Nintendo has always been cautious about mobile. The catalogue is small on purpose, the monetisation is uneven, and the experiments that worked got long support while the ones that didn’t quietly disappeared. With Switchboard now teasing a Pictonico-style party app for phones, the mobile slate is back in the conversation, so we sat down with every Nintendo and Pokémon title still live on Android and ranked the ones worth installing.
The list below covers six games that you can download, play, and progress in today, May 2026. We left out anything that has been delisted or moved to maintenance mode. If you want one Nintendo game for your phone, the answer is probably the first pick. If you want to know which Pokémon companion is actually worth your battery, scroll to the bottom.
What to look for in a Nintendo mobile game
Nintendo’s mobile output covers wildly different genres, so think about how you play before you tap install. A few criteria that matter:
- Session length. Mario Kart Tour and Pokémon GO are built for short bursts; Fire Emblem Heroes can swallow an hour.
- Always-online. Some of these games refuse to launch without a connection. If you commute through tunnels, that matters.
- Monetisation pressure. A couple of these games sell gacha pulls and limited-time costumes; one is a clean one-time purchase.
- Account linkage. Pokémon and Niantic accounts unlock cross-progression and social features; Nintendo Accounts gate Nintendo’s titles.
- Hardware. A few of these need GPS, gyro, or a recent chipset to feel right.
Quick comparison
| App | Best for | Platforms | Free plan | Starting price | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mario Kart Tour | Casual racing fans | iOS, Android | Yes | Free with optional Gold Pass | 4.0 |
| Super Mario Run | One-handed platforming | iOS, Android | First world free | One-time purchase to unlock | 3.6 |
| Fire Emblem Heroes | Tactics and gacha | iOS, Android | Yes | Free with orb purchases | 4.4 |
| Pikmin Bloom | Walking and gentle gardening | iOS, Android | Yes | Free with optional subscription | 4.0 |
| Pokémon GO | Outdoor exploration | iOS, Android | Yes | Free with raid passes | 4.2 |
| Pokémon UNITE | Competitive MOBA | iOS, Android, Switch | Yes | Free with battle pass | 3.9 |
The apps
1. Mario Kart Tour — Best overall Nintendo mobile game
Mario Kart Tour is the most polished kart racer on Android, full stop. Courses cycle through real-world cities every two weeks, the touch controls handle drift and item firing reasonably well, and the multiplayer mode finally lets eight players race live instead of against ghost data. The tour rotation gives even lapsed players a reason to come back monthly.
Where it falls short: the gacha pipe for new drivers and karts is the loudest in Nintendo’s catalogue. The Gold Pass softens it but does not remove it.
Pricing:
- Free: full courses, basic drivers, online multiplayer
- Paid: Gold Pass at a recurring monthly fee, optional ruby purchases
Platforms: iOS, Android
Bottom line: the first install if you want a Nintendo game that respects a five-minute window.
2. Super Mario Run — Best for one-handed sessions
Super Mario Run is the rare Nintendo mobile game that does not nag you for money. You play the first world free, then unlock the rest with a single one-time payment. Mario auto-runs and you tap to jump, which sounds limited until you start chasing the pink, purple, and black coin routes that reshape each course three times over.
Where it falls short: there is no real long tail beyond the coin chase. Once you have collected the special coins, the game gives way to Toad Rally, which is more of a leaderboard than a campaign.
Pricing:
- Free: World 1
- Paid: one-time unlock for Worlds 2 through 6 and all modes
Platforms: iOS, Android
Bottom line: the cleanest payment model in this list and the right pick if you hate gacha menus.
3. Fire Emblem Heroes — Best for tactics fans
Fire Emblem Heroes keeps shipping new characters, modes, and story arcs years after launch, and the core grid combat still holds up. Battles run on small maps with clear range indicators, the cast pulls from the entire Fire Emblem timeline, and the modes outside the main story (Aether Raids, Heroes Journey, Forging Bonds) give committed players something to do every week.
Where it falls short: the orb economy has crept toward heavier monetisation over time, especially around limited-time banners. New players will catch up faster than you think, but veterans note the power creep.
Pricing:
- Free: full story, all standard banners, all modes
- Paid: orb purchases for gacha pulls
Platforms: iOS, Android
Bottom line: the only Nintendo mobile game with a genuinely deep tactical loop.
