The 10 Best MOBA Games | High Ground Gaming

Are you a fan of cooperative strategy games? Do you excel in high stakes competitions? If the answer is yes, the best MOBA games are the perfect way to get your fix.

Take control of a hero and team up with others from around the world to outmaneuver your opponents and destroy their base! The map is your battlefield and there are all kinds of tactics and strategic possibilities just waiting to be discovered. Naturally, the mayhem that ensues provides action-packed excitement for hours of entertainment.

This article takes you through the best MOBA games on the market. We’ll look at top-tier titles like LoL and Dota, as well as popular options for console and mobile. Lastly, we’ll catch a glimpse behind the genre’s unique mechanics and see what the future has in store. Ready to roll? Hop in your lane and let’s get started.

10 Best MOBA Games

For starters, we’ve assembled the following list of top MOBA games currently available for play.

1. League of Legends

Our pick for one of the best MOBA games ever

• Website: https://na.leagueoflegends.com/
• Platform: PC, Mac
• Genre: MOBA
• Developer: Riot Games
• Release: 2009

Hands down the most popular MOBA game for PC, League of Legends is an action-packed game that offers hours of entertainment. In League, players assume the role of summoner, an overseer who controls the actions of a champion. Each round players choose from over 100 unique champions, each with its own special moves and abilities. Once you’re ready, launch into the Summoner’s Rift to team up and battle it out against the opposing team. Think you’ve got what it takes to destroy the enemy Nexus? Head over to the main website today to download League for Windows or Mac.

2. Dota 2

Our pick for one of the best original MOBA games

• Website: http://www.dota2.com/
• Platform: PC, Mac, Linux
• Genre: MOBA
• Developer: Valve Corporation
• Release: 2013

Originally a mod for Warcraft, Dota 2 came into its own when Valve Corporation took over development and brought it into the upper echelons of pro MOBA gaming. Gameplay consists of two teams of five battling it out with the goal of destroying the enemy’s Ancient. Teams are composed of heroes, each of which have their own special stats and abilities. Pick your hero, pick your role, and fight your way to victory. Dota is is one of the best real-time strategy games on PC, and it’s another extremely popular MOBA alongside League.

3. Heroes of the Storm

Our pick for one of the best MOBA games PC

• Website: https://heroesofthestorm.com/
• Platform: PC, Mac
• Genre: MOBA
• Developer: Blizzard Entertainment
• Release: 2015

Heroes of the Storm marks Blizzard’s latest foray into the MOBA game scene. The game features characters from a variety of Blizzard’s franchises like Overwatch, Starcraft, and Diablo. As for the premise? Players team up to fight against the opposing team in thrilling 5v5 matches. There are several different game modes to choose from, with options that include training, unranked, and ranked matches. The game was released to critical acclaim and the community remains incredibly active.

4. Vainglory

Our pick for one of the best MOBA games on iOS

• Website: https://www.vainglorygame.com/
• Platform: PC, Mac, iOS, Android
• Genre: MOBA
• Developer: Super Evil Megacorp
• Release: 2014

Do you have what it takes to duke it out with the opposing team and emerge victorious? Vainglory has players choose a character, assemble a team, then fight for control over the map’s various lanes. You’ll need to be on guard as you watch out for enemy turrets and collect resources to vie for dominance. Vainglory boasts breathtaking maps and exciting co-op competitive play, and it’s one of the best iPhone MOBA games on the market.

Our pick for one of the best PS4 MOBA games

• Website: https://www.awesomenauts.com/
• Platform: PC, Mac, Linux, PS4, Xbox One
• Genre: MOBA
• Developer: Ronimo Games
• Release: 2012

As the only pure 2D MOBA game on our list, Awesomenauts has a lot to contend with. That said, it holds its own by offering an incredible MOBA experience that incorporates platformer and fighting game elements. Players must choose their characters, each with its own special attributes, partner up with two additional players, and duke it out against the competition. The goal? Infiltrate the opposing team’s base and destroy their prized Solar Collector. Fight your way past a variety of obstacles and unlock goodies along the way. Are you awesome enough to emerge victorious?

6. Battlerite

Our pick for one of the best Xbox One MOBA games

• Website: https://www.battlerite.com/
• Platform: PC, Xbox One
• Genre: MOBA
• Developer: Stunlock Studios
• Release: 2016

Battlerite matches are composed of two different teams of three. Players must choose a champion, enter the battle arena, and destroy the enemy team to gain points and win the game. But be vigilant! There are no resources to collect or bases to destroy– it’s your team’s strategy and pure firepower pitted against the opposing team. Every match is chalk-full of action and excitement, and, in comparison to other MOBAs, games only last a few minutes.

7. Heroes of Newerth

Our pick for one of the best multiplayer online battle arena games

• Website: https://www.heroesofnewerth.com/
• Platform: PC, Mac, Linux
• Genre: MOBA
• Developer: Garena
• Release: 2010

Heroes of Newerth is one of the oldest MOBA games on our list. Yet, it remains among the most popular in the genre. That’s because the game introduced and refined many of the mechanics you know and love like character leveling, gold collection, and special abilities. Que up for matchmaking, gather a team of champions, and battle it out in the lanes. If you manage to destroy the enemy’s central structure, your team wins!

8. Paladins

Our pick for one of the best crossover MOBA games

• Website: https://www.paladins.com/
• Platform: PC, Mac, PS4, Xbox One, Switch
• Genre: Shooter, MOBA
• Developer: Hi-Rez Studios
• Release: 2016

While Paladins is primarily a shooter game, it features many of the same mechanics found in the mainstream MOBA games on our list. The premise? Paladins is set in a sci-fi fantasy world full of heroes. In this world, players assume control of a champion who must band together with others from around the globe. Then, all hell breaks loose. Jump into the arena to hold your ground while trying to knock out enemy forces. There are several different game modes to choose from, including siege, onslaught, team deathmatch, and more. Jump into the fray on your favorite platform, and hold down the fort.

