admin Meet us at the Grand Exchange in Old School Runescape. Say hello to your friends among the sands of Arrakis. You can do that and more in the best MMORPGs, as we give our picks for what games really stand out in this genre. It’s not an easy task, given how many options there are, but we’re here to give the best of the best. What’s even better is that yo can take all of them with you on the go, whether you’re using a mobile, Nintendo Switch, or handheld PC.
At Pocket Tactics, our team is fanatical about all sorts of different worlds. Many of us love the way Hoyoverse crafts combat, but some of us prefer to relax on massive planets beyond our reach. You can find something for you down below, so let’s get started.
The best MMORPGs on handhelds are:
1. Old School Runescape
Old School Runescape stands apart from every other MMORPG out there, and that’s a straight fact, at least to Pocket Tactics. If you’ve never heard the majestic tones of the Sea Shanty before, it’ll change your life. Well, maybe it won’t, but it’s a banger. Born out of a love for the 2007 iteration of the game, you dive into Gielinor’s timeless grind, snagging rare rewards from bosses and staking your claim in a cutthroat PVP arena watched by millions.
While the newer version of Runescape is neat with its expanded features, the low-poly charm of Old School Runescape just hits a little differently. It’s a game with an incredible sense of community, too, as players are often part of decisions with Jagex to shape future content. For example, regular polls let you reshape maps through voted expansions, allowing everyone to have a say in where the game should go next. Old School Runescape is so influential, the game’s launch on mobile gave Jagex tips for the standard version. Just read our OSRS interview for proof.
It feels strange to not be playing it on MiniClip all these years later, but anyone can play OSRS, as it’s one of the best Android games you can download right now, alongside PC and iPhone versions.
Play for free: Play Store, App Store, and Steam
2. Genshin Impact
If you crave a massive open-world adventure with the flourishes of the MMORPG genre, then Hoyoverse’s Genshin Impact is definitely for you. Like most games in this space, it stumbled early with launch bugs and a backlash from gacha mechanics that soured some players. However, as time passes, Genshin Impact remains an excellent choice for newcomers and dedicated players alike. But what exactly do you get up to?
At the core of Genshin Impact, the story sees you embark as the Traveler on a quest to rescue your lost twin from the Sustainer of Heavenly Principles, a god-like foe you don’t want to underestimate. There’s just one hitch: you awaken years later after things go sour, with nothing but your new companion, Paimon. In our Genshin Impact review, we say that despite some caveats that this is a “beautiful anime-style RPG, that is a joy to explore.”
Just like Honkai Star Rail and Zenless Zone Zero, Hoyoverse thrives on multiplayer action. With up to three friends engaging in co-op mayhem, there’s plenty to do. Of course, there are loads of rewards up for grabs, thanks to new Genshin Impact codes and Genshin Impact banners arriving with every update.
Play for free: Play Store, App Store, and Epic Games Store
3. Dune: Awakening
Dune: Awakening ignites a daring, fresh saga in Funcom’s survival MMO library, following its time crafting Conan Exiles, for better or worse. Through nonstop betas and refined systems, the final result brings new life to Frank Herbert’s work. It borrows a lot aesthetically from the recent movies directed by Dennis Villeneuve, but that’s not a bad thing, as it brings a sense of cohesion to the game. However, unlike the movies, Dune: Awakening asks a different question: what if Paul Atreides didn’t exist?
This one event presents a myriad of changes. As Paul Atreides never emerges, Duke Leto endures, the Fremen vanish into mystery, and you crash as the Sleeper, making sense of it through spice-fueled visions. Landing on Arrakis in the game’s opening moments drives home how hostile the planet is, with the Shai Halud ready to eat you in one fell swoop. Dune: Awakening is a pretty granular MMORPG, with a fair few systems to learn from the start.
The rush of scavenging, crafting bases, and fending off bandits is ace. Who knew that trying to stay hydrated could be so engaging? It might be a demanding game visually, but there’s also a secret weapon to harness to thanks to our Dune Awakening best settings guide for Steam Deck and handheld PC users.
Check for prices: Steam
4. Blue Protocol: Star Resonance
Lots of players were sad to see Blue Protocol shut down a few years ago, but sometimes, a miracle happens. With Shanhai Bokura Network Technology taking over the mantle from Bandai Namco, the series lives on in the form of Blue Protocol: Star Resonance. Initially devised as a mobile-only instalment, the good news is that this idea is a thing of the past, because the game is also on Steam and the Epic Games Store. Surprisingly, despite it being quite a dense game, performance on Valve’s console and Windows handhelds is solid.
