The Best Action Games to Play Online

When it comes to great action titles, gamers are spoiled for choice. There are so many great games to play that it takes time to know where to start exploring them. Fret not!—that’s why we’ve compiled this list of the 10 best action games to play online. It’s a diverse mix that offers everything from heart-pounding murder-mystery thrills to tactical military shooter excitement. If you’re a true action game fan, you’ll find something here to love!

How do we select the top action games?

It was challenging picking just ten games from the countless action games out there today. We had to define what makes a good action game to tackle this difficult task.

First, a great action game should have engaging gameplay. It should be dynamic and exciting, keeping you entertained, even for long gaming sessions.

Second: difficulty. The games on this list must be challenging enough to keep you engaged but not so hard that you feel cheated out of a win.

The third and last aspect we considered was popularity. Sure, only some of the best games are popular, but a large and active player base generally means its developers are in it for the long haul. As a gamer, few things are worse than a game that loses support halfway through development.

These are the top 10 best Action games for those who love the thrill and excitement of a great action title:

1. Poppy Playtime
2. MEGAMAN X DiVE – MOBILE
3. Vlad and Niki Superheroes
4. Frostborn: Action RPG
5. Mangavania: Pixel Platformer
6. CATS: Crash Arena Turbo Stars
7. Geometry Dash
8. Downwell
9. PUBG MOBILE
10. Badland

1. Poppy Playtime

Developer: MOB Games

Tags: survival horror, first-person

Rating: 4.4/5

There’s no shortage of excellent action horror games on mobile, but only very few will have you jumping in your seat, like Poppy Playtime. Set in the abandoned halls of a toy factory, players must investigate the mysterious disappearances and strange occurrences that have haunted the company for years. Just remember to stay alert, or you’ll come face-to-face with Poppy.

Anyone who’s kept current with horror gaming trends should be familiar with Poppy Playtime’s mechanics. It’s essentially Slender Man with higher production values. The devil’s in the details, though; excellent sound and stage design put it a step above the rest, making Poppy Playtime truly must-play gaming for any self-respecting action horror game fan.

2. MEGAMAN X DiVE – MOBILE

Developer: Nebula Joy

Tags: run and gun, action platform, anime

Rating: 4.4/5

When it comes to classic action platformers, you can’t go wrong with the X series. MEGAMAN X DiVE delivers all the series hallmarks—iconic robot designs, challenging stages, and iconic side-scrolling action—with some fun new mechanics that add loads of replayability.

Yes, there’s a heavy emphasis on gacha (it’s a mobile CAPCOM game, after all), but it’s easy to ignore if you just want to bust up some robots and tear through Mavericks. You don’t need to have played the previous games to appreciate just how tight and satisfying the gameplay is in DiVE, but veterans will appreciate the callbacks and nods to previous titles.

Those on the lookout for a fun action game that can be enjoyed in bursts for the next weeks and months should definitely add this one to their library.

3. Vlad and Niki Superheroes

Developer: AppQuiz

Tags: kids, adventure, superheroes, family-friendly

Rating: 4.3/5

Based on the immensely popular Vlad and Niki YouTube channel, Vlad and Niki Superheroes invites kids to take part in an imaginary adventure starring the brothers themselves on a mission to save their city from a group of supervillains.

Play as either Vlad or Niki and take on the bad guys. Each brother has his own unique abilities, making Vlad and Niki Superheroes a game your kids will want to play through at least twice. Follow the duo’s exploits in a fun and colorful action game that delivers adventure, puzzles, and humor all at once.

4. Frostborn: Action RPG

Developer: Kefir!

Tags: battle royale, survival, multiplayer

Rating: 4.6/5

Developed by Kefir!, the hitmakers behind Last Day on Earth, Frostborn is a battle royale that plunges players into a mythical world brimming with adventure and danger. Seamlessly blending exploration, survival, and multiplayer elements, Frostborn lets players brave the wilderness, battle mythical creatures, and build formidable bases.

The focus on tighter, smaller maps and quickfire rounds means Frostborn: Action RPG offers a battle royal experience that’s faster and more frantic than its contemporaries. Players are always being pushed into the fray, ensuring you’re never sitting still for very long. So, if you don’t have the patience for the waiting and posturing that comprises your typical battle royale gaming, Frostborn might be the game for you.

