List of gacha games

Last updated

Gacha games are video games that implement the gashapon mechanic. Gashapon is a type of a Japanese vending machine in which people insert a coin to acquire a random toy capsule. In gacha games, players pay virtual currency (bought with real money or acquired in-game) to acquire random game characters or pieces of equipment of varying rarity and usefulness. This is a variant of the loot box mechanic where players spend currency to acquire an entire set of random game items.

Gacha games are typically mobile games made in China, Japan, South Korea, or other Asian countries, where they are very popular. They are typically free-to-play games which can be played using only the currency or characters received for free through gameplay and grinding. They are financed through the sale of virtual currency to the players who want to spend real money to progress faster or be better at competing with others. So-called "whale" players may spend significant amounts on gacha games, leading to concerns about gambling addiction.

This list is limited to notable gacha games with an article of their own and which have been released in an English-language version.

Overview of gacha games
NameGenreEnglish language availabilityNotes or short descriptionRef.
Arknights: Endfield Action-adventure TBD
Action Taimanin Action role-playing 2019 Hack and slash game based on the Taimanin Asagi visual novel series. [1]
Alchemy Stars Tactical role-playing 2021–2025 [2]
Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp Social simulation 2017–2024 Animal Crossing mobile game [3]
Another Eden Tactical role-playing 2019 [4]
Arknights Tower defense 2020Noted for its soundtrack featuring high-profile musicians. [5]
Artery Gear: Fusion Turn-based strategy 2021-2024 [6]
Azur Lane Shoot 'em up 2019Anthropomorphizes historic warships as young girls. [7]
BanG Dream! Girls Band Party! Rhythm game 2018Part of the BanG Dream! music franchise. [8]
Bleach: Brave Souls Beat 'em up 2016Part of the Bleach media franchise based on Tite Kubo's manga. [9]
Blue Archive Eastern role-playing 2021 [10]
Blue Protocol: Star Resonance MMORPG 2025Part of the Blue Protocol franchise. [11]
Brave Frontier Eastern role-playing 2013–2022 [12]
Cookie Run Kingdom City-Building / RPG 2021Part of the Devsisters Cookie Run franchise.
D4DJ Groovy Mix Rhythm game 2021Part of the D4DJ music media franchise.
DanMachi: Memoria Freese Eastern role-playing 2017–2024Part of the Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? Light novel franchise.
Destiny: Rising First-person shooter 2025Part of the Destiny video game series by Bungie, but developed under license by NetEase
Disney Twisted-Wonderland Adventure, Rhythm 2022Part of a collaboration between Aniplex and Walt Disney Japan. [13]
Dragalia Lost Action role-playing 2018–2022First Nintendo IP released only on mobile platforms. [14]
Dragon Ball Z: Dokkan Battle Board / puzzle game 2015Part of the Dragon Ball media franchise. [15]
Dragon Collection Card battle 2012The first popular Japanese gacha game, released 2010 on GREE. [16]
Eggy Party Battle royale, Platform, Party 2023
Ensemble Stars! Life Simulation 2022Spin-off to the Ensemble Girls! (2012) [17]
Epic Seven Eastern role-playing 2018
Fate/Grand Order Tactical role-playing 2017Part of the Fate/stay night visual novel franchise. [18]
Final Fantasy All the Bravest Eastern role-playing 2013–2023Part of the Final Fantasy franchise. Widely criticized for its lack of gameplay, after which a producer said that it was in fact not a game. [19]
Final Fantasy Brave Exvius Tactical role-playing 2016–2025Part of the Final Fantasy franchise. Not to be confused with its spin-off War of the Visions: Final Fantasy Brave Exvius. [20]
Final Fantasy VII: Ever Crisis Eastern role-playing 2023Part of the Final Fantasy franchise.
Fire Emblem Heroes Tactical role-playing 2017Spin-off of the Fire Emblem series. [21]
Gakuen Idolmaster Raising simulation 2024Spin-off of the Idolmaster series.
Genshin Impact Open-world action role-playing 2020
Girls' Frontline Turn-based strategy 2018Anthropomorphizes firearms as young girls. [22]
Girls' Frontline 2: Exilium Turn-based tactics 2023Sequel game to Girls' Frontline (2018).
