Highlights

• Endless runners are a popular genre in the mobile gaming industry due to their universal appeal and compatibility with smartphones and tablets.
• There is a wide variety of endless running games available in both 2D and 3D, with new offerings constantly being developed.
• These games offer thrilling and fast-paced gameplay, with unique mechanics and visuals that cater to both kids and adults.

Endless runners are a staple of the increincreasingly popularle game platform. They've been around for decades as a concept, but in recent years the mobile gaming industry has seen a huge uptick in the number of endless running games.

Various reasons can be pointed to for this; from their universal appeal to their comfy fit with smartphones and tablets to big-name IPs being represented and lifting the genre of late. Whatever it is, these are the most popular mobile games; and they've remained so heavily downloaded on the Google Play and Apple stores for a reason.

Updated November 26, 2023 by Stephen LaGioia: Endless Runners have fast become one of the dominant gaming genres on mobile devices, and haven't given up ground. It makes sense, given their accessible, pick-up-and-play nature which fits mobile gaming like a glove. With this ever-increasing prominence of mobile devices comes a slew of more thrilling offerings on this front.

With so many to choose from (in both the 2D and 3D realms), and the lineup of great gaining steam, it's time to hit the ground running and explore more of the best endless runners.

23 Metroland

Google Play Score: 4.4 (out of 5)

Developed by studio Kiloo, also known for their similar hit Subway Surfer, Metroland features a high-energy teenager looking to break from the oppressive MegaCorp and their prowling guards. This 3D runner is an adrenaline-fueled ride whose pacing remains swift and exciting throughout.

Players will need to continuously dash and maneuver through the streets — as well as rooftops and underground tunnels — in this ongoing scramble. Progression and aid can come by way of nabbing loot, power-ups, and earning new characters. The game's colorful, (relatively) tame nature makes it a good pick for kids, though the high speeds and rewarding nature of this runner should satisfy adults too.

22 Smash Hit

Google Play Score: 4.6

While this abstract runner looks straightforward on its surface, and happens to be crafted by a studio called "Mediocre", Smash Hit is anything but. The developer illustrates in a simple fashion that complex visuals, mechanics, or level design aren't always needed to have a fun, thrilling time.

While the experience is peaceful and low-key, the game also demands precision and strategy in a subtle but effective manner. Players must time their shots as they fire off metallic balls and try to shatter the varying glass objects in their path. In a sense, it's as much a reimagined light gun shooter as it is a 3D runner.

Despite its constant scrolling and minimalist approach, the game remains gripping with a hypnotic presentation and cool destruction physics.

21 Jet Run: City Defender

Google Play Score: 4.1

Jet Run: City Defender is a flashy runner in its primary form, though also has the essence of a frantic arcade-style Shmup that just about anyone can enjoy. Players will take to the skies as they soar and blast their way through bustling city streets.

As a fighter pilot trying to save the earth from a barrage of blocky alien invaders, gamers will have no shortage of targets to blast as they zip between buildings at high speeds. While perhaps lacking the figurative and literal depth of, say, Star Fox, this mobile runner captures much of its frantic feel and sci-fi motif.

20 Alone

Google Play Score: 4.6

With an asking price less than your typical fast-food hamburger, Alone offers a can't-miss experience with its thrilling space-flight and minimal-yet-deep atmosphere. The game rides the line of a relaxing journey and arcade-style action, featuring a steady stream of twitch gameplay and sharp analog control.

Players will be hard-pressed to put this one down as they look to shoot for the stars and topple their previous high score.

19 Bendy In Nightmare Run

Google Play Score: 4.4

This stylized retro cartoon runner boasts one of the best collective review scores on the Google Play store, and for good reason. Tagged with the even more distinct "boss-runner" genre, Bendy in Nightmare Run has players take on the role of the cartoon demon Bendy, as he scrambles through a handful of 3D-scrolling stages.

