Gacha games have evolved over the years to become one of the most popular genres in interactive entertainment, grossing billions of dollars in revenue worldwide. They have particularly spread to the mobile platform over the past decade. This article lists the best gacha games of all time.
The term “gacha” originates from the Japanese word “gachapon” (ガチャポン), referring to capsule toy vending machines popular in Japan. Gacha is a trend that began during the 1960s. These machines dispense random toys when a coin is inserted and a lever is turned, creating an element of surprise and excitement.
13. Raid: Shadow Legends
| Initial release | July 4, 2018 |
| Developer | Plarium Games |
| Platform(s) | – PC – macOS – iOS – Android – iPadOS |
Raid: Shadow Legends is a mobile RPG that features turn-based combat, where players collect and upgrade over 700 champions from various factions, each with unique abilities, roles, and stats. Players build teams to tackle campaign missions, dungeons, arena battles, and special events.
The game focuses on strategic team-building, where players must consider champion synergies, elemental strengths and weaknesses, and the use of powerful artifacts. Raid: Shadow Legends also includes a strong progression system, PvP elements, and frequent updates with new content, such as champions, challenges, and events.
With its high-quality graphics, extensive content, and gacha-style champion collection mechanics, Raid: Shadow Legends has gained a large following in the genre.
12. Guardian Tales
| Initial release | February 24, 2020 |
| Developer | Kong Studios |
| Platform(s) | – iOS – Android – Nintendo Switch |
Guardian Tales is an action-adventure RPG that combines retro-inspired pixel art with modern gameplay mechanics. Players control a young knight who embarks on a quest to save the kingdom of Kanterbury from various threats, including monsters, evil forces, and mysterious villains.
The game features dungeon exploration, puzzle-solving, and fast-paced combat, where players can collect and upgrade a variety of heroes, each with unique abilities. It also has a story-driven campaign, multiplayer modes, and a wide array of side quests. The charming art style, humorous dialogue, and strategic gameplay make Guardian Tales a beloved title for fans of action RPGs.
11. Hatsune Miku: Colorful Stage
| Initial release | September 30, 2020 |
| Developer | Colorful Palette |
| Platform(s) | – iOS – Android |
Hatsune Miku: Colorful Stage is a rhythm game featuring the virtual pop star Hatsune Miku and other Vocaloid characters, offering gamers a chance to play along to popular songs in the Vocaloid music catalog.
The game involves tapping and swiping to the beat of songs in various difficulty levels, with a focus on vibrant visuals and colorful animations. Players can collect and upgrade a wide variety of cards featuring different Vocaloid characters, each with their own unique abilities. It also includes a story mode, where players can interact with the characters and experience original narratives.
10. Shin Megami Tensei: Liberation DX2
| Initial release | July 24, 2018 |
| Developer | Sonic Team |
| Platform(s) | – iOS – Android |
Shin Megami Tensei: Liberation DX2 is a mobile RPG set in a world where players, as “Liberators,” summon and fuse demons to battle against otherworldly forces.
The game features turn-based combat with a strong emphasis on demon collection, fusion, and strategic team-building. Players can recruit demons from a wide range of mythologies and use them in battle against enemies or other players. The game also has an engaging story, daily events, and PvP modes.
With its dark themes, complex gameplay, and the signature demon fusion mechanics of the Shin Megami Tensei franchise, Liberation DX2 offers both longtime fans and newcomers a deep, tactical experience on mobile devices.
9. AFK Journey
| Initial release | March 27, 2024 |
| Developer | Farlight Games |
| Platform(s) | – PC – iOS – Android |
AFK Journey is a free-to-play overworld fantasy RPG developed by Farlight Games, available on PC, iOS, and Android platforms.
As the legendary mage Merlin, players explore the magical world of Esperia, recruiting heroes from six distinct factions to form strategic teams for tactical battles. The game features a hex-based battle map, allowing for diverse hero formations and strategic positioning.
In addition, the game incorporates idle mechanics, enabling players to earn rewards even when not actively playing. The game is noted for its enchanting storybook art style and engaging gameplay.
8. Star Wars: Galaxy of Heroes
| Initial release | November 24, 2015 |
| Developer | EA Capital Games |
| Platform(s) | – PC – iOS – Android – iPadOS |
Star Wars: Galaxy of Heroes is a mobile RPG that lets players collect and upgrade characters and ships from across the galaxy from far, far away to build teams for turn-based battles.
Players engage in various modes, including a story campaign, PvP arena, raids, and galactic challenges. Characters have unique abilities and synergies, requiring strategic team-building to succeed. Regular updates introduce new content, events, and iconic characters from movies, TV shows, and other Star Wars media.
With its expansive roster, deep progression system, and strategic gameplay, Galaxy of Heroes offers a rich and immersive experience for Star Wars fans.
7. Marvel Strike Force
| Initial release | March 28, 2018 |
| Developer | FoxNext / Scopely |
| Platform(s) | – iOS – Android |
Marvel Strike Force is a mobile RPG that features turn-based combat where players assemble squads of iconic Marvel heroes and villains to fight against powerful threats, including the alien overlord Ultimus.
