Console-quality visuals, touchscreen controls, and games that respect your time.
Leo NakamuraGaming & Culture Editor
Winner
Genshin Impact
Overview
Mobile hardware now runs console-quality engines. We selected titles that offer deep gameplay, responsive touch or controller input, fair monetization, and stunning art direction.
Winner spotlight
№1Genshin Impact redefined what mobile devices can render. Delivering a vast, seamless open-world fantasy continent with cross-save progression between mobile, PC, and PlayStation, its orchestral soundtrack and elemental combat system remain mobile landmarks.
At a glance
| Pick | #1 Genshin Impact iOS / Android · Free | #2 Monument Valley 2 iOS / Android · $4.99 | #3 Marvel Snap iOS / Android · Free | #4 Honkai: Star Rail iOS / Android · Free | #5 Stardew Valley Mobile iOS / Android · $4.99 | #6 Call of Duty: Mobile iOS / Android · Free | #7 Slay the Spire Mobile iOS / Android · $9.99 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Score | 9.7 | 9.6 | 9.5 | 9.4 | 9.6 | 9.3 | 9.5 |
| Story | Masterpiece | Outstanding | Excellent | Great | Great | Good | Good |
| World design | Revolutionary | Brilliant | Excellent | Great | Good | Good | Good |
| Replay value | Endless | Very high | High | High | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Performance | Flawless | Excellent | Great | Good | Good | Good | Fair |
The list
Ordered by overall score across every test. The “best for” note tells you exactly who each pick is for.
1A massive open-world RPG rendered seamlessly on flagship phones.
Best overallWhy buy
Keep in mind
2Mind-bending Escher-style optical illusion architecture puzzles.
Artistic puzzlesWhy buy
Keep in mind
3Fast 3-minute card battles with bluffing mechanics and iconic art.
Quick card strategyWhy buy
Keep in mind
4Turn-based sci-fi RPG with gorgeous anime visuals and space opera lore.
Turn-based JRPGWhy buy
Keep in mind
5The complete peaceful farming life sim in the palm of your hand.
Relaxing life simWhy buy
Keep in mind
6Tight 60fps multiplayer gunplay featuring classic CoD maps.
Mobile FPSWhy buy
Keep in mind
7The premier roguelike deckbuilder translated perfectly to touchscreens.
Roguelike deckbuilderWhy buy
Keep in mind
Deep dive
| Feature | Genshin Impact | Monument Valley 2 | Marvel Snap | Honkai: Star Rail | Stardew Valley Mobile | Call of Duty: Mobile | Slay the Spire Mobile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open world | |||||||
| Co-op mode | |||||||
| Mod support | |||||||
| Accessibility options | |||||||
| Photo mode | |||||||
| Steam Deck verified | |||||||
| Cross-platform | |||||||
| New Game+ |
The verdict
Before you buy
Every game was completed — then replayed. We judge on craft, joy and the pull to boot it up again long after the credits roll, on both controller and keyboard.
A 10/10 for you might be a 6/10 for a friend. Use the 'Best for' notes to match games to your setup, your schedule and your tolerance for a 100-hour campaign.
The winner of our The 7 Best Mobile Games for iOS & Android ranking is the pick that scored highest across every test — but 'best overall' isn't always 'best for you'. Use the 'Best for' note under each of the seven to match a pick to your budget, your space and your habits. Every entry on this list earned its place; the ranking simply tells you where to start.
Questions
We complete every game's main story and spend at least 20 additional hours exploring side content. Replayability is scored on a second playthrough.
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