The name of the game is to outrun and overcome four distinct cartoon monsters, which include a Mimic-esque treasure box with fangs and a ravenous soup can. With subtle swipe and touch inputs, players can leap, dash, and counter-attack to power through hazards and baddies. Beyond just being artistically delightful, this one is just plain exciting to "run" through.

18 Monster Dash

Google Play Score: 4.5

2010's Monster Dash was crafted by Halfbrick Studios of Jetpack Joyride fame, and it certainly shows — between the simple, colorful visuals and fast-paced scrolling gameplay. Despite its age, the game remains a rare runner in which players are granted real offensive moves, by way of blasting their weapons as they scurry onward.

The game still encourages evading monsters (and spikes) by jumping — and using the impervious "Incredibubble" among other powerups. Yet, it also caters to a more hardcore and retro gaming audience, through its Contra-esque shooting mechanics that's a "blast" to power through.

17 Mars: Mars

Google Play Score: 4.6

This redundantly-named Mars runner — or rather, "flyer" — provides a fun and smooth journey across the red planet. Players must power their jetpack and soar across the low-grav, dusty skies of Mars, landing safely on scattered platforms and grabbing collectibles on the way.

It's rather simple and straightforward, but it works, thanks to the alluring atmosphere and fun floaty physics. It certainly doesn't hurt that this thrilling, sidescrolling trip through Mars is free-to-play — and yields few ads to boot.

16 Pac-Man 256

Google Play Score: 4.5

While it plays a bit differently than most "endless runners," Pac-Man 256 is a great addition to the genre that blends together the retro action of the original Pac-Man release with some new-age graphics and an ever-expanding mechanic that has players weaving their way through an endless maze.

Much like the original 1980 release, players will need to keep their eyes open and quickly maneuver around a slew of angry ghosts, collecting Power Pellets and racking up as much score as possible. Pac-Man 256 was praised for its modernized feeling, with visuals that help bring the beloved classic into the new age.

15 Minion Rush

Google Play Score: 4.6

Love them or hate them, it's hard to deny the strange hold that Minions have had on Pop Culture in the last few years. Amidst all the merchandise and movies, Gameloft released Minion Rush, an endless runner featuring the iconic yellow jellybean-shaped characters.

Although it's similar in design to other Endless Runners featured on this list, Minion Rush has a lot of substance and style that keeps players coming back. Thanks to a myriad of unlockable costumes and some unique power-ups, players should find themselves addicted to progressing as far as they can through this visually pleasing action-packed release.

14 Pitfall

Google Play Score: 3.1

Pitfall was originally a game made for the Atari 2600 back in 1982. It made its way to mobile platforms fairly recently in two forms: a direct port of the original game, and a brand-new freerunning game that puts a spin on the well-established endless runner formula.

While the original game is technically limited to 20 minutes, it helped to establish the genre nearly 40 years ago. The "endless runner" version of the game is pretty fun, too, even if it does seem a bit too similar to Temple Run (which itself took some inspiration from the original Pitfall).

13 Canabalt HD

Google Play Score: 3.9

Canabalt was originally a Flash game playable in-browser on many online gaming sites like Addicting Games and Kongregate. It helped to popularize the endless runner genre back in 2009 and was ported to mobile devices not long after. In fact, the game was even ported to PC with new features back in 2015 thanks to its popularity on mobile.

The game features multiple levels set in and around a city falling into ruin. Its control scheme is addictively simple, pioneering one-touch gameplay before the advent of mobile games as a whole, and it's still as fun in 2021 as it was back in the glory days of Newgrounds.

12 Sonic Dash

Google Play Score: 4.7

Sonic Dash is a mobile take on the 3D designs of Sonic and his fellow characters, both aesthetically and in terms of gameplay. It differs from other Endless Runners, though, thanks to its cutscenes, story progression, multiple characters with different effects, and even properly designed boss battles.

The speedy Sonic formula translates quite nicely to this genre, as studio Hardlight illustrates here. While many mobile spin-offs of major franchises can feel cheap or underdeveloped, Sonic Dash is a unique take on the classic series that feels fluid and fun even without buying any in-game purchases.

