Daily Mobile Gaming News

A cleaner daily brief on mobile game launches, updates, and pre-registration moves worth watching.

News Thu, Jul 9, 2026

June’s top mobile game downloads: Arrows, Amaze Go, Free Fire Max, Roblox

According to Appmagic data, the leading mobile game downloads for June highlight significant trends in the market, even as the estimates exclude the fragmented Android market in China. Notably, the Arrows games continue to dominate download charts, primarily driven by India. Three of these titles made it into the top ten for the month, with two of them developed by Easybrain, a subsidiary of Miniclip/Tencent. The original Arrows game, identified by its icon, narrowly outperformed its close competitor, Amaze Go, which rebranded from Arrows Go last month. Estimates show only a couple of million downloads separated these two games. Easybrain's other Arrows game secured fifth place with 16.4 million installs, solidifying its dominance in this burgeoning subgenre. Garena’s Free Fire Max maintained its strong performance with approximately 23 million downloads, while Roblox experienced a resurgence with about 19 million monthly downloads, bouncing back after a previous decline. Ludo King remained reliable in its downloads, although Block Blast faced its third consecutive month of decline, dropping from over 26 million installs in March to below 14 million in June. This raises questions about its sustainability amid the rising popularity of the Arrows games. Subway Surfers, Pizza Ready, and Vita Mahjong showed slight month-on-month decreases but have firmly established their positions in the top ten. Meanwhile, Learnings’ Meowdoku benefited from a recent marketing push, garnering over 10 million installs in its initial month and just missing a top ten placement. If the marketing momentum continues, it is poised to break into the top ten in July. In the 11-20 bracket, Soccer Superstar, EA Sports FC Mobile, Football League 2026, and eFootball saw notable month-on-month increases, likely fueled by World Cup excitement. Block Crazy Robo World Craft also continued its unexpected consistency with another strong month. However, Fortnite dropped eight spots following its iOS rerelease in May, now sitting outside the top twenty, while Dream Games’ Royal Kingdom fell to 24th place with approximately 7.9 million installs in June.

News Thu, Jul 9, 2026

Voting Open for Mobile Games Awards 2026 with Samsung Gaming Hub

The Mobile Games Awards 2026, in partnership with Samsung Gaming Hub, has unveiled its list of finalists, and the voting process has officially begun. This year’s awards will take place on August 25th in Cologne, coinciding with Gamescom week. Voting will remain open until midnight on July 20th, offering industry insiders a chance to recognize excellence among their peers over the past year. The Mobile Games Awards highlight achievements across the mobile gaming landscape, celebrating contributions from indie developers to major publishers, as well as tool providers, advertising solutions, analytics, marketing teams, payment platforms, QA support, new technology, and, of course, the games themselves. This annual event aims to acknowledge outstanding accomplishments from various sectors within this vibrant industry. For those wishing to attend the gala and witness the live announcement of winners, tickets are currently on sale and are expected to sell out quickly. Last year's winners can be viewed on the official awards site.

News Wed, Jul 8, 2026

Nexon Reveals Tokyo Game Show 2026 Lineup with Mabinogi Mobile and Project RX

Nexon has confirmed its lineup for the Tokyo Game Show 2026, set to take place at Makuhari Messe from September 17 to September 21, 2026. Among the highlighted titles are Mabinogi Mobile and the highly anticipated Project RX, both of which will be showcased at the company’s booth. A teaser website has been launched to provide updates as the event approaches. Mabinogi Mobile, developed by devCAT, is a reimagining of Nexon’s enduring MMORPG franchise tailored for mobile devices and PC. Unlike a straightforward adaptation, this version introduces a fresh storyline while retaining beloved features such as character customization, cooking, housing, and social interaction. It also supports cross-play between mobile and PC. Initially launched in South Korea in 2025, Mabinogi Mobile quickly surpassed four million downloads, topping charts on both Google Play and the Apple App Store, and earned the title of Game of the Year at the 2025 Korea Game Awards. Following its release in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau in July, the game is expected to arrive in Japan later this year. Project RX, in contrast, remains more enigmatic. Developed by Nexon’s IO division, the same studio that created Blue Archive, this title combines an anime-inspired cast with a focus on story-driven gameplay, daily life activities, and combat utilizing Unreal Engine 5 technology. As of now, Nexon has not provided a release window for Project RX. Additional information regarding both games, including booth activities and other exhibition plans, will be disclosed on the Tokyo Game Show teaser site in the weeks leading up to the event.