Girls' Frontline: Neural Cloud Real-time strategy 2022Spin-off and prequel game to Girls' Frontline (2018).
Goddess of Victory: Nikke Third-person shooter / RPG 2022 [23] [24]
Granblue Fantasy Eastern role-playing 2016 Browser game with music by Nobuo Uematsu (Final Fantasy). Generated various spin-offs. [25]
Heaven Burns Red Action role-playing 2024
Hatsune Miku: Colorful Stage! Rhythm game 2020Part of the Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA franchise.
Honkai Impact 3rd Hack and slash 2018 [26]
Honkai: Star Rail Eastern role-playing 2023Spin-off to Honkai Impact 3rd (2018)
Identity V Multiplayer survival horror 2018 [27]
Infinity Nikki Action-adventure, Dress-up 2024Sequel game to Shining Nikki (2019). [28]
Kingdom Hearts χ Tactical role-playing 2016-2024Part of the Kingdom Hearts series. Released on mobile devices as Kingdom Hearts Unchained χ. The "χ" character is a lower-case Greek chi. [29]
KonoSuba: Fantastic Days Eastern role-playing 2021–2025Part of the KonoSuba Light novel franchise. [30]
Langrisser Mobile Tactical role-playing 2019Part of the Langrisser franchise.
Limbus Company Dungeon role-playing 2023Sequel to Library of Ruina (2021). [31]
Love and Deepspace Otome game 2024 [32]
Love Live! School Idol Festival Rhythm game 2014–2023Part of the Love Live! franchise. Has a 2020 spin-off: Love Live! School Idol Festival All Stars. [33]
Magia Exedra Turn-based Role-playing 2025Spin-off of the anime series Puella Magi Madoka Magica , follow-up to Magia Record . [34]
Magia Record Tactical role-playing 2019-2020Spin-off of the anime series Puella Magi Madoka Magica. [35]
Mario Kart Tour Kart racing 201914th game in the Mario Kart series. Unusually for a gacha game, a subscription is needed for many features. Gacha elements were removed in a 2022 update. [36] [37]
Mobius Final Fantasy MMORPG 2016–2020Part of the Final Fantasy franchise.
Monster Strike Physics game 2014Became the basis of its own media franchise in Japan, including an anime series and several films. [38]
Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Blazing Action role-playing 2016–2021Spin-off of the Naruto: Ultimate Ninja fighting game series. [39]
Neverness to Everness Action role-playing TBD [40]
Nier Reincarnation Eastern role-playing 2021–2024Part of the Nier franchise.
Ni no Kuni: Cross Worlds Eastern role-playing 2021Part of the Ni no Kuni franchise.
Onmyōji Eastern role-playing 2016Part of the Onmyōji novel franchise.
Octopath Traveler: Champions of the Continent Role-playing game 2021Part of the Octopath Traveler franchise.
One Piece Bounty Rush Beat 'em up 2018Based on the One Piece franchise. Re-released in 2019. [41]
One Piece Treasure Cruise Tactical role-playing 2015Based on the One Piece franchise. [42]
Path To Nowhere Tactical role-playing 2022
Persona 5: The Phantom X Role-playing, Social simulation 2025Part of the Persona franchise. [43]
IDOLA: Phantasy Star Saga Turn-based Role-playing 2020-2022Part of the Phantasy Star franchise. [44]
Pokémon Masters EX Pokémon 2019Originally named Pokémon Masters. Based on the Pokémon franchise. [45]
Princess Connect! Re:Dive Eastern role-playing 2021-2023Sequel game to Princess Connect! (2015–2016). Received an anime adaptation.
Punishing: Gray Raven Hack and slash 2021 [46]
Puzzle & Dragons Tile-matching 2012Received spin-offs including Puzzle & Dragons X and Puzzle & Dragons Z + Super Mario Bros. Edition. [47]
Raid: Shadow Legends Auto-battler 2019Infamous for its pervasive advertising on social media and aggressive monetization. [48]
Reverse: 1999 Tactical role-playing 2023
Schoolgirl Strikers 2/Twinkle Melodies Visual novel-RPG 2014–2017–2018Part of the Schoolgirl Strikers media franchise.
