Mobile gaming has become a massive moneymaker within the last decade as more people are enjoying playing on their iPhone or Android devices. The technology on these phones has improved to the point that games that would seem to only work on PC or consoles can even be experienced on the small screen.
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Because of this, developers and publishers behind some of gaming’s biggest franchises have taken a deep dive into the mobile gaming scene. While some franchises didn’t pan out as well in this space, others flourished by providing a new and interesting approach for mobile gamers to enjoy.
10Fallout
The 2015 Bethesda E3 conference will forever be remembered for the surprise announcement ofFallout 4. But that wasn’t the only game in the series announced that day.Fallout Shelteris thefranchise’s first step into the mobile space. The simulation game revolves around players managing their own Vault in theFalloutuniverse. The player, known as the Overseer, must keep their dwellers happy by keeping their basic necessities in check while also directing them to work on farming resources that can be used to grow the Vault.
9Animal Crossing
During the wait between mainlineAnimal Crossinggames, Nintendo dipped its toes into multiple spin-offs for their adorable simulation video game series. Among them was a mobile game that continues to have an active audience today inAnimal Crossing: Pocket Camp. The game focuses on building a camp that villagers want to move into. To get a villager to move in, players need to have a certain set of items that the villager likes and must also help the villager with tasksthat involve collecting materials.
8FIFA
One of the longstanding sports franchises in the gaming industry isFIFA, with EA having developed many games for the series since the 1990s. It wasn’t until 2016 that the company decided to release a game for mobile, simply titledFIFA Mobile.
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The game works similarly to the rest of the mainline franchise games, with new iterations of the game coming out each year. The mobile app features a “VS Attack” mode which has players are in a turn-based situation where they will need to attempt to score and then defend counter-attacks.
7Call of Duty
When it comes to massive video game franchises, it’s hard to topCall of Duty. This was proven further when Activision decided to publish an entry for mobile. Not only did people enjoyCall of Duty Mobile, but it also became the fastest-selling mobile game ever with 270 million downloads and $480 million in revenue in only a year’s time. The game is still afirst-person shooterthat features a bevy of different modes that people can try out, from battle royale to deathmatch. There are also limited events that bring new experiences for players to participate in.
6Minecraft
Speaking of top-selling franchises,Minecrafthas spent the last decade expanding to all the major gaming platforms and even making it possible for people to play multiplayer using different devices. When it first came to mobile, it was a very abridged version of the game that played similarly to its Classic or Alpha days. Now, players on mobile can experience nearlythe same amount of contentthat those playing the Java version do. Considering how big this game is for a younger audience, it was imperative the game broke through on mobile and they did.
5Fire Emblem
Like withAnimal Crossing: Pocket Camp, Nintendo has had some exciting games come to mobile, many of which are extensions and spin-offs of properties they own. A game that they’ve received a few awards on isFire Emblem Heroes. The tactical role-playing game has the player control a team of fourheroeswho are taking on enemies on an eight-by-six grid. The game uses a definitive system that has taken the randomness out of combat, which lets players use strategies that can give them many opportunities to win.
4Dragon Quest
Developers of many popular franchises have taken the augmented reality route when thinking about concepts for mobile spin-offs. One game that seemed to nail the concept isDragon Quest Walk, a game that has brought in well over $600 million since its release in September of 2019.
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Players are tasked with walking to different locations around them to take on enemies that can help them unlock upgrades for their character and new items, as well as advance dialogue with other in-game characters. Multiple players can participate in battles at one time.
3Roblox
Another franchise based on its blocky look,Robloxis known for being a sandbox that people can jump in on andcreate funs gamesfor others to participate in. It only makes sense that it also made its way to mobile, with kids able to experience the fun on their smartphones. Similar toMinecraft, the mobile version ofRobloxprovides the same amount of content as its PC counterpart, albeit with a lesser resolution and a tendency for the battery life to take a massive hit.
2PUBG
Battle royale games have been on the rise over the last decade withFortnitebeing at the forefront. But while Epic Games deals with not having its game on mobile devices, for the time being,PlayerUnknown’s Battlegroundshavetaken its spotas the best mobile game under the battle royale genre.PUBG Mobileis not far off from its other counterparts, with tapping controls still allowing players to experience the game normally. It is the eighth highest-grossing mobile game of all time with $4.3 billion earned in three years.
1Pokemon
The mobile game that took the world by storm,Pokemon GObecame such a worldwide phenomenon upon its release in 2015 that it fits right in with the rest of thePokemonfranchise. Another augmented reality game,Pokemon Gohas players walk around looking for Pokemon that they can battle or catch for their own collection. When engaged with a Pokemon, players see them standing at their current location. There are over 600 different creatures in the game and the game still holds events for players to take part in.
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