There’s no shortage of high-quality mobile games in 2024, and it can be difficult to sort through the sheer number of games available for download on your phone. That’s where we come in: over the years we’ve filled our phones with mobile games to find the best games across all genres. Looking for a hidden object game? A unique tower defense title? A turn-based RPG or classic side-scrolling runner?
Let’s take a look at the best mobile games you can download today. Most of these games are available on both Android and iOS devices. Many are free to download, with in-game purchases available to unlock more playtime or additional items. But others require an additional subscription service, such as Apple Arcade or Netflix.
Krispeestraat
Where to play: Available on iOS via Apple Arcade or Netflix
Easy said, Krispeestraat is a hidden object game; the crowded images hide many small details to look for, some of which tell little stories within the contained worlds. There’s so much to love about the silly, colorful art style and the characters that populate the world, which is based on a webcomic. (I had never heard of the webcomic before I started it Krispeestraatso don’t be put off by unfamiliarity.) Despite Krispeestraat Being visually chaotic with hundreds of things – characters and objects – found within its margins, I would describe the experience of playing the game as anything but.
If I want a mobile game that’s absolutely chill, I’ll stop Krispeestraat and go inspect. —Nicole Timmerman
Gubbins
Where to play: Available on Android and iOS
I saw someone to describe Gubbins as “Scrabble on acid,” and yes, that’s right. Studio Folly’s word game is a more relaxed version of Scrabble, but with nasty little creatures – the gubbins – that help or hurt the board. As in Scrabble, you start with a number of letters (as you use them, more letters are revealed, until you run out of letters) that you can place on your board to create words for points. You want to collect a lot of points by using your letters (and gubbins) creatively. For example, some modifiers automatically fill in letters or lock parts of the board. It’s one of those games that’s easy to play but harder to master, making it a mobile game I come back to often. Plus, the colors and music just rule. —NC
Honkai: Starrail
Where to play: Available on Android and iOS
Honkai: Star Rail is the reason I make sure my phone is properly charged before I go away for the day. Genshin impact creator Hoyoverse released this gacha game last spring, and I found it to be the perfect game to play on the go. This crazy sci-fi RPG has turn-based combat that feels great on my phone’s small screen. And I like that I can sync progress while I play on the PC and my iPad, so I can perform common tasks with ease.
Honkai: Starrail has charming characters and stunning graphics that look surprisingly good on my phone. It turns a long bus ride into the perfect opportunity to catch up on an event or finally complete a quest I’ve been putting off. —Ana Diaz
Pocket Card Jockey: Ride on!
Where to play: Available on iOS via Apple Arcade
Game Freak, best known for Pokémon, has a less iconic game that should be better known: Pocket card jockey. It was originally released on the Nintendo 3DS in Japan in 2013 and hit the English-language market in 2016. But the game has found new life on Apple Arcade with Pocket Card Jockey: Ride on! The premise is the same as the original, but with a 3D twist on the horse racing element. You see, Pocket Card Jockey: Ride on! is both a horse racing role-playing game and a collectible game where races include quick rounds of solitaire. It’s lovely – just look at these little horses. —NC
Two points
Where to play: Available on Android and iOS
Two points is a classic that stands the test of time. Although it was released in 2014, Two points continues to get updates and more levels, where you are tasked with achieving objectives by connecting colored dots. There are a surprising number of different ways these levels can be played, which means a lot of challenges. But Two points also has a hidden object mode, to add some more diversity to the gameplay. —NC
Laya’s horizon
Where to play: Available on Android and iOS via Netflix Games
Laya’s horizon fits an entire open world exploration game on your phone. The game was created by the developers of the viral hits Alto’s Adventure And Alto’s Odyssey, sending players on a fully 3D adventure where you explore by gliding through the air. What really makes this an easy recommendation for me is that it combines a simple but beautiful polygonal art style with a touch control scheme that really makes it feel good to fly. Add to that the fact that it’s just a fun, relaxing game to play and you have the recipe for a refined mobile game. -ADVERTISEMENT
Bad North: Jotunn Edition
Where to play: Available on Android and iOS
Tower Defense is a classic genre, but Bad North: Jotunn Edition gives it a roguelike, real-time strategy twist. That’s a lot of jargon to explain, but the premise is simple: Viking invaders are attacking your island, and you’re the one who has to lead the defense against the invaders while evacuating everyone else. Each quick round takes place on a procedurally generated island, meaning there’s a ton of variation between rounds. The aesthetic of the game looks quite simple, but behind that facade lies a deep strategy game. —NC
Sneaky Sasquatch
Where to play: Available on iOS via Apple Arcade
The general public Sneaky Sasquatch will probably be young, but there’s a reason why it’s such a widely loved and highly rated game on iOS. You play as a sasquatch who rummages through trash and campsites in search of food and useful items. The beginning of the game emphasizes stealth elements as you avoid the eyes of fearful campers, but there is so much more to this game. You can fish, play mini games, race cars, get a job, dress up and even decorate your house. RAC7 also continues to release regular updates with new content. Soon no one will be able to stop the sasquatch’s meteoric rise to mayor of the city. -ADVERTISEMENT
Pokémon Go
Where to play: Available on Android and iOS
You’ve heard of it Pokémon Go, but you may not have realized that it’s still going strong, with regular updates and loads of Pokémon to catch. If you are somehow not known, Pokémon Go is a mobile-only game developed by Niantic; you walk through your neighborhood – or further! – to find and catch Pokémon. In addition to that premise, there’s also a battle system to hold gyms and battle your friends. If you’re someone with the “I’ve got to catch ’em all” mentality, you can’t put it into words Pokémon Go down. —NC
Jetpack Joyride
Where to play: Available on Android and iOS, while Jetpack Joyride 2: Bullet Rush is available on iOS via Apple Arcade
Another classic mobile game, Jetpack Joyride is what it says on the tin: it’s an endless runner where you’re jetpacking instead of running, dodging obstacles in increasingly difficult levels. It was first released in 2011 by Halfbrick Studios, but it is still going strong with gameplay updates. Jetpack Joyride has a sequel, Jetpack Joyride 2: Bullet Rush, which is available on Apple Arcade, but the original is still worth keeping downloaded on your phone. —NC