Multiplayer Online Battle Arena or MOBA is a hugely popular genre. Its origin hearkens back to the old Frozen Throne mod Defense of the Ancients (DotA) in the early 2000s. Ever since then, MOBA games just snowballed into prominence and made their way into the mobile space. Hence, we’re here to show you the 17 best MOBA games that you can enjoy on mobile.
Inside This Article
- Mobile Legends: Bang Bang
- League of Legends: Wild Rift
- Arena of Valor
- Pokemon Unite
- Marvel Super War
- Brawl Stars
- Legend of Ace
- Onmyoji Arena
- Battle Bay
- Extraordinary Ones
- Survival Heroes
- Heroes Evolved
- FOG
- Heroes Arena
- Awakening of Heroes
- Heroes of Order and Chaos
- Frayhem
Best MOBA Games of All Time
1. Mobile Legends: Bang Bang
Mobile Legends: Bang Bang is one of the oldest MOBAs on mobile. In terms of sheer download numbers, it’s also the most popular. The game features five-versus-five battles, simple controls, ten-minute match lengths, and more. It also boasts 10-second matchmaking wait times, though that’s a bit exaggerated. Everything else is top-notch, though. Players who are disconnected can rejoin the same battle. That and more puts it right up there among the best MOBA games.
One of the bigger complaints, however, is that most of the heroes are a bit expensive to buy, especially the newer ones that come out every once in a while. Other than that, the game’s very polished, especially with the latest Android smartphones having at least 6GB RAM. The more than 100 million downloads it currently has on Google Play speaks for itself and lends credence to how popular the game got over the years.
2. League of Legends: Wild Rift
Wild Rift became an instant hit when it arrived at the Google Play Store and App Store in 2020. It has all the elements that people love in the original League of Legends: a map similar to Summoner’s Rift, almost the same set of champions, and equally challenging ranking mechanics. With all the things reminiscent of the original, Wild Rift is one of the best MOBA games that don’t fail to give players a new experience.
The game is designed to be fast-paced and chaotic. It removes the Nexus that protects the base turret, so the game is expected to only last around 15 to 20 minutes, or even 10. Its graphics are eye candy, with its visually entertaining, bright, and crisp images that have been optimized for mobile.
If you are wondering, League of Legends: Wild Rift is not cross-play compatible with its PC counterpart, and we don’t see it ever happening. League of Legends for PC has a very competitive player base and it won’t be fair that mobile players be pitted against them given mobile phone’s limiting capacity.
Our Wild Rift review lays out our thoughts about League of Legends’ foray into mobile.
3. Arena of Valor
Arena of Valor is one of the newer MOBAs relatively. There is a lot to like about it, though. It features five-versus-five, three-versus-three, and one-on-one game modes. Additionally, there are over a hundred heroes, ten-minute matches, co-op multiplayer, and more.
This MOBA game launched alongside the Razer Phone and grew in popularity rather quickly. Its art design is also one of the best on the list, and there’s a lot of good art design here. Due to this, it can be pretty slow on low-end smartphones.
If there’s one thing that may convince people to play it instead of the other best MOBA games here, it’s that Batman is one of the heroes in this game.
4. Pokémon Unite
If you’ve been a Pokémon trainer since you were a kid, this is undoubtedly going to top your list of best MOBA games — Pokémon Unite. The game is the first-ever Pokémon MOBA and even if it’s quite new, it has amassed millions of downloads already from the official app stores combined.
The game impresses old and new fans because of its exciting five-versus-five and ranked battles. Also, the cute or fierce Pokémon ready to fight on your side can be dressed up for extra charm or flair. If you’re getting the game and still undecided on which pocket monsters to pick, you can always refer to our Pokémon Unite tier list.
5. Marvel Super War
Marvel Super War (MSW) is serving players with action and fun. With comic-accurate skills and powers, this MOBA game gives you a taste of what it is like to be your favorite heroes or villains. MSW has over 70 playable characters including the mainline heroes Spider-Man, Iron Man, Black Widow, Thor, and Captain America. Of course, it also has the most hated villains, including Thanos and Loki — they work alongside the good guys this time, though.
MSW’s gameplay doesn’t differ from most MOBA games. It is a five-on-five match on a wide map with three paths protected by turrets. In between lanes are massive jungles with creeps to enhance your heroes’ abilities. Your goal is to destroy your opponent’s base turret on the other end of the map.
6. Brawl Stars
Made by the same people who made Clash of Clans, Brawl Stars is a game that’s a bit lighter on the MOBA part on the surface. However, the core of it is still on the MOBA genre, which will appeal to the more casual gamers out there. The lighter tone lends an easy air to the game itself that nearly anyone will enjoy.
The game has two game modes: three-versus-three and Battle Royale. The former behaves like a traditional MOBA: a team of three brawlers fights another team of three. There’s only a single lane reminiscent of the Howling Abyss map on League of Legends, which makes for less strategic play and more brawling and fighting. The Battle Royale mode works the same as what’s in battle royale games, but crammed in a small area, no loot, and only shooting is required to kill your enemies.
