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17 Best MOBA Games You Should Play in 2022

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The best mobile MOBA games in 2024 combine quick match times, polished controls, and unique twists on the classic five-versus-five formula. This list covers the top options for every kind of player, from the competitive depth of League of Legends: Wild Rift to the casual fun of Brawl Stars, with verified device specs where available so you can pick the right one for your phone.

What are the best mobile moba games in 2024?

Mobile MOBAs have grown from simple ports to some of the most popular games on any platform. The best ones share a few key traits: they respect your time with shorter matches, they are optimized for touch controls, and they offer enough depth to keep you coming back. The games below are the best mobile moba games because they each excel in at least one of those areas, whether it is the polished competitive scene of Wild Rift, the family-friendly appeal of Pokémon UNITE, or the genre-blending creativity of Survival Heroes and FOG.

1. League of Legends: Wild Rift

Wild Rift is a fast-paced, polished adaptation of the PC classic, designed to deliver the full League of Legends experience in matches that last around 15 to 20 minutes. It features a map similar to Summoner's Rift, almost the same set of champions, and equally challenging ranking mechanics. Riot's support page lists the minimum device specs as iPhone 6s and above with iOS 15 and above, 2 GB RAM, Apple A9 dual-core 1.84 GHz processor, and PowerVR GT7600 GPU. For Android, it lists Android 8 and above, 3 GB RAM, a quad-core Cortex-A53 2.0 GHz processor, and Mali-G52 MP1, PowerVR GE8320, or Adreno 610 GPU. The game is not cross-play compatible with its PC counterpart, keeping the competitive player bases separate.

2. Pokémon Unite

Pokémon Unite is the first-ever Pokémon MOBA, offering exciting five-versus-five and ranked battles with your favorite pocket monsters. The game impresses both old and new fans with its accessible gameplay and the ability to dress up your Pokémon for extra charm. The Pokémon support page says the recommended Android specs are Android 5.0 (API level 21) or later, octa-core 1.8 GHz or higher, 3 GB RAM, and Adreno 506 or higher. The iOS specs are iOS 12.0 or later, A9 or higher, and 2 GB RAM. For Nintendo Switch, you must link a Nintendo Account to the system and be connected to the internet.

3. Mobile Legends: Bang Bang

Mobile Legends: Bang Bang is one of the oldest and most popular MOBAs on mobile, with more than 100 million downloads on Google Play. It features five-versus-five battles, simple controls, and ten-minute match lengths, with matchmaking wait times that are often around ten seconds. Players who are disconnected can rejoin the same battle, which is a standout feature. The main complaint is that newer heroes can be expensive to buy, but the game is very polished, especially on modern smartphones. Its longevity and sheer download numbers make it a top pick for anyone looking for a reliable mobile MOBA.

4. Arena of Valor

Arena of Valor is a feature-rich MOBA with a lot to like, including five-versus-five, three-versus-three, and one-on-one game modes. It has over a hundred heroes, ten-minute matches, and co-op multiplayer. The game launched alongside the Razer Phone and grew in popularity quickly, and its art design is among the best on this list. A unique selling point is that Batman is one of the playable heroes. The game can be slow on low-end smartphones due to its premium graphics, but it is optimized for a high-end mobile experience.

5. Marvel Super War

Marvel Super War gives you a taste of what it is like to be your favorite heroes or villains with comic-accurate skills and powers. It has over 70 playable characters, including Spider-Man, Iron Man, Black Widow, Thor, Captain America, and villains like Thanos and Loki. The gameplay is classic MOBA: five-on-five matches on a wide map with three paths protected by turrets, with massive jungles between lanes to enhance your hero's abilities. Your goal is to destroy the opponent's base turret on the other end of the map.

marvel super war game
Photo from NetEase Games on Google Play Store

6. Brawl Stars

Brawl Stars, from the makers of Clash of Clans, is a lighter, casual-friendly MOBA that appeals to nearly anyone. The game has two main modes: three-versus-three and Battle Royale. The three-versus-three mode features a single lane, similar to the Howling Abyss map in League of Legends, which encourages more brawling and less strategic play. The Battle Royale mode works like other battle royale games but is crammed into a small area with no loot, where shooting is the only way to eliminate enemies.

7. Onmyoji Arena

Onmyoji Arena is NetEase's MOBA based on the Onmyoji series, featuring around a hundred unique heroes or shikigami based on Japanese folklore, including Shuten and Ibaraki Doji as obvious examples, plus crossover characters Inuyasha and Sesshomaru. It works like most MOBAs but has a unique 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 occasional loading issues, but its gameplay is generally a positive experience.

8. Extraordinary Ones

Extraordinary Ones is a vibrant anime-styled MOBA with a loyal player base and a lot of neat events. It has had exciting collaborations, including a My Hero Academia event that allowed players to use All Might, Izuku Midoriya, and Katsuki Bakugou as heroes, as well as a collaboration with Mob from Mob Psycho. These unique crossover events make it one of the best mobile moba games for fans of anime.

