The Most Popular Mobile Game in Japan, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the mobile game you think is the most popular!
Updated on Apr 28, 2024 06:44
In the bustling streets of Tokyo, where the digital landscape intertwines seamlessly with everyday life, the popularity of mobile games rises and falls like the tide. Navigating through the myriad of gaming options can be as daunting as finding the perfect sushi spot in a sprawling metropolis. This ever-changing hierarchy of games often reflects broader trends in technology and culture, influencing not just what people play, but how they connect with one another.
Having a curated list of top-ranked mobile games serves as a crucial guide for both avid and casual gamers. It's not just about the gameplay; it's about experiencing the pulse of cultural innovation at your fingertips. By participating in this ranking, users contribute to a broader narrative, shaping a gaming culture that is uniquely reflective of diverse player experiences and preferences.
What Is the Most Popular Mobile Game in Japan?
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161votes
嘉傑 · Public domainMonster Strike
Monster Strike, Inc.Monster Strike is a physics-based action role-playing game, which was released in 2013 and has over 40 million downloads in Japan.Monster Strike is a highly popular mobile game in Japan. It is an action role-playing game that combines elements of physics, strategy, and team-building. The game involves players battling and collecting various types of monsters to form teams for engaging in battles against powerful foes.- Genre: Action role-playing
- Release Date: August 8, 2013
- Platforms: iOS, Android
- Number of Players: Single-player, multiplayer
- Game Modes: Quests, Co-op, Versus, Dungeons
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215votes
Fate/Grand Order
Type-MoonFate/Grand Order is a mobile role-playing game based on the Fate/stay night franchise. It has a large fan base due to its unique storyline and characters.Fate/Grand Order is a popular Gacha game that is based on the Fate/stay night visual novel series. It was created by Type-Moon and is developed and published by Aniplex. The game takes players on a time-traveling adventure where they become Masters and summon historical and mythical heroes known as Servants to battle evil forces threatening humanity.- Genre: Role-playing game
- Platform: Android, iOS
- Release Date: July 30, 2015 (Japan)
- Languages: Japanese, English, Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), Korean
- Number of Servants: Over 300
Fate/Grand Order in other rankings- Position 1 of 10 in Most popular project from Sekai Group
- Position 2 of 10 in Most popular Gacha game
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321votes
Dragon Quest Walk
Square EnixDragon Quest Walk is an augmented reality game that combines the gameplay of Dragon Quest with the real world. It is a popular game in Japan, with over 10 million downloads.Dragon Quest Walk is a location-based augmented reality game developed and published by Square Enix. It allows players to explore the real world and encounter various monsters and characters from the Dragon Quest series. The game blends elements of traditional role-playing games with the mechanics of location-based games, encouraging players to explore their surroundings and complete quests.- Platform: iOS, Android
- Release Date: September 12, 2019
- Genre: RPG, Augmented Reality
- Game Modes: Single-player
- Supported Languages: Japanese
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417votes
Pokemon Go
Niantic, Inc.Pokemon Go is a location-based augmented reality game that became popular around the world in 2016. It has a large player base in Japan due to the popularity of the Pokemon franchise.Pokemon Go is an augmented reality mobile game that allows players to capture virtual creatures called Pokemon in the real world. It uses the player's smartphone camera and GPS to create an immersive experience where players can find, battle, and train Pokemon. The game became a global phenomenon and was widely popular upon its release.- Platform: iOS, Android
- Release Date: July 6, 2016
- Genre: Augmented Reality, Location-based
- Players: Single-player, Multiplayer
- Virtual Currency: PokeCoins
Pokemon Go in other rankings- Position 6 of 10 in Most overrated mobile game
- Position 10 of 10 in Most popular Pokemon generation
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528votes
Puzzle & Dragons
GungHo Online EntertainmentPuzzle & Dragons is a match-three puzzle game with role-playing elements. It has been downloaded over 80 million times in Japan.Puzzle & Dragons is a highly popular mobile game in Japan that combines elements of puzzle-solving and role-playing. Players must strategically match colored orbs in a grid to make their team of monsters attack enemies. With a captivating blend of addictive gameplay and collecting rare monsters, Puzzle & Dragons has captured the hearts of millions of players in Japan.- Genre: Puzzle, RPG
- Release Date: February 20, 2012
- Platform: iOS, Android
- Number of Downloads: Over 80 million
- Revenue: Over $7 billion (as of 2021)
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69votes
Granblue Fantasy
CygamesGranblue Fantasy is a role-playing game with gacha mechanics, which has a large player base in Japan due to its beautiful graphics and engaging story.Granblue Fantasy is a highly popular free-to-play Japanese mobile and web-based role-playing game (RPG) developed by Cygames. It was first released in 2014 and has since amassed a huge following in Japan, known for its stunning visuals, engaging gameplay, and compelling storytelling. The game takes place in the mystical world of Granblue, where players embark on a grand adventure as they gather a crew of characters, explore various islands, and engage in strategic turn-based battles.- Release Year: 2014
- Platform: Mobile and Web-based
- Genre: Role-playing Game (RPG)
- Gameplay Style: Turn-based Battles
- Free-to-play: Yes
Granblue Fantasy in other rankings- Position 6 of 10 in Most popular MMO in Japan
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77votes
Honkai Impact 3rd
miHoYoHonkai Impact 3rd - an action role-playing game with anime-style graphics, which has gained popularity in Japan due to its fast-paced combat system.Honkai Impact 3rd is a popular action role-playing game (ARPG) with gacha mechanics, developed and published by miHoYo. The game takes place in a post-apocalyptic world where players control a team of unique warriors, known as Valkyries, to fight against the Honkai, a powerful force that threatens humanity's survival. With its fast-paced combat, stunning visuals, and immersive storyline, Honkai Impact 3rd has amassed a large player base worldwide.- Platform: Android, iOS, Windows
- Genre: Action, RPG
- Release Date: October 14, 2016 (CN)
- Languages: Multiple languages, including English, Chinese, Japanese, Korean
- Modes: Singleplayer, Multiplayer
Honkai Impact 3rd in other rankings- Position 3 of 10 in Most popular Gacha game
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86votesFinal Fantasy Brave Exvius is a role-playing game based on the Final Fantasy franchise, which has been downloaded over 40 million times in Japan.Final Fantasy Brave Exvius is a popular mobile role-playing game developed by Alim and published by Square Enix. It combines classic turn-based RPG elements with a unique storyline and features characters from the Final Fantasy series. Players embark on an epic adventure, exploring dungeons, engaging in turn-based battles, and collecting a diverse roster of heroes and summons.
