on mobile devices,Call of Duty Mobileis a high-visual-fidelity counterpart to its console versions.Activisionwent to great lengths to ensure a robust multiplayer experience is captured for the players while keeping all the series' DNA intact, including theplethora of customizable weapons, game modes, and iconic maps.
Whether it’s the squad-based gameplay in Team Deathmatch mode or the free-for-all mayhem of the Battle Royale mode, every encounter feels engaging, thanks to responsive controls and stable performance. For its technical prowess on handheld devices, the game also won 2019’s Game of the Year award for Best Mobile Game.
EAhas been consistent in their console releases for the mainlineEA Sports FC(formerly “FIFA”) series. Although it is hard to replicate the intricacies of its magical gameplay on mobile devices, the lite version is still a very engaging experience that incorporates original elements of the FIFA Ultimate Team and other PvP modes. Furthermore, the new Locker Room mode allows players to collect clothing articles and customize their favorite football icons to their heart’s content.
Moreover, to provide a more immersive and authentic experience, the gameplay inEA Sports FC Mobilehas a slower paceto accommodate a more skill-based approach. Due to the limitations of the control scheme on phones, users are given enough time and freedom to react to the on-pitch movement of the players and make decisions accordingly for a satisfying experience. After all, nothing beats a quick game of football while commuting to work or school.
Ever since its inception in 2020,Genshin Impacthas taken the world by storm. This free-to-play open-world RPG has garnered a massive international player base who continue to be invested in the game today. The game has had both a strong online influence due to social media engagement, fanart, and memes, as well as a strong fan-driven cultural impact thanks to cosplay, competitions, and exhibitions around the world.
The vast and rich landscapes provide an excellent opportunity for players to discover and explore, unlike any other game on mobile devices.The game makes use of a gacha system for character and item acquisitionbut mixes it well with RPG elements, puzzles, team building, and world events. Moreover,Genshin Impactalso makes a quality of life change by saving progression across platforms, so players are afforded the flexibility to switch from mobile devices to consoles or PCs and vice versa. Lastly,Genshin Impacthas also been awarded the Game Award for Best Mobile Game in 2021, and it consistently got nominated in the years after as well, showcasing the strong community and developer support for the game.
