Luck is something we as human beings value in our day to day lives. Whether it be for better or for worse, people are interested in winning something by chance. Whether it be for gambling purposes or enjoyment, individuals are in love with the idea of having a lucky draw. It came to the surprise of no one that mobile gacha games became a big hit to people everywhere. We’ll be listing down the top 15 gacha games that you have to play right now.
Originating from the Japanese term “gashapon” in which you win a random prize inside a capsule or a blind box from a machine. This term was derived from the two distinct sounds the capsules create when picked and received. Usually shortened to gacha, gatcha or gasha, this mechanic has seen prevalent use in mobile games.
Fair Warning, using the latest gaming phone will surely enhance your experience while playing these games.
Gashapon Mechanic In Mobile Games
Random chance at shards or characters are the main features of games that implement gacha mechanics. Usually, these drops are hidden behind orbs or crystals that act as the gacha game capsules from actual machines. Once redeemed, these drops are used to improve an in-game character albeit having a specified amount for the next upgrade. The process continues on and on and players describe this as “grinding”.
Gacha games usually have daily quests that award in-game capsules when completed. Sometimes, they’ll also have big events on rotation when introducing a new character or letting the players have a bigger chance at acquiring loot. Also, they make use of energy and have multiple refreshes in a day.
Most often, these games are free-to-play and players can be competitive without spending money. However, if people want to be in the top tier, spending money on new characters can give players an advantage. Usually, these new characters are part of meta teams and having them in your possession gives you a big advantage compared to other players.
All of the stats were taken from the Google Play website.
Genres of Mobile Gacha Games
Gacha games, in general, are a cross between the gashapon mechanics and a defined gaming genre. Role-playing games, beat em ups, shooters and life simulators are just some of the genres that have intertwined with the said mechanics.
Aside from traditional video game genres, gacha game mechanics have also been used on games that feature superhero licenses. Grinding rewards to further improve characters that you can use to progress in the game or to unlock new features.
With that in mind, let us now take a look at 15 gacha games that you have to play right now!
Turn-Based Role-Playing Gacha Games
1. Summoners War
- 50 million+ downloads
- Over 2 million reviews
- 4.3 stars out of 5
Kicking off our list is arguably one of the most popular turn-based RPGs in mobile gaming. Coming from developers Com2Us, Summoners War lets players take the role of a summoner that collects monsters that are unlocked by playing the game. Boasting boss battles and timed events, this mobile gacha RPG might be one of the oldest but you can’t argue with its success.
2. Final Fantasy Brave Exivus
- 5 million+ downloads
- 787,000+ reviews
- 4.3 stars out of 5
Final Fantasy, a gaming franchise that needs no introduction to fans of the role-playing game genre. Publishers Square Enix and developers Alim’s offering caters to JRPG fans that prefer the classic turn-based style from the older gaming generations. The game mixes gacha mechanics with a unique story and exploration mechanics.
Arguably the biggest drawing point of the game is the characters from old Final Fantasy games that you can unlock. Brave Exivus has timed events on rotation that players can use to upgrade existing characters as well as to unlock newer ones.
Other Role-Playing Gacha Games
3. Fate: Grand Order
- 1 million+ downloads
- 34,000+ reviews
- 4.4 stars out of 5
One of the more popular anime and gaming franchises from this decade, Fate has captured the imagination of its fans everywhere. Arguably their biggest hit to date, Grand Order combines turn-based combat with a very expansive story. Grand Order was exclusive to Japanese fans for a time but it was recently made available to everyone.
Tons of unlockable characters, enjoyable gameplay and limited events ensure a longer life cycle for the game. Fate: Grand Order is available for download on ios and Android devices.
4. Raid: Shadow Legends
- 5 million+ downloads
- 344,000+ reviews
- 4.4 stars out of 5
Western RPGs have arguably leaped ahead of their Japanese counterparts this decade. Taking full advantage of that trend is Plarium Global’s Raid: Shadow Legends. Featuring a wide array of races and warriors, this game is a treat to play. There’s a story campaign that serves as the introduction to the game. Other modes include a PVP Arena, boss battles and limited time events.
Heroes can be unlocked by logging in every day or progressing within the game. This gacha game offers an opportunity for free-to-play players to be competitive in the long run.
Marvel Comics Gacha Games
5. Marvel: Strike Force
- 10 million+ downloads
- 330,000+ reviews
- 4.2 stars out of 5
Marvel’s properties have transcended their comic book origins and into the mainstream especially since their Cinematic Universe was born. It came to no surprise to many that a gacha style game was inevitable given how massively popular their characters are.
From developers Fox Next, Marvel: Strike Force boasts an expansive campaign and a big roster that you can add to your team. What separates Strike Force from its counterparts is the game’s heavy emphasis on team synergies. Just like in the comics, members of respective teams perform better together.
Flash events, raids, arena, and blitzes are just some of the stuff you have to look out for. Currently, the developers are doing several character reworks aside from adding new toons that you can farm.
6. Marvel: Future Fight
- 50 million+ downloads
- 2.6 million+ reviews
- 4.5 stars out of 5
From developers Netmarble, Marvel: Future Fight might just be the best licensed Marvel game on mobile platforms. Future Fights is a hybrid between action RPG elements with beat-em-up gameplay. Numerous Marvel heroes and villains can be added to your 3 man team that you can switch with each other while on a mission.
You can recruit characters by drawing them in-game and can further improve to build your ultimate dream team. Released in 2015, this game is still going strong as evidenced by the downloads and reviews. Regular updates are adding new characters and costumes in-game that you can use and make your team as strong as possible.
