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League of Legends for Your Phone: Best Battle Arena Games
The new League of Legends mobile game will be available in the U.S. this spring, so we got a jump start on seeing how it compares to other popular MOBA games.
Anton Mark
Writer
Our Pick
Best app for an authentic MOBA experience
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League of Legends: Wild Rift
Riot Games, Inc
Strategy Games
The skills-and-strats 5v5 MOBA experience of League of Legends
10M+ DownloadsFree In-App Purchases![Google Play]()
Free In-App Purchases![App Store]()
The graphics, controls, and gameplay are phenomenal. The way they’ve been able to put so much into one game is nothing short of incredible. If you’re a long time League of Legends fan, or you’re trying a MOBA for the first time, you’ll love League of Legends Wild Rift.
Why we chose League of Legends:
- Wild Rift is free to play, and while there are in-app purchases, champions receive ample free rewards to buy characters and cosmetics
- The graphics are visually stunning and allow you to play the game with clear and crisp precision
- The wide range of available characters makes the game more fun and enjoyable as you get to play with and unlock different champions
- Matches last about 15-20 minutes, which is the right amount of time to keep you engaged
This game is pretty intense, and you might struggle at first if you're new to it. But once you've got the hang of it and played a couple of runs, you’ll be collecting new heroes in no time.
Read League of Legends' Full Review
Runner Up
Best game for all-out action
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PUBG MOBILE - NEW MAP KARAKIN
Tencent Games
Action Games
New Karakin Map Exciting and vivid combat Spark the desire to stomp the grounds
100M+ DownloadsFree In-App Purchases![Google Play]()
Free In-App Purchases![App Store]()
This fast-paced shooting game is an alternative take on the battle royale genre, and on each run, you will face a challenge to survive as you and your teammates try to outlast the competition.
Why we chose PUBG Mobile:
- This is a free-to-play game that strongly believes in keeping the game fair by rewarding players based on their play, not how much they spend
- The game design gives you more freedom over how you play and what tactics you use
- Incredible HD graphics bring the game to life and immerses you in the game-play
- Daily events and challenges keep the game engaging and fun to play
The graphics in this game are fantastic, and the design is great. We especially love the option to customize your player and all your accessories, all the way down to the weapon skins.
This is a fun and addictive game that gives you full control over how you play and the tactics you use, which we love to see.
This is a fun and addictive game that gives you full control over how you play and the tactics you use, which we love to see.
Also Groovy
Best game for new gamers
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Free In-App Purchases
![Google Play]()
Free In-App Purchases![App Store]()
Brawl Stars is a fun and exciting battle royale game that pits teams of 3 against each other in a battle for gems. It has user-friendly controls and an easy-going design. Although it’s more suited to a new gamer, and especially to someone new to the MOBA genre, you’ll find yourself getting hooked pretty soon.
Why we chose Brawl Stars:
- Brawl Stars is a free-to-play game but there are in-app purchases for you to upgrade quicker
- A fun game that is easy to play with friends and family, giving you a unique gaming experience
- Smooth UI and gaming interface makes this game enjoyable to play
- There are 7 different game modes available to play in Brawl Stars
The graphics may not be as comprehensive as some of the other games we tested but Brawl Stars is a different kind of game. It’s not trying to appeal to the hardcore MOBA players, it just wants you to have fun as you play a game on your phone.
Read Brawl Stars's Full Review
Everything We Recommend
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Our PickDive into Wild Rift: the skills-and-strategy 5v5 MOBA experience of League of Legends by Riot Games, now built from the ground up for mobile. With smooth controls and fast-paced games, you can team up with friends, lock in your champion, and go for the big plays.
PLAY TO OUTPLAY
Master the Rift and earn your legend with dynamic champs and ever-changing strats. Each game is a chance to land the perfect skill shot, turn the tides in a crazy teamfight, or pull off that sweet, sweet pentakill.
COMPETE WITH FRIENDS
Teamwork makes the dream work in this mobile MOBA. Whether you’re a duo, trio, or full five-stack, you can queue up with your squad and climb the ladder one enemy Nexus at a time.