So, with sturdy performance to rely on, we reckon that Blue Protocol: Star Resonance’s gameplay is fit for players who love Hoyoverse games or sprawling universes with anime-style characters roaming around. In this adventure, you explore the lands of Regnus, a world hiding secrets in the vastness of space – you know, typical everyday things. After making your own character, you can do whatever you want, whether that’s fishing with your friends, crafting gear, or shaping your building to suit your play style. In our Blue Protocol: Star Resonance preview, Daz comments, “There’s a lot to get excited about with Blue Protocol: Star Resonance, and I can see myself dedicating a decent chunk of my free time to exploring the world, forming guilds, and taking down bosses.”
With Blue Protocol: Star Resonance codes you can use them as you grind to defeat mammoth-sized bosses. The battles are surprisingly great, and you can take them with you wherever you may be.
Play for free: Play Store, App Store, and Steam
5. Once Human
Once Human sees Starry Studio give its take on the apocalypse, one ravaged by superpowered entities known as Deviants. However, the thing about Once Human is that it’s completely bonkers. Yeah, there’s a lot of lore you can dive into if you want, but it rivals Fortnite when it comes to warping your mind. If you want the cliffnotes version, basically picture yourself waking up in a wasteland that mixes Stranger Things-style monsters with The Last of Us’ gritty environments.
What stands out, though, is the fantastic base-building Once Human offers. Honestly, it’s a pretty robust system that lets you get into the nuts and bolts of making the perfect place to call home. Hoarding resources and grinding for essentials is part of the routine, so if you love rummaging around for gear, you’ll get a kick out of this. It plays into crafting the best Once Human builds, as becoming more powerful is the key to taking down some of the harder enemies.
We’ve sat down with Starry Studio to discuss the game before, asking the big question: Is a Once Human Nintendo Switch 2 version coming? You might have to wait a little longer for that.
Play for free: Play Store, App Store, and Steam
6. Crystal of Atlan
What if you combined Devil May Cry with something like Genshin Impact? That’s what we think Crystal of Atlan nails really well. CoA adds a special spin to the MMORPG genre, as this game hinges its premise on Magicpunk, a world where technology and magic intertwine with each other seamlessly. You can expect an aesthetic that switches between Cyberpunk 2077-style visuals to spellbinding sorcery. Oh, and a dash of gnarly hack ‘n’ slash combat, too.
You’ll defeat creepy monsters, explore forgotten ruins, form alliances, and become a fully-fledged member of the Adventurer’s Guild. Teamwork is a huge part of this game, as there are dungeons specifically designed for co-op raids. As each of your party members takes up different roles and abilities, finding the best balance to survive is all part of the appeal. Our Crystal of Atlan tier list can help with that.
Survive and you’ll walk away with some hefty loot for your efforts. Or you can snag some rewards from our Crystal of Atlan codes list.
Play for free: Play Store, App Store, and Steam
7. DC Universe Online
Just like Runescape, DC Universe Online continues to stick around. It’s been since 2011, with iconic heroes and villains, and lesser-known characters popping up in Daybreak’s MMORPG. Some elements of it are somewhat dated, but even still, becoming your own hero or villain in the world of DC Comics can’t be done anywhere else.
Players make their own character, costume, and choose powers that suit their play style. Want to fly like Superman? Fancy fighting like Batman? You can do all of that and more. It all begins with a vision of the future, one where Lex Luthor has savagely beaten the Justice League. To stop this from happening, Batman uses modified Brainiac technology to relay this to Wonder Woman and the rest of the league. That’s where DC Universe Online, and it’s only added more complex and action-packed stories over the years.
There are only 48 story episodes and three ongoing chapters of content, giving you plenty of lore to catch up on. Not only can you play it on your handheld PC, but it’s also on the Nintendo Switch.
Play for free: Nintendo eShop and Steam
New MMORPGs
Beyond our picks above, we’re looking forward to plenty of new Switch games and new mobile games in the MMORPG genre. Arknights: Endfield is quickly becoming one of our most-anticipated games of 2026, and you read our Arknights: Endfield preview to find out why. There’s Honor of Kings: World, too, which offers similar gameplay against a mystical backdrop. Yes, we have an Honor of Kings: World preview for you to check out, too.
That’s it for our top picks for the best MMORPGs. If you’d rather play on your own, our list of the best RPGs is ready to explore, or you can check out our lists of the best mobile games and best Switch games.