Update Wed, Jul 8, 2026

Mongil: Star Dive Version 1.2 Update Introduces New Characters and Features

Netmarble has rolled out the Version 1.2 update for its action RPG Mongil: Star Dive, bringing significant new content and gameplay enhancements. The update introduces two new 5-Star characters, a limited-time summer event, and the highly anticipated Dispatch System, now available on mobile devices and PC through the Epic Games Store. The centerpiece of this update is the seasonal event titled "An Unforgettable First Summer Dive!" running until July 28. This event features Summer Lane, a new map designed around a summer festival, where players can enjoy activities like a water slide attraction and an obstacle course mini-game. Alongside the event, players can acquire over 100 summon tickets through the Summer Special 7-Day Gifts login event and Grand Summer Festival Missions, alongside other in-game rewards. The update also adds two new summer-themed 5-Star characters: Francis: Summer Dive!, an Earth-type Support unit, and Verna: Summer Dive!, a Fire-type Fighter. In addition, the new Dispatch System allows players to assign characters to hunt monsters and gather resources automatically, enhancing character progression without manual grinding. Moreover, Version 1.2 introduces a new Monsterling for the Legendary Monster Reginula, which unlocks an exclusive Link Chain skill to aid in battles. Quality-of-life improvements include the ability to reset and enhance Monsterling traits, guaranteed success in Mutant Monsterling synthesis, new higher difficulty levels in Conquest mode, and various gameplay adjustments based on player feedback. Mongil: Star Dive, the official successor to Monster Taming, originally launched in 2013. Built on Unreal Engine 5, it combines monster collecting, real-time three-character tag combat, and cinematic storytelling.

News Wed, Jul 8, 2026

Final Fantasy 7 Ever Crisis to Shut Down on October 6

Square Enix has announced the closure of Final Fantasy 7: Ever Crisis, confirming that both the mobile and Steam versions of the free-to-play RPG will go offline on October 6 at 11 PM PT (October 7 at 2 AM EDT, 7 AM BST). Originally launched on mobile in September 2023 and later on Steam in December, the game has seen approximately 3.7 million downloads and generated around $100 million in revenue within its short operational period, with $680,000 earned in the last month alone, according to AppMagic estimates. Japan was the leading market for Ever Crisis, accounting for roughly one-third of all downloads, while North America contributed about a quarter of the player base. Square Enix's mobile gaming portfolio has reportedly generated around $6.88 billion in total revenue. In an official statement, the publisher expressed regret over the abrupt nature of the announcement, highlighting their commitment to providing a quality experience since the game's launch on the App Store and Google Play on September 7, 2023, and on Steam on December 6, 2023. However, they concluded that continuing to do so was not feasible, prompting the decision to end service. Players can no longer purchase Red Crystal Sales, the in-game currency, but they can still use their existing supply while the game remains online. Additionally, players in Taiwan are eligible for refunds on any unspent currency and are advised to retain their save files until the refund process is finalized.

News Wed, Jul 8, 2026

Nintendo’s Mario Kart Tour to Shut Down in September

Nintendo has announced the closure of its mobile racing game, Mario Kart Tour, with services set to end on September 29 at 11pm PT (8am on September 30 CEST). In a statement shared on social media, the company expressed gratitude to players for their support throughout the game's run. As part of the shutdown process, sales of the in-game currency, rubies, have already ceased. However, players can still utilize their existing rubies in the Spotlight Shop, Mii Racing Suit Shop, and Coin Rush until the game officially closes. Furthermore, Nintendo has halted all automatic renewals for the Gold Pass subscription and suspended new subscriptions. Players will still be able to enjoy some Gold Pass benefits without the continuous subscription features, and starting August 4, all users can access these benefits for free. Mario Kart Tour had a rocky debut in 2019, facing backlash due to its gacha-style mechanics. According to estimates from AppMagic, the game saw a peak of 14.7 million downloads within 24 hours of its launch on September 26, 2019. It accumulated 54 million downloads in its first week and reached 81.8 million downloads by the end of its first month. To date, Mario Kart Tour has surpassed 274 million downloads and generated approximately $268.4 million in revenue for Nintendo, as reported by AppMagic. Despite a lack of new content in recent times, the game reportedly earned $650,000 for Nintendo in the last 30 days. Nintendo's mobile gaming strategy appears to be waning since its entry into the market in 2016 with Super Mario Run, the first official Mario platformer on non-Nintendo hardware. Nonetheless, Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa reaffirmed in February 2025 that the company has not abandoned mobile gaming, highlighting that its apps have been downloaded over 900 million times globally as of September 2024. Nintendo Japan is estimated to have generated around $1.59 billion from its mobile apps, with Fire Emblem Heroes being noted as the company's first mobile title to surpass a billion dollars in revenue. The latest mobile release from Nintendo was Pictonico, a photo-based minigame collection, which launched on iOS and Android in May.

