Whether it’s on Android or iOS, smartphone users can sample a massive selection of applications that can have a positive impact on their daily lives. For example, returning home from work to find limited food in the fridge is less of a pain these days, thanks to the emergence of apps like Uber Eats. Likewise, finding love is easier than ever before due to apps like Tinder, while shopping can be accomplished with ease after a few taps on Amazon.
Apps come in a variety of shapes and sizes, though. For many, while some of the aforementioned apps appeal, gaming is a preference. Through a smartphone device, gaming has certainly elevated its overall package. In the past, titles like Snake were the most enticing products that occupied the mobile gaming genre. Nowadays, though, gamers can sample an array of sophisticated titles on the move. Mobile gaming is fun, it’s convenient, and it doesn’t cost a great deal of money to enjoy.
Although users can also play popular browser games like Townscaper and explore a wide range of slots on mobile, such as Cash Eruption, it’s the downloadable products that tend to rise to the top. Coming in the form of apps, these downloadable favorites take seconds to obtain and can be enjoyed as and when it suits a gamer. From challenging puzzles to all-action shooters, let’s salute three of the most-played mobile games ever. After all, without them, the mobile category of gaming would be far weaker.
Call of Duty: Mobile took the world by storm in 2019
As innovation continually improves mobile gaming’s offering, products like Call of Duty: Mobile have become more readily available. A classic release that was adored on other prominent gaming platforms, it made a smooth transition over to mobile in 2019. Launched as a free-to-play title, in its first month, the game managed to pull in 88 million downloads. Fast forward to 2023, and it was still going strong, with the game’s makers bringing in $32.68 million from in-app purchases alone. In fact, overall, at the time of writing, the game has made over $1.27 billion. Considering there were doubts within the community as to whether or not Call of Duty: Mobile would work on a miniature handheld device, the game’s achievements are remarkable.
Among Us was a global hit
Among Us has recorded notable success in tasking players to rumble the killer in the pack. With teamwork and deception at the game’s forefront, this engaging product received glowing reviews and was heavily featured on platforms like YouTube. Played by friends and family members, in 2020, the game had a staggering 60 million daily players. Additionally, it also had 500 million monthly active users, making it one of the biggest mobile games ever.
Niantic’s Pokemon Go changed the game 
(Image via https://twitter.com/PokemonGoApp)
If there's a release that transforms the mobile gaming category and highlights what the future might hold, then it’s most definitely Pokemon Go. Niantic’s augmented reality masterpiece hogged the limelight when it was initially released in July 2016, with gaming audiences struggling to contain their excitement as they traversed an outdoor environment in search of Pokemon to catch and evolve and gyms to take down. A title that changed the way mobile games could be played, it forced gamers to swap the sofa for some outdoor adventures. At the time of writing, the game has generated a massive $5 billion in consumer spending, with diehard players of the game attending major events and making a variety of in-app purchases. A truly immersive gaming package, Pokemon Go has set the standard when it comes to augmented reality titles, that's for sure.