12 Best Endless Runner Mobile Games, Ranked - The first knowledge sharing application in Vietnam

Endless Runners are one of the most popular styles of games found on mobile platforms but these titles stand out as ones that are truly special.

Endless runners are a staple of the mobile game genre. They’ve been around for decades as a concept, but in recent years the mobile gaming industry has seen a huge uptick in the number of endless running games.

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Maybe it’s because it’s an easy genre to code, maybe it’s because of all of the franchise spin-off games that follow the endless runner formula. Whatever it is, they’re consistently the most popular mobile games, and they’ve come a long way since they initially became popular.

Updated November 23, 2021 by Russ Boswell: There are a lot of great mobile games out there that players can open up during a small break or some downtime. There are a handful of in-depth mobile games that players can hop into for extended play sessions, but those looking for something quick and action-packed should consider the Endless Runner genre. A rapidly expanding space, this genre is filled with exciting games that players can usually play with one hand, as they guide characters through endless paths, avoiding enemies and obstacles to gain as many points as possible. To better celebrate the Endless Runner genre, the following list has been updated with more entries.

Pac-Man 256

Although it plays a bit differently than most “endless runners,” Pac-Man 256 is a great addition to the genre that blends together the retro action of the original Pac-Man release with some new-age graphics and an ever-expanding mechanic that has players weaving their way through an endless maze. Much like the original 1980 release, players will need to keep their eyes open and quickly maneuver around an array of angry ghosts, collecting Power Pellets and racking up as much score as possible.

Pac-Man 256 was praised for its modernized feeling, with visuals that help bring the beloved classic into the new age.

Minion Rush

Love them or hate them, it’s hard to deny the strange hold that Minions have had on Pop Culture in the last few years. Amidst all the merchandise and movies, Gameloft released Minion Rush, an endless runner featuring the iconic yellow jellybean-shaped characters. Although it’s similar in design to other Endless Runners featured on this list, Minion Rush has a lot of substance and style that keeps players coming back. Thanks to a myriad of unlockable costumes and some unique power-ups, players should find themselves addicted to progressing as far as they can through this visually-pleasing action-packed release.

Pitfall

Pitfall was originally a game made for the Atari 2600 all the way back in 1982. It made its way to mobile platforms a few years ago in two forms: a direct port of the original game, and a brand-new freerunning game that puts a spin on the well-established endless runner formula.

While the original game is technically limited to 20 minutes, it helped to establish the genre nearly 40 years ago. The endless runner version of the game is pretty fun, too, even if it does seem a bit too similar to Temple Run (which itself took some inspiration from the original Pitfall).

Canabalt

Canabalt was originally a Flash game playable in-browser on many online gaming sites like Addicting Games and Kongregate. It helped to popularize the endless runner genre back in 2009, and was ported to mobile devices not long after. In fact, the game was even ported to PC with new featured back in 2015 thanks to its popularity on mobile.

The game features multiple levels set in and around a city falling into ruin. Its control scheme is addictively simple, pioneering one-touch gameplay before the advent of mobile games as a whole, and it’s still as fun in 2021 as it was back in the glory days of Newgrounds.

Sonic Dash

Sonic Dash is a mobile take on the 3D designs of Sonic and his fellow characters, both aesthetically and in terms of gameplay. It differs from other endless runners, though, thanks to its cutscenes, story progression, multiple characters with different effects, and even properly designed boss battles.

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While many mobile spin-offs of major franchises can feel cheap or underdeveloped, Sonic Dash is a unique take on the classic series that feels fluid and fun even without buying any in-game purchases.

Super Mario Run

Super Mario Run is a Super Mario-themed endless runner game that borrows elements from the main Super Mario series. Mario can obtain powerups and coins, jump on enemies, and run across a platform-style world with just a few taps.

It’s an engaging game that doesn’t go too crazy on the microtransactions, although there is a paid version that unlocks much more of the game.