Seven Knights Eastern role-playing 2014–2023
Seven Knights 2 MMORPG 2020Sequel game to Seven Knights (2014).
Shin Megami Tensei: Liberation Dx2 Eastern role-playing 2018Part of the Megami Tensei franchise. [49]
Shoujo Kageki Revue Starlight -Re LIVE- Rhythm game 2018-2024Part of the Revue Starlight media franchise. [50]
SINoALICE Eastern role-playing 2020–2024Directed by Yoko Taro ( Drakengard ).
Solo Leveling: ARISE Action role-playing, Hack and slash 2024Game adaptation to the Manhwa Solo Leveling. [51]
Sonic Runners Endless runner 2015
Stella Sora Light-action Adventure 2025 Yostar's first fully developed in-house game. [52]
Sword Art Online: Integral Factor MMORPG 2017Based on Sword Art Online Light Novel franchise. [53]
Tears of Themis Adventure, Visual Novel 2020 [54]
The Battle Cats Tower defense 2012
The King of Fighters All Star Beat 'em up 2019-2024 [55]
The Seven Deadly Sins: Grand Cross Eastern role-playing 2019Part of The Seven Deadly Sins franchise.
Tokyo 7th Sisters Rhythm game 2014
Tokyo Afterschool Summoners Card battle 2018One of the first commercial Japanese LGBT video games, with art by prominent bara artists. Partially translated into English. [56]
Touhou LostWord Turn-based strategy 2021Based on the Touhou Project series. [57]
Tower of Fantasy Open-world Action role-playing 2021
Uma Musume Pretty Derby Roguelike, Sports video game 2025 [58]
War of the Visions: Final Fantasy Brave Exvius Tactical role-playing 2020Spin-off of Final Fantasy Brave Exvius. [59]
Warhammer Quest: Silver Tower Tactical role-playing 2020Part of the Warhammer Fantasy franchise. [60]
White Cat Project Action role-playing 2015–2016Released internationally under the name Colopl Rune Story. [61]
Wuthering Waves Action role-playing 2024
Zenless Zone Zero Action role-playing, Hack and slash 2024

References

  1. ↑ Stenbuck, Kite (2020-09-09). "Action Taimanin Will Launch Worldwide on Steam and Mobile Devices". Siliconera . Retrieved 2024-03-28.
  2. ↑ Bashir, Dale (2021-06-21). "Mobile Strategy RPG 'Alchemy Stars' Features a Storyline by Original 'Persona' Writer". IGN Southeast Asia. Retrieved 2021-06-25.
  3. ↑ Phillips, Tom (2018-04-17). "After six months, Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp adds randomised loot boxes". Eurogamer . Retrieved 2023-03-28.
  4. ↑ "Smart Phone RPG "Another Eden" Features Talent from "Chrono Trigger"". Archived from the original on 29 May 2017. Retrieved 14 May 2017.
  5. ↑ Lee, Julia (2020-10-30). "Arknights is the only gacha game I recommend to people". Polygon. Retrieved 2020-10-30.
  6. ↑ Dellosa, Catherine (June 21, 2022). "Artery Gear: Fusion review – "F2P-friendly gacha with QoL features galore"". Pocket Gamer. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
  7. ↑ Stenbuck, Kite. "How Azur Lane is able to rival Kantai Collection's popularity in Japan". RPG Site. Retrieved June 18, 2018.
  8. ↑ "BanG Dream! Girls Band Party! heads to Switch in 2021". Nintendo Enthusiast. 2021-03-01. Retrieved 2021-06-25.
  9. ↑ "Bankai and Chill – Bleach: Brave Souls Review". Droid Gamers. 2016-03-22. Retrieved 2020-01-17.
  10. ↑ "Blue Archive Global Pre-Registration Begins in October". Siliconera. 2021-10-01. Retrieved 2022-01-24.
  11. ↑ Galizio, James. "Blue Protocol: Star Resonance launches on October 9". RPG Site. Retrieved November 9, 2025.
  12. ↑ "Brave Frontier Channels A Little Bit Of Valkyrie Profile". Siliconera. January 15, 2014.