4. Pikmin Bloom — Best for casual walkers
Pikmin Bloom rewards you for walking. Each step grows Pikmin from seedlings into bloom-pickers, who in turn plant a flower trail along the route you took. The weekly community challenges turn that solo loop into a shared one, and the calm aesthetic makes it a low-key second app to leave running.
Where it falls short: progress depends on real-world steps, so a slow week is a slow week. The combat against mushroom-shaped enemies is a thin sprinkle, not a system.
Pricing:
- Free: all walking, postcards, and basic Pikmin
- Paid: optional monthly subscription for boosted seedlings and cosmetic items
Platforms: iOS, Android
Bottom line: the friendliest fitness companion in the Nintendo orbit.
5. Pokémon GO — Best for going outside
Pokémon GO is still the headline AR title nine years on. Niantic keeps the seasonal events landing every couple of weeks, raid hours give isolated rural players a real shot at legendary catches via Remote Raid Passes, and routes added on Pokémon GO Day give the map a layer beyond random encounters. The trade and battle systems have grown enough that long-time trainers have new things to do, not just new shiny variants.
Where it falls short: battery drain is real, and the data appetite climbs when you stay logged in for an hour. Cost-conscious raiders feel the Remote Raid Pass price cap.
Pricing:
- Free: catching, basic raids, trainer battles
- Paid: PokéCoin packs for raid passes, storage, and incubators
Platforms: iOS, Android
Bottom line: still the best reason to wear comfortable shoes.
6. Pokémon UNITE — Best for short MOBA sessions
Pokémon UNITE is a five-on-five MOBA with ten-minute matches and a Pokémon roster instead of generic heroes. The simplified item economy keeps games fast, and cross-play with Switch means you can carry on the same account between handheld and phone. Tencent’s TiMi Studio Group handles the live ops.
Where it falls short: the Held Item upgrade system has long been the loudest complaint, since stronger items live behind grinding or pay routes. New characters land behind a coin or Aeos Gem paywall for the first weeks.
Pricing:
- Free: every map, every mode, every Pokémon eventually
- Paid: battle pass, Aeos Gems for instant character unlocks
Platforms: iOS, Android, Nintendo Switch
Bottom line: the easiest MOBA on-ramp on Android and the only one with cross-progression to Switch.
How to pick the right one
Pick Mario Kart Tour if you want the broadest appeal of any Nintendo mobile game and you do not mind unlocks rolling out across seasons. Pick Super Mario Run if the gacha conversation is what kept you away in the first place; the one-time price gets you the whole campaign.
If you came for depth, Fire Emblem Heroes is the right tactics game and the most generous to free-to-play newcomers among Nintendo’s gacha titles. If you came for steps, Pikmin Bloom is the calmer Niantic title and pairs well with a daily walk. If you came for hard catching weekends with friends, Pokémon GO is still the only AR app worth carrying a second battery for.
If you want a real five-on-five competitive game and you already own a Switch, Pokémon UNITE is the obvious pick because of cross-progression. If you do not own a Switch, it is still a fast, free MOBA worth a slot.
Skip none if you have storage to spare; install the one that matches your week.
FAQ
Are there any new Nintendo mobile games coming in 2026?
Nintendo confirmed Switchboard, an app that bundles short mobile experiences modelled on its Pictonico drawing-and-guessing concept. Public release details for Switchboard were still rolling out at time of writing, so check the official Nintendo channel for your region.
Which Nintendo mobile games are free to play?
Mario Kart Tour, Fire Emblem Heroes, Pikmin Bloom, Pokémon GO, and Pokémon UNITE are free. Super Mario Run is free to try, then asks for a one-time purchase to unlock the full game.
Why are some old Nintendo mobile games gone?
Nintendo and partner studios have closed several titles over the years, including Dragalia Lost, Dr. Mario World, and Animal Crossing Pocket Camp’s free-to-play version. The list above only includes games still live on Android today.
Do Nintendo mobile games work without internet?
Most need a connection to launch and sync progress. Super Mario Run is the partial exception, since the core single-player content runs once it has been downloaded.
Can I play Pokémon GO without walking outside?
Niantic added Remote Raid Passes and the Adventure Sync feature for indoor play, but movement-based mechanics still favour walking. Spoofing your location violates the terms of service and risks a ban.
