10 Best Mobile Game Development Tools in 2023

As we navigate the ever-evolving terrain of mobile game development. In this grand landscape of code and pixels, the tools we use to define the games we create

Selecting the right engine can be challenging but it’s a really critical decision that can impact the quality, efficiency, and success of games.

Without further ado, let’s explore the top best 10 mobile game development tools of 2023. Just a warning: some might make you rethink your software preferences!

Unity

Meet Unity, every developer’s favorite and superstar in mobile game development. Unity might seem like that well-behaved kid in the class, but let me tell you, this engine has some punch!

Renowned for its flexibility and wide platform support, it has a robust and easy-to-use interface, a massive community, and a resource pool that’s like an ocean of goodies for developers. From 2D side-scrollers to immersive 3D experiences, Unity handles them all like a pro. Also, offer cross-platform capabilities.

Unity has tons of tools and features that help you develop games easily. Plus the asset store is golden for developers. There are different ready-to-use design assets from 2D to 3D, codes, tools, and even completed projects.

Mastering in Unity

Mastering Unity can be a valuable advantage for developers but there is a catch: it requires time and dedication. Junior developers might be able to learn to develop simple games in a few days but for full control, they need to dig deeper.

From its shader language to its physics engine, there’s so much under the hood to learn and master. Thankfully, the Unity community is as extensive as the tool itself. It provides free tutorials, forums, and resources that act as a safety net for those daring enough to ride this dragon.

Supported Platforms

• Windows, Mac, and Linux

• PS4, PS5, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch

• Oculus and PlayStation VR

Examples Games

Some wildly successful games born from the Unity platform include “Pokémon GO“, “Monument Valley“, and “Hearthstone“. So yeah, Unity3D isn’t just playing in the big leagues; it’s defining them.

Pricing

Unity offers a free version for individuals and small businesses, which is a boon for indie mobile game developers. Unity offers subscriptions starting at $399/ yr per seat. If you want to use the Pro version, you need to pay $1,800 / per seat. For big game studios, they offer an Enterprise package for $4,000 / mo per 20 seats. So, it’s like a delightful lunch buffet. You can start for free, but the real goodies come at a price.

Unreal Engine

Unreal Engine is one of the biggest game engines in the industry just like Unity. It has advanced rendering capabilities, visual scripting via blueprints, and top-notch physics simulation.

If you ever wondered what’s behind those breathtaking graphics in AAA games, the answer is Unreal Engine. The visual fidelity this engine offers can feel like a slap in the face of reality itself!

Not only does it excel in the visuals department, but the Unreal blueprint system also offers an intuitive, node-based interface for game logic creation, enabling those with less coding experience to bring their vision to life.

Using for Mobile Game Development

Although Unreal is a highly powerful engine, its extensive processing power can be excessive for some mobile games.

That being said, using Unreal for mobile game development demands a significant commitment to learning and resources.

Supported Platforms

• Android and iOS

• Windows, Mac, Linux

• PS4, PS5, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch

Examples Games

Unreal Engine has forged notable names like “Fortnite“, “PUBG Mobile“, and “Infinity Blade“. The fact that some of the most graphically intensive mobile games were developed using Unreal Engine speaks volumes about its capabilities.

Pricing

Unreal also offers a free version for individuals and small businesses Additionally, they offer custom licenses at custom prices. Enterprise programs cost $1000 per seat per year for big studios and publishers.

Godot Engine

Step away from the Titan engines for a bit. Let’s stroll down the Godot engine routes. It might not boast the sheer power of Unity or Unreal Engine, but it brings some unique features to the table.

Godot shines with its scene system, where everything is a scene—a character, a level, or even a button. This makes it a fascinating and flexible approach to game development. It also offers a fully dedicated 2D engine alongside its 3D one, not a 2D-in-3D workaround.

The cherry on top? It has its own scripting language, GDScript, designed to be lightweight and easy to learn yet surprisingly powerful.

Using the Godot for Mobile Games

Godot’s simplicity and flexibility make it a promising contender in mobile game development. It is an excellent match for developers who want to create creative and experimental mobile games with different mechanics.