  13. ↑ スクウェア・エニックス [Square Enix] (September 2020). ディズニーツイステッドワンダーランド 公式ガイド＋設定資料集 Magical Archives (in Japanese). Japan: スクウェア・エニックス [Square Enix]. ISBN   9784757567818.
  14. ↑ Famularo, Jessica (February 26, 2019). "Dragalia Lost review – "A risky move for Nintendo that could pay off"". Pocket Gamer . Steel Media . Retrieved July 24, 2019.
  15. ↑ "BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment: DRAGON BALL Z DOKKAN BATTLE, a Popular Smartphone Game with More Than 15 Million Downloads in Japan, Launches Western Countries". Business Wire . July 17, 2015. Retrieved January 10, 2017.
  16. ↑ "Gacha-Games: Der große Report rund um das Phänomen". PC GAMES (in German). 2020-07-11. Retrieved 2021-06-25.
  17. ↑ Madlangbayan, Lucas (June 14, 2022). "What to Know About Ensemble Stars!! Before Its English Release" . Retrieved May 20, 2024.
  18. ↑ Fogel, Stefanie (2019-04-03). "'Fate/Grand Order' Most Talked About Game on Twitter in 2019". Variety. Retrieved 2021-06-26.
  19. ↑ "PSA: Do not purchase Final Fantasy All The Bravest". PocketTactics. January 17, 2013. Archived from the original on January 27, 2013. Retrieved March 31, 2013.
  20. ↑ Luster, Joseph. "Free-to-Play "Final Fantasy: Brave Exvius" Coming to Smartphones". Crunchyroll. Retrieved 2021-06-26.
  21. ↑ Goldfarb, Andrew (January 31, 2017). "Nintendo's Fire Emblem Heroes is a complex strategy game with a free-to-play twist". The Verge . Retrieved January 31, 2017.
  22. ↑ "Girls Frontline, un "SLG" peu innovant mais très correct". Jeuxvideo.com (in French). July 25, 2018. Archived from the original on May 14, 2019.
  23. ↑ Cao, Ann (December 20, 2022). "Tencent expands global footprint by taking stake in Korean studio Shift Up, creator of hit game Goddess of Victory: Nikke". South China Morning Post . Shanghai. Archived from the original on December 19, 2022. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
  24. ↑ Mesesan, Cristina (December 28, 2022). "Goddess of Victory: NIKKE tier list and a reroll guide". Pocket Gamer . Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  25. ↑ "Nobuo Uematsu and FFVI art director reunite for Granblue Fantasy, a Mobage mobile game". Pocket Gamer. 8 November 2013. Retrieved 2013-11-27.
  26. ↑ Harris, Iain (2 May 2018). "Hack and slash: The making of MIHOYO's Honkai Impact 3rd". pocketgamer.biz. Retrieved 2021-06-26.
  27. ↑ Aubrey, Dave (12 July 2018). "Identity V review – Coraline inspired creeps". www.pocketgamer.com. Retrieved 2021-06-26.
  28. ↑ Kara Phillips (2024-12-03). "Infinity Nikki launch times and release date". PC Gamer. Retrieved 2025-02-25.
  29. ↑ McWhertor, Michael (2016-04-04). "Kingdom Hearts Unchained χ comes to Android and iOS this week". Polygon. Retrieved 2021-06-26.
  30. ↑ "KonoSuba: Fantastic Days Official Release Date and Showcase Announced & A Brief Guide – NoxPlayer". www.bignox.com. Retrieved 2022-01-24.
  31. ↑ "Limbus Company Delayed to February 2023 – QooApp". 18 November 2022. Retrieved 2023-01-09.
  32. ↑ "Love and Deepspace celebrates first anniversary and over $400m after record-breaking month". www.pocketgamer.biz. 2025-01-29. Retrieved 2025-02-10.
  33. ↑ "Love Live! Rhythm Game Gets iOS Release". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2021-06-26.
  34. ↑ Romano, Sal. "Puella Magi Madoka Magica: Magia Exedra for PC launches July 17". Gematsu. Retrieved November 9, 2025.
  35. ↑ "Madoka Magica Franchise Gets Magia Record Smartphone Game". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2021-06-26.
  36. ↑ "As expected, the Mario Kart Tour gacha gambling drop rates are comically bad". Destructoid. 2019-09-26. Retrieved 2021-06-26.
