Mobile gaming's top trending charts were once again full of surprises in October. On the downloads side, aggressive ad tactics, genre mashups, and evergreen sim mechanics helped push several lesser-known titles into the global spotlight. Meanwhile, on the revenue front, gacha giants held strong — but a breakout romantic sci-fi sim shook things up with record-breaking spend. From indie puzzlers to horse idols and tactical tower defense, here are the standout mobile games that made waves last month.

Top trending (by downloads)

Notable mentions

Jigsolitaire (Gamincat) – Gamincat’s jigsaw-meets-solitaire hybrid quietly amassed 9.74 million downloads last month. The game’s novel cross-genre hook resonates with puzzle fans, blending two familiar pastimes into one addictive package. Backed by a solid user acquisition push showcasing its unique gameplay twist, Jigsolitaire is trending as the latest casual obsession in the puzzle genre.

X-Clash (Bingchuan Network) – This title exploded to 22.86 million installs on the back of aggressive (and arguably misleading) UA tactics. Bingchuan’s bizarre “save the dog” ad creatives propelled X-Clash up 148 chart places month-on-month. Once lured in, players discover a squad battler beneath the gimmick. The canny marketing paid off, proving that outrageous ads can still drive downloads. 

Mother Life Simulator: Prank (Unicorn Studio) – Life simulation with a comedic twist proved a winning formula for Unicorn. Mother Life Simulator grabbed 3.015 million downloads by turning everyday parenting scenarios into shareable slapstick vignettes. Its quirky “prank” angle on domestic life lent itself to viral video ads, hooking casual players with relatable humor and helping it stand out in the crowded sim market.

Real Driving: Vehicle & Park (XGAME STUDIO) – Simple driving sims continue to find a massive audience. Real Driving: Vehicle & Park tapped into the evergreen appeal of parking challenges and car control, steering to 5.26 million downloads with straightforward gameplay. XGAME’s no-frills design and likely steady ad network spend helped this title cruise into the top ranks by offering universal, low-barrier entertainment for gearheads and casual drivers alike.

Block Crazy Robo World Craft (Prokids Studio) – Tapping into the Minecraft craze, Block Crazy Robo World Craft leapt into the charts with 8.10 million downloads. This kid-friendly block-builder shot up roughly 79 places in the rankings, suggesting that a familiar sandbox formula and a keyword-stuffed title can yield big results. By piggybacking on Minecraft’s endless appeal, Prokids Studio managed to capture a new wave of young builders with minimal innovation beyond its robo-themed twist.

DOP 4: Draw One Part (SayGames) – SayGames went back to a proven formula with DOP 4, and the audience responded. The fourth installment of the “Draw One Part” puzzle series snagged 4.10 million downloads as players jumped into another round of clever doodle puzzles. With a proven creative concept and SayGames’ relentless advertising drive, DOP 4 capitalized on brand recognition and the enduring appeal of its sketch-to-solve gameplay.

Top grossing (by revenue)

Notable mentions

明日方舟 / Arknights (China, Hypergryph) – Hypergryph’s flagship Arknights release continues to flourish on its home turf, coming in at number one and drawing about $11.90 million last month. The strategic tower-defense RPG keeps its loyal player base spending through regular new operators and events that sustain high engagement. Years in, Arknights’ deep gameplay and collectible characters still translate into a steady revenue engine, proving the IP’s lasting power in a competitive gacha market.

プロ野球スピリッツA (KONAMI) – Konami’s Pro Yakyū Spirits A showcases the spending power of sports fandom. The officially licensed baseball sim hit $16.84 million in October by syncing in-game events with the climax of the real-world season, driving fans to chase limited-time superstar player cards. Its blend of authentic NPB action and gacha-style roster building keeps baseball die-hards opening their wallets year-round.

Disney Twisted-Wonderland (Aniplex/Sony) – Disney’s venture into anime-style storytelling continues to pay dividends. Twisted-Wonderland charmed its dedicated players into contributing $4.90 million this month as fans invested in the latest story events and character cards. The game’s unique hook, reimagining classic Disney villains as handsome, collectible characters, gives it a niche but ardent audience.

光·遇 (Sky: Children of the Light, NetEase) – The serene social adventure Sky shows that alternative monetization can thrive. NetEase’s collaboration on this indie-spirited title yielded $5.69 million via cosmetics and seasonal content that players purchase to enhance their experience. The game’s emotionally rich, cooperative play has fostered a tight-knit community that spends on expressive items like capes and candles, proving a heartfelt, non-competitive title can still crack the top grossing charts.

Umamusume: Pretty Derby (Cygames) – Cygames’ horse-girl phenomenon hasn’t lost its stride. Umamusume generated $15.19 million for the month by continuing to feed its passionate fanbase a steady diet of new characters and high-profile collaborations. While its revenues have cooled from record-smashing launch highs, the mix of idolised racehorse characters and cross-media presence (anime, music, live events) keeps players deeply invested - and spending to train their dream team of racers.

Love and Deepspace (Paper Games) – Paper Games’ newest otome epic is rewriting revenue expectations for the genre. Love and Deepspace hauled in a whopping $29.93 million on the strength of its innovative blend of sci-fi action and romance. As the first fully 3D otome title, its immersive presentation and customizable storytelling have captivated an underserved audience. Coupled with heavy gacha monetization wrapped in a compelling narrative, Love and Deepspace has unlocked a formidable spending power among its fans, taking it to number 10 on the chart.