It kicked off the hunt for the best MOBA games, but it's been a long time since the original Defence of the Ancients mod for Warcraft 3. That was all the way back in 2003, but the genre is still going strong in 2024. For all that attention, however, only a few games have proven to have genuine sticking power. From some of the best PC games like League of Legends to console and mobile-focused newcomers like Pokemon Unite, we're here to guide you through the ten best MOBAs you can play right now.
MOBA stands for Multiplayer Online Battle Arena, meaning the aim of most of the games below is the band together with likeminded players to form alliances and battle other players. This makes for not only good fun, but good savings. The MOBA's inherent hardware and cost accessibility means that if you're in the market for some of the best laptop games or best free Steam games, you could certainly do worse than any one of the best MOBA games listed here. On the other hand, if the notorious complexity of the MOBA doesn't appeal, you can look further afield with our list of the best Steam games or upcoming PC games to get psyched for in 2024 and beyond. For now, though, check out the very best MOBAs to get stuck into if you're keen to check out some sprawling (yet rewarding) online multiplayer games.
The best MOBA games ever, starting with...
10. Vainglory
Developer: Super Evil Megacorp
Platform(s): Android, iOS, PC
Vainglory has been earning its spot on this best MOBA list ever since its release in late 2014. It has the elements you’ve grown to love from MOBA games, but there’s a series of interesting additions along the way. First off, it offers cross-play between Steam and mobile devices. This is important, since it nails delivering the thrill you would expect from a MOBA on PC on a smaller screen, and the sheer variety and character build opportunities lead to some interesting results. Features such as override, which allows you to unlock a modification of a skill once you have levelled it up fully in a match make a difference, and all champions have their unique flavour.
9. Arena of Valour
Developer: TiMi Studio Group
Platform(s): Android, iOS, Switch
Tencent Games’ Arena of Valor is one of the most popular MOBA games on mobile, and for a reason. It’s not a game that stands out for bringing many new ideas to the genre, remaining rather straightforward and faithful to the prime foundation (although there are a few surprises such as having Batman as a champion). Instead, it focuses on delivering a polished experience for touch screens, as well as making the best use of the Joy-Cons on Switch. You can expect both 5v5 and 3v3 matches, as well as a long list of champions to choose from.
8. Battlerite
Developer: Stunlock Studios
Platform(s): PC
Battlerite might seem like an odd choice for the list, considering you’re not defending or conquering bases. But in essence, and after the developers jumped from the iconic Bloodline Champions onto this game, there are many elements from the best MOBA games in here. It’s essentially a team-based brawler filled with dozens of characters to choose from, a deep and precise combat, and the same intensity that makes encounters so interesting in your regular MOBA. If you’re looking for something different that shares many similarities with the main genre entries, then Battlerite is the best choice, even if it’s currently not as active as it once was in the past.
7. Awesomenauts
Developer: Ronimo Games
Platform(s): PC, PS4, Xbox One
Ronimo Games released Awesomenauts back in 2012, and whilst it may not be the big MOBA it used to be, the premise and wonderful cast of characters still make for a worthy revisit or first visit altogether. It introduced itself as a 2D MOBA, where you pick up your characters and go through different objectives, defending your base and trying to score as many points as possible before the match is over. They can be exhilarating, often feeling more like your usual beat ‘em up or 2D shooter than a regular MOBA, and that’s where the biggest appeal comes from, especially for new players of the genre.
6. League of Legends: Wild Rift
Developer: Riot Games
Platform(s): Android, iOS
After almost a decade of clones, Riot has released its own mobile version of League of Legends. While Wild Rift is the real deal, coming direct from the main game's developers, it's also very much its own thing: Matches are shorter than LoL's, with Riot suggesting it wants the entire match - from clicking 'Play' to the post-game lobby - to last around 30 minutes; the game's roster is smaller than League of Legends', and while Wild Rift is catching up to its older sibling, some champs may never make their way to mobile; some gameplay features - like the map and some abilities - have been tweaked for mobile. Despite the changes, however, Wild Rift is still an authentic League of Legends experience, with a burgeoning esports scene and plenty of Riot's cosmetic artistry. Currently available on mobile, there are plans for further console ports down the road.
5. Pokemon Unite
Developer: TiMi Studio Group
Platform(s): Android, iOS, Switch
The Pokemon Company waded into the MOBA space pretty late with 2021's Pokemon Unite, but if you're looking for a slight twist on the familiar formula, it's a strong alternative. Rather than attempting to take down your opponents' base, you're aiming to score points by defeating wild Pokemon before banking those points on your opponents' side of the map. A still-growing roster puts players in control of 36 playable mons, and means that you'll need to work out the pros and cons of your team, bearing in mind factors like type differences, and even the rate at which your chosen character evolves, gaining more powerful abilities as the game progresses. It's certainly not the kind of Pokemon game you might have grown used to playing over the years, but it makes for a fast-paced and surprisingly competitive MOBA.
4. Smite
Developer: Titan Forge Games
Platform(s): PC, PS4, Switch, Xbox One
Smite is an interesting entry in this list, and a title that certainly knew how to stand out back in 2014. The essence of MOBA games is there from the beginning, but the key difference is that you’re commanding champions - in this case, they are gods instead, from Zeus to Ra and Ganesha - from a third-person perspective. Each encounter with the enemy team feels visceral and tangible, and the extensive and varied list of abilities and powers to use in the battlefield make for some interesting battles and synergies to try out. Recent collaborations, including one with Avatar: The Last Airbender, really showcased how much there is still left to come, and its player base remains as big as ever.
3. Heroes of the Storm
Developer: Blizzard Entertainment
Platform(s): PC
Blizzard released Heroes of the Storm back in 2015, and while it officially entered 'maintenance mode' back in July, it remains one of the most successful examples of the genre, chasing just behind the likes of LoL and DotA during their glory years. A Blizzard multiverse, of sorts, HotS brought together some of the most iconic characters from franchises like Diablo, Starcraft and Overwatch.
The biggest highlight, however, lies upon the dynamic of each match. Ask anyone who plays MOBA games and they will tell you that teamwork is important. But here, teamwork is key to success. Activities from collecting gold coins and then making a deposit to summon cannons that damage the enemy base or using seeds to call a massive monster are only a few examples, and that’s what makes this title so interesting, and different, from the rest.
2. DOTA 2
Developer: Valve
Platform(s): PC
Technically the sequel to the proto-MOBA, Defense of the Ancients, Valve scooped up that original team and made DOTA 2 its very own. It's one of the more punishing games on this list due to the sheer depth of its mechanics, but that does at least mean it'll keep most of its fans playing for thousands of hours. The immense community behind it can be found both on Steam’s marketplace and all around the world with official tournaments. Details such as Announcers from games like Portal, Bastion, and Deus Ex, as well as a gigantic roster of champions to choose from make Dota 2 one of the pillars of the genre.
1. League of Legends
Developer: Riot Games
Platform(s): PC
League of Legends might not have been the first MOBA, but it's certainly proved to be the biggest. More accessible than DOTA 2, and with a greater focus on its characters and their personalities, it's established itself as the definitive MOBA, especially if you're just starting out.
Played by millions every day, it's not only laid claim to its own genre crown, but has allowed developer Riot to expand in a suite of new directions. From the aforementioned Wild Rift, to spin-off games like Teamfight Tactics, Ruined King, and Legends of Runeterra, and even the acclaimed Netflix series Arcane, League of Legends has laid its claim to being the next multimedia juggernaut of the gaming world - and it all started from one humble MOBA back in 2009.
