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Mobile games get a bad rap. Head over to the App Store or Google Play Store, and you’ll find thousands of questionable titles that simply aren’t worth your time. However, buried beneath this mountain of mediocrity are a handful of incredible experiences. Need help zeroing in on the best mobile games? Here’s a look at how I find all the best mobile games available on iOS and Android.
1Subscribing to Apple Arcade or Google Play Pass
Signing up for Apple Arcade or Google Play Pass is one of the easiest ways to narrow down your options. These services are built around aggregating the best games on the platform, and almost anything in their catalogs is bound to be a hit.
Of course, neither service is perfect, so be sure to check out our guide onhow to navigate Apple Arcadeor learn of the biggest drawbacks of Google Play Pass.
I personally enjoy Apple Arcade and I find that skimming through its New Game section is the easiest way to find gems like Vampire Survivors and Dicey Dungeons.
2Downloading an Emulator
Emulators are readily available on Android, and now that Delta is on iOS, everyone can dive back into their favorite retro games. Emulators don’t immediately give you games to play, but they allow you to run any ROMs you’ve installed on your smartphone. As far as finding good games to use with your emulator, just think back to your favorite childhood games.
Many people loverunning Pokémon games on their smartphones, but you’ll also be able to play Zelda, Metroid, Sonic, and more. Be sure to check out all emulators available on your device, as they all offer unique features that cater to different types of players, though Delta is certainly a great place to start.
3Checking the Editor’s Choice Section
Both the App Store and Google Play Store have a section dedicated to the hottest games of the day. Depending on your platform, this section might go by “Editor’s Choice” or “What We’re Playing Now.”
Regardless of its name, this curated section is the perfect spot to seek out the best new mobile games. Not all of these are winners (and some are old releases that are still popular), but it’s where you’ll find hits like PUBG Mobile, Zenless Zone Zero, and Diablo Immortal.
While you’re checking out these picks, consider looking at the “Based On Your Last Downloads” section of the App Store or Google Play Store. This section pulls recommendations based on your download history. It’s not perfect, but it’s how I discovered the fantastic Coffee Golf. If you don’t find anything that catches your eye, be sure to check back often as it’s frequently updated.
4Taking Notice of Paid Games
A big appeal of mobile gaming is the number of free titles, as you’re able to sink hundreds of hours into games without ever dropping a dime. Because of this, paid games might not seem as enticing — but it’s worth a few minutes of your time to skim through the offerings and see what’s up for grabs.
Games like Minecraft, Plague Inc, and Kingdom Rush 5 are some of the most popular paid games, and they’re easy recommendations for almost everyone. Best of all, these titles typically don’t use questionable microtransactions or force you to watch ads before continuing your play session.
Paid games often feel more like their PC and console counterparts, and oftentimes they’re developed and published by the same companies. Picking up a few paid games that catch your eye is a nice alternative to subscribing to Apple Arcade or Google Play Pass, which are predominately composed of paid games. So if you’d rather not have a monthly fee looming over your head, paying for a handful of your favorites is a way to go.
5Frequenting Certain Subreddits
They say it takes a village to raise a child, and sometimes that’s also true about finding good mobile games. Instead of relying on just yourself to sift through the mobile marketplace, head over to Reddit and check out these subreddits:
Not only can you browse other people’s selections, but you can make your own post asking for help finding a specific type of game. For example, a recent post recommended Papers, Please and Dead Cells as the best games on iOS. Another user was looking for good multiplayer games and was pointed in the direction of the Plato app.
The best part about using Reddit is that there’s a constant flow of new posts and recommendations. I find myself scrolling through each subreddit multiple times a day to see if anything new and noteworthy has been found.
6Checking Metacritic Scores for Mobile Games
Metacritic is an incredible place to find the best movies, TV shows, and video games. What makes it great for hunting down mobile games is its search feature. After opening the main menu, you can simply click on “Explore Games” to filter through all your options. Using this you can narrow down your options tojust mobile games.
Not only that, but you may play around with all the different filters to find the best games for your needs. For example, you can choose to only search for games released during a certain year or in a certain genre. There’s also an option to check out upcoming releases — giving you something to look forward to for the rest of the year.
The main drawback to Metacritic is that its mobile catalog is a bit smaller than its other platforms. You’ll only find around 50 mobile games on Metacritic that were released between 2019 and 2024, but that number swells to over 1,300 if you move it all the way back to 2010. This makes it a great way to find iconic titles from years past, such as Crashlands or Bastion.
Using these methods, you shouldn’t have a problem filling your phone with great mobile games. Whether you’re subscribing to Apple Arcade, downloading an emulator to play retro hits, or browsing the Editor’s Choice section for the best new releases, there are plenty of ways to stay entertained with high-quality titles. Don’t be afraid to dip your toes into genres or franchises you wouldn’t usually play, as you never know where you’ll find your next favorite mobile game.