Crash Bandicoot: On The Run!

Crash Bandicoot: On The Run! is very similar to Super Mario Run as a franchise spin-off (no pun intended) game for mobile platforms. Instead of a side-scroller, Crash Bandicoot: On the Run! is a forward-facing swipe-left-or-right-to-move style endless runner.

The game was developed by King, famous for the Candy Crush franchise, and does its best to replicate the Crash Bandicoot experience in an easy-to-master game for your phone.

Run Forrest Run

Run Forrest Run is a tongue-in-cheek endless runner that, as the name might suggest, references the classic Tom Hanks film, Forrest Gump. In the film, the title character Forrest likes to run, a lot, and the game is meant to be a take on a sequence from the film where Forrest is seen running across the country.

It’s got all the typical endless running games flair, like swiping to move and power-ups to boost the player along the way, but with the added touch of being able to play as Forrest Gump.

Subway Surfers

Subway Surfers was a hit on release for its fresh take on then-saturated endless runner games genre. It had a well-developed art style, unique characters, and gameplay, and was fast-paced enough to capture any mobile gamers’ attention.

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Where Subway Surfers suffers is that the characters all look a little bit generic. The game looks great, especially because it was optimized for mobile, but you might get tired of seeing the same faces over and over again.

Jetpack Joyride

Jetpack Joyride is an older endless runner available on both iOS and Android, but that doesn’t mean it’s any less fun than recent takes on the genre. This game is a side-scroller with increasingly difficult encounters and enemies to defeat.

It’s a classic for sure, and a game most mobile game enthusiasts will recommend heartily. A sequel was announced in February 2021, called Jetpack Joyride 2, though it doesn’t look like it will be released soon.

Tiny Wings

Tiny Wings is, contrary to most endless runner-type games, very relaxing and could be considered the most stress-free take on the genre. In this sidescroller, the player controls a bird’s momentum over hills and through valleys to finish each stage as quickly as possible.

It’s a game with a lot of heart and a super cute art style, and its feeling of flow is unmatched in any other endless runner.

Punch Quest

Where Tiny Wings is one of the most relaxing endless runner games, Punch Quest might be the most brutal. Punch Quest tasks the player to make it through an endless dungeon of pixelated enemies and bosses to get as much money as possible.

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The game is an excellent fusion of the RPG and endless runner genres, as the player sees their character become more and more powerful as time goes on. The game is taxing on your thumbs, though, thanks to all the rapid tapping you’ll be doing.

Temple Run

Temple Run is considered by many to be the granddaddy of the mobile endless runner genre. In Temple Run, the player controls an explorer finding their way through an endless temple rife with traps, enemies, and obstacles to overcome.

It’s a simple game, but it established a formula that was hard for many to put down. It’s one of the most popular games of all time on both iOS and Android, so much so that countless spinoffs have spawned from the well-known original.

Crossy Road

Crossy Road is a more recent entry in the endless runner genre, but nonetheless, it made waves on release, maintaining a spot at the top of both iOS and Android app stores for weeks. It has a blocky, stylized look and polished, addicting gameplay.

In Crossy Road, you control a character in much the same way as Frogger, with the goal to get across the street without being hit by anything. The customization in the game is insanely deep, and its spin-off game Smashy Road is fun as well, although it’s not an endless runner game.

Alto’s Adventure

Alto’s Adventure is an endless runner that seamlessly combines feelings of adventure, momentum control, obstacle dodging, and use of power-ups to create a wholly unique mobile gaming experience. It has a serene atmosphere, its gorgeous to look at, and it isn’t lacking in fun either.

The game is unique among popular mobile games for its lack of monetization, as it doesn’t constantly barrage the player with ads, notifications, or shop alerts as other mobile games tend to. There is an in-game shop, sure, but it’s limited and not meant to trivialize the game. It’s one of the best endless runner games ever released thanks to these factors.

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