Get started with battle royale games

Be the last player standing after experiencing the intense, fast-paced action of a battle royale. Strategy and survival converge as everyone vies for a podium finish. If you’ve got a competitive spirit and the confidence to outlast all the rest, then you’re in the right place.

Battle royale games are highly popular competitive multiplayer games, with a concept that lends itself to endless possibilities and tense stakeouts and shootouts. As there are loads of battle royale games out there, we’re here to give you a rundown of the genre to help you start racking up those trophies.

Battle royale games operate on the principle of last-person standing gameplay, with elements of survival, exploration and scavenging sprinkled throughout. No matter how many players there are at the start, only one can survive to win.

Inspired by the 1999 dystopian Japanese novel Battle Royale, it’s hard to pin down exactly where the genre first appeared as a game. Borrowing the same mechanics as the novel, you start stranded with minimal equipment and a horde of players strewn across a large-scale map.

While the map starts with plenty of space to roam, over time the playable area shrinks - deliberately forcing players into the same spaces to ensure firefights happen.

You may have to scavenge for supplies and weapons, but your opponents will be doing the same – that’s why it’s crucial to know when to play it safe and shelter in place rather than going on the offense. Remember, whether you’re playing solo or with a squad, you can only trust the ones on your team.

Battle royale games aren't necessarily about shooting, nor does elimination always mean death. It’s a genre characterized by its flexibility, which means there’s tons of different settings and concepts for you to explore.

Taking out your enemies could entail anything – from knocking them off an obstacle course into an ocean of slimy goo lurking below, to hunting and banishing monsters off the map. There’s something for everyone to enjoy in this genre so long as you’ve got the drive and strive to be number one.

Don’t know what to play first? Take a gander at our hand-picked selection of battle royale games to find a starting point.

Parachute into the action-packed PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds, where every second counts in your quest for survival. Arguably the first standalone battle royale game, PUBG will have you scavenge for the best weapons, armor, and supplies to give you any chance of outlasting the clock and your opponents. But be careful – the safe zone will shrink over time, forcing you into dangerous encounters with the enemy.

It continues to be one of the most popular battle royale games out there since its mobile launch in 2018, a testament to its longevity. With various game modes and diverse maps, every game feels fresh and unpredictable, especially when you’re trekking through the snow or hiding out in a dense jungle. If you’re a fan of intense firefights and heart-pounding games of cat-and-mouse, this is for you.

Go solo or team up with friends in dynamic brawls that unfold in under 3 minutes. Brawl Stars’ widespread appeal is due in large part to its variety of game modes, blending shooter mechanics with MOBA-style gameplay. Some brawls will see you switch from the traditional shooting “Showdown” mode to stealing a soccer ball from your opponents in “Brawl Ball”, or guarding a safe in “Heist”.

The beauty of Brawl Stars is that it’s easy to learn but still requires skill to be the best. A perfect entrypoint for beginners, with more than enough challenge and content to keep you busy for a long time. You’ll unlock new Brawlers as you win matches and rank up, each one with their own unique Super abilities, Star Powers, and gadgets. Plus, if you’re a fan of customization, there are over 300 skins to collect – so get to brawling!

Stumbling your way to victory isn’t a bad thing in this knockout multiplayer game – in fact, it’s encouraged. Run, jump, and fumble your way to the finish line before your opponents can beat you to it. Stay on your guard, because every game comes with its own challenges and caveats, whether it’s tiles disappearing underneath your feet or snowballs being pelted your way.

If you don’t fancy going it alone, you can join up with other players and work together to survive . Just make sure to keep the momentum going – eliminations are gradual, so you can qualify for one event and get knocked out the next. Similar to Brawl Stars and PUBG, you can customize both your lobbies and your Stumble Guy so that you’re sliding and slipping in style.