News Wed, Jul 8, 2026

Pokémon Go Celebrates 10 Years of Evolution and Community Impact

Launched on July 6, 2016, Pokémon Go has reached a significant milestone, celebrating its 10th anniversary while maintaining its status as one of the most profitable mobile games. Over the past decade, it has generated more than $9 billion in revenue across the App Store and Google Play, according to AppMagic estimates. Players have collectively walked over 30 billion miles, demonstrating the game's successful encouragement of outdoor activity. As recently as 2025, when Scopely acquired Niantic's flagship game in a deal worth $3.5 billion, approximately 10 million players were still engaging with Pokémon Go weekly. Kim Adams, a key figure at Scopely and part of the Pokémon Go team since 2022, reflected on the game's profound impact, saying, "Early signals for us were pretty clear. It became a global phenomenon." Adams noted that the game's initial success was evident with 21 million players within the first three days of its launch, leading to widespread community engagement. The game has since evolved to include features such as a friends system, trading, PvP battles, and Raid Hours, enhancing its social connections. The phenomenon of Pokémon Go, often seen as a revival of the 90s Pokémania, has successfully attracted both nostalgic fans and new players. It has created a sense of community, with players forming friendships through shared experiences in the game. Adams shared stories of players who met through Pokémon Go, leading to significant social connections, such as attending weddings together. Despite its success, the journey has not been without challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic posed a significant hurdle, as it halted outdoor exploration and group meetups essential to the game’s concept. Adams recounted how the team pivoted to virtual events and adapted gameplay mechanics to allow players to engage from home. During the lockdown, the game saw its most profitable year, driven by features like expanded Pokémon spawn radii and Remote Raids that allowed global participation. Looking ahead, Pokémon Go continues to thrive under Scopely's stewardship, with a focus on long-term sustainability and player-centric development. Kurlemann emphasized the importance of making games that resonate with players of all ages, underscoring the ongoing ambition to innovate while maintaining the core aspects of the game. As Pokémon Go enters its next decade, it remains committed to evolving its gameplay and fostering its vibrant community.

News Wed, Jul 8, 2026

Love and Deepspace Cancels Bilibili World 2026 Appearance Over Valko Controversy

Infold Games has announced the cancellation of Love and Deepspace's participation at Bilibili World 2026 amid significant backlash over the character Valko. This decision follows the removal of Valko, who was intended to be a new love interest in the game, after players in China expressed strong disapproval. A statement posted on the game's Xiaohongshu account acknowledged the criticism and included an apology to the player community. In light of the cancellation, Infold Games will reimburse fans for any losses associated with Bilibili World, including ticket costs, airfare, and hotel cancellations for those who were set to attend the now-canceled panel. The studio also committed to conducting internal training and continuing to address the controversy while respecting Chinese culture and history. The uproar surrounding Valko began with concerns about his introduction as a new love interest, as players voiced worries regarding the development of existing romance options and a controversial placeholder file associated with the character. This outcry led to the decision to remove Valko prior to his official release and prompted the cancellation of planned interactive activities involving a cosplayer of the character during the Anime Expo panel. A fan petition demanding the reinstatement of Valko has gained traction, amassing over 230,000 signatures with a target of 250,000. In response to the backlash, Infold has stated it will focus on enhancing the stories of the five existing romance options rather than introducing new ones.

News Wed, Jul 8, 2026

Never Grave: The Witch and The Curse Set for Android Release

Pocketpair Publishing and Frontside 180 Studio have announced that their 2D roguelike action game, Never Grave: The Witch and The Curse, will soon be available on Android. While a specific release date has yet to be disclosed, players can currently pre-register for the game on Google Play. Never Grave initially launched on March 5, 2026, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam. This title combines elements of Metroidvania and roguelite gameplay, allowing players to progress using a unique cursed hat. Players can wield various forms of magic or even possess their enemies to reach deeper levels of the game's dungeons. The game includes a village-building aspect, where players can return with loot, clear debris, and construct new facilities to enhance their capabilities for future battles. Never Grave supports up to four-player multiplayer, enabling friends to join forces and explore dungeons together. The game features authentic 2D action, where players must identify enemy attacks and leverage magic, alongside environmental advantages. Dungeons are procedurally generated, ensuring a fresh experience with each playthrough, while also incorporating obstacles and puzzles. Key features include a possession system that allows players to take on the abilities of enemies, creating diverse gameplay opportunities. The game showcases traditional Japanese hand-drawn animations and richly painted backgrounds, contributing to its immersive aesthetic. Players will encounter intense boss battles that require more than just memorizing patterns to succeed. With the ability to explore ever-changing terrain and the promise of cooperative multiplayer, Never Grave: The Witch and The Curse aims to offer a compelling gaming experience.

News Wed, Jul 8, 2026

Tokyo Game Show 2026 Exhibitors List Revealed

The Computer Entertainment Supplier’s Association has unveiled the exhibitors list and main visual for the Tokyo Game Show 2026, scheduled to take place from September 17 to 21 at Makuhari Messe in Chiba, Japan. This year’s main visual is crafted by Warashi, marking its second consecutive year in this role. Currently, the event has attracted 759 exhibitors, comprising 484 from Japan and 275 from international origins, which collectively occupy a total of 3,946 booths. Notably, exhibitors hail from 51 countries and regions, exceeding the 46 seen in 2025. Attendees can expect a wide variety of game genres and several highly anticipated new releases across platforms, including home consoles, smartphones, and PCs. The event will showcase prominent e-sports titles alongside advanced augmented reality and virtual reality experiences, as well as innovative indie games. Beyond games, the exhibition will also feature gaming hardware and furniture designed for optimal play environments, along with cutting-edge business solutions. The Tokyo Game Show 2026 aims to serve as a comprehensive platform for both business-to-business and business-to-consumer interactions, allowing participants to engage with the latest trends in the gaming industry. The confirmed exhibitors list includes major players such as Capcom, Koei Tecmo, LEVEL-5, SEGA/ATLAS, Sony Interactive Entertainment, and Square Enix, among many others.