The best gacha games are ones that cleverly implement mechanics akin to a gachapon machine. They consist of gameplay elements that make for an exciting gameplay loop — unpredictability, excitement, and incentives to keep you engaged.
These games are filled with lootboxes, unpredictable rewards, finely crafted character designs, and intricate worlds that keep the game’s quality consistently good. While the games aren’t ranked in any order, this list contains the top titles you can get into right now.
The 10 Best Gacha Games
1. RAID: Shadow Legends
Developer | Plarium Games |
Release Date | March 29, 2019 |
Genre | Turn-based RPG |
Platforms | iOS, Android, Windows |
Rating | 71/100 on Metacritic |
Best for | Fans of strategic RPG elements who enjoy resource management and collecting champions |
Gameplay features | Over 700 champions to collect, strategic turn-based battles, player versus environment (PvE) elements |
The world of role-playing games (RPGs) is incomplete without the mention of RAID: Shadow Legends. It stands out for its deep and rewarding gameplay loop, also making it one of the best mobile RPG titles.
You’ll experience a thrill unlocking new characters, and the high-quality visuals, along with a collection of heroes, give the game a depth that can keep you engaged for a long time.
2. Blue Archive
Developer | Nexon Games |
Release Date | November 9, 2021 |
Genre | Tactical RPG |
Platforms | iOS, Android |
Rating | 81/100 on Metacritic |
Best for | Anime enthusiasts who appreciate RPG elements that support tactical gameplay |
Gameplay features | Real-time tactical battles, over hundreds of collectible characters, immersive storylines |
Blending strategic gameplay with anime-esque aesthetics, Blue Archive offers a colorful and emotional experience. Its heavy focus on character arcs and relationships keeps it unique from other gacha games.
Whether you’re playing it on iOS or Android, this is one of the best gacha mobile games available right now. Tactical battles, dynamic ultimates, and frequent events are all part of the experience here.
3. Guardian Tales
Developer | Kong Studios |
Release Date | July 28, 2020 |
Genre | RPG, action |
Platforms | iOS, Android, Nintendo Switch |
Rating | 81/100 on Metacritic |
Best for | Fans of action-driven RPGs who enjoy puzzle-solving and storytelling within a game |
Gameplay features | Pixel art with a touch of retro aesthetics, story-driven campaign, puzzle-solving, over 100 heroes to collect |
When it comes to gacha games, few do a job as fine as Guardian Tales when telling a charming story. Its special blend of action-packed sequences and pixel art style leaves a memorable impression in players’ minds.
Cleverly designed puzzles and epic boss battles also make up a large part of the gameplay loop, giving players a lot to dive into. There’s also PvP and guild co-op that keep things fresh, making it one of the best gacha games in 2025.
4. Reverse: 1999
Developer | Bluepoch |
Release Date | October 26, 2023 |
Genre | Turn-based RPG |
Platforms | iOS, Android, Windows |
Rating | 85/100 on Metacritic |
Best for | Gamers looking for a narrative-driven game with strategic combat |
Gameplay features | Immersive narrative, hand-drawn visuals, turn-based combat, philosophical storytelling |
The world of anime gacha games is often painted with emotional and philosophical themes, and Reverse: 1999 is no different. Its artistic direction and exceptional storytelling shine through and through, thanks to its beautifully written characters.
The game’s turn-based combat system shines with card mechanics and customization. Each character offers a unique depth to the game, always keeping the game fresh and exciting.
5. Honkai: Star Rail
Developer | HoYoverse |
Release Date | April 26, 2023 |
Genre | Turn-based RPG |
Platforms | iOS, Android, Windows, PlayStation |
Rating | 81/100 on Metacritic |
Best for | Fans of story-driven games with rich RPG and turn-based combat mechanics |
Gameplay features | Anime-style visuals, turn-based combat, a large roster of characters, open-world exploration |
Honkai: Star Rail thrives on a turn-based RPG system that requires tactical decision-making, encouraging players to build a team that works for their playstyle. Add breathtaking visuals and cinematic storytelling, and you have an excellent RPG at your disposal.