But stepping into Godot’s world isn’t all sunshine and rainbows. While the engine is easy to learn, it doesn’t come with massive community support like in Unity or Unreal.

Supported Platforms

• Android, iOS

• Windows, Mac, and Linux

• HTML5

• PS4, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch

Examples Games

Notable games developed using the Godot include “Deep Sixed“, “Fracter“, and “Everhood“. While they may not be mainstream titles, they showcase the engine’s capabilities.

Pricing

Godot is free and open-source under the MIT license, with no strings attached. It’s an indie developer’s dream, giving you the freedom to create, innovate, and monetize mobile games.

GameMaker Studio 2

Next on our grand tour, we encounter GameMaker Studio 2, an intriguing blend of simplicity and efficiency. It may not seem like much, but once you master it, it will blow your mind.

This engine is renowned for its beginner-friendly development environment. Its intuitive drag-and-drop system allows even those with no coding knowledge to get started on gaming projects.

It has its own coding language, GML. It’s simple enough for beginners to learn but flexible and capable enough to help with complex game mechanics.

Using it for Mobile Game Development

GameMaker Studio 2 has carved a niche for itself in 2D mobile game development. With some creativity and clever use of its capabilities, it can surprise developers with the variety and depth of games it can produce. But, fair warning, it may not be your best bet if you’re looking to develop a 3D game.

Supported Platforms

• Android and iOS

• Windows, Mac, and Linux

• HTML5

• PS4, PS5 Xbox Xs, and Nintendo Switch

Examples Games

GameMaker Studio 2 has some notable games to its name. Titles like “Hyper Light Drifter“, “Katana Zero“, and “Undertale” were all brought to life using this engine.

Pricing

GameMaker Studio 2 offers several licensing options. The basic version is free but with restrictions. For comprehensive access to its features, the price starts at $39 per year for the Creator version and rises to $79.99 for the Ultimate version.

Cocos2D

As we continued our journey, we ran into Cocos2D, a delightful framework for 2D games. Cocos2D isn’t as flashy as the big chains, but it delivers its own charm and quality.

This open-source game framework allows 2D games with low entry barriers. It offers a simple, logical structure that even newcomers to game development can follow without getting tangled in complexity.

Cocos2D offers support for different programming languages such as C++, Lua, or JavaScript enabling developers to leverage their existing skills to craft delightful 2D games.

Effective Mobile Game with Cocos2D

Cocos2D can be used for mobile game development, especially for 2D games. Its streamlined architecture allows for efficient game creation, keeping the process fuss-free and focused.

But if you are more interested in 3D, you may want to look elsewhere. Cocos2D, like a focused craftsman, specializes in 2D and does it well but doesn’t delve into the third dimension.

Supported Platforms

• Android and iOS

• Windows and Mac

• HTML5

Examples Games

Cocos2D has a roster of games that prove its capabilities. Popular titles like “Badland“, “Castle Clash“, and “Big Fish Casino” were all crafted using this nimble framework.

Pricing

Cocos2D is free and open-source, allowing you to create and monetize games without spending money. An appealing proposition, especially for indie mobile game developers with tight budget constraints.

Construct 3

As we navigate the rich tapestry of mobile game development tools, we meet Construct 3, an engine designed to be accessible to developers of all skill levels.

It emphasizes non-programmers. Its visual scripting system is like piecing together a puzzle, where each piece is a bit of game logic. It’s designed for those without a coding background who can make a game.

But don’t let its simplicity fool you. Construct 3 packs a punch with a powerful event system, a vast array of behaviors, and flexible plugins. This can transform your game development process from a slog into a breeze.

Advancing Your Mobile Game Development

In the arena of mobile game development, Construct 3 shines with its quick prototyping and an interface that’s so user-friendly, it could make a grumpy cat purr.

On the flip side, if you’re an experienced developer who loves more control and complexity, Construct 3 might feel restrictive.

Supported Platforms

• Android, iOS

• Windows, Mac, and Linux

• HTML5

• Xbox

Examples Games

Construct 3 can showcase games like “The Next Penelope“, “Mortar Melon“, and “Super Ubie Land” as examples of what it can do.