9. Arena of Valor

Our pick for one of the best Android MOBA games

• Website: https://www.arenaofvalor.com/
• Platform: Switch, iOS, Android
• Genre: MOBA
• Developer: Tencent
• Release: 2016

If you’re seeking one of the best MOBA games on Android, look no further. Arena of Valor is a popular 3D phone MOBA game that’s available to play on Nintendo Switch, iOS, and Android. Like many other battle arena titles, players take control of a hero that has its own set of stats and abilities. Team with other players then enter the battle to destroy enemy towers and make your way to the opposing base. Fight your way to other end of the map and launch the death strike to claim victory!

10. Smite

Our pick for one of the best Switch MOBA games

• Website: https://www.smitegame.com/
• Platform: PC, Mac, PS4, Xbox One, Switch
• Genre: MOBA
• Developer: Hi-Rez Studios
• Release: 2014

There aren’t any other games like Smite on the market. What makes it so special? Players take control of a god or goddess from ancient mythology to fight against an opposing team of mythical beings. Choose your favorite deity, enter the arena, and jump into action. The goal of the game? Make your way down one of three lanes to enter enemy territory, destroy their phoenix guardians, and obliterate the Titan that lurks nearby. Manage to do this before the opposing team can stop you, and victory is yours for the taking!

Top 3 Upcoming MOBA Games

Next let’s peek at the top 3 upcoming releases in the MOBA genre.

1. Ignis: Duel of Wizards

• Website: https://store.steampowered.com/
• Platform: PC
• Genre: MOBA
• Developer: Moonlit
• Release: TBA

Ignis: Duel of Wizards is an upcoming battle arena game that has players take control of a wizard with untapped magical abilities. Enter the arena to test your skills and learn to control your magical projectiles. It won’t take long until you have an arsenal of mystic spells that you can unleash on your opponents in real-time! Summon creatures, rain down meteors, and destroy your enemy to claim victory.

2. Rise of Winterchill

• Website: https://riseofwinterchill.com/
• Platform: PC
• Genre: MOBA
• Developer: Softmints
• Release: TBA

Similar to the Dota franchise, Rise of Winterchill began life as a mod to a pre-existing Blizzard game. As the mod surged in popularity, the developers decided it was time to step things up a notch. Enter Rise of Winterchill. RoW features an innovative mutual support system, advisor roles, and empowerment mechanics. Their goal is to give players as much influence over the outcome of the game as possible. Sound intriguing? Head over to the main site to see what the dev team is up to!

3. Circuits and Shields

• Website: http://circuitsandshields.com/
• Platform: PC
• Genre: MOBA
• Developer: C&S Studio
• Release: TBA

Circuits and Shields has dubbed itself the Modern Gamer’s MOBA. What’s that mean? The game is set to simplify and enhance the mechanics you already know and love. Their goal? To provide a unique experience that will entice both new players and veterans alike. A tall order, no doubt. To fund the venture, the C&S team is launching a kickstarter in the next few months. You can check the game out by clicking the link above.

What are MOBA Games?

MOBA (multiplayer online battle arena) games are a type of team-based cooperative video game that pits two opposing teams against each other. While specific mechanics vary, the goal is always to outmaneuver the enemy by working together to defend against attacks and overcome the opposition’s defenses. MOBA levels are often designed on square maps that feature several different lanes for players to move down. At the end of the lane is the opponent’s base. Generally, when players destroy the base, the game is over.

Standard MOBA Game Map

If players hope to win, they’ll need to develop and carry out a strategic plan. On that note, the best MOBA games are actually a subgenre of strategy games. Moreover, they often incorporate elements from real time strategies, action games, RPGs, and more.

Who could have come up with such a clever combination of mechanics? Why, Blizzard and its dedicated playerbase, of course! The Starcraft series pioneered the industry and paved the way for the huge range of exciting MOBAs on the market today. As for the current outlook? MOBAs are some of the most popular games around, and they’re also huge in the eSports scene. Games like League of Legends remain incredible popular around the world, and the genre as a whole is on an upward trajectory.

General Thoughts on MOBA Games

Lastly, we’ve penned a few more thoughts on the genre and its unique mechanics below.

1. MOBA games are an eSports favorite!

The best MOBA games are great for eSports due to their co-op team-based mechanics and long playthroughs. This makes for exciting matches and plenty of viewer entertainment.

2. Players assume various different roles.

Players are usually assigned different roles at the beginning of each match. This changes based upon the character chosen, skill level, and other factors. Roles range from offensive strikers to defensive tanks, to support aids and more.

3. They usually incorporate RPG and fantasy elements.

Many popular MOBA titles feature RPG elements like magic, monsters, and fantasy settings. This makes for fun and exciting gameplay that doesn’t take itself too seriously.

4. MOBA games are relatively new.

In the grand scheme of things, the MOBA genre is relatively new to the scene. While its parent genre, RTS, has been around since the 80’s, it wasn’t until the late 90’s that Starcraft was released and the battle arena playstyle rose to prominence.

5. MOBAs are among the most popular games around.

In fact, game analytics company Newzoo ranks League of Legends as the most popular game in the world! There aren’t many games like LoL to have achieved this incredible level of success.

Further Reading

Enjoy our list of MOBA games? If so, there’s a good chance you’ll love our other roundups too!