CHOOSE YOUR CHAMPION
Dunk on the competition with a giant sword, freeze enemies in their tracks with a cross-the-map ice arrow, or lure opponents to their doom with mesmerizing charm. Whatever you want your legend to be, there’s a champ for you.
FAIR AND FREE TO PLAY
Face off in matches balanced for skill level as well as party size. All champions can be earned for free in Wild Rift, and there’s no paying for playtime or power. Ever.
Follow for 200IQ gameplay clips, dev and feature updates, and a whole lot more:
Instagram: https://instagram.com/playwildrift
Facebook: https://facebook.com/playwildrift
Twitter: https://twitter.com/wildrift
Website: https://wildrift.leagueoflegends.com
Support: https://support-wildrift.riotgames.com/
Privacy Policy: http://leagueoflegends.com/legal/privacy
Terms of Service: https://na.leagueoflegends.com/en/legal/termsofuseCostFreeFreeIn-App Purchases$2.99 - $99.99 per item$4.99 - $99.99 per item -
Runner UpThe official PLAYERUNKNOWN'S BATTLEGROUNDS designed exclusively for mobile. Play free anywhere, anytime. PUBG MOBILE delivers the most intense free-to-play multiplayer action on mobile. Drop in, gear up, and compete. Survive epic 100-player classic battles, payload mode and fast-paced 4v4 team deathmatch and zombie modes. Survival is key and the last one standing wins. When duty calls, fire at will!
FREE ON MOBILE - Powered by the Unreal Engine 4. Play console quality gaming on the go. Delivers jaw-dropping HD graphics and 3D sound. Featuring customizable mobile controls, training modes, and voice chat. Experience the most smooth control and realistic ballistics, weapon behavior on mobile.
MASSIVE BATTLE MAPS - From Erangel to Miramar, Vikendi to Sanhok, compete on these enormous and detailed battlegrounds varying in size, terrain, day/night cycles and dynamic weather – from urban city spaces to frozen tundra, to dense jungles, master each battleground's secrets to create your own strategic approach to win.
DEPTH AND VARIETY – From the 100-player classic mode, the exhilarating payload mode to the lightning-fast Arcade and 4v4 Team Deathmatch modes, as well as the intense Zombie modes. There is something for everyone! There is something for everyone. Play Solo, Duo, and in 4-player Squads. Fire your weapon to your heart's content! Be a lone wolf soldier or play with a Clan and answer the duty calls when help is needed! Offers FPS (First-Person Shooter) and TPS (Third-Person Shooter) play, lots of vehicles for all the different terrains in the game and an arsenal of realistic weapons. Find your perfect ride and pieces to cruise towards the final circle!
ALWAYS GROWING - Daily events & challenges, and monthly updates delivering new gameplay features and modes that keep PUBG MOBILE always growing and expanding. Our powerful and serious anti-cheating mechanisms ensure a fair and balanced gaming environment where everyone plays by the rules.
* Requires a stable internet connection.
* PUBG MOBILE recommended system requirements: Android 5.1.1 or above and at least 2 GB memory. For other devices can try out PUBG MOBILE LITE
Follow us:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PUBGMOBILE
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PUBGMobile
Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/PUBGMobile/
Discord：https://discord.gg/pubgm
Contact our customer service at PUBGMOBILE_CS@tencentgames.com if you have any questions.CostFreeFreeIn-App Purchases$0.99 - $199.99 per item$0.99 - $99.99 per item -
Also GroovyFast-paced 3v3 multiplayer and battle royale made for mobile! Play with friends or solo across a variety of game modes in under three minutes.
Unlock and upgrade dozens of Brawlers with powerful Super abilities, Star Powers and Gadgets! Collect unique skins to stand out and show off. Battle in a variety of mysterious locations within the Brawliverse!
BATTLE IN MULTIPLE GAME MODES
- Gem Grab (3v3): Team up and out-strategize the opposing team. Collect and hold 10 gems to win, but get fragged and lose your gems.
- Showdown (Solo/Duo): A battle royale style fight for survival. Collect power ups for your Brawler. Grab a friend or play solo - be the last Brawler standing in the rowdiest battle royale yet. Winner take all!
