Mobile games are taking over the gaming industry. In 2018, they accounted for 51% of the global gaming revenues, more than PC games and console games combined. This number is expected to grow in the following years, with refinements in technology allowing for increasingly advanced games to be run on mobile. In addition, gaming apps account for 25% of all active iOS apps, making them the most popular category of mobile apps. Here are some of the most interesting genres of mobile games, reflecting the latest trends and developments in the industry.

Casino Games

Since the first online casino was opened in 1994, online casino games have been a growing trend. Now players can enjoy all the most popular casino games, including slots, blackjack, roulette, poker and many more on their mobile phones too. Of all the mobile gaming genres, casino games are among the most profitable, bringing 0.19$ of revenue per active user. Read the MrPlay review to learn more about all the good sides of casino games, including a huge choice of games and some amazing bonuses.


This branch of gaming has been traditionally reserved for PC and consoles, but judging by the popularity of titles such as Clash Royale and Vainglory, that might change in the near future. Clash Royale is an MMO Android card game that pits players against each other in a battle arena, and it was even included in the 2018 Asian Games. The availability of phones and constant technological improvements may lead to mobile esports industry eventually reaching billions of users.

AR and VR

The incredible success of Pokemon GO in 2016 demonstrated the power of augmented reality to capture the imagination of millions of gamers. With AR, the whole world can become your playground. At the moment, AR is going through a quiet period of development, but the next big thing could be just around the corner. Some popular AR games include Zombie GO, Temple Treasure Hunt and Ingress.

VR is still to make its way to the mainstream, but there is already a number of interesting VR mobile games you can play for free, and there are some pretty decent platforms and headsets for mobile users, including Daydream and the Samsung Gear VR.


This is another emerging trend that is projected to gain even more popularity in the future, due to an increasing demand for the more social gaming experience. Some of the most popular titles in this branch of gaming include VainGlory, Arcane Legend and Hearthstone. They cover a huge variety of genres: from card games to RPGs, racing games, sports, strategy and more. VainGlory is currently the most advanced multiplayer for mobile, featuring real-time player vs player battle and superb graphics.

Cross-Platform Games

Another interesting technological development allows for PC and console games to be played on mobile platforms too. This is important in an age when people want to take their technology with them wherever they go. For example, you can play a game on a PC and your progress will be saved on your phone too. Some popular titles include Crashlands, Shadowgun: Deadzone and Minecraft. The future when you will be able to play even more advanced games on your phone is not so distant.