All forms of smartphone gaming and gambling have exploded in popularity over the last few years. Playing on mobile devices has now become one of the biggest entertainment industries in the world.
The growth of mobile gaming began in the 2010s with titles like Angry Birds, Candy Crush Saga and Pokemon GO becoming worldwide phenomena. This craze expanded into a wide variety of genres, including puzzles, role-playing fantasies, and online casino gaming. At the same time, advances in smartphone technology allowed the development of more graphically impressive and immersive games.
Casino and betting apps have allowed many traditional games of chance to jump into the mobile realm. They allow smartphone users to place bets, play casino games, and participate in sports betting. The concept of in-app purchases has proved profitable for operators and has funded the development of more games across all genres. Meanwhile, the rise of mobile esports, with games like PUBG Mobile and Fortnite has attracted large followings and allowed esports tournaments to offer substantial prize pools.
The most popular mobile game genres
Mobile gaming offers a wide range of games to cater to many different player preferences. Here are some of the most popular currently:
Puzzle Games
Mobile players have flocked to games like Candy Crush Saga or Tetris. They involve a simple format of players matching items or moving shapes.
Puzzle games that challenge logic and problem-solving skills, such as Sudoku and 2048 are also very popular among mobile players.
Casino games
One of the biggest mobile gaming categories is the vast array of games of chance available on smartphones and tablets. Players can enjoy endless options from mobile slots and roulette to blackjack.
With such an abundance of variety, players look for convenience and versatility when selecting mobile casinos. For those seeking top recommendations, resources exist that rank and list casinos by expert compatibility assessments.
By referring to the listings of the best Apple Pay casinos, players can easily find top-rated casinos known for large gaming libraries and seamless usage.
Even with countless games to choose from, players can focus on the highest-rated casinos recognized for their breadth of high-quality mobile games.
Casual Games
Everyone likes to relax with undemanding timeless games, like Temple Run where players navigate an endless running course. Time management and simulation games fall into this category too, with examples like Diner Dash and ‘The Sims Mobile’ offering playful versions of real-life scenarios.
Strategy Games
Whether it’s building defences against advancing enemies (Plants vs. Zombies) or real-time strategy games (Clash of Clans), there has been a boom in mobile games that allow players to use their brains a bit more.
It turns out we like building, managing, and battling with armies or taking turns to make vital strategic decisions (Civilization VI).
Role-Playing Games
Many like to step further into a fantasy role. This has widened the popularity of action games like Genshin Impact which combine combat with RPG elements or turn-based RPGs like Final Fantasy for fighting and character progressions.
Adventure Games
It’s not all about winning. Many players like the feel of an adventure on their mobile.
There has been a big rise in point-and-click adventures, like The Room, that involve solving puzzles and uncovering mysteries, or Choices, where players make decisions that affect the storyline.
Sports and Racing Games
At the same time, there has been a jump in the number and popularity of sports games. These include the simulations of a game itself, like FIFA. And there are now many mobile versions of arcade sports games, like the fast-paced Asphalt racing game.
Multiplayer Games
Technology has allowed a boom in multiplayer mobile gaming too. This includes battle games like PUBG Mobile and Fortnite where players compete in a last-person-standing format. Increasingly though there are team-multiplayer games like Mobile Legends and social games like Among Us, where players interact to cooperate or deceive each other.
Card and Board Games
Mobile screens have taken over from table tops as the venue of choice for many traditional-style games. This ranges from video games like Hearthstone where players collect and battle with virtual cards to digital adaptations of classic board games like chess.
Simulation Games
Whether a player is pretending to be a farmer in Hay Day or making vital life-changing decisions in BitLife, many mobile users like to access games that simulate real-life situations.
Horror and Survival Games
Just as there are fans of horror movies, there are plenty of players who love to immerse in horrific games on their mobiles too. Popular games that provide a suspenseful experience include Five Nights at Freddy’s.
Educational Games
Mobile players aren’t just blowing up zombies and building civilizations. Many have positive goals in their gaming. This has led to a rise in games designed for learning purposes, and these can cover topics like maths, science, or languages.
The gaming industry is dynamic, and mobile trends are evolving rapidly. Market movements, technological advancements, and shifts in player behaviour will shape the future of mobile gaming.
One thing is for sure though – more and more fun is likely to become available on a device that fits in your pocket.