9. Survival Heroes

Survival Heroes is a free-to-play game from Snail Games that merges elements from MOBA and battle royale genres in a way that is surprisingly fluid. It can be described as 'Brawl Stars with Mobile Legends graphics'. It is easy to pick up for players familiar with either genre. The game combines the hero-based combat of a MOBA with the survival and last-one-standing goals of a battle royale, creating a unique and easy-to-learn gameplay experience.

10. Heroes Evolved

Heroes Evolved is one of the most popular MOBA games out there, featuring over a hundred heroes, a clan system, and short match options. Its most unique feature is the 'Chaotic Strike' game mode, where you have no mana to manage and can enjoy faster cooldowns. This makes for a more aggressive and fast-paced style of play that is not found in many other games in the genre.

11. Legend of Ace

Legend of Ace is a niche MOBA that offers twists on the usual formula. Instead of traditional items, it uses a card system as a replacement for items, enabling players to immediately fight to the death. There is also a timer that is counting down, which adds a sense of urgency. It is a decent and unique pick for those looking for something different from the standard MOBA experience.

12. Battle Bay

Battle Bay is a unique MOBA where five-versus-five battles take place at sea. You select your battleship and gear, and the weapons are upgradeable and can be acquired from the matches you play. The cartoony graphics and naval combat set it apart from the land-based battles of other games in the genre. The ultimate goal is to be the unsinkable team.

Battle Bay - One of the best MOBA games set at sea
Photo from Rovio Entertainment Corporation on Google Play Store

13. FOG

FOG brings together the best of the MOBA, battle royale, and RPG genres. As a MOBA, it pits multiple players against each other and creatures on the map. The battle royale elements include a shrinking play area or fog and the goal of survival. The core RPG element is character customization, allowing you to bring your own character into the battlefield. This blend makes it a great experience for both MOBA veterans and beginners.

14. Heroes Arena

Heroes Arena has a gentle learning curve that allows people to play immediately, favoring both hardcore and casual players. The roster of characters is quite massive, so you are likely to find several that fit your play style. The game balances its characters nicely, so you never feel you lost because one character is overpowered in terms of stats or abilities.

15. Awakening of Heroes

Awakening of Heroes is a MOBA with 'Clash of Clans graphics' that combines serious strategic play with copious hilarity. It has a lot of content since its Early Access release, and although there is room for improvement, there is huge potential for this MOBA overall. Its unique tone makes it stand out from the more serious competitors.

16. Heroes of Order and Chaos

Heroes of Order and Chaos is a solid Gameloft MOBA with a massive collection of 57 playable heroes. It includes no energy system, so 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 designed for eSports commentary. It is a rock-solid MOBA on mobile with little to complain about.

17. Frayhem

Frayhem is a MOBA that takes elements from the brawl and battle royale genres. It is less complicated, with matches pitting only three players against three opponents. Despite that, you won't get bored easily because there are multiple maps and modes, and you are allowed to customize the character you control. This makes for a quick and varied experience.

Frayhem is one of the best MOBA games that borrows elements from various genres
Photo from Gearage on Google Play Store

How to choose the right mobile moba for you

Choosing the right game comes down to a few key differences. First, check device compatibility; only Wild Rift and Pokémon UNITE have verified minimum specs, so if you have an older phone, those are the safest bets. Second, consider match length: Mobile Legends and Wild Rift aim for 10-20 minute games, while others like Brawl Stars are even quicker. Third, think about complexity: if you want a deep, competitive experience, Wild Rift or Arena of Valor are strong choices, but if you want something casual and light, Brawl Stars or Pokémon UNITE are better. Finally, look for unique mechanics that appeal to you, like the card system in Legend of Ace, the naval combat of Battle Bay, or the battle royale elements in Survival Heroes and FOG.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are mobile MOBAs pay-to-win?

Most mobile MOBAs are free-to-play and monetize through cosmetics and hero unlocks. While new heroes can be expensive to buy with in-game currency, they are often not strictly stronger than the free roster, and skill is usually the deciding factor in a match.

Can I play mobile MOBAs on PC?

Some games, like Mobile Legends, are available through official PC store clients, but many are strictly mobile-only. Wild Rift is not cross-play with its PC counterpart, so you cannot play against PC players.

What is the best MOBA for beginners?

Pokémon Unite and Brawl Stars are excellent starting points due to their simpler mechanics and shorter matches. Heroes Arena also has a gentle learning curve that is ideal for new players.

Do I need a high-end phone to play these games?

Not necessarily. Wild Rift and Pokémon Unite have published minimum specs that are fairly modest. However, games like Arena of Valor can be slow on low-end smartphones due to their high-quality graphics, so a mid-range or better device is recommended for the best experience.

For the wider topic, see best mobile games by genre.

About the author

Kenneth is an avid mobile gamer who loves to share his gaming reviews with the world. Also a writer at heart, he is living the dream of writing gaming reviews.

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