Are you one of the many smartphone or tablet owners looking to play games on the go but don’t know where to start? Don’t panic. You’ve come to the right place.
We’ll explore some of the hottest mobile games trending in 2025 that you might enjoy during your travels or downtime – whether you’re commuting, queuing, or just relaxing outdoors. You can even play these games while traveling on a business class flight (in airplane mode) as long as they’re pre-downloaded.
While many games suit all ages and skill levels, some have age restrictions (PEGI ratings from 3+ to 18+). For example, iGaming sites require players to be 18+ in most regions (19+ in some Canadian provinces, 21+ in the US), and many popular titles like Cyberpunk 2077 or Grand Theft Auto V are strictly for adult players.
Let’s explore some of 2025’s most popular mobile games, starting with exciting VR/AR options.
What Are The Most Popular Ar/Vr Games For Enjoying A ‘mobile Augmented’ Experience While Traveling?
It all depends on what type of game you want to play. For example, if you want to stay entertained during travel moments either alone or with friends, relatives, or colleagues, and you want to know what everyone else is playing right now, then you might want to start by playing some of the currently trending titles.
All you need is a reliable AR/VR device that can be hooked up to pretty much any decent-working Android or iOS smartphone, and you’re good to go with the following popular games — ifyou’re old enough to play them, that is.
If you are looking for a more immersive experience when you next go traveling, don’t forget that your mobile device and compatible AR/VR headset can also be used to enter the world’s most highly sophisticated metaverses, such as Roblox, Fortnite, Illuvium, Somnium Space, Axie Infinity, Second Life, The Sandbox, and Decentraland.
What Are The Ideal ‘traditional’ Video Games To Play On Mobile In 2025?
It all depends on what you’re looking for. However, some stand-out titles worth trying first on mobile that most players seem to enjoy include Grand Theft Auto V, Assassin’s Creed, PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds, and Call of Duty Mobile.
If you’re looking for something more traditional, try Candy Crush Saga, Genshin Impact, Pokémon GO, Among Us, Subway Surfers, Brawl Stars, and Hearthstone. If that’s not enough to keep you going, don’t forget to try Clash Royale, Clash of Clans, Honor of Kings, and Angry Birds 2.
There’s literally enough to suit all types of gamers.
Why Are Mobile Games So Popular These Days?
Mobile games like the ones mentioned above have become more popular with gaming audiences — smartphones are so powerful that there’s no need for bigger and more restrictive devices, such as PlayStations and Xboxes or Windows/macOS desktop computers and laptops.
You don’t even need a top-of-the-range smartphone to handle even the more demanding triple-A video games these days. All you need to do is whip out your modern, decent-working smartphone for a quick action from almost any location and at any time of the day.
Other key technological advancements that have also helped take mobile gaming to extraordinary new heights are cloud gaming, live streaming capabilities, 5G, more efficient web browsers, and far more intuitive, user-friendly, and responsive mobile web browsers.
Other factors helping push the boundaries of what is possible in mobile gaming include the mass adoption of machine learning, focus on personalization, enhanced cybersecurity, better games, the introduction of social interaction elements, and much faster and cheaper mobile wallets.
Conclusion
When deciding which games to play, you might want to consider important things to help you narrow your search to find something you will most likely enjoy playing in as little time as possible.
For example, consider how much time you have to play and what type of genre you might prefer (e.g., RPG, casual, puzzle, action, card game, simulation, racing, or adventure).
Also, don’t forget that playing some of the games mentioned above may require a one-off fee or a monthly/annual rolling subscription fee, which you can cancel anytime. If you play on free sites, make sure they are safe.
When spending money to play games online, stick to playing on reputable/legally permitted websites, and perhaps consider setting a reasonable spending budget before depositing to play. Doing so will keep things safe and fun and ensure you don’t break the bank just to play your favorite games.