The Google Play Store and App Store are littered with free games. But many of them are pay-to-win or hide content behind pay walls that demand you to wait hours to continue playing. This is extremely annoying and can easily ruin your gameplay experience.
We've compiled a list of the best free mobile games that you can fully enjoy without spending a single cent.
1. Pokémon Quest
Pokémon Quest is an extremely underrated action-adventure game. Pokémon were cute before. But now that they are available in cube form, their cuteness is off the charts!
The aim of Pokémon Quest is to complete all the levels by beating all the wild Pokémon in the arena. Unlike other Pokémon adventures where you guide your pint-sized pals to victory as a trainer, Pokémon Quest allows you to control the adorable pocket monsters directly.
At your base, you can cook up delicious pots of Pokémon stew. The irresistible smell of your delicious cooking will lure new Pokémon to join your family. You can level up your team by combining weaker Pokémon to boost your stronger ones to even greater heights!
The mechanic of sacrificing the weak Pokémon to feed the strong may sound cruel. But we can assure you that no Pokémon were harmed in the making of Pokémon Quest!
Pokemon Unite is a free-to-play game, not a free game. This means that real-world money can be used to purchase decorations, increase storage, and restore your Pokémon's energy. This is entirely unnecessary for you to enjoy the game, however.
Download: Pokémon Quest for Android | iOS (Free)
2. Genshin Impact
Genshin Impact is an action RPG. It's set in an open world that you can freely explore while controlling one of four interchangeable party members.
You are free to build your own party, picking from a wide cast of 23 vibrant and interesting characters. Solve puzzles in ancient temples, engage in epic boss fights, and even play with your friends in multiplayer co-op.
Genshin Impact does offer you the opportunity to purchase things similar to loot boxes. These may tempt you to spend real-world money in exchange for crystals, randomized characters, and items.
This gacha game model rewards players with a quick power boost if they choose to pay for it, but there is absolutely nothing that prevents you from advancing in the game without buying anything. You are not limited in Genshin Impact by choosing not to pay to take the quick road out.
Rather than paying for stronger characters or items, the game gives you every opportunity to level up your characters organically. The need to grind in Genshin Impact isn't particularly noticeable until much later on in the game when there are steep difficulty jumps. But players are more than welcome to become just as strong as anyone else with enough time and persistence.
It does take a little longer than spending money, but isn't that part of the fun?
Download: Genshin Impact for Android | iOS (Free)
3. Pokémon Unite
Pokémon Unite is a free-to-play multiplayer online battle arena game. The MOBA genre has grown rapidly since its inception, with many new games consistently joining the ranks. Even Pokémon has jumped on the bandwagon! Think League of Legends, but with Pokémon.
Finding the right MOBA for you can be overwhelming. But if you love Pokémon, then Pokémon Unite is a great place to start. You can create lobbies with your friends or meet new players in an online match-up. Go up against the other team in an epic battle to be the very best that no one ever was!
The more games you play the more you level up and earn in-game currency. This can be used to purchase items, gear, or brand-new Pokémon to add to your team.
You can choose to spend real-world money to earn these rewards faster. But this is entirely optional and certainly not necessary to play the game. You can enjoy the full experience of Pokémon Unite free of charge.
If the free Pokémon apps on this list don't tickle your fancy, there are many more Pokémon apps available on mobile that you can use to get your pocket monster fix.
Download: Pokémon Unite for Android | iOS (Free)
4. League of Legends: Wild Rift
League of Legends: Wild Rift is the mobile counterpart of its critically acclaimed PC sister game; League of Legends. League of Legends: Wild Rift is a MOBA game where you will be thrust into epic five vs. five matches.
Your main goal is to break through the enemies' turrets to access their nexus and destroy it. League of Legends: Wild Rift is more simplified than its PC counterpart. This makes it a great place to start for beginners to the series.
It also offers its own roster of unique champions along with fan favorites. At this stage, Wild Rift offers over 40 equally badass champions for you to choose from that each have their own specific roles and abilities.
There is no need to worry about pay-to-win tactics in Wild Rift. The game offers you ample opportunities to win currency in-game without feeling the need to supplement it with your own. There are also no requirements to spend actual money on champions. Each champion is already strong enough as long as you know how to play them.
Download: League of Legends: Wild Rift for Android | iOS (Free)
5. Among Us
Among Us is an online multiplayer deduction game that absolutely dominated the internet in 2020. The best way to describe the gameplay of Among Us is sort of like a 'whodunit'. It's a complex multiplayer experience where you find yourself trapped on a spaceship with one or more ruthless murderers.
Your goal is to weed out this imposter before they annihilate your entire crew. You can do this by catching them in the act and reporting them, or calling group meetings to discuss who is acting particularly suspicious.
Among Us utilizes a chat feature in which you can hurl accusations at anyone you see fit. The chat usually doesn't last long, causing crewmates to make quick decisions based on little to no actual evidence.
This quick and merciless gameplay makes for a fast-paced and often hilarious game that is strangely addictive. And the best part is that it's free!
Among Us does offer skins, hats, and pets in exchange for real-world currency, but these are strictly cosmetic upgrades. A lot of these upgrades can also be purchased with an in-game currency named 'beans'. So eventually you will be able to purchase all the cosmetic upgrades absolutely free of charge.
Download: Among Us for Android | iOS (Free)
Enjoy These Mobile Games Without Spending Any Money
There are so many free mobile games out there, but finding ones without hidden pay walls and pay-to-win tactics can be difficult.
This list barely scratches the surface of free mobile games that are currently available. But they are handpicked to help you find a full gameplay experience without the price tag. No matter which of these games you try, you're sure to find a gameplay experience you will enjoy.