Mobile Legends: Bang Bang is one of the most popular mobile games out there. Since its release in 2016, the MOBA title has accumulated over 1 billion downloads on Android and iOS. The game is most popular in Southeast Asia, but has built up a solid player base around the world as well. 

While MLBB is a great game, it’s still a very competitive title and has more than 100 heroes, making it very tough for new players looking to enter the title.

If you are looking for a new game to check out, or just a more casual title to put your hours in, Esports.net has got you covered with four alternatives to Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB).

1. League of Legends: Wild Rift

The game most similar to MLBB is undoubtedly Wild Rift, the mobile version of the popular MOBA by Riot Games, League of Legends. The games are so similar that Riot even filed a copyright lawsuit against the developers of MLBB, the China-based MOONTON. 

Wild Rift was released in 2020 and has brought a toned-down version of the original League of Legends for mobile devices. The game has a smaller map, some different heroes, and abilities tailored for mobile. It’s basically a MOBA title built ground-up for mobile but based on League of Legends. 

However, while Wild Rift is an immensely fun game to play, it has still struggled with competing against the popularity of rival MOBA titles like MLBB and Arena of Valor. So much so, that Riot announced last year that it was pulling the plug on Wild Rift esports in the West. For a competitive MOBA title like Wild Rift, having a developed esports scene is crucial for the marketing of the game and keeping the player base active. 

Read also: Riot pulls the plug on Wild Rift esports in the West, community reacts

Nonetheless, the game is still very fun to play and gets regular content updates. You can download it on Android and iOS. 

2. Arena of Valor/ Honor of Kings

Arena of Valor was released in 2016 and is the global version of the Chinese MOBA title Honor of Kings. While the game is very popular in certain regions like Vietnam and Thailand, it has struggled to compete in other markets. 

Thus, Tencent has decided to release Honor of Kings globally. While it’s not available yet except for some regions like Brazil, Honor of Kings will be coming later in 2023. 

Honor of Kings might only be available in China, but it’s still one of the most-played mobile games globally. In 2020, the game reportedly had more than 100 million daily active users. The game features the traditional three-lane map, but with a long history is a very balanced title with a wide variety of champions for players to enjoy. 

Additionally, Tencent has promised to grow the esports scene of the game when it releases globally. In fact, the Honor of Kings International Championship 2022 featured teams from around the world despite not being available globally. 

The 2023 edition has also been announced with a prize pool of $10 million – representing the highest figure for a single mobile esports event in history. 

Read also: Honor of Kings (KIC) returns in 2023 with $10 million prize pool

3. Pokemon UNITE

Next up is Pokemon UNITE, one of the newer titles on this list. If you are someone who doesn’t like the hardcore gameplay the other MOBAs on this list provide, Pokemon UNITE might be the game for you. 

The game is a MOBA but has a completely different mechanical system. The 5v5 map has two lanes and you must score goals in your opponent’s area to secure the win. Each match lasts 10 minutes and has a countdown to ensure the game doesn’t extend beyond that. 

While it may have an easier entry-level than other MOBA titles, it’s still highly competitive and fun to play. 

You can download it on Google Play Store and Apple’s App Store.

Read also: Pokemon Unite Tier List - Best Pokemon & Held Items

4. Catalyst Black

Catalyst Black is the most different title on this. While it’s a MOBA played from the top down, the game isn’t the standard 5v5. Instead, it has seven different modes ranging from Capture the Flag to a PvE mode like Colosseum. 

Its different modes give players huge versatility in what they want to play. The Capture the Flag and Hydra are more competitive modes, while Eventide gives players a quick drop-in, drop-out option for playing on the go. 

The game has been developed by Super Evil Megacorp, the game US-based developer behind Vainglory. Thus, the title does have standout gameplay. 

You play as Avatars, who you can customize pre-game with different primary and secondary weapons including different abilities. 

You can download Catalyst Black on the Google Play Store or Apple’s App Store.