- Brawl Ball (3v3): It's a whole new Brawl game! Show off your soccer/football skills and score two goals before the other team. There are no red cards here.
- Bounty (3v3): Take out opponents to earn stars, but don’t let them pick you off. The squad with the most stars wins the match!
- Heist (3v3): Protect your team’s safe and try to crack open your opponents’. Navigate the map to sneak, blast and blow your way clear to the enemies treasure.
- Special Events: Limited time special PvE and PvP game modes.
- Championship Challenge: Join Brawl Stars' esports scene with in-game qualifiers!
UNLOCK AND UPGRADE BRAWLERS
Collect and upgrade a variety of Brawlers with powerful Super abilities, Star Powers and Gadgets! Level them up and collect unique skins.
BRAWL PASS
Complete quests, open Brawl Boxes, earn Gems, pins and an exclusive Brawl Pass skin! Fresh content every season.
BECOME THE STAR PLAYER
Climb the local and regional leaderboards to prove you’re the greatest Brawler of them all!
CONSTANTLY EVOLVING
Look out for new Brawlers, skins, maps, special events and games modes in the future.
PLEASE NOTE! Brawl Stars is free to download and play, however, some game items can also be purchased for real money. If you don't want to use this feature, please disable in-app purchases in your device's settings. Also, under our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, you must be at least 9 years of age to play or download Brawl Stars.
Features:
- Team up for real-time 3v3 battles against players from across the world
- A fast-paced multiplayer battle royale mode made for mobile
- Unlock and collect new, powerful Brawlers - each with a signature attack and Super ability
- New events and game modes daily
- Battle solo or with friends
- Climb to the top of the leaderboards in global and local rankings
- Join or start your own Club with fellow players to share tips and battle together
- Customize Brawlers with unlockable skins
- Player-designed maps offer challenging new terrain to master
From the makers of Clash of Clans, Clash Royale and Boom Beach!
Support:
Contact us in-game via Settings > Help and Support — or visit http://help.supercellsupport.com/brawl-stars/en/index.html
Privacy Policy:
http://supercell.com/en/privacy-policy/
Terms of Service:
http://supercell.com/en/terms-of-service/
Parent’s Guide:
http://supercell.com/en/parents/
???:
https://www.youtube.com/wkbrlCostFreeFreeIn-App Purchases$0.99 - $99.99 per item$1.99 - $19.99 per item
The 411 from our Appventurer
How we tested?
We began by searching for the highest-rated and most popular MOBA games on the market and once we found the top 10, we tested each one.
We played for 10 days and spent approximately an hour a day testing them out.
As we tested each one, we took notes of how easy it was to play the game and how responsive the controls were. We wanted to know how easy it was to move characters and start enjoying the game as quickly as possible.
The game design was another area of interest. Many of these games are great for PC so we wanted to see how they matched up on mobile. We were looking to see if the games could be played by anyone or if you’d need to be a ‘serious gamer’ to even attempt playing one of these games.
After playing each game, we scored them against each other to see what games performed better and which games struggled. For example, some of the games were difficult to play, whereas others were very straightforward and easy to start.
Finally, we assessed how easy it was to play with friends or strangers. The social aspect is very important for many of these games so it was important to see if that was still possible, even on mobile.
By testing the games in this way, we were able to fully assess the performance of each game and get a better feel for how they performed.
Why get the app?
While you can get many of these games on PC, we feel that the mobile version gives you a whole new way to enjoy your favorite titles. They’re perfect if you want to play on the go, at work, or out with friends. With the advanced graphics on many smartphones now, you won’t experience any drop in overall quality.
One thing that regular MOBA game players have also noted is that many of the mobile games haven’t tried to simply move the PC versions over to mobile. Instead, they’ve developed the games in their own right, meaning there will be differences in gameplay that are unique to the mobile version, which is just another reason why you should download.
One thing that regular MOBA game players have also noted is that many of the mobile games haven’t tried to simply move the PC versions over to mobile. Instead, they’ve developed the games in their own right, meaning there will be differences in gameplay that are unique to the mobile version, which is just another reason why you should download.
