admin What a year it has been for the powerful little devices in our pockets! Whether you’re gaming on an Android or iOS device, we’ve taken it upon ourselves to present our picks for the mobile games of the year 2025. We hope to introduce you to some new gems or perhaps rekindle your love for a gacha. We all have some time to kill this holiday season, and these games are perfect for that.
We’ve been a little cheeky and included a few games that may not have released this year, but are still getting major updates regularly, as these are the titles that some members of the Pocket Tactics team are much more attracted to.
Here are our picks for the mobile games of the year for 2025:
Final Fantasy VII Ever Crisis – Ruby’s Choice, Editor
Yes, I am aware that Final Fantasy VII Ever Crisis was not released this year; However, with regular updates with new story beats and fun outfits, Ever Crisis is criminally underrated and always feels fresh for a Final Fantasy like me.
If you’re not into mobile games (why are you here?!), FF7EC is also available on Steam, so you can relax while playing it on your PC, or take it with you with your Steam Deck to stay in the handheld zone.
Resident Evil Survival Unit – Kayleigh’s choice, Deputy Editor
Oh, how I’ve longed for a Resident Evil mobile game. Yes, I know we have all those ports, but I wanted a true RE experience on a small screen, and I finally got that with Resident Evil: Survival Unit. There are so many Resident Evil characters that I love, so seeing them all come together in one place is an absolute treat.
Icons like Leon, Claire, Jill and Chris are all present, each bringing something different to the table as you all work together to fight for survival. You can send your different characters on quests, in a world that runs parallel to the main series, which is honestly quite fun to experience – I can’t get enough of that tasty Resident Evil lore.
Even though Resident Evil Requiem is so close, it still feels like a lifetime away, but Resident Evil Survival Unit really scratches that Resi itch. Now I’m more excited than ever to join Grace Ashcroft on her harrowing journey next year.
Genshin Impact – Tilly’s choice, guide editor
It’s been over half a decade since Genshin Impact first launched, and somehow this behemoth gaming goliath just keeps getting bigger and better. With each passing year we get a new land to explore, and with it comes a whole bunch of fun, fresh faces and a ton of lore piled high enough to rival the work of Terry Pratchett or Tolkien, making it undeniably one of my favorite games of all time.
After an explosive adventure through Natlan, where we became involved in a full-scale war, the 6.0 arrived In the Genshin Impact update (also known as Luna I), we headed to Nod Krai, an autonomous region in the southernmost part of the highly anticipated Snezhnaya. I don’t know what I was expecting exactly, but this new area somehow managed to blow everything out of the water. Although currently quite small, Nod Krai is absolutely enchanting. I love the environments, the traversal mechanics, the lore and of course the characters (including my new main character, Flins).
As an early player, it was also incredibly exciting to meet key characters like Varka and Alice, and to learn more about Mondstadt’s Hexenzirkel. Plus, with the quick start option and a bunch of new quality of life features baked into the game, there’s never been a better time for new and returning players to dive into Teyvat. But let’s pretend Miliastra Wonderland doesn’t exist, and instead focus on all those freemogems offered by the latest Genshin Impact codes, hm?
Play for free: Android or iOS
RollerCoaster Tycoon Classic – Connor’s choice, hardware editor
This is a bit of a cheat, as RollerCoaster Tycoon Classic originally launched in 2016, but only became part of the Apple Arcade game library in April. Nine years later, it still serves as a fitting tribute to the original RCT games, with detailed and engaging gameplay that will test your management skills and some beautifully pixelated visuals that feel like an authentic extension of the iconic PC games.
Still, the best thing about RollerCoaster Tycoon Classic is the sheer number of scenarios you can jump into, ranging from creating your own wonderland in the deep desert to reversing the fate of a dilapidated water park. For context, I’ve played my fair share of the game since it launched on Apple Arcade, and I still have at least 30 scenarios to complete, not to mention what’s included in the DLC packs.
While the management gameplay is the main feature of RCT Classic, it also enhances a fantastic roller coaster design that allows you to get creative with your rides, provided you have the budget for it. Simply put, if you’re a fan of retro games and still haven’t tried this one, you’re missing out.
Is this seat taken? – Daz’s choice, staff writer
I knew from the start that I wanted Is This Seat Taken? would like, but I could never have predicted that this indie puzzle game would give me so much food for thought. Essentially it’s a logic puzzle game where you have to find the perfect seats for living forms based on their preferences, whether that’s the food they want to eat, their tolerance for loud music, or whether they should sit with a parent.
This is right up my alley, but the fact that each of the puzzles is built into a light-hearted yet genuinely heartfelt story about one person’s dreams of stardom, media representation, and supporting each other through tough times. A windowpane shouldn’t really make me cry, but the arc of the main character of Is This Seat Taken? I almost shed a tear every now and then.
In addition to the beautiful art and simple yet captivating storytelling, Is This Seat Taken? offers a completely offline experience, allowing me to challenge my brain with puzzles while on the road or waiting in line, without being bombarded with constant ads or relying on good service. While you can get the game on Switch and PC, the short levels make for a great mobile gaming experience.
Persona 5: The Phantom
Boy, did I wait a long time for this to come out! Persona 5: The Phantom
The game is similar to Persona 5, I admit. That’s one of my favorite games of all time, though, so I’m not really mad about it. You start as another protagonist and do the usual going to school before entering palaces equipped with Personas as part of a team made of characters you can use on the gacha banners.
Persona 5 There was a rocky patch with differences between the global and Chinese versions of the game, but the main story was there, as were my favorite Phantom Thieves on the in-game banners. The fact that it’s more Persona 5 is what made it the mobile game for me.
Destiny Rising – Sam’s Pick, Staff Writer
It may hurt to hear, but I’ve never been much of a Destiny person. I can see the appeal of Bungie’s vast sci-fi history and signature gunplay. Still, Destiny 2 remains one of the most unfriendly experiences out there for onboarding newcomers. Believe me, I tried to get into it six times, with over 40 hours in-game.
It’s easy to pick up and great for speeding through quests in short bursts. This is the Destiny experience I crave, and it happens to be a showcase of how far mobile FPS games have come.
Pokémon TCG Pocket – Quinn’s Choice, Staff Writer
It may have been released in 2024, but Pokémon TCG Pocket continues to reach new heights for me. Admittedly, I’m not the typical player, as I’ve never really been into PvP card games – but for the collectors like me, gold was unearthed this year in the form of new packs, new Pokémon, and new (wonder) choices. For me, the joy of this game lies in opening the packs, ogling your new cards and showing everyone within a five-metre radius.
In 2025, the game’s first anniversary celebrations offered so many treats that I could barely keep track of all the calendars I had to log in to and the events I had to participate in. I mean this in the best way possible: the dopamine of getting my very first Mega was unlike anything else in mobile gaming.
Rewarding, smart and to the point, Pokémon TCG Pocket gives you a mood boost in a way that – unlike other, more Genshin-like games – means you don’t have to spend hours getting where you want to go. To me, that is the mark of a standout mobile game.
Did your mobile game of the year make it onto our list? If not, you might agree more with our selection of the Nintendo Switch Games of the Year 2025 or Steam Deck Games of the Year for 2025.