The game’s immersive sci-fi world is filled with lore-rich environments and compelling characters. As the narrative progresses, new mysteries of this universe are uncovered, backed by excellent writing and gameplay quality.
6. Wuthering Waves
Developer | Kuro Game |
Release Date | May 22, 2024 |
Genre | RPG, action |
Platforms | iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, PlayStation |
Rating | 69/100 on Metacritic |
Best for | Gamers who enjoy open-world exploration with deep lore and fast-paced combat |
Gameplay features | Open-world exploration, dynamic combat system, story-driven elements in a dystopian setting |
Some gacha games tend to focus on engaging mechanics when it comes to gameplay. Others focus on the narrative. Fortunately, Wuthering Waves combines the two in the best ways possible by mixing intense action (combat mechanics) with a haunting dystopian theme.
It’s the perfect co-op mobile game to play with friends if you’re into richly detailed worlds with distinct characters. Unique character animations and abilities emphasize personality traits that synergize well when gaming with someone else.
7. Dragon Ball Legends
Developer | Bandai Namco Entertainment |
Release Date | May 31, 2018 |
Genre | RPG, action, fighting |
Platforms | iOS, Android |
Rating | 79/100 on Metacritic |
Best for | Dragon Ball fans looking for a fast-paced action game on mobile |
Gameplay features | Real-time fighting with swipe-based controls, iconic Dragon Ball characters, card-based combat |
Dragon Ball Legends stays in the spotlight by combining the thrill of mobile-friendly combat mechanics and characters from the Dragon Ball universe. The game truly captures the essence of the franchise by featuring stunning cinematics and animations.
With frequent updates and competitive PvP modes, the game keeps things fresh by balancing nostalgia, action, and strategic combat. Hands down, this is one of the best mobile games for Dragon Ball fans.
8. Zenless Zone Zero
Developer | HoYoverse |
Release Date | July 2, 2024 |
Genre | RPG, action, roguelike |
Platforms | iOS, Android, Windows, PlayStation |
Rating | 76/100 on Metacritic |
Best for | Gamers looking for stylish combat in a roguelike game with immersive world building |
Gameplay features | Fast-paced combat, roguelike mechanics, diverse roster of characters |
As one of the top gacha games right now, Zenless Zone Zero redefines the action RPG genre by mixing roguelike gameplay with breathtaking anime-esque visuals. Players explore the world of New Eridu, a place with a dystopian backdrop and fascinating characters.
It has some of the best graphics on mobile, with accessible controls that help with the fluid combat system and character switching. The game has been developed with atmospheric music and a detailed character design in mind.
9. Genshin Impact
Developer | HoYoverse |
Release Date | September 28, 2020 |
Genre | RPG, action |
Platforms | iOS, Android, Windows, PlayStation, Xbox |
Rating | 84/100 on Metacritic |
Best for | Gamers looking for a large open world to explore with fluid combat and diverse characters |
Gameplay features | Vast open world, elemental combat system, rich storytelling |
Genshin Impact is arguably the most popular gacha game — its vast open world draws millions of players each month. Character traits take center stage in this high-quality RPG experience, where combat itself is driven by character development.
The game’s combat system stands out thanks to elemental damage and interactions that reward creativity. Frequent updates, new regions, and evolving storylines make it one of the best online games you can dive into.
10. Punishing: Gray Raven
Developer | Kuro Game |
Release Date | July 16, 2019 |
Genre | RPG, action, hack-and-slash |
Platforms | iOS, Android, Windows |
Rating | 82/100 on Metacritic |
Best for | Fans of the cyberpunk genre looking for a fast-paced action game |
Gameplay features | Fast-paced combat, post-apocalyptic cyberpunk aesthetic, powerful narrative |
Punishing: Gray Raven’s high-octane combat and polished graphics immediately draw you into its dystopian, cyberpunk themes. The game’s rewarding gameplay encourages a learning curve that gives it depth and replayability.