Gacha Games From Other Western Franchises
7. DC Legends: Battle for Justice
- 10 million+ downloads
- 396,000+ reviews
- 4.3 stars out of 5
Released ahead of its competitor Marvel: Strike Force, DC Legends: Battle For Justice was Warner Brothers’ entry into turn-based gacha games. Superman, Batman, the Flash and Wonder Woman are just some of the characters you can recruit to your 4-man team. Legends features several campaigns and arenas to test out your teams in.
What separates DC Legends: Battle For Justice from its competitors is their affinity system. Comparable to rock, paper, and scissors, every affinity has strengths and weaknesses. Legends also feature boss raid events for bigger rewards as well as regular character updates and content tweaks.
8. Star Wars: Galaxy of Heroes
- 10 million+ downloads
- 1 million+ reviews
- 4.4 stars out of 5
In a galaxy, far away there’s a gacha game that finally caters to Star Wars fans all over the world. Published by industry giants Electronic Arts, Galaxy of Heroes allows you to build your ultimate dream team. Whether its a team full of Jedis, Sith, Rebel Forces, and Empire figureheads, this game allows you to do so.
Aside from assembling your team, you can also build your fleet for ship battles. Lastly, you can create or join a guild to take on new challenges and even more rewards. Star Wars: Galaxy of Heroes is playable on ios and Android devices.
Fighting Game Gachas
9. Dragon Ball Legends
- 10 million+ downloads
- 686,000+ reviews
- 4.4 stars out of 5
Yes, fighting games on mobile devices make use of gacha mechanics. Published by Bandai Namco, Dragon Ball Legends is a refreshing take on a mobile fighter. Instead of having a traditional 2D fighting camera, Legends makes use of an over the shoulder view.
Moves are performed by picking cards on screen that give access to special attacks. Characters and move cards can be unlocked via a gacha mechanic in-game.
Featuring a whole new story and a whole new protagonist, this is one Dragon Ball game you have to play. Recent updates have added several characters as well as more powerful versions of existing characters.
10. WWE Universe
- 1 million+ downloads
- 35,000 reviews
- 4.2 stars out of 5
Published by Glu, WWE Universe is a licensed wrestling fighter that utilizes gacha game mechanics. You can build a roster from current WWE superstars and legends from the past eras of pro-wrestling. Featuring real wrestlers, real voices and sound effects this might just be the best wrestling game on mobile devices.
The gameplay is something new as it makes use of timing rather than basic controls. After downloading the game, join a club for events that are tied into WWE programming. Characters for this game are unlocked and upgraded via an in-game gacha mechanics.
Sports Gachas
11. PES Club Manager
- 10 million+ downloads
- 900,000+ reviews
- 4.3 stars out of 5
For the better part of this decade, gacha or loot box mechanics have been a staple of sports games on consoles. However, we have seen an upsurge of these mechanics being used for mobile sports games. PES Club Manager lets you create your club and run it while going up through the ranks.
Make use of scouts to get players at random and have a shot at a superstar like Lionel Messi. That higher you go up the ladder, the better your chances are of acquiring stronger players.
Aside from acquiring new players, you can train your existing players to maximize their potential strengths. Konami has created a truly enjoyable football manager simulator with gacha game mechanics at its core.
12. Captain Tsubasa Zero: Miracle Shot
- 100,000+ downloads
- 2,500+ reviews
- 4.4 stars out of 5
Captain Tsubasa is a legendary anime that has a strong emphasis on football. Miracle Shot takes Tsubasa and other memorable characters from the anime that you can add to your teams. You start with a very weak team like in other sports gachas but once you progress you can unlock better players.
Players have the chance to either control their teams or simulate matches. Aside from the fun gameplay, the game also has fun visuals for character special moves. Miracle Shot may not have as many downloads as its real-life counterparts but you should check this one out.
Other Gacha Favorites
13. Gacha World
- 1 million+ downloads
- 203,000+ reviews
- 4.7 stars out of 5
From publishers Lunime, Gacha World lets you create your summoner and decide how your in-game avatar will look. Featuring 90+ characters, work your way up the ladder and collect characters to strengthen your team. Gacha World boasts a vast story mode, towers, raid bosses and PVP leagues.
Not happy with how your character looks? You can unlock or buy accessories and clothing in-game to achieve your desired look. Another great feature of Gacha World is you can play offline when there is no internet connection available.
14. Gacha Life
- 10 million+ downloads
- 1 million+ reviews
- 4.6 stars out of 5
Another game from Lunime, Gacha Life is a simulator that allows you to design your character. Earn in-game currency to win items that you can add to your collection. Once your down customizing your avatar, you can enter Studio Mode to create scenes with your character.
Gacha Life allows players to create storylines with the Skit Maker feature. Players can also talk to NPCs during Life Mode which simulates day to day activities such as going to school. Lastly, numerous mini-games can help you win prices via a gacha mechanic.
New Gacha Game to Try
15. Smite Blitz
- 100,000+ installs
- 3.3 stars out of 5 (Android) & 4.5 stars out of 5 (iOS)
For fans of different mythologies and MOBAs, Smite blends both fandoms into one. Smite Blitz is Hi-Rez Studios’ entry into mobile gaming. Blitz allows players to collect heroes via a gacha mechanic to form their ultimate team. Train and level up your gods and prove yourself against bosses and other players in many arena modes.
Players can join an alliance for more content and rewards.