11 Super Mario Run

Google Play Score: 3.9

Super Mario Run is a Super Mario-themed endless runner game that borrows elements from the main Super Mario series. Mario can obtain powerups and coins, jump on enemies, and run across a platform-style world with just a few taps.

It's an engaging game that doesn't go too crazy on the microtransactions, although there is a paid version that unlocks much more of the game.

10 Crash Bandicoot: On The Run!

Google Play Score: 4.5

Crash Bandicoot: On The Run! is very similar to Super Mario Run as a franchise spin-off (no pun intended) game for mobile platforms. Instead of a side-scroller, Crash Bandicoot: On the Run! is a forward-facing swipe-left-or-right-to-move style endless runner. It's a natural transition, given the quasi-runner nature of the original Crash games — and it shows with this fun throwback.

The game was developed by King, famous for the Candy Crush franchise, and does its best to replicate the Crash Bandicoot experience in an easy-to-master game for mobile gadgets.

9 Run Forrest Run

Google Play Score: 4.4

Run Forrest Run is a tongue-in-cheek endless runner that, as the name might suggest, references the classic Tom Hanks film, Forrest Gump. In the film, the title character Forrest likes to run, a lot, and the game is meant to be a take on a sequence from the film where Forrest is seen running across the country in iconic fashion.

It's got all the typical endless running games flair, like swiping to move and power-ups to boost the player along the way, but with the added touch of being able to play as Forrest Gump.

8 Subway Surfers

Subway Surfers: 4.6

Subway Surfers was a hit on release for its fresh take on the then-saturated endless runner games genre. It had a well-developed art style, unique characters, and gameplay, and was fast-paced enough to capture any mobile gamers' attention.

Where Subway Surfers suffers is that the characters all look a little bit generic. The game looks great, especially because it was optimized for mobile, but one might get tired of seeing the same faces over and over again.

7 Jetpack Joyride

Google Play Score: 4.6

Jetpack Joyride is an older endless runner available on both iOS and Android, but that doesn't mean it's any less fun than recent takes on the genre. This game is a side-scroller with increasingly difficult encounters and enemies to defeat.

It's a classic to be sure, and a game most mobile game enthusiasts will recommend heartily. An even more robust sequel was announced in early 2021, called Jetpack Joyride 2, which has since been released (exclusive to Apple Arcade). While also a gripping ride, it's hard to beat the more simplistic — and more accessible — charm of this original.

6 Tiny Wings

Google Play Score: 4.3

Tiny Wings is, contrary to most endless runner-type games, very relaxing and could be considered the most stress-free take on the genre. In this sidescroller, the player controls a bird's momentum over hills and through valleys to finish each stage as quickly as possible.

It's a game with a lot of heart, as well as a charming and cute art style — and its exhilarating feeling of flow is unmatched by most of its ilk.

5 Alto's Odyssey

Google Play Score: 4.6

Much like its predecessor, this runner and sandboarding romp superbly meshes exhilaration with a relaxing, minimalist vibe — strengthened by its stylistic and atmospheric visuals. Players will soon find that while the mechanics adhere closely to Alto's Adventure, this sequel stresses gliding and skimming across sand rather than snow.

These typically bare biomes are kept fresh and exciting, thanks to the liberal use of dunes, rocks, rolling hills, and ridable canyon walls. This all builds up to a lush temple, rife with new obstacles to traverse including vines and waterfalls. A few other neat additions are sprinkled in, which include refined water physics, sinking platforms, and tornadoes to evade.

4 Punch Quest

Apple Score: 4.7

Where Tiny Wings is one of the most relaxing endless runner games, Punch Quest might be the most brutal. Punch Quest tasks the player to make it through an endless dungeon of pixelated enemies and bosses to get as much money as possible.

The game is an excellent fusion of the RPG and endless runner genres, as the player sees their character become more and more powerful as time goes on. The game is taxing on the thumbs, though, thanks to all the rapid tapping the player will be doing.