Whether it’s an action-packed FPS or a high-stakes battle royale, these games deliver heart-pounding excitement. Massive maps and strategic gameplay keep players engaged, while fresh content keeps things interesting.
Apex Legends carved out its own niche by combining Titanfall’s sick movement mechanics-something Fortnite cribbed from with movement updates in Chapter 3-with a hero shooter experience. Its devoted player base shows no signs of slowing down.
PUBG Mobile
While PUBG Mobile saw some dips in 2025, the game remains one of the most popular battle royale titles on mobile. The game generates over $1.6 billion in revenue annually and is the sixth highest grossing mobile title overall, ahead of Nexon’s Dungeon & Fighter.
The game is still able to draw in new players thanks to a robust monetization strategy that includes in-game purchases and battle passes. Additionally, content updates and events have been key drivers in retaining player engagement. Google Trends data supports this, showing spikes in search interest for the core game during periods likely associated with major updates or events.
PUBG MOBILE is based on PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS, the phenomenon that took the world by storm in 2017. Up to 100 players parachute onto a remote island to fight for victory in a winner-takes-all showdown. Players must locate and scavenge their own weapons, vehicles, and supplies as they engage in a massive battle against rival players within a shrinking play zone.
In addition to monetization and content, PUBG Mobile has also been active in developing its esports ecosystem. The platform hosts the largest global professional mobile esports tournament, and has been focused on making esports more accessible for amateur players at a country, regional, and world level.
PUBG MOBILE will continue to focus on this goal in 2026 with the introduction of several updates. The first is a refreshed competitive structure that will include two full seasons of the PUBG MOBILE Global Open, providing a wider and more accessible pathway for amateur players to compete in the elite tiers. The new season will also see an expanded tournament calendar and an increase in support funds for the ecosystem.
Call of Duty Mobile
Call of Duty Mobile is the first official mobile game from the popular COD franchise. It was launched in 2019 and quickly garnered over 148 million downloads within its first month of release. The game is available on iOS and Android devices and players compete against each other using realistic military-style weapons in a range of multiplayer battles.
The game features classic maps from the Call of Duty series and a new battle royale mode. Players can also upgrade and customize their weapons with a variety of attachments. The game has its own progression system that rewards players with unlockable outfits, weapons, score streaks and gear. The game has been adapted to play on mobile devices with optimized graphics and controls for touchscreens.
CALL OF DUTY: MOBILE is a free-to-play action-packed shooter where players can test their skills and strategies against millions of friends and foes. Players can engage in competitive ranked matches and social gameplay with clan support and integrated voice chat. Players can play solo or with up to four teammates. The game’s content is updated regularly with themed events, new maps, weapons, outfits and more.
This is a PEGI 18 game due to the level of violence and it is suitable for gamers aged 17 years and over. The game features blood splatter and other realistic looking violence that could disturb some children. It is important that parents monitor the game and enable in-game purchasing and other parental controls on their device.
The game is a free-to-play title that generates revenue through in-app purchases. It is important that parents ensure their child is not making unintentional in-app purchases and that they have set appropriate app store spending limits on their device.
Apex Legends
As the newest entry in the battle royale genre, Apex Legends has quickly become one of the most popular games in the world. The game has a strong community and features a diverse cast of heroes (known as Legends) with unique abilities and play styles. Players can customize their weapons and loadout with a wide array of attachments and hop-ups. They can also participate in a variety of events with limited-time cosmetics and rewards.
The game recently updated with new content, including a new fast-paced mode and rare loot buffs. However, the most notable addition was a revivable trait that allows players to instantly return to life after dying. This feature has already made a huge difference in the game’s meta, with players that master it enjoying much more success.
In addition, the game’s latest season added a few minor changes to the game’s balance and aesthetics. This season did not include a new Legend, but it did “revive” Lifeline by giving her new base abilities and allowing her to respawn instantly after death. It also introduced a new character called Loba, a thief that can steal loot and teleport from various locations.
With the 2026 Apex Legends meta heavily favoring movement and positioning, it’s important for players to practice these skills. The key to becoming a top player isn’t aim, but knowing how to dynamically adapt your positioning based on your team composition, current location in the map, and the game’s overall state. For example, Mantle Boost has now been fully implemented as a developer-supported mechanic that can be chained with other movement techniques to create powerful repositioning combos. Practicing these concepts regularly will improve your ranked game experience and help you reach the highest levels of the competition.
Garena Free Fire
Garena Free Fire is one of the most popular mobile games on the market, thanks to its massive popularity and thriving community. Its success has led to the development of esports competitions, with the game appearing in major gaming tournaments around the world. Its success has also inspired other developers to create similar battle royale games, a testament to its influence on the gaming industry.
Despite its enormous success, Free Fire has faced some challenges. In 2021, Garena announced that it would launch a free version of the game to appeal to more users. The move was controversial, and many players were concerned that the new version would ruin the gameplay experience. However, the company assured fans that the new version would be free and still offer the same features as the original game.
Since then, the game has continued to thrive, with millions of downloads and a large community. Garena has continued to support the game with regular updates and events. In addition, the game has a strong social component, with players able to team up and compete against each other. The game has also established a reputation as a safe and fair place to play, which has contributed to its enormous success.
Garena recently announced a series of exciting new events for Free Fire, including a BTS collaboration and an Assassin’s Creed event. These events are designed to drive engagement and keep players excited about the game. The company has also been promoting the game at major gaming events, further increasing its visibility and attracting more players.
Nevertheless, as 2025 comes to a close, millions of Indian players are still waiting for Free Fire India to return. Each passing year without a confirmation has eroded player confidence and patience, but Garena must realize that the moment it speaks, the entire community will listen.
Fortnite
Fortnite remains the biggest player in the battle royale space, pulling in over 125 million players. The free-to-play title is available across multiple platforms, including mobile devices, and has earned hundreds of millions in revenue each month.
The main game mode, Battle Royale, drops 100 online players onto a small island and encourages players to team up or go it alone as they scavenge weapons and resources. The game area shrinks as the match progresses, forcing players into closer encounters and eventually leaving one person or team standing. Players can also customize their avatar with costumes and build structures using materials they acquire during gameplay.
While many kids enjoy playing Fortnite, it’s important to monitor their screen time and limit their playtime. The game can be absorbing and kids can end up spending hours at a time, which may impact their schoolwork and social lives. It’s also important to teach children about the dangers of online scams and how to avoid them.
In addition to adding new game modes, Epic Games has ramped up the celebrity and pop culture integrations in BR this year. A collaboration with five musical artists (Deadmau5, Daft Punk, Doja Cat, Tyler the Creator, and Playboi Carti) brought in a surge of interest, while a Fortnite Pro-Am event matched 50 pairs of streamers and celebrities for high-energy competition.
In 2023, Fortnite added two additional passes—the Festival Pass and Lego Pass—which required progression in Battle Royale or Creative to earn rewards. This change shifted the focus from a monthly subscription model to one that includes all game modes.