Players collect characters, upgrade their abilities, and strategically build teams to take on various game modes, including a story-driven campaign, PvP battles, raids, and alliance wars. Each character has unique abilities and synergies, encouraging diverse strategies and team compositions.
Known for its polished visuals, deep roster, and regular updates introducing new characters and events, Marvel Strike Force offers a tactical and immersive experience for Marvel fans.
6. Dragon Ball Legends
| Initial release | May 24, 2018 |
| Developer | Dimps |
| Platform(s) | – iOS – Android – iPadOS |
Dragon Ball Legends is a fighting game that features fast-paced, card-based combat in real time. Players collect and control characters from the series, including Goku, Vegeta, and Frieza, as well as new characters introduced in the game, such as Shallot, an original Saiyan.
The gameplay combines strategic card selections for attacks and abilities with dynamic 3D visuals and cinematic animations. Modes include a story campaign, PvP battles, and special events that reward players with resources to upgrade their fighters.
With its engaging combat, expansive roster, and stunning visuals, Dragon Ball Legends offers fans a high-energy experience while staying true to the spirit of the franchise.
5. Pokémon Masters: EX
| Initial release | August 29, 2019 |
| Developer | DeNA |
| Platform(s) | – iOS – Android |
There are a ton of Pokémon mobile games, but Masters: EX is the one specializing in gacha. This free-to-play game focuses on 3-on-3 real-time battles where players team up with famous Pokémon Trainers from across the franchise. Each Trainer is paired with a signature Pokémon, forming a “Sync Pair.”
Set on the artificial island of Pasio, players participate in the Pokémon Masters League, completing story missions, co-op battles, and special events to earn rewards and unlock new Sync Pairs. The game emphasizes strategy, with each Pokémon and Trainer having unique roles, skills, and Sync Moves.
Known for its vibrant art style, nostalgic appeal, and regular updates introducing new characters and events, Pokémon Masters EX provides a unique spin on the traditional Pokémon gameplay.
4. Final Fantasy VII: Ever Crisis
| Initial release | September 7, 2023 |
| Developer | Applibot / Square Enix |
| Platform(s) | – PC – iOS – Android |
Final Fantasy VII Ever Crisis is a love letter to die-hard fans of the 1997 classic JRPG. Its slogan, “another possibility for a remake”, demonstrates its mission to retell the story of the original game without reworking the story. In addition, it offers story missions that retell the events of CRISIS CORE: Final Fantasy VII as well as new story chapters surrounding the plot of the canceled mobile game, Final Fantasy VII: The First Soldier.
The game features turn-based combat with a beautiful implementation of the famous Materia system, allowing players to use the gacha mechanics to customize and level up the various characters’ outfits, weapons, and elements. It also has co-op battles, guilds, and raid content.
3. Arknights
| Initial release | May 1, 2019 |
| Developer | Hypergryph |
| Platform(s) | – iOS -Android |
Arknights is a mobile tower defense game developed by Hypergryph and published by Yostar. It combines strategic gameplay with gacha mechanics and a strong narrative.
Players assume the role of the “Doctor,” tasked with leading Rhodes Island, a pharmaceutical organization, in combating a deadly infection called Oripathy. The gameplay involves deploying a variety of unique operators (characters) on grid-based maps to defend against waves of enemies. Each operator has distinct roles, skills, and classes, encouraging strategic team building and positioning.
Known for its anime-inspired art style, deep lore, and challenging gameplay, Arknights also features a rich soundtrack, frequent updates, and collaborations with other franchises.
2. Fire Emblem Heroes
| Initial release | February 2, 2017 |
| Developer | Intelligent Systems |
| Platform(s) | – iOS – Android |
Fire Emblem Heroes is Nintendo’s most successful mobile game, and one of the greatest gachas to every grace mobile platforms.
Players summon heroes from across the Fire Emblem series to build teams and engage in turn-based combat on grid-based maps. It features a mix of story-driven campaigns, special events, and multiplayer modes. Players can upgrade their heroes, customize their abilities and weapons, participate in seasonal events, and enjoy a gacha-style summoning system to obtain characters with unique abilities and rarity levels.
The game offers both PvE and PvP gameplay, with the ability for players to borrow heroes from their friends to complete certain challenges.
1. Genshin Impact
| Initial release | September 28, 2020 |
| Developer | miHoYo |
| Platform(s) | – PC – PlayStation 5 – Xbox Series X|S – PlayStation 4 – iOS – Android |
If we had to pick a single miHoYo gacha game from the studio’s portfolio, it’s best to pick the one that cemented the developer’s name in the industry. Genshin Impact is a revolutionary open-world gacha game that delivers overwhelming value without demanding a penny to access almost everything in it, including its massive roster of playable characters.
Taking place in the sprawling world of Teyvat as an ongoing story with free updates, Genshin Impact players explore a fully 3D world with art and gameplay that is heavily inspired by The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.
The combat is action-oriented, and classifies characters based on their elemental affinities, allowing players to quickly swap between a party of 4 to be able to deal damage in a variety of exciting ways. Daily rewards, challenges, and seasonal events keep players constantly engaged, always giving you something to be excited about.