More About League of Legends: Our Pick
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League of Legends: Wild Rift
Riot Games, Inc
Strategy Games
The skills-and-strats 5v5 MOBA experience of League of Legends
10M+ DownloadsFree In-App Purchases![Google Play]()
Free In-App Purchases![App Store]()
As you load up League of Legends Wild Rift, you’re immediately greeted by high-quality graphics and characters. This creates a positive first impression that pushes you to explore further.
Naturally, it's not all about the eye candy. The game design, combined with the level of detail you see on the characters is incredible, and everything looks and feels amazing.
As you move around the screen, the quality remains, and you can look forward to enjoying a clear and crisp gaming experience throughout, combined with an intuitive control system.
You can move your character, attack, and use the other features pretty comfortably, which is great if you’re a new gamer or want to enjoy a more straightforward game.
As you’d expect from a League of Legends game, the user interface is great and easy to navigate. The whole app experience is very user-friendly and simple to use. We didn’t have any difficulty navigating the game or checking quests between matches.
Once you play the game, it becomes crystal clear why League of Legends is so popular. LoL passes with flying colors where the competition fails or just doesn't do it as well. From the visually creative playable characters to the difficulty you experience in the game.
Some other games are easier, some are more limited, and others have poorly designed characters.
Simply put, when you play League of Legends: Wild Rift, you get the full MOBA experience, as it should be.
Snags but not drags:
For our first time playing the game, it was a little overwhelming, and while we eventually got the hang of it, it’s easy to see how some people could panic and think they’re getting it wrong.
The tutorial is great as it shows you how to play, fight and use your attacks, but once the actual game starts and you’re fighting real players, that all changes pretty quickly.
It’s a pretty intense experience, one that does challenge you. However, that’s what a MOBA game should be, which helps you get better.
We quickly found our feet and figured things out, and it feels great when you do that. Nevertheless, having an easier transition into the full game may be considered.
More About PUBG Mobile: Runner Up
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PUBG MOBILE - NEW MAP KARAKIN
Tencent Games
Action Games
New Karakin Map Exciting and vivid combat Spark the desire to stomp the grounds
100M+ DownloadsFree In-App Purchases![Google Play]()
Free In-App Purchases![App Store]()
PUBG is the first game we tested that didn’t follow the fantasy element that other games did. Instead, it was more similar to Call of Duty, in that we were dropped into a warzone and had to survive.
The game is straightforward, and it doesn’t take long to get the hang of the controls. You have full control over your character, whether you want to make them throw a punch or fire a machine gun.
Once you start a mission, you immediately join a team. This is great, but it's much better when playing with friends than strangers.
In some matches, our teammates must have been new, as they didn’t seem to know what was going on and would often attack their own team.
Same as with other games on the list, it takes a few attempts to truly get the hang of what to do and how to do it. That can make it more frustrating when you start a new game, and your teammates attack you because they can't differentiate a friend from a foe.
The graphics and design of the game are fantastic. Everything, from the lines of the character's face to the grass, is crisp, making the open-world even more engaging.
The game gives you the freedom to explore as you see fit, but by restricting the ‘gameplay area’ every so often, it keeps you focused and on your toes.
All in all, PUBG is a great game and one we thoroughly enjoyed testing.
More About Brawl Stars: Also Groovy
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Free In-App Purchases
![Google Play]()
Free In-App Purchases![App Store]()
Brawl Stars is a super fun and engaging game that surprised us. The game looked quite immature, especially after so many hours of testing the grittier games like Wild Rift or PUBG Mobile. But right after the first match, we realized Brawl Stars is much more than cartoony characters. Moreover, the less-is-more approach was a nice change of pace.
As mentioned, the graphics are the first thing you notice when you load up Brawl Stars. Brawl Stars sports a more cartoon-like look, unlike most other games. However, it shouldn’t put you off.
Under the cartoony look, hides a great level of detail. The gameplay is simple and easy to pick up, yet it provides more challenges with each new match.
Everything, from the opening credits to the actual gameplay, is extremely smooth and crisp.
We had no problems whatsoever with navigating the characters, shooting our weapon.
