Casual games have long been on the radar of players and development companies. Big AAA games have always been the main focus of the industry, and multiplayer games are the center of the eSports industry. Lately, however, the players have moved on to smaller and casual games, which are less stressful to play but can still be competitive.
In this article, we’ll explore some of the best competitive casual games that are taking over the world of eSports. These games already have a large player base, and professional eSports teams are being formed to play them on a professional level.
Candy Crush Saga
Candy Crush Saga is one of the biggest casual games and one that has many competitive players. One can bet on using crypto casinos such as the ones reviewed by CCN. The game was developed by King in 2012. It revolutionized casual games by making the game instantly available and adding addictive features to the gameplay.
The game became globally competitive, and all other casual games were soon modeled on it. Candy Crush Saga also has in-app purchases, but it isn’t a pay-to-win game. The game can also be played against a global pool of players or against friends or groups.
Words With Friends
Words with Friends is a game similar to Scrabble, developed in 2009 by Zynga. It became an instant hit because of how intellectually challenging it is and how deep lore and world-building it has. The gameplay is turn-based, allowing match-ups to happen asynchroinically and between players all over the world.
There are also two variations of the game: Words with Friends 2 with additional mode and Words With Friends EDU, which is made to be an educational tool and is played in classrooms. Over the years, competitive players have emerged in all variants.
8 Ball Pool
It’s a simple online pool game that can be played on mobile or desktop devices. The game functions per pool rules, but there are a few additional versions, as there are such versions for playing pool in real life. What makes the game competitive is how the opponents are selected.
The players are pitted against each other based on an algorithm made to match players of equal skill. This is a great format for knock-out tournaments. Such events bring together players from all over the world and generate a lot of media attention.
Clash Royale
Clash Royale is a game developed by Supercell that has been around since 2016. It’s a mobile-based multiplayer game that combines collecting cards and tower defense. Its unique gameplay made it a fan favorite, especially as the game allows players of similar skill levels to compete against each other and improve over time.
The players collect cards that constitute weapons and items in their arsenal, and they battle each other in real time. Strategy, therefore, plays a key role in the gameplay in both choosing the cards and deciding how to employ them.
Among Us
Among Us is a game released in 2018 that became widely popular in 2020. InnerSloth developed it, and it quickly became a sensation. It’s a party game made for multiplayer that blends strategy and humor.
Players take on one of two primary roles: Crewmate or Impostor. The former aims to complete tasks around the map while identifying and ejecting the Impostors. The latter tries to stop them. The tasks can be mini-games, and they become increasingly more competitive as the game moves on. Even though it’s not a traditional eSports game, Among Us has gained popularity in tournaments, showing that casual games have a place in the eSports world.
Brawl Stars
Brawl Stars is another Supercell game. It’s been around since 2018. The game is also a mixture of strategy, teamwork, and action. Players use diverse characters with unique abilities and attack styles. There are over 60 characters to choose from, and this determines how the player will approach the game.
There are a few modes out there: Gem Grab, Brawl Ball, Heist, and a Hot Zone. There are tournaments for each of them, and competitive players are taking on each other with a few global tournaments in which the best eSports teams compete for the world title.
Tetris 99
Tetris 99 is one of the most popular old-school games, with a huge base of players but a small group of competitive teams that play it on another level. There are two main ways to play the game competitively. One in which players compete based on speed and the other in which they compete on the longevity of their gameplay.
Competitive Tetris has been around since the 80s when the game first came to be. The World Championship started in 2010. Head-to-head matches where players face each other directly are also popular and are organized regularly.
Mario Kart Tour
Mario Kart Tour is a Nintendo game from 2019. The game is played on mobile devices. It features downloadable tours that change the theme and are often based on the courses that previously appeared in Mario Kart.
Soon, the rise of professional Mario Kart players led to the creation of online tournaments in which players could take part in real-time. These tournaments have never reached the popularity of similar eSports. However, as casual games become more competitive, Mario Kart Tour may soon join other games on our list, especially because it’s so well suited to betting.
Fall Guys
Fall Guys is a free-to-play battle royal game with a simple premise. The player’s goal is to win a race against other players as they get eliminated when one phase is completed and the other starts. The simplicity of the game and its colorful and vibrant design have earned it many fans.
Fall Guys was also one of the games within the casual genre that had competitive players and tournaments. There are World Championships and cash prizes, as well as rewards for individual players and milestones.