7. Legend of Ace
Legend of Ace is another MOBA game that offers twists in the usual formula. One is the fact that there is a timer that’s counting down. Another is the replacement of items for cards. The cards allow players to go immediately for the effects that they’re looking for to make their heroes stronger, enabling them to immediately fight to the death in a pretty unique MOBA setting. All in all, Legend of Ace is a niche pick unlike the other best MOBA games here, but it’s decent.
8. Onmyoji Arena
Onmyoji Arena is NetEase’s MOBA with the Onymoji series serving as a character base. It works a lot like the other best MOBA games but with a couple of unique differences. This one has a triple battle royale mode (three versus three versus three) that is surprisingly fun and chaotic.
The game has a history of problems with AFK players and the occasional loading issue, but by and large, its gameplay is a positive experience. With about a hundred unique heroes or shikigami based on Japanese folklore (Shuten and Ibaraki Doji being the more obvious examples) as well as two crossover shikigamis in Inuyasha and Sesshomaru, the game promises to be one of the more exciting MOBAs on mobile.
9. Battle Bay
Bored with the best MOBA games’ land battles? If yes, you’ll get excited with this cartoony game called Battle Bay. As the name implies, the five-on-five battles here are at sea.
In the game, you get to select the battleship and gear you like. The weapons are upgradeable and can be acquired from the matches you play. Whichever vessel and gear you choose, the ultimate goal is to be the unsinkable team.
Ready to dive into the thrilling battle at sea? Try Battle Bay if you haven’t played it yet.
10. Extraordinary Ones
At first glance, the game might be just another MOBA to occupy the market but that’s where you’re wrong. Extraordinary Ones has a loyal player base and a lot of neat little events to occupy your time playing it.
For example, the game previously had a My Hero Academia collaboration that allowed players to use popular anime characters All Might, Izuku Midoriya, and Katsuki Bakugou as heroes. They also had another one with Mob from Mob Psycho as well. Thus, Extraordinary Ones is one of the best MOBA games worth checking out.
11. Survival Heroes
Brawl Stars with Mobile Legends graphics —t hat’s how we can describe Survival Heroes. Survival Heroes is a free-to-play mobile MOBA game developed by Snail Games. Elements from both MOBA and battle royale games are merged together in a way that’s surprisingly fluid, which makes it a very easy game to pick up and play for those who are already familiar with the two genres. If you’re a fan of both MOBA and battle royale genres, then this game’s a must-have.
12. Heroes Evolved
Heroes Evolved is one of the most popular MOBA games out there. It also has some of the most unique features, so it’s here in this list of best MOBA games. The basic experience is pretty good, too.
The game features over a hundred heroes, a clan system, short match options, and more. It also includes a Chaotic Strike game mode. You have no mana to manage and can enjoy faster cooldowns. There aren’t a ton of MOBA games like this one; it might even be good for eSports someday.
13. FOG
FOG also makes it to our list because it brings together the best of the MOBA, battle royale, and RPG game genres.
As a MOBA, the game pits multiple players against each other and creatures on the map. The battle royale elements that come into play are the shrinking play area or fog and the goal of survival. The core RPG element the game borrows, meanwhile, is the character customization. Yes, you can bring into the battlefield your own character, unlike many of the best MOBA games we’ve already featured.
Overall, the game is a great experience for MOBA veterans and beginners.
14. Heroes Arena
Somewhat of a surprise is Heroes Arena. Its gentle learning curve allows people to immediately play, which favors both hardcore and casual players alike. The roster of characters to choose from in Heroes Arena is quite massive so it’s likely that you’ll find a bunch of different characters that fit your play style and preferences.
Also among the best things about this game is the fact that it balances the characters nicely so they’re all almost equally as strong and you’ll never feel that you lost a game due to one character being overpowered in terms of its stats or abilities. All in all, the game’s one of the best MOBA games that people can readily enjoy.
15. Awakening of Heroes
A MOBA with Clash of Clans graphics, Awakening of Heroes is a cool mobile MOBA that combines serious play and copious hilarity. There was already a lot of content in this game since it first released on Early Access. And although there’s still some room for improvement, there’s huge potential for this MOBA overall.
16. Heroes of Order and Chaos
Heroes of Order and Chaos is surprisingly good considering it’s a Gameloft game. It has a massive collection of 57 playable heroes. In addition, it includes no energy system. That means you can play as often as you want. Other features include three-versus-three and five-versus-five matches, upgradeable heroes, a Fun Mode, and even features for eSports commentary. There really isn’t a lot to complain about with this one. It’s a rock-solid MOBA game on mobile.
17. Frayhem
Frayhem is a MOBA that also takes in elements from the brawl and battle royale genres. It’s less complicated for the matches pit only three players against three opponents. Despite that, you won’t get bored easily with it because there are multiple maps and modes you can play on. Furthermore, you’re allowed to customize the character you’ll be controlling in the game.
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