But the key factor is the length of a single match. Unlike 20-minute matches, a single Brawl Stars match lasts 3 minutes tops. In other words, you don't have to organize your time to play - a huge factor for many people who are new to the MOBA world.
If you’ve never played before, it's better to have a slower intro into the MOBA world. Brawl Stars offers exactly that.
One final thing to mention is how easy it is to play Brawl Stars with others. When you start a game, you’re immediately put into a team, same as other games. But we didn't find the same level of interaction that we found in other games.
Other Apps Considered
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Mobile Legends: Bang Bang
Moonton
Action Games
Play 5v5 MOBA game on mobile with worldwide players. 515 Eparty starts soon!
100M+ Downloads
Mobile Legends: Bang Bang is very similar to League of Legends: Wild Rift. We have no problem, but with almost everything Mobile Legends does, League of Legends does it better. The game play is fantastic, as are the graphics and characters, but it just falls short. However, it can be a good option for anyone that is new to MOBA games, as Mobile Legends feels less intense than Wild Rift.
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Onmyoji Arena
NetEase Games
Strategy Games
Onmyoji Arena is a mobile game where players duke it out 5v5.
5M+ DownloadsFree In-App Purchases![Google Play]()
Free In-App Purchases![App Store]()
We love the graphics, the story, and the characters available in this game and we were very impressed with how good the game feels overall. But at times, the game can be a little slow to load up. On some occasions, we had to wait as long as 5 or 8 minutes for other players before entering a match.
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Arena of Valor: 5v5 Arena Game
Tencent Games
Action Games
A True 5v5 MOBA Anytime Anywhere.
10M+ DownloadsFree In-App Purchases![Google Play]()
Free In-App Purchases![App Store]()
This is a really fun game to play. The graphics are good and the game-play is straightforward. However, it is a little too easy to play and while that might sound fun, it didn’t take long to get bored of it, which means over time, we'd just stop playing.
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Free In-App Purchases
![Google Play]()
Free![App Store]()
We love the graphics, game-play and overall gaming experience. However, we had issues with logging on and loading it up. One of the key things about mobile gaming is the ability to play on the go. That doesn’t work if you have to spend most of your time waiting for the game to start.
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Heroes Arena
uCool
Action Games
Lag Free Global 5v5 mobile game. Fast, Fair and Fun! Fight for Glory!
10M+ DownloadsFree In-App Purchases![Google Play]()
This game is fun to play but we did find the controls quite difficult to use. At times we couldn’t move our hero, which makes it frustrating when you can't join the action with the rest of your team. It goes without saying, the result of the mentioned glitches, is defeat. And nobody likes defeat.
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Heroes of Order & Chaos
Gameloft SE
Strategy Games
Team up to fight in the first Multiplayer Online Battle Arena for mobile devices
10M+ DownloadsFree In-App Purchases![Google Play]()
Free In-App Purchases![App Store]()
This is a good game that’s easy to play and one you’re sure to enjoy. It has decent graphics and a good range of heroes for you to play with but at times the game is a little slow to load. Overall, we enjoyed it but it is too similar to other games that we tested and that feel like better options.
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About the Appventurer
Anton Mark
WriterAs a freelancer, I use all types of different apps so that I can manage my time and remain organized with ease. I’m always on the go so I love anything that can help me to stay on top of my tasks but for fun, I love playing games or watching movies.
I’m a huge sports fan so I’ll usually be checking the latest scores or following up on my teams and I also like to expand my mind with audiobooks and podcasts. Using apps allows me to get through so much more in a typical day that I simply wouldn’t be able to cover otherwise and I love it.
Being able to write about apps is pretty great as I get to research the best apps out there and find the hidden gems that people may not know about then share that information to help others discover their new favorite apps.
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Introduction
How do you find an authentic MOBA gaming experience for your mobile phone? All 10 apps we tested are free to download with in-app purchases, so we set out to see not only which was best to play but also which was most cost-effective. The competition was tough, but we selected League of Legends Wild Rift as our top pick, especially since the game is the most budget-friendly. Continue reading to find out why LoL was crowned and which games came 2nd and 3rd on our list.