Pricing

When it comes to pricing, Construct 3 offers a free version. To unlock its full potential, subscription plans start at $99 per year. But if you want to experience everything, you need to pay.

Solar2D (ex Corona SDK)

Coming up next in our exploration is Solar2D, as we know it ex Corona SDK. This is a framework that delivers on its promise of fast and seamless development.

Solar2D is built on Lua, a lightweight scripting language known for its fast execution, minimal syntax, and easy readability. This alone can reduce the time spent writing and debugging your code, making the development process smoother.

One of the most appealing features is its instant-update simulator. Developers can change the code, and it shows up immediately in the simulator.

Develop Mobile Games with ‌Solar2D

Its high-performance, lightweight architecture allows developers to create rich, responsive games. And its vast collection of plugins grants you access to all native device features, ensuring your game shines on any platform.

That said, Solar2D is more geared toward 2D game development. If you’re looking to develop 3D games, it might feel like looking at the other tools on this list—it’s not the right tool.

Supported Platforms

• Android, iOS

• Windows, Mac

• Apple TV, Android TV, and Fire TV

Examples Games

Solar2D capabilities are demonstrated in games like “Gunman Taco Truck“, “Zip Zap“, and “Fun Run 2“.

Pricing

It’s completely free, no matter how much revenue your game makes.

Marmalade SDK

As we continued down the road, we came across the Marmalade SDK, a game development engine that supports cross-platform development.

It allows developers to use a single codebase to create games across multiple platforms. Also, developers have the ability to code in C++, Lua, or HTML5. This makes it a diverse platform that caters to a wide range of development preferences.

Marmalade SDK for Mobile Game Development

Its flexibility and effectiveness, make the Marmalade SDK the most suitable choice for mobile game development. Its robust architecture and extensive libraries allow you to focus more on crafting your game and less on platform-specific technicalities.

However, the Marmalade SDK learning curve can be steep, especially for beginners. The experience resembles taming a wild stallion – exciting and rewarding, but challenging.

Supported Platforms

• Android, iOS

• Windows, Mac

• Apple TV, Android TV, and Fire TV

Examples Games

Marmalade SDK boasts an impressive roster of games, including “Need for Speed Shift“, “Plants vs. Zombies“, and “Draw Something“.

Pricing

The Marmalade SDK is pricing-sensitive. It used to offer a free version, but it was cut off in September 2021, and specific pricing details aren’t disclosed. It’s like a secret club; you have to contact them for details. So tread carefully and consider your budget constraints when choosing this tool.

Fusion 2.5

Rounding off our journey, we arrive at Fusion 2.5, an undiscovered powerhouse in mobile game development. It is full of surprises and reveals hidden potential.

It offers an innovative visual approach to game development. The developer uses the grid and drop-in objects, defines their behavior and that’s it!

The Event Editor allows developers to create game logic without coding. This makes Fusion 2.5 accessible to those without a coding background but who still want to build engaging games.

Fusion 2.5 for Mobile Game Development

The visual approach allows rapid prototyping and development, turning your game ideas into reality. Simplicity comes with a trade-off. While it’s helpful for creating more complex projects can become messy and difficult to manage.

Supported Platforms

• Android, iOS

• Windows, Xbox

• Flash

• HTML5

Examples Games

Some games developed on Fusion 2.5 include “Five Nights at Freddy’s“, “The Escapists“, and “Oddplanet“.

Pricing

Fusion 2.5 has two pricing models. The standard version costs $69.99 one-time, while the developer version, which includes more features and export options, is priced at $119.99.

Choosing Tools & Starting Your Journey

Congratulations on learning about the top mobile game development tools of 2023! Each tool has its own unique features, catering to different development needs.

Your game development journey begins now. It will need dedication, creativity, and passion. Stay connected with fellow developers and keep up-to-date with evolving techniques and technologies.

Whether you are an independent developer or part of a team, your unique journey requires tenacity, adaptability, and a constant desire to learn. Let your imagination run free, refine your skills, and engage your audience with your games. Happy coding, and enjoy your journey to mobile game mastery!