2025 ended up being one of those quieter years for mobile games. This isn’t to say there weren’t a ton of titles. Lots of new releases showed up for folks who prefer to play on their phones and tablets. It’s more like some of the releases overshadowed the others and stole the spotlight in ways that made it feel like those two or three newcomers ended up being discussed most alongside the ongoing titles we’ve kept up with for years. But we did feel some of them were extra special, so check out our Mobile Game of the Year 2025 selections below.
These awards represent the consensus of the Siliconera staff. Multiplatform games are considered on the platform for which they received the most staff support. For more of the year’s award selections, check out our Game of the Year 2025 archive.
Persona 5: The Phantom X
New to the rest of the world in 2025, following a Chinese debut first, Persona 5: The Phantom X builds on the world of one of the biggest entries in that series by putting us behind the masks of a whole new group of Phantom Thieves. (Don’t worry though, as the old crew is there too!) While it’s not as faithful to the formula, it can be a lot of fun!
Pokemon TCG Pocket
There’s a new way to play the Pokemon TCG game on the go! Pocket isn’t 100% faithful to the original game, but the alterations are designed to make it easier to play in shorter bursts. Though at times, it also feels like getting new cards and tearing into virtual packs is just as big of a part of the experience. Now that it’s been around for a while and features an array of additional expansions and events, it’s really come into its own.
Umamusume: Pretty Derby
So these characters are young women with horse ears and tails who attend Tracen Academy so they can learn to run good enough to get the center, starring spot in the concerts that involve the winners of races. Also, all of these Trainees are based on real-life horses, right down to their traits being reflected in the characters’ personalities and running styles. Also, rather than controlling them as they run the races, gameplay makes you the trainers who prepare them in Princess Maker-style simulations to ensure they’re at the top of their game. Umamusume: Pretty Derby is extraordinary, and it’s our mobile game of the year for 2025.