  37. ↑ "Mario Kart Tour's Official Twitter Tweet". Archived from the original on September 2, 2022. Retrieved September 2, 2022.
  38. ↑ "'Monster Strike' Review – Billiards And Dragons". TouchArcade. 2014-11-03. Retrieved 2021-06-26.
  39. ↑ "Naruto Shippuden Narutimate Blazing Smartphone Game Gets English Release". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2021-06-26.
  40. ↑ "Supernatural urban open-world RPG Neverness to Everness announced for PS5, PC, iOS, and Android". Gematsu. 2024-07-16. Retrieved 2024-07-17.
  41. ↑ "One Piece Bounty Rush arrives on mobile". Flickering Myth. 2019-01-31. Retrieved 2021-06-26.
  42. ↑ "One Piece Treasure Cruise Smartphone Game Gets English Release". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2021-06-26.
  43. ↑ "Persona5: The Phantom X Brings the Phantom Thieves to PC and Mobile Devices Next Month". IGN. 2025-05-15. Retrieved 2025-08-03.
  44. ↑ Romano, Sal. "IDOLA: Phantasy Star Saga pre-registration now available for the west". Gematsu. Retrieved November 9, 2025.
  45. ↑ "Review: Pokémon Masters – One Of The Best Pokémon Mobile Games, But Still Not Quite There". Nintendo Life. 2019-09-01. Retrieved 2021-06-27.
  46. ↑ Ng Dellosa, Catherine (31 May 2021). "Punishing: Gray Raven is cyberpunk anime goodness with an actual story – plus waifus". www.pocketgamer.com. Retrieved 2021-06-27.
  47. ↑ "How GungHo Online Entertainment created Puzzle & Dragons, the surprise billion-dollar mobile game". VentureBeat. 2013-04-04. Retrieved 2021-06-27.
  48. ↑ Roque, Jack (27 December 2019). "Plarium's Aggressive Marketing of RAID: Shadow Legends Pays Off". Gamer Empire. Retrieved 14 March 2020.
  49. ↑ "The Shin Megami Tensei Mobile Game Embraces The Hell World Of Social Media". Kotaku. 24 July 2018. Retrieved 2021-06-27.
  50. ↑ "Shoujo Kageki Revue Starlight -Re LIVE- Mobile Game Official Website". revue starlight (in Japanese). Retrieved 2021-06-27.
  51. ↑ "Solo Leveling Arise Review: A faithful adaptation of The Shadow Monarch's legacy". May 8, 2024.
  52. ↑ Stenbuck, Kite. "Stella Sora is now available worldwide on PC, iOS, and Android". RPG Site. Retrieved November 9, 2025.
  53. ↑ What You Need to Know About Sword Art Online: Integral Factor – IGN, May 2018, retrieved 2021-06-27
  54. ↑ Partleton, Kayleigh (26 August 2021). "Tears of Themis cards – empathy, logic, and intuition". Pocket Tactics. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
  55. ↑ "Test du jeu The King of Fighters AllStar sur iOS". Jeuxvideo.com (in French). 4 November 2019. Retrieved 2021-06-26.
  56. ↑ "Gender and sexuality in the world of games". IGN . May 24, 2018. Retrieved November 10, 2018.
  57. ↑ Luster, Joseph. "Touhou LostWord Mobile RPG Prepares For Long-Awaited Debut". Crunchyroll. Archived from the original on 2021-11-02. Retrieved 2021-06-03.
  58. ↑ "'Not quite girl, not quite horse: The latest gacha craze sweeping Steam is a bizarre idol management game for anime highschool horse girls'". PC Gamer. 3 July 2025. Retrieved 2025-08-02.
  59. ↑ "'War of the Visions' is a mobile spin on 'Final Fantasy Tactics'". Engadget. 25 March 2020. Retrieved 2021-06-27.
  60. ↑ Macgregor, Jody (6 March 2023). "Every Warhammer Fantasy game, ranked". PC Gamer . Future plc . Retrieved 15 March 2023.
  61. ↑ Rich, Rob (26 October 2015). "Colopl Rune Story Review: Why Would You Do That?" . Retrieved 2021-06-27.
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