- Platform: iOS, Android
- Genre: Role-Playing Game (RPG)
- Release Date: October 22, 2015 (Japan)
- Languages: Japanese, English
- Offline/Online: Online
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94votes
Love Live! School Idol Festival
KLab Inc.Love Live! School Idol Festival is a rhythm game based on the Love Live! franchise. It has a large fan base in Japan due to its engaging gameplay and popular anime characters.Love Live! School Idol Festival is a popular mobile game in Japan that combines elements of rhythm and strategy. The game is based on the Love Live! franchise, which includes an anime series and a music group. Players take on the role of a school idol manager and aim to form the best idol group.- Genre: Rhythm/Strategy
- Platform: iOS, Android
- Release Date: April 2013
- Number of Players: Single player, with online events
- In-App Purchases: Yes
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104votes
Fire Emblem Heroes
Intelligent SystemsFire Emblem Heroes is a tactical role-playing game based on the Fire Emblem series. It has a large player base in Japan due to its engaging story and popular characters.Fire Emblem Heroes is a popular mobile Gacha game developed by Intelligent Systems and published by Nintendo. The game brings together hundreds of characters from the Fire Emblem series, allowing players to build their own army and engage in strategic turn-based battles. With its captivating storylines, polished gameplay mechanics, and frequent updates, Fire Emblem Heroes has gained a massive following worldwide.- Genre: Gacha mobile game
- Developer: Intelligent Systems
- Publisher: Nintendo
- Release Date: February 2, 2017
- Platforms: Android, iOS, Nintendo Switch
Fire Emblem Heroes in other rankings- Position 6 of 10 in Most popular Gacha game
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Ranking factors for popular mobile game
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Number of downloadsThe total number of downloads of the game can be a strong indicator of its popularity. This data can be obtained from app stores such as Google Play and Apple App Store, as well as third-party analytics tools.
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User ratings and reviewsThe average rating and user reviews on app stores can provide insight into the quality of the game and overall user satisfaction. Games with high average ratings and positive reviews are likely to be more popular than those with lower ratings.
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Revenue generationThe total revenue and in-app purchases of a game can be an indicator of its popularity. Financial success often correlates with the number of players who are actively engaged and spending money on the game's features and content.
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Social media presenceThe level of engagement and number of followers on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram can indicate a game's popularity. High levels of engagement and a large number of followers imply a strong fan base.
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Awards and recognitionsGames that have received awards or have been mentioned in prominent media outlets can be considered more popular. This external recognition may attract more players and contribute to the game's overall success.
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7Game updates and longevity: Regular updates and the release of new content can maintain players' interest in a game and contribute to its popularity. Longevity and ongoing popularity can be a sign of a well-loved mobile game.
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Cultural appealGames that are specifically designed to cater to Japanese culture and preferences may have a better chance of becoming popular among Japanese players. This can include visual elements, characters, gameplay, and storytelling based on Japanese themes and concepts.
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Compatibility and accessibilityPopular mobile games should be easily accessible and compatible with various mobile devices and operating systems. This ensures a wider user base and greater potential for popularity.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular mobile game in Japan. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or game is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 3848 views
- 178 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each game once every 24 hours. The rank of each game is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular mobile game in japan
Mobile gaming has become a global phenomenon, and Japan is no exception. With a population of over 126 million people, more than half of whom own a smartphone, it's no surprise that mobile gaming has taken the country by storm. In fact, Japan is one of the world's largest mobile gaming markets, with an estimated value of over $10 billion in 2020.
The most popular mobile games in Japan are often those that are easy to pick up and play, with colorful graphics and engaging gameplay. Some of the most successful games in recent years include Puzzle & Dragons, Monster Strike, and Fate/Grand Order. These games have become household names in Japan, with millions of downloads and dedicated fan bases.
But what is the most popular mobile game in Japan right now? With so many options to choose from, it can be hard to keep up. That's where StrawPoll comes in – we've collected data from thousands of users to give you an insight into what Japanese gamers are currently playing the most. So, let's dive in and find out which mobile game has captured the hearts of the Japanese gaming community!
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