In recent years, mobile gaming has witnessed a huge growth, revolutionising how people engage with video games worldwide. With the introduction of smartphones and tablets, the mobile gaming landscape has become more diverse, immersive, and much more exciting than ever before. From the most popular mobile games on Play Store to iOS mobile games, the mobile gaming industry is advancing rapidly. According to a report by Statista, more than 300 billion mobile apps and games were downloaded in 2023, which is expected to increase by 20% in 2024. There was a time used to play mobile games just for timepass but today, mobile gaming is a good source of employment for many people worldwide.
In today’s article, we will discuss some of the most popular mobile games ever. The list is compiled based on the number of Play Store and App Store downloads. So, the first game in our list of most popular phone games of all time is:
1. Subway Surfers
Total Downloads: Over 4 billion till 2023
Subway Surfers, developed by Kiloo and SYBO Games, is a running game where players take on the role of young graffiti trying to escape from the inspector and his dog while running the subway tracks. It is one of the most popular mobile games you will see on almost everyone’s smartphone. Its simple yet addictive gameplay interface, vibrant graphics, and continuous updates have helped it maintain its position as one of the most downloaded mobile games of all time.
2. Angry Birds
Total Downloads: Over 3 billion
If you are a mobile game lover, Angry Birds needs to be on your home screen display. Developed by Rovio Entertainment, it is a puzzle game that became popular overnight following its release in 2009. In the game, players hold birds into structures and throw them to destroy and defeat the evil pigs within. Nevertheless, its innovative characters, addictive gameplay, and clever design have helped it gain millions of downloads across various platforms, making it one of the most popular mobile games ever.
3. Candy Crush Saga
Total Downloads: Over 2.7 billion till 2023
Candy Crush Saga is a match-three puzzle game that took mobile gaming by storm when it was released in 2012. With its colourful candies, hundreds of levels, and super addictive gameplay, it quickly became a people’s favourite game, attracting millions of players worldwide. When discussing the most popular mobile games of all time, the list is incomplete without mentioning the fever of Candy Crush Saga. You can download the game on Android and Candy Crush Saga on App Store.
4. Temple Run
Total Downloads: Over 1.5 billion till 2023
Temple Run is one of the most popular Android games developed by Imangi StudiOS. The Runner game has attracted mobile gamers with its thrilling gameplay and Indiana Jones-inspired theme. In the game, the players have to run through temple ruins while being chased by demonic monkeys, collecting coins on the way. Among all the most popular mobile games, Temple Run has solidified its position by releasing several other versions of the game. Some of them are Temple Run 2 and Temple Run Oz.
5. PUBG Mobile
Total Downloads: Over 1.3 billion till 2023
Our all-time favourite Pubg Mobile (PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds) is the hugely popular battle royale game launched in 2018. Developed by Tencent Games, the game offers a large-scale multiplayer experience where players fight to become the last one standing on a deserted island. One of the most popular mobile games, PUBG, is very addictive because it lets you play online with multiple players in squads while talking to them in real-time.
In India, it was among the most popular phone games till it was banned in September 2020. However, Krafton launched its separate version for India in July 2021 and named it BGMI (Battlegrounds Mobile India)
6. Hill Climb Racing
Total Downloads: Over 1 billion
Hill Climb Racing, developed by Fingersoft, is one of the most popular Android games where players control vehicles over various hilly terrains. It is more like a mobile video game where you need to pass your vehicle through various obstacles while keeping control of the vehicle. The game was released in 2012, and since then, it has gained millions of downloads across Play Store and App Store. Moreover, its success led to the development of its sequel version, High Climb Racing 2, in 2016.
7. Fruit Ninja
Total Downloads: Over 1 billion
Fruit Ninja, created by Halfbrick StudiOS, is a fruit-slicing game where players use their fingers to swipe across the screen and slice incoming fruit while avoiding bombs. It is one of the most satisfying mobile games, especially for kids who love swiping all around. With intuitive controls and vibrant visuals, the game has gained a lot of appreciation among mobile game enthusiasts. It was released in 2010, and since then, it has introduced various modes and challenges to keep the audience engaged. Certainly, it is one of the best phone games you can download from the Play Store or App Store.
8. Clash of Clans
Total Downloads: Over 500 million till 2023
Clash of Clans, created by Supercell, is an arcade game where players build and defend their empires while destroying others for resources. With its addictive gameplay interface, social features, and frequent updates, it has remained one of the most popular mobile games since its release in 2012. Moreover, with the success of Clash of Clans, developers released two more versions, Clash Royale and Clash Quest.
9. Among Us
Total Downloads: Over 500 million till 2023
Among Us, developed by InnerSloth, is a multiplayer party game that became popular in 2020. In the game, players work together to complete tasks on a spaceship while beating impostors among them. It’s simple yet engaging gameplay with customizable avatars and innovatively designed spaceships to make it look more realistic. However, gamers mostly play it on PCs, but its continuous mobile updates will be among the most popular mobile games in the coming years. It is an interactive game you can enjoy playing with family and Friends.
10. Fortnite
Total Downloads: Over 350 million till 2023
Fortnite, created by Epic Games, needs no introduction as it is very similar to PUBG Mobile. This battle royale multiplayer was released in 2017, and it became an overnight hit with more than 1 million downloads on Playstore within the first week. One of the most popular phone games, it offers its unique interface and colourful visuals with HDR resolution capabilities. However, its mobile version may not have reached the same level of success as its PC counterparts; it still has millions of downloads and a dedicated player base worldwide.
These were some of the most popular mobile games of all time.
Which among the above-mentioned games do you like the most? Do let us know your views in the comments section.