Games to Watch: Upcoming Mobile Games This Year

Forget what you thought you knew about mobile gaming. These days, the world has evolved, and the line between your pocket and your PC has all but vanished. 

The conversation is no longer about “good for a mobile game,” but simply “a great game”, and the best mobile games due for release this year are just that, featuring open-world adventures, accurate multiplayer shooters, and narrative journeys that stay with you long after the screen goes dark. 

But, with so many to choose from, which are best? Our guest contributor, Barry, breaks it down.

The king of tactical shooters is finally about to make its grand entrance onto the mobile stage.

Valorant Mobile is a masterclass in translation, bringing the intense, high-stakes 5v5 gunplay of its PC and console counterpart to your fingertips. 

The gunplay is sharp, the unique abilities of each agent are perfectly mapped to touch controls, and the strategy of each game is there, just like the desktop and console versions. 

For years, RPG fans have craved a truly deep, unapologetically complex action RPG on mobile. In 2026, Path of Exile Mobile delivers just that.

This isn’t a watered-down port, either; it’s the full game, featuring a sprawling dark fantasy world filled with endless loot, a famously complex skill tree, and a PVE experience that rivals any desktop dungeon crawler. 

Supercell’s multiplayer phenomenon continues to dominate in 2026.

Brawl Stars is the ultimate pick-up-and-play experience, offering fast-paced 3v3 battles and a roster of quirky, colorful Brawlers with unique abilities.

And it’s popular, too, with the game’s constant stream of new characters, game modes, and seasonal events keeping millions of players coming back daily. 

Lara Croft’s iconic adventures arrive on Android with the polish and scale of a full console release.

You’ll be able to explore vast, treacherous environments, solve ancient puzzles, and engage in thrilling third-person combat. 

The notoriously brutal and rewarding survival experience comes to Android, and it’s every bit as intense as you’d hope.

Rust Mobile drops you into a hostile world with nothing but a rock and a torch. From there, it’s a constant battle for survival against the elements, wildlife, and, most dangerously, other players.

The beloved MMORPG franchise returns with its most ambitious entry yet.

Ragnarok Online 3 offers a massive, colorful fantasy world to explore with friends. The game builds on the classic MMO formula with big quests, challenging dungeon runs, and fun fights that encourage social interaction. 

Epic Games’ cultural juggernaut needs no introduction.

Fortnite remains the gold standard for battle royale on mobile, delivering the complete experience with cross-platform play, regular content updates, and iconic collaborations.

The mobile version runs smoother than ever, with refined touch controls that make building and shooting feel natural, and seamless account syncing means your Fortnite account carries over across all platforms. 

Ubisoft brings its revered brand of tactical, team-based combat to Android.

Rainbow Six Mobile focuses on close-quarters PvP fights where strategy and environmental destruction are key. 

You’ll breach walls, set traps, and use your operator’s unique abilities to outsmart the opposition in this chaotic, competitive shooter.

The galaxy’s favorite Lombax and his robotic sidekick bring their signature brand of chaotic action and humor to mobile. 

Ranger Rumble is an action game that captures the spirit of the PlayStation series, featuring outlandish weapons, colorful worlds, and fast-paced combat.

The poker-themed roguelike deckbuilder that took the indie world by storm has made the jump to mobile.

Balatro asks you to build powerful poker hands using a growing collection of Joker cards, each bending the rules in wild ways. It’s simple to pick up but tricky to master, with every run feeling fresh thanks to the sheer variety of card strategies.

It's also entirely free, after the initial purchase, no cash needed. A far cry from the real-money poker world (if you've read the latest on Cardplayer, or any other site, you'll know what we mean). 

Even with a slate of incredible new mobile games, some titans from previous years continue to hold their ground. 

Titles like Genshin Impact and Honkai: Star Rail remain at the pinnacle of the open-world RPG space, supported by constant content updates and massive, dedicated communities. 

Elsewhere, the beautifully crafted puzzle game Monument Valley 3: The Garden of Life offers a serene and intellectually stimulating experience, while deckbuilding roguelites like Slay the Spire 2 continue to captivate strategy enthusiasts everywhere.