The game’s strong narrative and character arcs keep things interesting, delving into many philosophical and emotional themes. Add fluid aminations, and you have yourself one of the best hack-and-slash PC games to play in 2025.
The Best Gacha Games at a Glance
The best gacha games often mix a fluid combat system with fascinating world building and characters. Since there are so many to choose from, here’s a glance at the best ones.
Game | Best for | Platforms |
RAID: Shadow Legends | Fans of strategic RPG elements who enjoy resource management and collecting champions | iOS, Android, Windows |
Blue Archive | Anime enthusiasts who appreciate RPG elements that support tactical gameplay | iOS, Android |
Guardian Tales | Fans of action-driven RPGs who enjoy puzzle-solving and storytelling within a game | iOS, Android, Nintendo Switch |
Reverse: 1999 | Gamers looking for a narrative-driven game with strategic combat | iOS, Android, Windows |
Honkai: Star Rail | Fans of story-driven games with rich RPG and turn-based combat mechanics | iOS, Android, Windows, PlayStation |
Wuthering Waves | Gamers who enjoy open-world exploration with deep lore and fast-paced combat | iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, PlayStation |
Dragon Ball Legends | Dragon Ball fans looking for a fast-paced action game on mobile | iOS, Android |
Zenless Zone Zero | Gamers looking for stylish combat in a roguelike game with immersive world building | iOS, Android, Windows, PlayStation |
Genshin Impact | Gamers looking for a large open world to explore with fluid combat and diverse characters | iOS, Android, Windows, PlayStation, Xbox |
Punishing: Gray Raven | Fans of the cyberpunk genre looking for a fast-paced action game | iOS, Android, Windows |
What To Look For in a Gacha Game
Gacha games can be highly engaging and offer hours of seamless entertainment. However, since there are so many to choose from, here are some tips to keep in mind before making a choice.
- Fair monetization model: Before jumping into a game, make sure the in-game monetization isn’t too demanding. Season/battle passes or single basic items shouldn’t cost more than $10-$15.
- Reasonable pull rates: Unlike trading card games, gacha games are highly based on the “luck factor” and reward you based on random drops. In a game like Genshin Impact, there’s a 0.6% chance to pull a five-star item and a 94.3% chance to obtain a three-star item.
- Engaging gameplay: With adequate lore and character designs, the game should feel rewarding at every turn. Keep the game’s combat system in mind if these other factors are already in place.
- Regular updates: The best gacha games get regular updates like new regions, characters, story quests, and so on. Make sure the game you’re considering has these frequent changes.
These key points will help you choose the ideal gacha game for you. While some of the coolest games are quite popular already, there’s also a vast collection of games you can explore to learn more about different subgenres in gaming.
FAQ
Most online gacha games feature engaging gameplay elements, such as fluid combat and storytelling, with unpredictable and exciting rewards. If you still have questions about the best gacha games, take a look at the answers below.
Where Does the Term “Gacha” Come From?
The term comes from the Japanese word “gachapon” (or “gashapon”), which refers to capsule toy vending machines that are popular in Japan. A similar mechanic founded on feelings of unpredictability and randomness is now widely known as “gacha” in video games.
What Is the Most Popular Gacha Game?
With over 200 million downloads and over 65 million monthly players, Genshin Impact is the most popular gacha game right now. It offers a large roster of characters and a compelling storyline within a large open world, making it an attractive choice for newcomers to the genre and veterans alike.
Are Gacha Games Gambling?
Randomized rewards and psychological hooks might give the impression of gambling, gacha games operate on different principles. Gambling usually involves real-world money as an incentive, whereas gacha games focus more on entertainment, fictional characters, and gameplay loops.