5. Mangavania: Pixel Platformer

Developer: Garden of Dreams Games

Tags: manga, metroidvania, exploration

Rating: 4.6/5

Metroidvanias and Japanese manga aesthetic are two of the most popular things in video games, so it’s little wonder a game like the aptly titled Mangavania: Pixel Platformer is such a winner.

As with any good Metroidvania, Mangavania offers a satisfying combination of platforming and exploration, with combat that feels just like your favorite Castlevania game. It’s pacey and satisfying, with a distinct art style that truly sets it apart.

And let’s not forget the game’s most standout feature: the storytelling. The narrative is delivered in comic format with panels and dialogue boxes. These little story breaks serve as much-appreciated breaks from the breakneck action, allowing players to really engage with its tale.

6. CATS: Crash Arena Turbo Stars

Developer: ZeptoLab

Tags: physics-based combat, multiplayer, customization

Rating: 4.8/5

 In CATS: Crash Arena Turbo Stars, players craft their own customized battle cars, selecting from a variety of parts and weapons to design their ultimate fighting machine. The sheer amount of different components to play with makes CATS: Crash Arena Turbo Stars a game where you can really let your creative juices flow. This emphasis on creativity allows for a diverse range of strategies and playstyles, keeping gameplay fresh and engaging. Sometimes, it’s not even about just winning fights but winning with the most ludicrous machine possible.

The physics-based combat makes fights unpredictable, resulting in a game that’s endlessly replayable. You’ll learn what works against whom and, with time, develop the skills to adapt to your opponent and on-the-fly. At that point, CATS: Crash Arena Turbo Stars really starts to take off.

7. Geometry Dash

Developer: RobTop Games

Tags: arcade, runner, platformer

Rating: 4.7/5

Geometry Dash for mobile is an exceptional action game that seamlessly blends rhythm-based platforming with geometric visuals and an electrifying soundtrack. Thanks to an intuitive one-touch control scheme, anyone can get into it yet maintain enough of a challenge to keep the adrenaline flowing.

Dash through meticulously designed levels that demand pinpoint precision and timing. Each stage is rife with obstacles and traps, so you’ll be crashing. Thankfully, the quick restarts and driving music make death feel like a minor setback, and before you know it, you’ll be on another run, pushing to beat your previous record.

There’s nothing else quite like Geometry Dash that combines platforming and rhythm this way.

8. Downwell

Developer: Aether Sky

Tags: pixel art, retro, vertical shooter, platformer

Rating: 4.8/5

Downwell is one of the most addictive games you’ll play. It’s a vertical shooter where you descend down a well (of course!), blasting monsters with your gunboots and boots with guns that launch you upwards whenever you shoot.

This simple idea is executed perfectly, with intuitive controls that make it easy to pick up. Don’t think you’re not in for a challenge, though. As you go deeper into the well, the levels get tougher and faster. You’ll need real skill and precision to truly master this game. The procedurally generated levels are the icing on the cake, making Downwell an endlessly replayable experience that you won’t want to put down.

9. PUBG MOBILE

Developer: Proxima Beta

Tags: battle royale, teamwork, military

Rating: 4.3/5

There’s no way we’d miss out on including the game that kicked off the battle royale trend. The game’s still going strong after all these years, and it remains one of the few titles that we think everyone should play at least once.

All the battle royale games on this list are excellent, but unlike Frostborn or FREE FIRE, PUBG Mobile is a bit more cerebral than your typical battle royale fare. The maps are enormous, so traversing long distances feels like a real commitment. Make the wrong decision, and you’ll definitely pay.

Android has tons of great battle royale games (we’ve included a fair few on this list already!), but PUBG stands alone.

10. Badland

Developer: HypeHype Inc.

Tags: atmospheric, platformer, beautiful

Rating: 4.6/5

Quirky and full of whimsy, the highly acclaimed Badland is a side-scrolling action-adventure title that’s been lauded for its atmosphere and gameplay. Players help the protagonist, a miniscule ball creature, make its way through a mystical forest filled with deadly traps and hazards.

Badland’s biggest strengths are its snappy controls, dreamlike visuals, and engrossing narrative. Told in bits and pieces, the mystery of the forest slowly unfurls as you inch, squeeze, and jump your way through the game’s challenging levels.

Badland draws inspiration from some of the best action platformers around. There’s a bit of World of Goo and Limbo in Badland, so if you’re a fan of any of those games, then play Badland now.