Recap #249: What's new this week in mobile gaming?

In this recap #249, we take a look at the week's must-have mobile games releases, mobile news and pre-registrations/test phases not to be missed.

Sit back and relax as we round up all the week's mobile games news! On the programme: we talk about the porting of Caravan Sandwitch, the release of Gambonanza, the announcement of Reverse Collapse: F and a whole host of other news to share with you.

Mobile games releases of the week

This week has been rich in release announcements, with many games now available on the stores:

• Gambonanza has arrived on stores: your mission is to capture all the pieces on the chessboard without wasting your moves, and I have a feeling you're going to have to put your grey matter to good use.
• Old Market Simulator is available on iOS: with your mates, grow produce, go fishing and expand your stock of goods to bring everything back to the market and make some money.
• Monkey Battle: Swing Shot is out on mobile: Com2uS offers its twist, a cross between Angry Birds and SOS Ouistiti. You are a pile of monkeys held in the air who must knock down the pile opposite you, whether it's another player or an AI.

We end this section with the free Epic Games Store game of the week, Teacup.

Pre-registrations, announcements, updates and test phases

Here's a selection of the pre-registrations and beta releases that made their mark this week on Android and iOS.

• Caravan Sandwitch mobile is here: get into your little van and explore a sci-fi version of Provence. Along the way, you'll help different communities and meet some colourful characters.
• Girls' Frontine: Blue Butterfly Contract is announced: this TPS returns to the same sci-fi universe, again with Sunborn Network Technology and studio Hecate Team at the helm.
• Totopia launches its first closed beta: this party game mixes chaos, a cozy life simulator and a crazy multiplayer atmosphere on over 100 maps.
• Reverse Collapse: F is announced: to mark the 10th anniversary of Girls' Frontline, Sunborn has announced another co-op and PVE shooter. The world destroyed by war is populated by false gods, distortions of space-time and new battles to be fought.

We continue with Black Sailors, the maritime strategy game scheduled for mobile release in 2027. The MMORPG Architect: Land of Exiles is coming soon to the world. May releases include :

• Allfiring on 14 May
• Farming Simulator 26 on 19 May
• Minishoot Adventures on 21 May
• DragonRaja ReRise RPG on 26 May
• Slime Rancher on 26 May
• Tomb Busters on 27 May

Later this year, we learn that Rogue Reigns will arrive in September 2026. The port of Faith: The Unholy Trinity will arrive in 2027. Digimon Alysion will be released in 2026 and Digimon UP! is scheduled for 28 July.

Monster Hunter Outlanders , meanwhile, is making good progress with its second closed beta currently underway. Jackbox Party 12 has been announced for 2026.

Other news and events from the mobile games industry

The mobile JV industry has more news in store for you this week:

• Nodusfall and Vassago trademarked HoYoverse: the CEO of HoYoverse has registered two trademarks, Nodusfall and Vassago, under a different entity. Nodusfall is the name of the visual project unveiled in a trailer last November. Vassago, on the other hand, refers to the prince of demons in Ars Goetia and is said to be linked to AI-centric systems.
• Neverness to Everness singled out for its use of AI: the studio was singled out by gamers for copying bits of cinematics directly from anime. NTE ended up posting an announcement on its channel to rectify the situation.
• miHoYo wants to create an autonomous AI civilisation: the Chinese group wants to create a civilisation of independent, autonomous AIs...
• The Battle of Polytopia tournament returns with 10k to be won: with a prize pool of $10,000, and qualifying begins on 11 May with the Kickoo tribe.

See you next week for a recap of mobile games news!